Escape from Konoha.

If it weren't for the war, it would be nice to go there and enjoy yourself, but for now, the mission is the priority.

After patrolling for two consecutive days, they found nothing unusual and didn't even see a shadow of a Sand Village ninja.

However, considering that this is the heart of the Land of Fire, the Sand Village ninjas wouldn't be foolish enough to cause trouble here. Of course, just in case, the serious Sakumo wouldn't let any region go unchecked.

On the third day, when the supplies in their backpacks ran out, they went to the nearest Konoha outpost for a resupply.

"You guys are really amazing to be out here at such a young age, carrying out such a dangerous mission with Jonin Sakumo."

The captain at this outpost was a well-known Jonin in Konoha, a mature man in his thirties. He made this remark upon seeing the incredibly youthful faces of Shiraishi and the other two.

"Actually, our help is very small, and we often need Mr. Shuo Mao to take care of us."

Shiraishi maintained a humble attitude.

“I know Jonin Sakumo’s personality. If you didn’t gain his approval, he would never have gone against his principles and brought you on this dangerous mission. In other words, your strength has earned his approval. That’s the kind of man who cherishes his comrades.”

The Konoha Jonin seemed to recall something and said.

"Do you know Professor Sakumo, senior?"

“We went on a mission together before. Back then, he seemed cold, but he was actually a very gentle person and easily embarrassed. To the enemy, he was the cold-blooded and ruthless White Fang of Konoha, but to his own people, he was a comrade worth entrusting your back to.”

"So this is what Professor Sakumo was like in the past. I never would have guessed."

Perhaps it's because he's grown up a lot over the years that we can no longer see the shy side of Sakumo.

The three of them could only guess at this.

"Tianzhu, what strange things are you feeding my students now?"

Shuo Mao walked over at that moment.

"I'm just sharing some insights from my experience as a senior ninja," said Jonin Amaterasu.

"By the way, this guy is a lecher."

Sakumo suddenly said that.

Ruri and Ayane instantly became wary, glancing at Jonin Tenchu ​​before taking a step back.

"Hey!"

Tentake Jonin's face turned completely red.

"—Especially for men."

Shiraishi's smile froze when he saw that Jonin Tentake was closest to him.

Ruri and Ayane breathed a sigh of relief; then everything was alright.

Just then, from another patch of dense grass at the sentry post, a Konoha ninja covered in blood suddenly ran out. He collapsed from his injuries after only a few steps.

"Watch out, there's... an enemy..."

Chapter 41 White Teeth and Sharp Claws

After the seriously injured Konoha ninja finished speaking, he closed his eyes and lay there, his fate unknown.

"Hey, are you alright?"

Two nearby Konoha genin immediately ran towards the seriously injured Konoha ninja.

"Wait, you two new brats, don't just walk over there!"

Tenchu ​​Jonin's expression changed.

The seriously injured Konoha ninja suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes flashing with a brutal and fierce light, showing no signs of injury whatsoever.

However, before he could make a move, there was a soft "pfft".

The white fang dagger, gleaming with a white light, had already pierced through the back of his neck, drawing blood.

The two genin who were slightly older than Shiraishi and the other two were stunned by how fast everything had happened.

Tenchu ​​Jonin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

I was a little annoyed. It seems I should give these newcomers a good talking-to later.

Lack of experience is not a problem; the most important thing is to have a flexible mind.

"Blind eyes!"

Ayane's eyes were surrounded by bulging veins, and her pale blue pupils were filled with a solemn expression.

"Is it an old friend?"

"Hmm, there are two new faces in the team. Judging from the strength of their chakra, they are not ordinary ninjas."

Ayane reported.

"Hey, Tianzhu, get ready!"

Shuo Mao shouted at Tian Zhu.

"understood!"

Jonin Tenchu ​​arranged for the ninjas at the sentry post and took out a large wooden crossbow that was always ready, loaded with a large number of kunai.

"From your location, two o'clock!"

Ayane immediately reported the enemy's location.

