Konoha Notes

Chapter 142 The Mysterious Hidden Mist

Following the traces of the battle, Shuji finally stopped in a clearing in the woods.

This is clearly the location where the battle finally ended. Like the previous rest point, although the intensity has increased, no bodies have been found, nor have there been any large-scale spraying or congealed bloodstains.

There were no charred marks from the large-scale use of fire-based techniques at the scene of the battle, nor were there any signs of extensive use of detonating tags.

Given the intensity of the battle, and with Uchiha Shisui's abilities, the probability of Konoha being completely annihilated by a powerful enemy is very low.

Therefore, the most likely explanation is that after repelling or getting rid of the enemy, Zhishui and his group moved to other strongholds according to the emergency plan.

After recalling the locations of several nearby backup camps, Shuji set off again.

After half an hour, it was completely dark. Xiu Si stopped near a natural stone cave with its entrance hidden by vines, backed by a rock wall.

There are warning traps ahead. Approaching a team that has recently been out of combat could easily lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.

Shuji blew a whistle, first identifying himself using the standard communication method of Konoha ninjas.

There was no response from inside the cave, so Xiu Si wasn't in a hurry. Instead, he took a few steps back to create a relatively safe distance, just in case the person inside was an enemy rather than a comrade.

After a moment, a whistle sounded in response, and Shuji spoke loudly: "I am Jonin Shuji, and I have come here on orders."

At this moment, the vines at the cave entrance slid open to both sides, creating a gap, and a familiar person walked out.

"Shushi?"

"Shisui." Shuji responded.

After examining the person carefully with his Sharingan for a while, Shisui confirmed their identity and lowered his guard. He was confident that his eyes could not be wrong.

“He’s a Jonin from the village, no need to worry.” Shisui first turned his head and said something into the cave before walking out of the cave and coming to Shuji.

His body was covered in a little dust and grass clippings, but other than that, there was no sign of a fight.

"Shuji, what are you doing here? Is there some emergency order from the village?" Shisui's tone was tinged with worry.

Given Shuji's status, the fact that the village sent him to deliver a message instead of using the usual means of communication suggests that something unusual has happened.

Shuji first showed Tsunade the permission to leave the village and the mission certificate, and then gestured for Shisui to come closer and explained his purpose.

After listening, Shisui looked somewhat dejected: "Lord Danzo actually harbors such hatred towards the Uchiha clan."

Shuji said, "Although it's just a guess, I still hope you remain vigilant."

Zhi Shui nodded emphatically: "I will be careful."

"How's the situation here?" After explaining the important matters, Xiu Si inquired about Shi Shui's situation. "I went to another camp and found signs of battle."

When asked about his mission, Shisui composed himself and said, "In the past two weeks, the attacks from Kirigakure have become more frequent, and the number of squads they've deployed has also increased."

"This morning, several teams even managed to get close to the camp where we were."

Upon hearing this, Shuji asked, "Why didn't you report the unusual reinforcements from Kirigakure to the village and request reinforcements?"

Shisui explained, "My squad, plus an elite Uchiha ANBU team, is enough to handle the current situation."

Seeing that Shuuji's expression remained serious, Shisui continued, "Although the number of troops dispatched by Kirigakure has increased, their attack..."

He paused slightly, as if searching for the right word, before saying uncertainly, "Somewhat... perfunctory."

"Perfunctory?" Shuji was surprised by this adjective.

“Yes,” Shisui affirmed, his confusion deepening. “Completely different from the style of the Blood Mist Village in the past. This group of Kirigakure ninjas often retreat immediately after engaging in combat and finding that they cannot quickly gain the upper hand or achieve effective results.”

They've reinforced their troops, but weakened their offensive? This usually indicates that the enemy may be accumulating strength, preparing to launch a fierce offensive.

Xiu Si pondered for a moment, then asked, "What is the extent of the team's casualties?"

Shisui didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked around and said, "This isn't the place to talk. Let's go inside the cave, Shuji."

The notification had been delivered, and Shuji had originally planned to leave directly, but the current situation made him somewhat curious.

If possible, he did not want any unexpected changes to occur on the eastern defense line at this juncture.

Shuji nodded, then followed Shisui, parting the vines and bending down to enter the cave.

