20 20. Encounter in the Forest Part-2

A/N:- Here is quick note for y'all. If you think this chapter and the previous chapter is empty because there is no MC in them, then you might consider dropping the story right here. This is a system novel with a shop. There is no plot to generate around MC where some shinobi will mess with his store or there will be a rival store because Konoha has strict laws and MC has a background protection from some random mobs. Instead in my story, the shinobi's conflicts will end up dragging MC's store in the chaos. That's why there is highlight on other people for now. Once MC gets stronger and call the shots, the plot progression will shift to him as the center.

Also, this is my second story and I will continue the Madara's Grandson with this story in November. There will be weekly 5 chapters for both stories. Hence, a total of 10 chapters/week.

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Huff… Huff…

Kakashi and Obito are panting as they rest against a tree. Rin is treating their wounds with the medical ninjutsu.

"I… I… never expected these bandits to be so strong!"

Obito takes a deep breath while recovering his chakra.

"What was that red aura around them? It almost tripled their strength!"

Obito raises the question.

"Perhaps some kind of strength-enhancing drug!"

Kakashi remarks as he stares at the shriveled corpses of the bandits.

He was engaged with the leader of the bandits while Obito dealt with the remaining bandits.

While on the verge of losing, six of the bandits, including the leader, bursts out with a sudden surge of power. A red aura encased their body, and they turned berserk. Their physical abilities were greatly enhanced.

They had a hard time finishing them off, and they even got injured during the battle.

"Fortunately, there was no poison in their weapons or else we might be in big trouble."

Kakashi heaves a sigh of relief as he ties a bandage around a laceration on his thigh.

"We are here!"

Daicho leads a group of cloaked figures towards the camp.

Huh?!

He freezes in his footsteps as he notices the charred and shriveled corpse of his comrades.

"What… what happened?!"

Swish… swish…

The cloaked group takes out kunais from their holster and gets ready to attack.

"More enemies, get ready!"

Kakashi warns his group and quickly takes a fighting stance.

Obito and Rin also stand beside him.

"There are a total of eight enemies…"

Kakashi counts the number of cloaked figures.

"And they seem to be shinobis."

His expression turns solemn.

"This is already an A-rank mission."

He clenches his fist and stares at the enemy group.

"Rin, Obito! Our mission here is over. We should take this opportunity to flee."

Swoosh…

The three of them flicker away from the enemy group.

"But what about the group of merchants?"

Rin questions her.

"Rin! Our mission was to dispose of bandits, not escort the merchants. Also, even if engage with these new enemies, there is no guarantee we will be able to win against them. So, we can only leave them to their fate."

Kakashi argues.

"But… but…" Rin stutters but fails to voice her words.

"Rin, if we fight with them and fall here; then their next target will be those merchants. Then there will be no hope for them."

Tch…

Obito, who has been silent all this while, clicks his tongue.

"Even as a shinobi, I can't look down on the lives of others. People die to never return, Kakashi!"

Obito turns around and dashes towards the cloaked figure to engage with them.

"Wait Obito! That's not part of our mission…"

Kakashi tries to stop him, but Obito doesn't heed his orders.

"Kakashi, Rin! I will buy some time for you people to escape. You can group with those merchants and lead them to safety."

Kakashi and Rin continue to dash forward while Obito makes some hand signs.

"Fire Style: Giant Fireball Jutsu,"

He spews out a giant ball of fire at the cloaked figure.

Whoosh…

The cloaked figure stops and one of them makes some quick hand signs and slams his palm on the ground.

"Earth Style: Mud Wall,"

BOOM…

The fireball slams into the mud wall as it crumbles apart, raising a small cloud of dust and debris.

Swish… swish…

A barrage of kunais with paper bombs attached to them greats the group.

Swoosh… swoosh…

The shinobis jump back and avoid the paper bombs.

Tch…

Obito clicks his tongue.

'I thought I had them.'

Swish… swish…

He takes out more smoke bombs from his pocket and throws them towards the group.

'I hope I will buy enough time for them to escape.'

