As the head of the Leaf's escort team, Kakashi was somewhat speechless regarding Lop Nur's obsession with finding a wild boar, but he ultimately let the man have his way.
Since the mission had already devolved into a glorified tour, playing along seemed like a viable strategy.
Moreover, Lord Lop Nur was clearly more than he appeared; the true purpose behind his actions remained a subject of ongoing investigation.
Just as the Leaf's support staff was being mobilized to hunt for the boar, a massive bolt of lightning from a distant thundercloud illuminated the horizon. Kakashi's expression sharpened.
A battle between ninjas up ahead... Could it be!?
"That commotion just now... is there a fight going on in front of us?" Asuma and Kurenai approached, only for Kakashi to shake his head. "I'll go check it out. You two stay here and protect Lord Lop Nur."
Activating his single Sharingan to enhance his visual perception, Kakashi vanished in a blur of motion.
However, the moment Kakashi disappeared, an anomaly struck the caravan. Six shadows suddenly materialized, charging inward with kunai drawn, their target clearly being Lop Nur's carriage.
"Enemy attack!"
Kurenai and Asuma immediately shifted into combat stances. Kurenai pressed herself against the side of the carriage, staying vigilant of every movement around the client.
"Where's Kakashi!?"
Asuma quickly formed hand signs, transforming the cigarette in his mouth into an offensive fire technique: "Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning!"
This was a jutsu Asuma had created based on his smoking habit. He exhaled a cloud of superheated ash that could cause third-degree burns.
Unlike standard fire, the ash lingered in the air, surrounding the enemy in a searing haze. It was a mid-range B-Rank technique.
Amidst the swirling smoke and heat, the six mysterious shinobi scattered. Though Lop Nur didn't appear nervous, a deep, calculating glint flashed in his eyes.
These six were a specialized group from the underground black market. While their fees weren't as astronomical as the Akatsuki's, they were considered a top-tier assassination squad.
The Leaf might test me, but they would never send notorious killers like these, Lop Nur thought. If it isn't the Leaf, then it's an internal faction from the Land of Wind.
Had the Kitajima family truly been backed into a corner by the Roran Chamber of Commerce? Had their enmity reached the point where they would hire such scum to hunt him down?
The Roran Chamber and Lord Lop Nur were real entities. Years ago, Shiraishi had begun sponsoring the Chamber, utilizing the Roran survivors' desire to restore their nation to build a commercial power that rivaled the Kitajima clan.
Lop Nur's presence in the Leaf was, as the intel suggested, a ruse to seek support for new military ninja tools—including a rare raw material project sourced from the Land of Frost.
Both the Roran Chamber and the Kitajima family were pieces Shiraishi used to balance the domestic power of the Land of Wind.
Until the younger generation of the Sand was fully matured, such "divide and conquer" tactics were necessary to maintain stability.
The real Lop Nur was currently safely tucked away in the Kazekage's office in the Sand. However, the actions of this "Lop Nur" in the Land of Fire had indeed baited the Kitajima family into launching a genuine assassination attempt.
The strongest among the six was a Jonin, while the weakest was a Chunin. Though they were a ragtag bunch of rogues, it was a heavy burden for Asuma alone to handle.
The caravan fell into chaos, and a dozen samurai from the Daimyo's guard stepped forward to form a defensive circle around Lop Nur.
"Miss Kurenai, go help your comrade," Lop Nur urged.
"But my mission—"
Kurenai was worried about Asuma, but the first rule of a ninja was to prioritize the mission. In the current climate of the Leaf, the mission was often placed above the lives of comrades.
Lop Nur shook his head. "Your joining in could turn the tide. If they defeat Asuma and then come for us, our chances are even lower. The mission is important, but you cannot abandon your companion."
Seeing his persistence and with her heart aching for her lover, Kurenai leaped into the fray. As she threw kunai to support Asuma, two Chunin-level infiltrators suddenly appeared behind Lop Nur.
"My Lord, watch out!"
As guards of the Daimyo, these samurai were ordinary men, but they possessed a basic ability to utilize chakra. Seeing the threat, a young samurai drew his blade to intercept the attacker.
"Die!"
The rogue ninja, annoyed by the interference, quickly wove signs and spat a jet of flame. However, Lop Nur's eyes flickered, and he released a sudden gust of wind that blew the fire apart.
Simultaneously, he flicked his fingers, attaching chakra threads to the young samurai guarding him.
The samurai, now a puppet under Lop Nur's control, lunged forward with a speed like a lightning strike. Before the rogue could even process why his fire jutsu had failed, the samurai's long blade had pierced his chest.
Why is my body moving on its own? The samurai wondered in shock.
Lop Nur's control technique differed from standard puppetry. The chakra threads weren't just for physical manipulation; they acted as conduits for electrical signals.
His true method of control involved tiny bursts of Lightning Style chakra that directly commanded the samurai's nervous system.
Every nerve was under his sway, from the swing of the sword down to the man's very posture.
As blood dripped, the other rogue ninja panicked and unleashed a flurry of projectiles, only to see a second samurai fall under the same mysterious control.
The two guards began to fight with such ferocity and speed that the battle shifted instantly.
Asuma and Kurenai watched from the corner of their eyes, bewildered. When had the Daimyo's guards become so formidable? They were suppressing the attackers, forcing them into a retreat.
Just as the six rogues realized they couldn't take the Roran scion and prepared to flee, a flash of blue lightning cut through the air.
Kakashi Hatake appeared out of nowhere, his Chidori thrusting directly through the heart of one enemy.
Kakashi, having sensed the diversion and doubled back, stood coldly before the remaining five. The lightning in his hand grew brighter and more intense.
Bathed in the glow of the electricity, Kakashi looked every bit the elite master. After executing one rogue instantly, he walked forward slowly. "Apologies. My oversight nearly put you in danger, My Lord."
Lop Nur scratched his head and laughed heartily. "No harm done, Mr. Kakashi. I don't blame you at all."
Actually, even without you... These samurai were doing just fine, Lop Nur thought to himself with a smirk.
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