Camp and The Shadows.

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A/N: So, let's start with a character template system style.

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Name: Aisu Yuki

Affiliation: Kirigakure

Age: 24

Nature release: Water, Wind, Ice

Level: Elite Jonin (High Kage with Castle of Jadise.)

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Question: you guys want to see stats of shinobi in this way?

(not giving MC system it would be just for your eyes)

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Meanwhile, back at the camp as the ambush at the valley began, the night was calm.

Princess Kanna sat inside her palanquin, delicately eating the roasted boar that Haruto had cooked earlier.

The boar was a result of Daichi's brief hunt nearby, though he had made sure not to stray far from the camp. Both shinobi were on high alert, even during their meal.

Haruto leaned back, satisfied after taking a bite of the roasted meat. "This hits the spot," he commented, grinning at Daichi. "You're good, Daichi-san."

Daichi smiled, a little embarrassed by the compliment. "I've been practicing."

Haruto took another bite before turning his attention back to Daichi, his eyes narrowing with playful mischief. "Since you're feeling good, how about I teach you a few tricks?"

Daichi's eyes widened in excitement. Seeing Haruto in action had been inspiring, and he respected him immensely. Though Haruto was a Jonin, stronger even than his companion Kazuo, he was also approachable and willing to share his expertise.

"Thank you, Haruto-senpai," Daichi said, grateful for the offer.

For the next hour, the camp became a quiet training ground. Haruto guided Daichi through techniques, correcting his stances, movements, and breathing.

They practiced with precision, one learning, and one teaching. Though Haruto couldn't help Daichi with his water-style jutsu, his experience in combat gave him plenty of insight into improving Daichi's form and tactical decisions.

However, the moment of calm was soon interrupted. Haruto's expression shifted, his body freezing mid-instruction. His sharp instincts picked up on something—an unnatural disturbance in the cold air.

He slowly straightened up, his kunai slipping into his hand with fluid ease. "Something's coming," he muttered.

Without another word, he channeled lightning chakra into the trap rods they had set around the camp.

A faint buzzing noise broke the silence. Then—

"Bzzzt!"

The sound of electricity crackled, followed by agonized cries as three hidden mercenaries were caught in the trap. The rods had done their job, electrocuting the attackers who had dared to approach.

Haruto intensified the flow of chakra, and the smell of burning fabric and flesh filled the air as the mercenaries writhed in pain. "See? These rods are pretty good defense mechanisms," Haruto said with a satisfied grin, though his eyes remained sharp.

One of the mercenaries, barely alive, managed to throw a kunai in desperation. It sailed through the air and, by a stroke of misfortune, embedded itself in the neck of one of Princess Kanna's palanquin bearers.

"Damn it!" Haruto cursed, glancing at the injured man. But before he could assess the situation further, Daichi spoke up.

"Looks like the battle in the valley has started," Daichi deduced.

Haruto nodded, giving him a thumbs up, though his gaze remained alert, scanning the trees for any more surprises.

The camp fell silent once more, and for the next few hours, the tension remained thick. Daichi started to relax, thinking the danger had passed, but Haruto's experience told him otherwise.

"Daichi," Haruto said, his voice low but firm. "Never drop your guard once a battle's started. The enemy could be waiting for us to relax."

Daichi scoffed lightly, though he did raise his guard a little, his nonchalance obvious. "Yeah, sure."

Time passed slowly, with only the crackle of the fire to break the silence. Haruto, however, remained on edge, his instincts screaming that something wasn't right.

Then it happened.

"Water Style: Water Bullet Maelstrom!"

A barrage of water bullets came hurtling toward the camp, tearing through the air with deadly precision. Haruto reacted instantly, hands flashing through seals as he unleashed his own technique.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Shuriken!" "Lightning Burial: Banquet of Lightning"

Streams of lightning-infused shuriken spun through the air, meeting the water bullets and neutralizing some of the attacks. But the sheer volume of water bullets forced Daichi to dive for cover. A few bullets tore through his defenses, hitting him and sending him tumbling back with a cry of pain.

