Exchanging information was always a simple matter—so simple it usually happened in the blink of an eye. This particular izakaya was run by Konohagakure and was used specifically for transmitting intelligence. Every eting had a different cover story. This ti, it was a staged dine-and-dash. Amidst the scuffle with the waiter, the intel was discreetly passed into Yūhi Shinku’s hand. The cover story changed with every exchange.
The scroll always included the ti and thod of the next handoff, which would also be different each ti.
The four of them left the small town imdiately.
...
At night, the izakaya was bustling with patrons. Just then, a group of brawny n wearing Kumogakure flak jackets stord in. Leading them was a massive man, built like a bear on two legs, his voice booming across the room.
"No one move! Get them!"
The Kumogakure shinobi surged forward, quickly subduing everyone inside.
"Search everyone one by one. Find the contact and retrieve the intel!"
The leader barked the order.
"Yes, sir!"
The others began a systematic search. Eventually, they identified the shop owner and a waiter. Using genjutsu, they extracted the information.
But it was already too late—the intel had been taken by the Konoha team.
Their expressions soured. No one knew how much of Kumogakure’s secrets had been written in that scroll, but regardless, they could not allow it to fall into Konoha’s hands. That would bring nothing but harm to Kumogakure.
Two shinobi were tasked with taking the owner and waiter away, while the rest set off in pursuit of the intel.
Konoha’s intelligence node had been rooted out, and several spies had been exposed in the process. Though this wasn’t the entirety of Konoha’s network in Kumogakure, losing even a few spies was still a blow. Conversely, Kumogakure would likely be able to extract so useful intel about Konoha from these captured agents.
...
"Lord Rakei, the Konoha team left this afternoon. At this pace, we should catch up soon," one of the Kumogakure shinobi reported as they traveled.
Rakei grunted. "I know. We can’t let them get away. Damn those Konoha bastards! Maki, can you sense their location?"
The only sensor-type shinobi in the trio, Maki, nodded.
"They’re still a fair distance ahead. They haven’t moved in a while—probably resting. We should be able to catch up soon."
"Good. We can’t let those Konoha ninja slip through our fingers!"
Rakei and his squad lted into the night.
...
anwhile, Yūhi Shinku and the others, unaware of the pursuit, were resting. Shinku was keeping watch while the three kids huddled around the campfire. They had already crossed into the Land of Hot Water. Once they made it into the Land of Fire, they could truly consider themselves safe.
This wasn’t warti, so their travel pace didn’t need to be rushed—but they couldn’t afford to take it too slow either.
The intel they carried was too important to risk.
Even though the mission had been labeled C-rank, it could easily qualify as B-rank. The only reason it was graded lower was because the risk level seed minimal at the outset. But hidden dangers still lurked.
Suddenly, Shinku’s expression shifted.
He called out sharply, waking the three kids.
"Move! One of my traps just got triggered—we’re being followed!"
Asuma rubbed his eyes. "Maybe it was just a wild animal?"
"No way. Move, now!"
Shinku urged them urgently. The three snapped to attention, doused the fire, and bolted toward the Land of Fire.
As they ran, Kiyosuke asked, "Shinku-sensei, is it Kumogakure’s pursuit unit?"
"Probably. One of the spies must’ve been captured. That safehouse is compromised. We need to get back to the village as fast as possible to protect the intel."
"I can send the intel to Orochimaru-sensei through a summoning."
Kiyosuke had a summoning contract with the sa snakes as Orochimaru. It was entirely possible to deliver the scroll that way.
"Do it."
Shinku nodded and handed the scroll to him.
"Summoning Technique!"
A snake appeared, swallowed the scroll, and vanished with a puff.
Seeing that, Shinku finally looked a bit more at ease.
But in the next second, a whistling wind cut through the air. He grabbed Kurenai and Asuma beside him and locked Kiyosuke under his arm.
An instant later, a hailstorm of kunai and shuriken rained down, shredding the ground where they had just been.
Shinku set the kids down and said darkly, "Kumogakure’s pursuit unit."
Three Kumogakure shinobi landed on the tree branches overhead, bathed in moonlight. Their muscular forms gave off a bizarre "cool uncles under the moonlight" vibe.
Kiyosuke stared at them, deadpan.
"This is way too surreal. Why does this feel so familiar?"
Rakei glanced over their group.
"One jōnin and three genin. Looks like this mission will be over quickly."
"I’ll take care of them. You three, run!" Shinku ordered grimly. "Leave this to ."
"But—" Kurenai wanted to argue, but she knew if they stayed, they’d only hold him back.
Asuma clenched his teeth. "I’m not leaving! Shinku-sensei, we’re a team!"
"Follow orders! Kiyosuke, take them and get out of here!" Among the three, Kiyosuke was the calst. Shinku trusted him to lead the others to safety.
"Understood!"
Kiyosuke grabbed the other two and ran.
"Hey! Kiyosuke, let go! I want to fight!"
"Shut it, idiot! I might survive, but you sure as hell won’t!"
"Hahaha, cocky little brat!" said one of Rakei’s teammates, Galobi, chuckling cruelly.
"Kid’s gone mad. Does he not realize we’re all jōnin from Kumogakure? Let’s see if I can kill you!"
He lunged, blade in hand, only to be blocked by Shinku’s sword.
"Well, well. Not bad! You actually blocked my’s blade. Not bad for a Konoha ninja. What’s your na?"
Shinku remained silent.
But just then, Galobi flinched, sensing intense heat.
He jerked his head aside, and a fireball grazed his hair, igniting it.
He leapt back, frantically batting at the flas. The air reeked of burning protein.
"You little brat!" he roared, spotting Kiyosuke above in the tree, a fla still dancing in his palm.
Rakei landed beside him. "Galobi, go kill those three brats. I’ll take care of this Konoha jōnin."
"Got it!" A cruel grin stretched across Galobi’s face.
Shinku was about to stop him, but Rakei swung his sword at him.
Such power!
The force behind the blade made Shinku’s heart sink. This guy was no ordinary jōnin—even among Kumogakure, his strength must be top-tier. And there was still one more watching from the trees.
Shinku glanced at Galobi’s retreating back and muttered,
"Kiyosuke, I’m counting on you to protect them."
"You’re thinking about other people at a ti like this? That’ll get you killed," Rakei sneered. "Those brats won’t last long. Galobi will slaughter them in no ti."
"Don’t underestimate the shinobi of Konoha!"
Shinku answered with a cold glare.
----------------
Pls Drop so Power Stones
100 Chapters and support on Patreon(.)com/Jixo
Reviews
All reviews (0)