"If I use the Hidden Mist Technique now, it should conserve a good amount of my chakra. Later, I can focus on sensory and counter-sensory techniques, and perhaps even integrate more effects."
After a night of research, Kyōichi had made significant progress.
The Rain Tiger at Will Technique allowed chakra to permeate rainwater.
After years of research, Nagato had figured out a way to reduce chakra consumption. otherwise even his vast chakra reserves couldn't sustain covering the entire Hidden Rain Village.
Sensory techniques also had research value.
But given the current battlefield situation, he couldn't delve too deeply into this research. He'd have to set it aside for now and revisit it when he had more time.
As for the Paper Person of God Technique…
Kyōichi flicked his fingers, and the explosive tags on his body flew out, converging into a miniature version of himself.
At first glance, there was virtually no difference.
This was also a great tool!
Combined with Paper Clones, it could create surprise attack opportunities.
Unfortunately, explosive tags were too expensive.
Otherwise, creating a bunch of explosive tag paper clones would be unstoppable.
At this moment, it wasn't yet dawn.
Kyōichi looked around and clapped his hands.
"Get up, it's time to move."
"Yes!"
Upon hearing the command, everyone quickly woke up, got ready, and after brief preparation, Kyōichi led them north.
No one asked about their destination.
They simply followed orders.
It wasn't until they entered the Land of Earth that Gekkō Hayate realized where they were.
The Land of Earth!
A covert operation?
He gripped the hilt of his sword, his gaze cautious as he scanned the surroundings.
Kyōichi glanced at Kohinata Mukai.
Mukai understood.
He activated his Byakugan, scanned the area, and then shook his head.
"Let's go."
Whoosh!
The group dashed across the border using the Body Flicker Technique.
In just a moment, they had penetrated deep into the territory, far from the border zone.
That area was too dangerous.
Generally, during wartime, border patrols would be on high alert, but to Hayate's surprise, they hadn't encountered any enemies during their infiltration.
He didn't quite understand.
But.
Looking at the sky, he began to piece things together.
It seemed…
Kyōichi-sama had access to intelligence he wasn't aware of.
"Past the defense line, things get easier. Now, let's assign tasks."
Kyōichi placed his hand on the ground, using his chakra sensing technique to continuously monitor their surroundings.
Then, he looked at Hayate. "Owl, take your team east. Stop when you see a road. That's where their supply units pass. Your mission is to sabotage their logistics teams. Use sealing scrolls to take their weapons and supplies. Don't leave anything for Iwagakure."
"Yes!"
"When you ambush them, don't disguise yourselves. Let them know it's the Anbu. Remember, only target the logistics ninja units. Whether to engage or not, consult Mukai."
Kyōichi added.
Although Hayate was puzzled, he nodded.
He glanced at Mukai and Genma. He knew Genma was skilled in sealing techniques, but he wasn't as familiar with Mukai's sensing abilities.
However.
He didn't dwell on it.
After receiving the orders, he prepared to leave with his team but hesitated for a moment before asking, "Kyōichi-sama, how many times should we strike?"
"If you can wipe out the first group cleanly, go for the second. Otherwise, once is enough."
"Yes!"
Gekkō Hayate had no further questions.
He knew Kyōichi must have obtained intelligence, and he could guess the source.
Amegakure!
To think…
Kyōichi-sama even had connections in Amegakure, allowing him to gather such detailed intelligence.
He sighed in admiration, then headed east with his team.
The remaining four, including Kyōichi, didn't speak, waiting for the next command.
This was what Kyōichi liked about them.
They were obedient!
They never asked unnecessary questions.
If it were Obito or Naruto, they'd probably be jumping around making a fuss by now.
"You've been practicing the Transformation Technique. Today, it'll come in handy."
Kyōichi finished speaking, formed a hand seal, and transformed into the appearance of an Iwa-nin.
Different from Konoha's.
Single sleeved flak jackets and their overall style was quite distinct from Konoha's.
Kurenai was the first to complete her transformation.
No flaws.
The other two quickly followed suit.
Most were alright, needing only minor adjustments.
"Sensei, are we going on a covert mission?"
Asuma asked in a low voice.
"The purpose of infiltration isn't combat but to locate key enemy ninjas."
Kyōichi explained briefly.
The three of them immediately understood.
Find the enemy's key figures.
Assasination!
This was one of the special operations strategies the Anbu had taught them over the past ten days.
"From now on, we're all Iwa-nin. My name is Maki. You can come up with your own names."
"Yes!"
They quickly thought of names.
Kyōichi nodded, not paying too much attention. Generally, when squads met, they would only ask for the jōnin's name, and his disguise perfectly replicated Maki's appearance.
Of course.
The fake fears meeting the real.
But.
If they did meet, he'd just kill them.
Kyōichi wasn't too worried.
He led the team deeper, heading toward the area where the intelligence indicated a concentration of enemy ninjas.
Asuma and other were tense.
Though keeping pace, their breathing betrayed anxiety. Kyōichi immediately corrected them to avoid exposure.
Typical rookies.
Kyōichi remained completely calm.
By now, the sky was beginning to lighten.
The Iwa-nin were starting their shift changes, and Kyōichi could already sense a chakra fluctuation.