From the shadows, a figure stepped forward. Satsuki, an elite Jonin of Kirigakure, gritted his teeth, annoyed that his ambush hadn't finished the job.

"No matter," he muttered, smiling darkly.

"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

Releasing a massive amount of water from his mouth he sent waves towards the camp, he wanted to crush everyone along the waves.

Riding over the waves he moved towards Haruto who was running towards him atop the water waves.

~~ Back to Aki ~~

Aki and Yugito were walking back to the camp, Yugito was frustrated on the inside but would never let it show.

She had almost lost not only her life but also Aki's in the last battle even now she could barely walk. Even Matatabi her chakra beast was recovering inside her body.

Taking each step right now was an extreme endeavor, but not showing weakness as the strongest most decisive Jonin of the team was her choice.

Aki accompanying her was walking beside her, he was doing much better just a little mental strain because of losing consciousness twice in the last few hours.

Suddenly he sensed something, "Byakugan" Activating his dojutsu he focused on the chakra he just sensed with his newly gained sensor ability.

He saw two unknown chakra signatures observing them. Both of the Shinobi had refined chakra control suited for an Elite.

As Aki was scanning the place with his eyes the two hidden Jonin also noticed his Byakugan and decided to take action.

Both of the figures disappeared from their original location.

'Ah, shit,' Aki cursed inwardly as he saw them vanish from sight.

In the next instant, Yugito stumbled forward, and Aki felt a sharp blow to the back of his neck. He narrowly dodged the full force of the attack, but it was enough to stagger him.

Yugito collapsed to the ground, her exhaustion finally catching up to her, while Aki struggled to remain upright.

Their attackers were masked, wearing the familiar ANBU armor. Aki threw a punch at one of them, but it was effortlessly blocked. A swift counterstrike hit him in the gut, driving the air from his lungs and sending him to the ground.

Even with his large chakra reserves, Aki was in no condition for another battle, especially not against elites like these.

His vision blurred as exhaustion took over, and before he could even think of counterattacking, he was knocked out cold.

"He went down too easily," the white-haired figure commented.

"The kid's had a rough battle. Most likely exhausted," replied Shisui, his voice calm as he turned to Kakashi. "That just makes our job easier."

Both of them were on their way to Kumogakure, both of them had felt disturbance in chakra and came here to check the situation, though a bit late.

They had received intelligence that Kumo had acquired a dojutsu user again, but they were surprised to see Aki using Byakugan on the way.

Identifying their target, they made the decision and swiftly secured the target.

~~ Back to the camp (current time) ~~

Kazuo stood tall, surveying the aftermath of the battle. His student Daichi, and Haruto lay injured before him, barely conscious.

The brutal encounter with Satsuki had pushed them to their limits—if Kazuo had arrived even a moment later, both shinobi would have lost their lives.

All the palanquin bearers lay dead, their bodies strewn around the camp like fallen leaves. Inside the palanquin, Princess Kanna sat trembling, her hands clasped tightly around her knees, her face pale with shock.

Kazuo approached her quietly, pulling out a blanket from his pack. He draped it over her shoulders with a gentle motion.

"We're leaving this camp," he said firmly. His voice was calm but carried the weight of command. "I found a cave nearby. We'll take shelter there until Aki and Yugito return or until Haruto recovers."

The princess nodded, still shaken but reassured by Kazuo's steady presence. Haruto groaned weakly as Daichi helped him to his feet, though neither of the shinobi could fight again.

With that decision made, the four of them moved out, leaving behind the remnants of the camp, their pace slow and cautious, not knowing what awaited them in the cold night ahead.

They spent their night in the cave, it wasn't till the new dawn that Yugito found them. She had recovered her reserves by now and was ready to move.

Yugito made the decision to leave for the land of frost so they could swiftly finish the mission and get a medical ninja for Haruto's injuries.

He would lose his life if they could not find a shinobi or kunoichi with medical skills. They put Haruto in the Palanquin and Yugito assigned both Daichi and Kazuo to carry it, while she herself carried the princess in a princess carry.