A gentle spring breeze wafted through the air, carrying a refreshing fragrance.
In a valley in the northwestern part of the Land of Hot Water, not far from the border with the Land of Rice Fields, a supply team of several dozen people struggled along a narrow, tree-lined path.
In the team, dozens of civilian laborers were divided into groups of four or five, each group pulling a horse-drawn cart laden with food and other supplies. A Kumogakure ninja squad guarded both the front and rear of the procession.
The narrow path in the valley was rugged and uneven. Coupled with a long spring rain a few days prior, the path was even more difficult to traverse.
"Captain, why are we suddenly taking a detour? This path is incredibly difficult to travel. At this speed, when will we reach the frontline camp?!" A young ninja wearing a Kumogakure uniform complained from the front of the team.
The young ninja's name was Ken'ichi, and he was just over twenty years old, a Chunin of Kumogakure. Leading the ninja in front, to Ken'ichi's left, was a man named Soi Go, a Kumogakure Jonin in his thirties.
Hearing Ken'ichi's complaint, Soi Go frowned slightly. He glanced back at the struggling supply team and said, "Ken'ichi, these are orders from above. We just need to follow them!"
Soi Go was very dissatisfied with this newly assigned teammate. Arrogant, conceited, and insubordinate! This was the shared impression Ken'ichi had made on the other three members of Soi Go's squad.
As the war between Konoha and Kumogakure escalated, both ninja villages suffered casualties among their frontline ninja forces. Ken'ichi was a replacement for a fallen member of Soi Go's squad.
Ken'ichi pouted, his tone also carrying a hint of dissatisfaction. "Captain, even though the order to take a detour came from above, we don't have to blindly follow it! This path is clearly unsuitable for a supply team. Why don't we find a smoother route? If we're late delivering these supplies, what if we're blamed?"
As one of the recently promoted young Chunin of Kumogakure, Ken'ichi also looked down on the conservative and rigid ways of Soi Go and the older generation.
Seeing the team becoming restless due to Ken'ichi's words, Soi Go felt the urge to hit him. He sighed helplessly and ordered, "Let's take a break here!"
The supply team found a relatively dry spot nearby and began to rest.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Several whooshing sounds echoed from the dense forests on both sides of the valley. Four figures wearing Konoha Anbu uniforms appeared on a hillside. They were the four members of Anbu Team Eleven.
Standing on the hilltop and looking down at the valley path below, the four instantly spotted the resting supply team. Beside Tatsuya, Shisui's three-tomoe Sharingan had already activated, and he was scanning the surroundings.
"Not good! It's Konoha's Anbu ninja!"
Below in the valley, Soi Go's face turned ashen. He shouted orders to Ken'ichi, the other two, and the supply team behind him.
Seeing the sudden appearance of Anbu Team Eleven, Ken'ichi was dumbfounded. He had just finished complaining, and a Konoha Anbu squad appeared! Could the slap in the face come any faster?
However, Ken'ichi didn't have time to complain. He immediately shouted, "Quick, send a signal for help!"
He had some real skill, even if he was arrogant. As he spoke, the dozens of civilian laborers in the supply team began to flee towards the other side of the valley. The Kumogakure squad at the rear quickly rushed forward to join Soi Go and his team.
"No ambush nearby!" On the hillside, after thoroughly scanning the surroundings, Shisui nodded to Kakashi.
"Take them down quickly!" Kakashi waved his hand and gave the order decisively.
Upon receiving the order, the four leaped into the air, charging towards the two Kumogakure ninja squads below.
Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!
Partial Multi-Size Technique!
While still airborne, Tatsuya and Shisui launched their signature ninjutsu. A giant fireball and two enormous hands flew through the air, crashing down below.
On either side, Kakashi and Guy, like two assassins, attacked the two Kumogakure squads from the flanks.
"Great Fireball Technique and Multi-Size Technique! Everyone, be careful! There are members of the Uchiha and Akimichi clans on the opposing side!" Seeing the giant fireball and hands descending from the sky, Soi Go's expression instantly became extremely grave. He warned his three teammates in a deep voice.
In Konoha, the Great Fireball Technique was the signature ninjutsu of the Uchiha clan. Generally, ninja who were proficient in this technique were mostly from the Uchiha clan. When facing Uchiha ninja, the Sharingan was something they had to be particularly wary of.
And the Multi-Size Technique used by Tatsuya was even easier to recognize; it was unique in the entire ninja world. Both the Uchiha and Akimichi clans were renowned in the ninja world. The Uchiha clan's Sharingan was synonymous with power, and any clan member who awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan was a force to be reckoned with.
Boom!
Dust and smoke billowed, and a huge explosion followed.
Clang, clang, clang!
In the valley, figures flashed constantly. The sharp, piercing sound of swords clashing with short swords rang out as the four members of Anbu Team Eleven engaged in fierce combat with the two Kumogakure ninja squads.
Among the eight Kumogakure ninja, Jonin Soi Go was the most troublesome. He not only possessed extensive combat experience but also excelled in Kumogakure's unique swordsmanship and nin-taijutsu. Even Kakashi, facing him, couldn't take him down quickly.
The leader of the other Kumogakure team was a Special Jonin. His strength was clearly a notch below Soi Go's. Facing him was Guy!
The remaining six Kumogakure ninja were left to Tatsuya and Shisui. With their Akimichi clan secret techniques and the Sharingan, dealing with a few Kumogakure Chunin and Genin was a completely one-sided affair.
The battle had only been stalemated for a few minutes before a significant shift occurred.
Gate of Wonder, open!
On the battlefield, in order to quickly resolve the fight, Guy directly opened the Sixth Gate of the Eight Inner Gates. Immense green energy surged like flames, completely enveloping Guy's body.
Whoosh!
With the boost from the Gate of Wonder, Guy's speed instantly reached its peak. The Kumogakure Special Jonin's eyes and speed couldn't keep up with Guy at all, leaving him completely overwhelmed.
Seconds later, Guy's kick directly struck the Kumogakure Special Jonin's chest.
Pfft!
Blood splattered in the air. The Kumogakure Special Jonin was sent flying dozens of meters by this heavy blow, falling to the ground motionless.
After taking down the Kumogakure Special Jonin, Guy's speed didn't diminish. He charged towards Soi Go, who was engaged with Kakashi.
Sensing the powerful gust of wind approaching, Soi Go's expression changed drastically. At this moment, Soi Go understood that they were utterly defeated in this battle.
Thinking of this, a look of determination flashed in Soi Go's eyes. He ignored the attacks of Kakashi and Guy and dashed towards Ken'ichi's direction. Among the remaining teammates, only this newcomer was in the best condition. Even if he had to die, he would get the intelligence about this Konoha Anbu squad, which specialized in attacking supply teams, back to the village.
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