"What's wrong?" Entering the cave and sensing the oppressive atmosphere, Tatsuya asked with a frown.
Inside the cave, Torune Aburame and another Root ninja wearing a flower-faced mask glanced at Tatsuya, but said nothing.
"The village just gave us a new mission," Guy, wearing the white bear mask, was the first to answer, his tone heavy. The fact that even the perpetually optimistic Guy felt burdened meant this mission was likely not simple.
Kakashi, beside him, handed over the mission scroll. Tatsuya took the scroll and quickly scanned it. After a few seconds, his expression also turned grave.
This time, the village's mission was for them to attack a Kumogakure supply depot located in the Land of Hot Water. According to the village's intelligence, Kumogakure had amassed a large quantity of food and supplies at this depot, with over three hundred Kumogakure ninja guarding it.
This was practically a small ninja army, definitely not something the four members of Anbu Team Eleven could handle. Assigning them such a mission was tantamount to sending them to their deaths.
"Absurd! How could we possibly carry out such a mission? Who issued this order?" Tatsuya tossed the scroll, a scoff escaping his lips.
Hearing Tatsuya's disdainful words, Torune Aburame and the other Root ninja were both enraged. The flower-faced Root member even stepped forward, glaring at Tatsuya and shouting, "How dare you! This is a mission issued by the village. Do you dare disobey?"
"A mission issued by the village? Since when do the Third Hokage's orders require Root to relay them?" Tatsuya shook his head, his tone laced with sarcasm.
The flower-faced Root ninja was about to erupt in anger, but Torune Aburame quickly stopped him, speaking in a low voice, "This is an order from Danzo-sama. Do you have any objections?"
"Danzo? Sorry! Anbu Team Eleven is a direct Anbu squad under the Hokage-sama. He has no authority over us," Tatsuya replied, his tone unchanged.
"Those who insult Danzo-sama deserve death!" Hearing Tatsuya's undisguised disdain, the flower-faced Root ninja could no longer contain his fury and immediately lunged at Tatsuya.
"Hmph!" A cold glint flashed in Tatsuya's eyes, and he swiftly moved to meet the attack.
Bang, bang, bang!
The two immediately clashed within the cave, the powerful force of their fists and feet colliding, creating a whirlwind. Kakashi, Shisui, and Guy were initially startled, but then they instinctively moved out of the way.
They had confidence in Tatsuya. This attack mission was far too outrageous, and naturally, Kakashi and the other two were also dissatisfied. Therefore, they didn't immediately intervene in the conflict between Tatsuya and the flower-faced Root ninja.
Seeing this, Torune Aburame hesitated for a moment, then also moved out of the combat zone.
In the relatively confined cave, after only a dozen exchanges, the flower-faced Root ninja was clearly at a disadvantage. With a swift movement and a straight punch, Tatsuya struck the Root ninja's face before he could react, sending him flying backwards in a sorry state, landing near the cave entrance.
In terms of pure taijutsu, the flower-faced Root ninja was no match for Tatsuya. With the enhancements of the Fujinhoin and the body revitalization secret technique, Tatsuya's physical attributes and taijutsu surpassed those of most ninja.
The flower-faced Root ninja, landing in a heap, flashed a vicious look. Humiliated and enraged, he raised his hands, about to unleash ninjutsu. He couldn't accept being so thoroughly outmatched by a junior!
Seeing this, Tatsuya simply sneered, making no move.
Kakashi, Guy, and Torune Aburame were greatly alarmed and were about to intervene when they noticed that the flower-faced Root ninja's movements had stopped, his hands frozen in mid-air. The scene was rather bizarre!
Whoosh!
Torune Aburame moved swiftly, appearing beside the flower-faced Root ninja. Protecting his comrade behind him, Torune Aburame looked up, and a pair of crimson eyes immediately met his gaze.
The three-tomoe Sharingan!
Torune Aburame's heart clenched, his gaze filled with shock and vigilance as he looked at Shisui. In just an instant, Shisui's Sharingan had controlled the elite Root ninja.
Shisui of the Body Flicker! He truly lived up to his reputation as the Uchiha prodigy who had made a name for himself at the young age of ten!
The standoff lasted only a few seconds before the three tomoe in Shisui's eyes slowly faded.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Released from the genjutsu, the flower-faced Root ninja collapsed weakly, his forehead covered in cold sweat, panting heavily. His eyes, looking at Shisui, were filled with terror. Torune Aburame quickly helped him up.
Taking a deep look at the four members of Anbu Team Eleven, Torune Aburame supported his comrade and quickly left.
Inside the cave, the four members of Anbu Team Eleven fell into a brief silence.
"Are you planning to accept this mission?" Looking at the three silent figures, Tatsuya frowned tightly.
After a few seconds of silence, Kakashi said in a low voice, "According to the intelligence from the village, the friction between us and Kumogakure has dragged on for too long. The Iwagakure army stationed on the border of the Land of Earth is showing signs of restlessness and could attack our Land of Fire at any moment. If the war here cannot be concluded quickly, the village will face a two-front war."
Kakashi, Shisui, and Guy had no doubts about the authenticity of the mission. The mission scroll bore the official mission seal of the village, which couldn't be issued without the permission of the Hokage's office.
"Even if the village's situation is urgent, that doesn't mean we should be sent to our deaths! Do you really think the four of us can withstand an entire ninja army? Besides, I don't trust Danzo and Root!" Tatsuya retorted bluntly. He had no intention of sacrificing himself for the village! What's more, such a sacrifice might even be exploited by a schemer like Danzo.
Shisui and Guy remained silent, not interjecting. Compared to the "outsider" Tatsuya, Kakashi, Shisui, and Guy had undergone extensive indoctrination with the Will of Fire, and their loyalty to Konoha was significantly higher. Although the order conveyed by Root was absurd, the three didn't have a strong desire to disobey.
Shisui had already begun to contemplate strategies for the mission.
"I know this mission is almost certainly a suicide mission, so I won't force you. But I will definitely go," Kakashi shook his head, his tone firm.
"I'm going too!" Guy's gaze swept between Kakashi and Tatsuya, and then he quickly declared his stance.
Shisui didn't speak, but he walked over to Kakashi's side. His attitude was self-evident!
Seeing Shisui and Guy resolutely step forward, Kakashi, behind his mask, opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, he said nothing.
"Fine! I can't do anything with you guys!" Tatsuya stood in place, silent for several minutes, before sighing and shaking his head resignedly. If he backed out of this mission, he would become a rogue ninja. Before being forced into a desperate situation, Tatsuya wasn't willing to easily abandon his current identity.
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