Chapter 36

A week after the mission began, Bai Shi and the others gradually became familiar with the process of carrying out ninja missions.

Apart from the initial wave of enemies they encountered, they only faced Sand Hidden Village ninjas lurking within the Fire Country on the fifth day, and no further battles occurred.

Among the enemies they encountered, the majority were Chunin-level Sand Hidden Village ninjas, and they only encountered one Jonin.

However, after Suo Mao demonstrated his overwhelming strength against the Jonin, Bai Shi and the others became even more aware of the unfathomable depth of Suo Mao's abilities as their team leader and instructor Jonin.

Although they had not witnessed the legendary power of the Three Great Ninja, who were praised as demigods, Suo Mao's strength was fundamentally different from that of an ordinary Jonin.

If one had to say, his strength might already be beyond the level of a Jonin.

"These past few days, you've all done a great job. Your teamwork has been excellent, and you haven't made the common mistakes that newbies often do. Keep up this pace."

After nightfall, the four of them gathered around a campfire.

The burning fire not only dispelled the surrounding darkness but also brought a hint of warmth.

It was still early spring, and the night air carried the lingering chill of winter.

Suo Mao held a roasted fish and took a water flask from Bai Shi, praising them with a smile.

Bai Shi was a non-combat medical ninja, and among the four, only he carried a backpack containing sufficient water and food.

"Because you, Teacher Suo Mao, basically handled all the enemies on your own."

Ayame said with a smile.

The two times they encountered enemies, they were almost completely wiped out in a single encounter. Even if any escaped, they were only Chunin and Genin, minor threats.

Ayame constantly observed the situation with her Byakugan, and Ruri provided long-range fire jutsu attacks, effectively eliminating any stragglers without direct combat.

"Haha, don't say that. For newbies, you've already performed exceptionally well."

Suo Mao knew the common issues most newbies faced: they wanted to be safe but also craved recognition and success, hoping to become respected and excellent ninjas.

However, this path was not easy, and most ninjas could not reach the end.

Newbies with a strong desire for success were too easily sacrificed on the battlefield and during missions.

Suo Mao had seen countless such newbies.

By the end of the day, all four were somewhat exhausted.

However, to ensure safety, they could not all rest at the same time; someone had to keep watch.

Suo Mao arranged for Bai Shi and Ayame to take the first half of the night, and then he and Ruri would take the second half.

This way, if enemies attacked, they wouldn't be caught off guard.

Bai Shi and Ayame had no objections.

Suo Mao and Ruri soon fell into a deep sleep, needing to ensure they had enough rest to continue the mission the next day.

Bai Shi and Ayame sat down on the other side, the rustling of leaves in the breeze adding to the forest's tranquility.

Bai Shi enjoyed the rare peace, letting the cool night breeze caress his face and hair.

"True to form, Bai Shi. Even in the presence of a powerful Jonin like Teacher Suo Mao, you can hide so perfectly."

Ayame walked over with a light step, genuinely impressed.

"Because I'm a medical ninja, no one pays attention to my strength. Medical ninjas like Tsunade are rare."

Bai Shi glanced at Ayame and smiled in response.

The most common impression of medical ninjas is their frailty. Apart from using medical jutsu, they generally lack effective combat capabilities.

This is why, during wars, enemy medical ninjas are not usually executed immediately.

On one hand, medical ninjas are very useful, and on the other, their frailty means they do not pose a significant threat.

Medical ninjas like Tsunade are exceptions.

Most medical ninjas, like Bai Shi, have no notable achievements beyond their medical jutsu.

To ensure the smooth implementation of medical jutsu, medical ninjas must have innate talent, extensive medical knowledge, and precise chakra control.

This is also the main reason why medical ninjas lack combat capabilities. Learning endless specialized knowledge and constantly refining chakra control already consumes a lot of time, leaving no room for other activities.

"Is that so? Then be careful. Teacher Suo Mao is not an ordinary ninja. If he discovers you, the Hokage will soon find out."

Ayame was very wary of Suo Mao's strength.

The name "White Fang of Konoha" was well-known even to newbies.

His prestige in Konoha was even higher than that of the Three Great Ninja.

If one were to vote for the strongest Jonin in Konoha, Suo Mao would receive the most votes.

Although Suo Mao himself did not think so, in others' eyes, he was undoubtedly the strongest Jonin in Konoha.

The Jonin closest to the position of Hokage.

"Don't worry. I always keep my chakra at the minimum. Even if someone with Byakugan or a sensor ninja sees my chakra, they would think I'm just a Genin."

Bai Shi had already considered this.

