Chp-20: Ambush

After completing several consecutive D-rank missions, Shibi summoned Satoru and his teammates to a training ground one day.

After briefly explaining the mission requirements, Shibi spoke in a serious tone. 

"Did you all understand the mission requirements?"

"We understand," Anko hesitated before raising her hand. "But Shibi-sensei, isn't it too difficult for us to take on a B-rank mission for our first time out?"

Konoha scouts had detected signs of Iwa-nin activity near the Grass Country border, seemingly searching for supplies. Their mission was to prevent the enemy from transporting those supplies back.

Such missions involving conflict between ninjas from different countries were at least B-rank.

"The strongest enemy is only a Chunin. If it were just me, I could complete it in an instant. This is for your training."

"He's very direct," Anko muttered, her mouth twitching.

Satoru's eyes flashed. Detecting Iwa-nin activity on the border was a sign that war was coming. From his memories, the brutal Third Shinobi War was approaching. With the team's setup, his Byakugan's strategic importance, and Shibi's versatility, they wouldn't be handling simple missions.

Rin, on the other hand, didn't think too deeply and was raring to go.

"Then it's decided. You have half an hour to prepare your supplies. Meet back here in half an hour."

---

After several days of travel, the team finally reached the designated location. Standing on a tree branch, they could see a lush green field.

"According to the latest intel, the Iwa-nin will pass through here with a batch of supplies. Our task is to stop them from taking the supplies back."

Satoru hid in the bushes, silently observing the surroundings.

During this period, searching for supplies was undoubtedly preparation for war. Cutting off the Iwa-nin's supply lines might delay the start of the war. What he needed most now was time.

His Byakugan was fully activated. After more than a year of training, its range had expanded to three kilometres.

Before long, he spotted a disguised merchant caravan within his field of vision. Through his Byakugan, he could clearly see the significant chakra flow within them.

"They're here!" Satoru called out. "Three o'clock direction, three kilometres away, five enemies—four Chunin and one Genin."

"Five ninjas?" Anko swallowed nervously.

"With Shibi-sensei here, we shouldn't need to worry too much."

She turned around and suddenly felt goosebumps.

Huh? Where did Shibi-sensei go?

He was just here a moment ago. Now, he was gone.

Their hiding place in the bushes was empty except for the three of them.

"Forget about Shibi-sensei for now. He's probably watching from another location. We'll handle this on our own for now," Satoru said, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves and looking at the two.

"They should pass through here in about three minutes. Let's quickly come up with a battle plan. First..."

Anko and Rin listened intently.

---

Tsuchi walked in front of the convoy. The five-person caravan appeared like ordinary merchants, but if one looked closely, they could see shuriken and kunai hidden under their dusty clothes.

This supply run was a great success. They would surely receive the Tsuchikage's reward if they could deliver the goods.

Tsuchi thought happily as they neared the Land of Earth, having started from the Land of Crafts and passed through the Land of Grass.

As they passed by a cluster of trees, a sudden change occurred!

A kunai shot out from the bushes, aiming directly at him.

An ambush?

Did they think such an attack could harm him? Tsuchi's eyes turned cold.

He raised his kunai to block the attack, but just as it was about to connect, the trajectory of the kunai changed, curving and embedding itself in his throat.

His pupils shrank. Tsuchi's mouth opened wide in disbelief, and he tried to speak, but blood bubbles overflowed instead.

"Tsuchi-taichou!"

"Damn it!"

"Enemy attack!"

Seeing their captain fall, the Iwa-nin squad quickly regained their composure after a brief moment of chaos. They tore off their disguises, revealing their full ninja gear.

Since they had already been ambushed, it meant their identities had been exposed. Continuing the disguise would only hinder their combat abilities.

As soon as they discarded their disguises, three figures burst out of the bushes, charging at the Iwa-nin with kunai.

"A Byakugan? Just three kids managed to..."

The tall Iwa-nin gritted his teeth, glancing at the cart. "Kuro-Tsuchi, you guard the supplies. We'll handle these three."

"Understood!" the lean Chunin responded.

Seeing that one of the Iwa-nin stayed behind to guard the supplies, Satoru felt a surge of relief. This meant a three-on-three fight, significantly reducing their pressure.

"Rin and I will take on the two Chunin. Anko, you handle the Genin."

"Got it!"

Satoru faced off against the tall Iwa-nin, who had muscles bulging all over his body. In terms of height, Satoru only reached his waist.

Satoru threw several shurikens. As they flew, their trajectories abruptly changed. Although the Iwa-nin blocked them with his kunai, they still inflicted minor injuries.

"Kid, did you use this ability to kill Tsuchi-taichou?"

Seeing his body covered in bloody cuts from the shuriken, the tall Iwa-nin gritted his teeth.

"Controlling shuriken—a strange ability. No wonder Tsuchi fell for it! But now it's useless."

Satoru's expression remained unchanged. Although using electromagnetic force to alter the shuriken's trajectory was indeed strange, its greatest value lay in catching enemies off guard. Once they were prepared, their effectiveness diminished.

Revealing this ability in exchange for the life of their strongest member was a trade worth making!

On the other side, Rin looked serious, holding her kunai to fend off the swiftly slashing ninja sword.

"A kenjutsu user? How troublesome."

With a backflip, Rin dodged a slash aimed at her waist and spat disdainfully.

Kenjutsu users were particularly challenging for her type. Her short kunai made close combat difficult, and using ninjutsu left her vulnerable to quick strikes. The battle quickly reached a stalemate.

Anko was also in a precarious situation, being thoroughly suppressed by the more experienced Genin.

Pulling his attention back, Satoru thought, We can't drag this out. We need to end this quickly to support them.

The tall Iwa-nin seemed to sense Satoru's intentions and laughed. "As long as I'm here, you won't be able to support them."

"This has dragged on long enough. Time to end it."

"Secret Technique: Rock Armor!"

The Iwa-nin formed hand seals, and countless rocks formed armour over his body. His already tall frame grew even larger, resembling a rock giant.

The giant's mouth opened, emitting a deep, rumbling voice. "Byakugan kid, you must be a Hyuga. I avoided close combat because of your Gentle Fist, but in this state, there's no way your Gentle Fist can break through my defence."

He charged at Satoru, a massive rock fist aiming for his head.

"Who told you I use Gentle Fist?"

Satoru's eyebrow raised, his body crouched, and he swiftly struck the giant's side with his palm.

A thunderous boom echoed, and intense pain made the Iwa-nin's pupils contract. He looked down, seeing that the area Satoru's palm had struck was utterly gone, leaving a gory hole.

Huh, my kidneys hurt?