Escape from Konoha.

Chapter Thirty-Five: Acupressure

A week after the mission began, Shiraishi and the others gradually became familiar with the procedures for ninja missions.

Apart from the initial wave of enemies, the only other encounter was on the fifth day with Sand Village ninjas lurking within the Land of Fire; no further battles occurred.

Among the enemies encountered during this period, most were Chunin-level Sand Village ninjas, and only one Jonin was encountered.

However, after Sakumo demonstrated overwhelming strength against the Jonin, Shiraishi and the others realized even more clearly just how unfathomable Sakumo's strength was, as the captain and Jonin instructor.

Although he had never witnessed the power of the legendary Sannin praised by the demigods in battle, Sakumo's strength was fundamentally different from that of ordinary Jonin.

If we had to put it into words, the opponent's strength probably couldn't be assessed using the Jonin level.

"You've all done a fantastic job these past few days, and your teamwork has been excellent. You've made virtually no mistakes that beginners often make. Just keep up this pace."

After nightfall, the four men huddled around a campfire.

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

Because it was still early spring, the night air carried the lingering chill of winter.

Sakumo, holding a grilled fish in his hand, took a kettle from Shiraishi and smiled with an appreciative tone.

Shiraishi is a non-combat medical ninja. He is the only one of the four who carries a backpack, which contains plenty of water and food.

"Because you, Sakumo-sensei, basically took care of the enemy all by yourself."

Ayane said with a smile.

The enemies encountered on both occasions were almost completely wiped out after just one encounter. Even those who escaped were just low-level ninjas or genin.

Meanwhile, Ayane constantly used her Byakugan to observe the situation, and Ruri combined this with her Fire Release ranged attacks. With virtually no direct combat, those who managed to escape were wiped out.

"Haha, don't say that. As beginners, you've done a fantastic job."

Sakumo knew that most newcomers had some common problems: they wanted to be safe, but they also longed to make contributions, be recognized by the villagers, and eventually become a respected and excellent ninja.

However, this path is not easy, and most ninjas cannot make it to the end.

New recruits with this eagerness to make a name for themselves are too likely to be killed on the battlefield or during missions.

Sakumo had seen countless novice ninjas like this.

By the end of the day, all four of them were quite tired.

However, to ensure safety, not everyone can rest at the same time; someone must keep watch overnight.

So Sakumo arranged for Shiraishi and Ayane to guard the first half of the night, and then he and Ruri to guard the second half.

In this way, if an enemy launches a surprise attack, we won't be caught off guard and in a chaotic situation.

None of the three, including Shiraishi, objected to this.

Sakumo and Ruri quickly fell asleep, needing to get enough sleep so they would have the energy to continue their mission the next day.

Shiraishi and Ayane walked to the other side and sat down. The rustling of leaves in the breeze added to the tranquility of the forest.

Enjoying the rare tranquility, Shiraishi let the evening breeze caress his face and hair.

"As expected of Shiraishi-kun, even when facing a powerful Jonin like Sakumo-sensei, he can hide his strength so perfectly."

Ayane walked over with light, slow steps, expressing her heartfelt admiration.

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

Shiraishi glanced at Ayane and responded with a smile.

The most striking impression of medical ninjas is their frailty; aside from their medical ninjutsu, they are essentially ineffective in combat.

This also explains why, during wartime, enemy medical ninjas were not arbitrarily executed once captured.

On the one hand, medical ninjas play a significant role; on the other hand, they are weak and not strong enough to pose a threat.

Medical ninjas like Tsunade, one of the Legendary Sannin, are ultimately rare exceptions.

Most medical ninjas, like Shiraishi, have no notable achievements other than medical ninjutsu.

To ensure the successful implementation of medical ninjutsu, medical ninjas must not only possess innate talent, but also have extensive medical knowledge and precise chakra control.

This is also the main reason why medical ninjas lack combat abilities. Learning endless professional knowledge and constantly honing their chakra control already consumes a lot of time, leaving no time for anything else.

"Is that so? Then you'd better be careful. Sakumo-sensei is no ordinary ninja. If he finds out, the Hokage will find out very quickly."

Ayane was very wary of Sakumo's strength.

The name of Konoha's White Fang was renowned even to these newcomers.

His prestige in Konoha was even greater than that of the Sannin.

If we were to choose the strongest Jonin in Konoha, Sakumo would definitely receive the most votes.

Although Sakumo himself didn't think so, in the eyes of others, he was undoubtedly the strongest Jonin in Konoha.

The Jonin closest to becoming Hokage.

"Don't worry, my chakra is always kept to a minimum. Even if someone has Byakugan or sensory ninjas, they would just think I'm a genin if they saw my chakra level."

Shiraishi had already considered this point.

While using the amount of chakra to determine a ninja's rank is not entirely accurate, most people in the ninja world believe it to be so.