Although the amount of chakra is not the only factor in determining a ninja's level, most people in the ninja world believe it is.

The more powerful a ninja, the more chakra they have.

Bai Shi was not a ninja with an abundance of chakra. His chakra was limited, and he had to use it sparingly.

Hearing this, Ayame felt reassured.

The two then fell silent. Ayame kept her Byakugan active, occasionally turning her head to ensure no blind spots were missed.

The Byakugan of the branch family has a blind spot due to the "Caged Bird" seal, so she had to turn her head to cover the blind spot.

Nothing happened during the first half of the night. Then, it was Bai Shi and Ayame's turn to rest, and Suo Mao and Ruri took over the watch.

The night passed without incident.

In the morning, the four of them cleaned up the site, had a quick meal of dry rations, and continued patrolling within the Fire Country.

They were also working with a squad of ANBU. If they received instructions from the ANBU, they would follow the given direction. If not, they would search for and eliminate enemies.

To ensure the safe transport of supplies and the security of towns within the Fire Country, the Sand Hidden Village ninjas lurking within the Fire Country had to be completely eliminated.

The four moved easily through the forest, the light breeze almost masking their footsteps. Dappled sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, providing some illumination in the dim forest, making it less eerie.

The four remained mostly silent, conserving their energy.

Suddenly, Ayame sped up and stopped on a branch with Suo Mao.

"Teacher Suo Mao."

"Enemies?"

Suo Mao placed his hand on the hilt of his White Fang short sword, ready to draw it at any moment.

Ruri also assumed a defensive stance, gathering chakra in her mouth, ready to launch a fire jutsu.

"There are eleven ninjas, five of whom have very strong chakra, likely Jonins."

Jonins? Five of them?

Even Suo Mao furrowed his brow, sensing something was off.

Just as Suo Mao was about to ask, Ayame said solemnly, "The enemy team has a sensor ninja, and they are heading this way."

"It seems we can't avoid a confrontation. Prepare for battle."

Suo Mao had anticipated that the enemy would send special sensor ninjas to infiltrate the Fire Country, but he didn't expect to encounter them so soon.

Regardless of whether this Sand Hidden Village team was sent to destroy Fire Country towns or disrupt Konoha's supply lines, they had to be stopped.

Ayame's Byakugan had a range of five kilometers. At that distance, ninjas could reach them in a few minutes if they accelerated.

There was no time for tactical preparation.

With the Byakugan and sensor jutsu, both sides could only engage in direct combat.

Clack, clack, clack, clack!

A strange sound echoed through the slightly dark forest, creating a sense of dread.

The sound grew closer, and the attackers, dressed in black robes, wielded chakra blades.

"Be careful, it's a puppet technique!"

As Ayame shouted, Ruri was already prepared.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive, intensely hot fireball shot toward the black-robed puppets.

As the fireball approached, several dark figures emerged, their target clear.

One of the Sand Hidden Village ninjas, wearing a forehead protector, clapped his hands and pressed them to the ground, a sinister smile on his face.

"Earth Style: Mud Wall!"

The mud wall blocked the fireball, and in the explosion, flames and earth debris flew everywhere.

The black-robed puppet was unharmed, with only a bit of dust and sparks on its black robe. A powerful chakra surge from the bottom of the robe made it disappear and reappear above Bai Shi and the others.

Its body twisted in an impossible manner, spinning down with a blade that sliced through the air.

Clang!

Suo Mao's White Fang short sword deflected the high-speed spinning chakra blade.

Then, from the black-robed puppet's dark sleeves, two snake-like chains with thorn-like blades extended, ready to entangle Suo Mao.

On the other side, seven ninjas surrounded Bai Shi, Ayame, and Ruri, their faces twisted in vicious, bloodthirsty grins.

Without any verbal exchange or opening remarks, they drew their weapons and began the slaughter.

As they charged, Bai Shi pulled a smoke bomb from his ninja tool bag and detonated it on the ground, enveloping everyone in smoke.

In the smoke, Ayame's Byakugan saw everything clearly.

Her index and middle fingers, coated with a thin layer of chakra, formed a blade.

With a scream, the Sand Hidden Village ninja who tried to sneak up from behind was pierced through the heart by Ayame's fingers, which had turned into sharp blades.

The chakra blades on her fingers then transformed into a small chakra stream, fiercely impacting the ninja's heart.

When Ayame pulled her fingers out, they were coated only in chakra, without a trace of blood.

The enemy's eyes were filled with blood vessels about to burst, his face contorted in unimaginable pain before he fell to the ground, dead.