The cave was more spacious than it appeared from the outside. There were seven people inside: three were members of Shisui's team, and the other was the newly formed Uchiha Anbu team. Compared to Uchiha Shisui, most of these people had damaged protective gear and carried minor injuries; even the Anbu team was no exception.

Even so, their spirits were still quite good. When they saw Shuji, whom Shisui had brought in, they showed both goodwill and scrutiny.

The scrutiny stemmed from that ANBU squad, and the reason for the scrutiny was mostly due to Shuji's identity as the captain of Uchiha Itachi's team.

Shuji was no nobody; his achievements last year were enough to make the proud Uchiha clan hear his name.

Shisui continued the previous topic: "It is precisely because the Hidden Mist ninjas do not have a strong desire to fight that I judged that the existing forces were sufficient to maintain the defensive line, and therefore I did not request reinforcements from the village."

Xiu Si pressed further, "Besides increasing troop numbers and reducing the intensity of the attack, are there any other developments? For example, large transport ships docking?"

A Uchiha ninja dressed in standard Anbu uniform answered first: "No, those Kirigakure ninjas are very weak, and the Blood Mist is just a name without substance."

Shisui glanced at the Uchiha, did not refute, but simply nodded to Shuji, confirming this statement.

Shuji was genuinely puzzled now.

According to their description, the way those Hidden Mist ninjas are acting now is a bit like they're about to fire two shots into the air.

This kind of thing doesn't usually happen to ninjas. They are elite units with ample pay and supplies, especially those trained by Kirigakure. If one or two people are not proactive in combat, that's one thing, but now the entire Kirigakure line is like this.

The most likely explanation is that this was the order they received from their superiors.

So, what is Kirigakure up to?
Ao was resting, and repeatedly using his eye techniques to search for traces of Konoha ninjas was a considerable burden for him.

The other Hidden Mist ninjas were scattered throughout the camp, mostly organizing their equipment, or resting on the ground, creating a somewhat somber atmosphere.

"Captain, how long will this attack continue?" a young Kirigakure ninja couldn't help but ask. "If this continues, the people of Konoha will probably start to laugh at us."

Ao replied, "The enemy is powerful. They are Shisui of Konoha and a whole squad of Uchiha who have activated the Three Tomoe. It is necessary to act cautiously."

This explanation sounds plausible, but others find it somewhat perplexing. If there were only two or three Kirigakure squads facing Konoha's powerful foes, adopting a conservative strategy would be understandable.

After all, the Hidden Mist ninjas don't like to throw their lives away.

However, given that their current troop strength far exceeds that of the opposing side, what is the significance of their continued caution?
Isn't it precisely because the village hopes to make progress that it has sent out so many people?

Qing didn't say anything more.

He received two orders before he set off.

An order was issued by the Fourth Mizukage, formally instructing them to intensify their harassment of the Land of Fire.

The other one came from the village elder, Master Yuan.

That instruction was the complete opposite of the Mizukage's command: preserve manpower, halt operations, and avoid a fierce conflict with Konoha.

"The fourth generation is different from the previous ones."

"Qing, his decisions no longer seem to be based on the overall interests of Kirigakure."

The elder's assessment did not surprise Ao; rather, it subtly confirmed a vague feeling in the hearts of many Kirigakure ninja, including himself, who had once hoped for the Fourth Mizukage's rise to power.

When the young-looking but actually enthusiastic Yagura Karatachi took office, he seemed to want to adjust the policies of the previous Third Mizukage.

But from some point onward, the fourth generation became more and more like the third generation, even becoming more extreme and closed-minded in some aspects, and more obsessed with the "blood mist" policy.

He lived a secluded life, issuing orders in secret, and almost never handled the political affairs that should have been the responsibility of the Mizukage.

Elder Yuanshi was forced to take over most of the village affairs and became the de facto head of Kirigakure.

"Last year's actions against Konoha were normal."

"This year's continuous harassment has been without any reason, wasting manpower and funds without any benefit," Master Yuan sighed. "Yakura refuses to communicate with me and never explains the reasons behind these orders."

"Qing, I don't want to make things difficult for you by making you directly disobey the Mizukage's orders."

"However, I implore you to be more flexible when carrying out orders."

"For the future of Kirigakure, I'm counting on you."

(End of this chapter)