The stronger a ninja is, the more chakra they will have.

Shiraishi is not the kind of ninja with an excess of chakra. His own chakra is not enough for him to squander, so he must use it sparingly.

Hearing Shiraishi say that, Ayane felt relieved.

The two then fell silent. Ayane kept her Byakugan activated, standing on the tree branch and occasionally turning her head to survey the area to make sure there were no mistakes.

Because of the caged bird, the white eye of the separated family has a blind spot in its field of vision. To prevent enemies from accidentally rushing over from the blind spot, it is necessary to turn around and cover the blind spot in the field of vision.

Nothing happened in the first half of the night. Then Shiraishi and Ayane took their turn to rest, while Sakumo and Ruri, as the team leaders, took over the second half of the night.

And so the night passed, and nothing happened.

In the morning, the four cleaned up the traces at the scene, ate some dry rations, and continued to wander within the Land of Fire.

The operation is also supported by a squad of secret agents. If there is a contact with the secret agents, they will set off in the direction given by the secret agents. If not, they can only search for the enemy and eliminate them.

To ensure the safe transport of supplies and the safety of towns within the Land of Fire, these Sand Village ninjas lurking within the Land of Fire must be completely wiped out.

The four of them moved easily through the forest. A gentle breeze brushed past their ears, and the rustling of the leaves almost drowned out their footsteps. Dappled light and shadow shone through the gaps in the leaves above, adding some brightness to the dim forest and making it less eerie.

The four of them didn't talk much along the way, maintaining their energy.

Just then, Ayane suddenly accelerated and stopped on a tree branch at the same time as Sakumo.

"Teacher Shuo Mao."

"The enemy?"

Sakumo placed his hand on the hilt of the white dagger behind his back, ready to draw it at any moment.

Ruri also gave a wary look, gathering chakra in her mouth, ready to unleash her Fire Release ninjutsu.

"There are eleven ninjas, five of whom have extremely strong chakra and are likely Jonin."

Jonin? Five of them?

Even Sakumo frowned, sensing that something was amiss.

Just as Sakumo was about to ask something, Ayane said in a serious tone, "There are sensory ninjas in the enemy team, and they are heading this way."

"It seems there's no way to avoid it. Let's prepare for battle."

Since he had infiltrated the Land of Fire, it was expected that the other side would send out special sensory ninjas, which was also within Sakumo's expectations. He just didn't expect to run into them so soon.

Whether this Sand Village force is here to destroy towns in the Land of Fire or to disrupt Konoha's supply lines, they must be stopped.

Ayane's Byakugan has a radius of five kilometers. A ninja can reach that distance in a few minutes if they accelerate slightly.

There was absolutely no tactical preparation.

With the Byakugan and sensory ninjutsu at their disposal, the two sides had no choice but to engage in direct combat.

Clapping clapping clapping clapping!

An eerie sound effect echoed through the slightly gloomy forest, creating a chilling atmosphere.

The sound grew louder as it approached, and the attacker was dressed in a black robe and held a long chakra sword.

"Watch out, this is puppetry!"

After Ayane shouted those words, Ruri had already prepared her ninjutsu.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

A massive fireball, radiating extreme heat, hurtled towards the oncoming black-robed puppet.

The moment the fireball shot out, an unknown number of dark figures suddenly appeared in front of them, their target very clear.

One of the Sand Village ninjas clapped his hands together, then pressed them to the ground, a sinister smile spreading across his face.

"Tu Dun·Tu Liubi!"

The earthen wall blocked the fireball, and amidst the explosion, flames and earth and rocks flew everywhere.

The black-robed puppet was unharmed, its black robe covered in dust and sparks. Powerful chakra surged from the bottom of the robe, and it vanished instantly. When it reappeared, it had already jumped above Shiraishi and the others.

The body descended rapidly in a bizarre, contorted posture that no human could possibly make, the blade tearing through the atmosphere like a spinning wheel.

Ding!

The white dagger blocked the rapidly spinning chakra blade.

Immediately afterwards, from the black-robed puppet's two dark sleeves, jet-black chains, like long snakes, emerged, studded with thorny blades, ready to entangle Sakumo's body.

Meanwhile, seven ninjas surrounded Shiraishi and his two companions, looking down at them with fierce, bloodthirsty smiles.

Without any verbal exchange or opening remarks, they drew their ninjutsu and weapons and began to kill.

Just as they charged forward, Shiraishi took a smoke bomb out of his ninja tool pouch and detonated it on the ground, engulfing everyone inside.

Ayane's Byakugan was unhindered by the smoke, and she could see everyone's movements clearly.

The index and middle fingers are joined together, with a thin layer of chakra blades gathered on them.

With a scream, the Sand Village ninja who tried to ambush from behind was struck by Ayane's two fingers, which transformed into sharp blades and plunged directly into his heart.