The sharp exchange between the captain and vice-captain left an awkward tension hanging in the air. Behind them, the group of Chūnin could only lower their heads silently. Not a single one dared to speak up. They quietly fanned out and resud marching, each step heavy with unspoken worry.
Sothing felt off about this mission.
They hadn't been given a clear objective, and now the two highest-ranking officers were already arguing. That was never a good sign.
Nagata Saki, their self-important captain, glanced at Iwayagawa with a smug smirk curling at the edge of his lips.
That's right, stay quiet.
He had provoked the man on purpose. Iwayagawa had always acted like strength alone could get him anything in Sunagakure. Worse, he barely even showed respect to Saki's elder sister, Nagatabe Hanako—a woman who, mind you, was the wife of the Third Kazekage.
This entire mission? Saki had demanded Iwayagawa's inclusion.
Not just because of his strength—though having soone like him around was a good backup plan if things really went sideways.
But more importantly, Saki wanted to humble the arrogant bastard.
He was going to prove once and for all that in Sunagakure, raw power wasn't everything. Background, politics, and bloodlines still reigned supre.
And just as that petty satisfaction settled in his chest—
A blinding flash of blue lightning tore through the sky.
Three sharp arcs of electricity slamd into the Chūnin formation from above, crackling through the air faster than sound itself. Monts later, the thunderclaps followed, shaking the ground and echoing deep into the forest.
Before anyone could process what just happened, Iwayagawa had already vanished from his spot.
He reappeared instantly beside one of the fallen Chūnin, crouching low and scanning the injuries with swift precision. His years in the Anbu made his movents almost chanical.
"Minor burns across the body, internal organ damage... not fatal," he muttered. "But he's out of commission."
His voice snapped with urgency as he turned to the others.
"Enemy confird nearby! This isn't any recorded Lightning Release technique from our intel. Estimated destructive force is around a C-rank jutsu, but the speed is abnormally high—too fast to dodge. Everyone, switch to defensive formations imdiately!"
"Ninja with Wind Release, prepare C-rank defensive jutsu: Wind Release: Wind Web!"
(As every seasoned shinobi knows, Wind naturally counters Lightning.)
"We must protect our sensory-types at all costs. Sensors, expand your range and locate the attacker!"
But before he could finish issuing commands—
Two distant explosions rocked the surrounding area—one to the right, the other to the left—each about two kiloters away.
For ninja, that distance might as well have been next door.
Iwayagawa's eyes narrowed. As an Anbu Elite, he imdiately recognized the source of the sound: Explosive Tags.
However, the nature of the lightning attack just now—silent, sudden, and refined—was nothing like the raw detonation of an Explosive Tag.
So... were these two things connected?
Or was soone trying to herd them?
His mind raced through possibilities.
First possibility: This was a trap. Maybe the Konoha logistics convoy was never real—it was bait all along.
But if that were true, the ambush would've been imdiate and overwhelming. An elite squad would be swarming them from every direction. That clearly wasn't the case.
Second: A third party. Maybe this attack didn't co from Konoha at all.
Unlikely, but not impossible.
Third: The attacker really was from Konoha—but this wasn't part of a larger plan. Maybe it was just one rogue unit or an independent fighter. But then... why only use a C-rank Lightning technique?
It didn't add up.
No. Iwayagawa dismissed the idea of a grand ambush. Too quiet. Too few chakra signatures.
Whoever this was... probably wasn't that strong.
So what were the tags for?
Diversion?
Divide their ranks?
Or... the laughable possibility—a random lightning strike, and two nervous Konoha ninja set off their tags in a panic.
Logically, nonsense. But shinobi life was full of nonsense.
In less than five seconds, Iwayagawa had run through dozens of scenarios.
But none of it would matter—because the final decision didn't rest with him.
A sensory ninja from Sunagakure stood up, his voice crisp:
"Captain! Chakra signature detected—southeast, 2.5 kiloters! One moving target. Based on flow and intensity... likely a Chūnin!"
Before he could even finish, another sensor, looking sour at being second, chid in imdiately:
"Captain! I've also got one—southwest, sa distance! Another moving target, but weaker. Probably just a Genin!"
"Only two?" Iwayagawa asked, frowning deeply.
The two sensors exchanged glances before nodding together.
"Yes, Vice-Captain. Within a three-kiloter radius, these are the only chakra signatures we've confird."
Two and a half kiloters...
And yet three of their Chūnin were taken out?
Could a single Chūnin really do that?
If all of Konoha's mid-level ninja were this powerful... Sunagakure might as well surrender now.
Iwayagawa's scowl deepened.
But his doubts ant nothing.
Because Nagatabe Saki was already barking out orders.
"Hah! So it really was Konoha! Those arrogant little rats think they can make fools of us?! Iwayagawa, go capture the Chūnin for !"
"And that Genin... heh. I'll take care of that runt myself."
For a brief mont, silence fell.
Just one sentence—and he'd insulted over twenty of his own squad mbers.
Typical Saki.
The surrounding Chūnin didn't even dare to roll their eyes. They just stood quietly, faces blank.
Iwayagawa didn't respond imdiately.
He weighed his options. Saki was a fool—but chasing down the enemy wasn't a bad idea.
In fact, being alone suited him better.
The current team was a liability. With their clumsy movents and overconfidence, they'd only slow him down.
He wasn't interested in "capturing" anyone.
If the enemy turned out to be dangerous, he'd eliminate them. If not, he'd get the job done quickly and return. And if things went south? He could always retreat. Solo, he was faster—harder to track.
And best of all?
If this mission failed, he could dump all the bla on that loudmouth Saki.
With that thought in mind, Iwayagawa said nothing further. A mont later, he vanished in a swirl of leaves, using the Body Flicker Technique to disappear from sight.
Unbeknownst to Saki, the direction Iwayagawa had taken... was straight toward their original mission target.
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