"Sensei."
Kurenai came up to remind him.
"I know, don't panic."
Kyōichi was calm.
Discovered?
Kill them.
Against an ordinary squad, he was confident he could wipe them out in a short time—
Killing them all was the perfect stealth!
He moved forward.
…
"Kogan-sama, when are we going to attack the Land of Grass?"
"Wait for orders. I'm not sure either."
Kogan shook his head.
He too wished to attack immediately. According to intel, Kumogakure had already crossed borders and was engaging Konoha directly.
So.
Many in Iwagakure were eager to launch a full-scale attack rather than maintain this stalemate with Konoha.
This kind of drawn-out battle was exactly what Konoha wanted, given their superior medical capabilities.
However.
Kogan knew the higher-ups had their reasons.
He focused, dismissing distractions.
"Let's go, patrol first. I heard Konoha and Kirigakure have stopped fighting. Konoha might reinforce this area… Hmph, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, what a bunch of losers. They couldn't handle Konoha."
Kogan couldn't help but sneer.
He only thought the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had failed to deal with Konoha, unaware that they had suffered a crushing defeat, with several of their swords now in Konoha's hands.
But that didn't stop him from looking down on Kirigakure.
As they chatted.
Four figures emerged from the forest ahead.
The sky wasn't fully bright yet, so he couldn't see clearly, but the man upfront looked like Maki.
"Maki, what are you doing here?"
"I intercepted some intelligence and need to deliver it."
"Your voice? No, wait—"
Kogan immediately sensed something was off.
That voice wasn't Maki's.
However.
The next moment, he saw a flash of blade light, and three figures lunged forward.
Whoosh!
The sound of wind.
He recognized it as a Konoha sword technique—
Three Crescent Moon Dance.
Kogan's sleeves instantly extended with blades, one slashing forward while the other blocked upward.
Clang!
A crisp sound.
above!
He grinned, but then he heard another crisp sound from the front, and one of the attackers was forming hand seals…
The other three Iwa-nin quickly moved to assist.
A stone wall rose, blocking the three attackers.
However.
The next moment, mist began to rise around them. In the dim light of dawn, they saw the enemy figures appearing above them.
"Watch out!"
One of them used the Earth Spear Technique to harden his body and charged at the "Maki" above.
But.
It was just an illusion!
"It's genjutsu!"
"Gah…"
A strange gurgling sound came from below as someone's throat was slit.
Kōgan sensed disaster.
The enemy was strong, incredibly fast. The mist-based illusions made this terrain disadvantageous.
They had to retreat!
He turned to flee in the direction they had come.
However.
After taking a single step, his hair stood on end, and he immediately raised his arm to block with his sleeve blade.
Boom!
A terrifying force, accompanied by a surge of chakra and condensed Wind Release chakra…
How could he block that?
The sleeve blade was knocked away, embedding itself in his thigh. The next moment, he saw a blade sweeping out from the mist.
He recognized that blade.
The Executioner's Blade!
He was terrified. The enemy was too fast, leaving no time to use ninjutsu. He could only rely on the Earth Spear Technique and his other sleeve blade to block.
However.
The next moment, an overwhelming force came from the blade, unstoppable and devastating.
Boom!
His second blade flew.
This time, the blade embedded in his collarbone.
Then, with its remaining momentum, the blade decapitated him.
Blood sprayed as the blade's chips regenerated.
On the other side.
Shisui and the others finished their ambush. The Iwa-nin, caught in the Hidden Mist Technique, couldn't hold out for long.
"Transform into their appearances and clean up the scene."
Kyōichi used the Executioner's Blade to absorb blood while handling the scene and looting the bodies.
He glanced at the Raijin Sword in his hand, feeling a bit uneasy.
Damn.
He almost clashed the Raijin Sword with the sleeve blade. Luckily, he remembered at the last moment that the sleeve blade was sharp and held back, or else the Raijin Sword might have broken.
Thankfully, he had the Executioner's Blade.
This thing was nearly indestructible. Even if it got damaged, it could heal by absorbing blood. Plus, its weight combined with the Strong Fist made it a perfect weapon.
Few swordsmen could withstand it.
Kogan was no exception.
Kyōichi collected the two sleeve blades.
Good material - sharp and durable. Though not chakra blades, they were still quite impressive.
"I'll hold onto these two blades for now. I'll give them to you later."
"Thank you, sensei."
Shisui didn't refuse.
He knew his sensei was quite wealthy now. Aside from the Thunder Sword Kiba he had temporarily borrowed, Kyōichi still had four other swords. These two ordinary blades were nothing in comparison.
At this point, Kyōichi finally got a clear look at the enemy's face.
This face.
Kogan?
That was his name, right?
No wonder he recognized Maki.
Kyōichi cleared his throat and then mimicked Kogan's voice.
"How's that?"
"About 80% similar."
Asuma said.
"That's enough. Kurenai, stay in the back and don't speak."
"Yes!"
There were no kunoichi here, so she had transformed into a male ninja's appearance. However, her voice could easily give her away.
But since Kyōichi had also mimicked the voice, the risk of being discovered was greatly reduced.
So, there was no need to worry too much.