Haah…

Rin clenches her fists and turns around.

"Sorry, Kakashi! But I have to help Obito. I can't watch him die like that."

She has tears in her eyes as she dashes towards the battlefield.

"Not you too, Rin!"

Kakashi clenches his fists.

"Damn it! I am the leader of the group and they should follow my command. That's the rule of the shinobis. I have seen multiple shinobi die when they don't follow the rules. But now… damn it!"

He turns around and chases after Rin.

'I hope Sensei will make it on time.'

Kakashi hopes in his heart as he assists Rin and Obito.

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Boom… Whoosh…

Minato teleports out of the cave as it collapses on itself.

"I never expected the leader to prepare a trap by detonating a large of explosive paper tags on his body."

He turns around and stares at the remains of the cave.

"Iwa shinobis have infiltrated the Land of Fire to such an extent without alerting the patrol squads. Looks like I have to inform Hokage-sama about this matter!"

He pockets the scroll with the intel.

"It's time to return and take a look at the Kakashi and the group."

Swoosh…

Minato teleports from his location.

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Haah… haah…

Obito, Kakashi, and Rin are backed against each other as they warily stare at the shinobis.

"Why didn't you escape?"

Obito questions them.

"I can't leave you behind, Obito! You are a part of our team." Rin shakes her head.

Obito's eyes tear up at his response.

"You two can talk later. Let's focus on the enemies first. These people are from Iwagakure."

Kakashi points towards the forehead protector of the group.

"Why are they here?"

Obito asks him while catching his breath.

"Why?! Because they have infiltrated the Land of Fire. Also, judging by their abilities so far; these people are chunnins. I don't think a group of chunnins can make it up to here on their own. This can only mean one thing; these people are a part of another group." Kakashi speculates the origins of the group and predicts their mission.

The chunnin, who seems to be the leader of the group, signals to his teammates.

"They have noticed us. We have to quickly deal with them and inform the captain."

Swoosh… swoosh…

The chunnin group launches a barrage of kunais and shuriken at the trio.

"Is this the end of my shinobi life?"

Obito stares at them with reluctance.

Bzzt… Clang…

A flash of yellow lightning appears in front of them and deflects all kunais.

Spurt…

A thin line of blood appears around the neck of the chunnins.

Thud… thud…

Their bodies lifelessly fall on the ground.

Swoosh…

Minato appears in front of the group and waves his hand.

"You people did a great job!" He flashes a smile at them.

"SENSEI!!"

Rin, Obito, and Kakashi exclaim in surprise. Rin and Obito even hug Minato.

"Alright! Alright!"

Minato strokes their head to assure them. He turns to Kakashi and nods his head.

"You did well, Kakashi!"

Kakashi, who was about to say something, swallows his word.

'I will inform him later!'

"Sensei! There is still a group of merchants in a nearby cave."

Rin informs him.

"Then let's meet with them and return to the village."

Minato nods.

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Back at the camp,

"Dead! All of them are dead!"

Daicho blankly stares at the corpses of his fellow bandits. He notices the stack of weapons and other supplies around the camp.

Swish… swish…

He hurriedly grabs the supplies and stores whatever he could.

"I have to hurry and run away from here or I will meet the same fate as the rest. Once I escape from here, I will sell these weapons to a small nearby village and live a leisurely life."

Swoosh… swoosh…

He pockets the storage scroll with weapons and hurriedly dashes into the deeper parts of the forest.

'I don't want to be a bandit anymore. I will change profession and restart my life.'

Daicho continues to dash through the forest.

Huh?!

He notices a cloaked figure at some distance running towards him.

"Damn it! It must be those shinobis."

He grits his teeth.

"I can't let him foil my plan of new life."

Daicho clenches his teeth and brandishes the giant club.

Shoom…

A red fiery aura rises from his body and his eyes turn bloodshot.

Snap… snap…

His muscles bulge out and veins pop out on them.

"Die!"

Daicho swings the giant club and aims for the cloaked figure's head.

BANG…

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