"put!"

Countless kunai, like a torrential downpour, were launched towards the dense forest area.

"Wind Release: Dust Storm!"

The wind howled sharply, leaving horribly gashes on the trees along its path. The kunai that flew towards them were all blown askew by the gale, unable to move forward.

Fire Release: Flame Formation!

Jonin Tenchu ​​formed hand seals, and flames swirled around his feet before he rushed forward, instantly turning the forest that had been generating the storm into a sea of ​​fire.

The wind fanned the flames, instantly boosting the power of Jonin Amaterasu's Fire Release technique to a new level.

"That's a familiar face."

Seeing the dozen or so Sand Village ninjas emerge from the sea of ​​fire almost unharmed, Shiraishi smiled.

It was the same Sand Village unit with five Jonin that they had encountered more than two months ago.

However, compared to last time, there are two new faces in the team this time, who are likely to be ninjas of the Special Senior or Jonin level.

"Kids, your smoke tactics won't work this time."

Last time, Shiraishi used smoke bombs to assist Ruri and Ayane in their battle, causing this Sunagakure unit a lot of trouble. Fighting against Sharingan and Byakugan in unfavorable conditions is no easy task.

Without any preamble, the battle began immediately.

Sakumo undoubtedly approached the male and female Sand Village Jonin who were leading the group. They were the son and daughter-in-law of Chiyo, the advisor and elder of Sand Village, and also top-notch Jonin in the Sand Village Puppet Force. Apart from Sakumo, no one present could stop them.

Although the opposing team lost several Chunin in the last battle, they have added two new members this time. One of them used a powerful Wind Release technique to blow away all the kunai that had been fired from the crossbow, demonstrating his mastery of Wind Release ninjutsu.

There are nearly twenty Konoha ninjas at this outpost, about half of whom are genin, most of whom are chunin, and only Tenchu ​​is a jonin.

In terms of numbers, Konoha has the advantage.

However, in terms of overall strength, Sunagakure is clearly superior.

Shiraishi drew his ninja sword and joined the battle. He had been learning swordsmanship from Sakumo these past few days and had made some progress.

Ruri was the first to rush forward, her Sharingan in its two-tomoe form activated, and she attacked the Jonin who could use Earth Release ninjutsu.

The Jonin who used Earth Release ninjutsu picked up a kunai to block the kunai that Ruri was thrusting at him, and the collision produced a fierce and ear-piercing sound.

"You're strong, but I'm not foolish enough to challenge you to a physical contest!"

The Earth Release ninja easily stepped back, a cold smile on his face. He then formed hand seals, about to press his palms down to the ground, when suddenly an incredibly powerful binding force arose in his body. The scene before him began to distort, and two enormous two-tomoe Sharingan eyes were spinning in front of him, emanating a dark aura as they stared at him.

He immediately realized that he had fallen into a Sharingan genjutsu.

However, he had already avoided Liuli's gaze, so it shouldn't be possible for him to be under an illusion.

The kunai sliced ​​across his body, leaving a gruesome gash on his chest, from which blood gushed.

The Earth Release ninja clutched his spot in pain, narrowly escaping Ruri's assassination attempt at the last second.

"Oops!"

Seeing that the Earth Release ninja was controlled by Ruri's genjutsu in the first encounter, the Sand Village ninja standing nearby couldn't sit still any longer.

To avoid being surrounded, Liuli had no choice but to turn around and retreat.

"As expected, I'm not very good at illusions; I broke free so quickly..."

Seeing that the Earth Release ninja had returned to normal, Ruri breathed a sigh of relief.

"Hey, that's a Jonin, you know."

Both Shiraishi and Ayane felt somewhat ashamed.

If this is what it means to be "not good at," I can't even imagine how terrifying the Uchiha ninjas who are skilled in genjutsu must be.

"Be careful, that little girl is a bit different from two months ago. Her illusions are very strange and completely unpredictable."

The Earth Release ninja's eyes showed a serious expression, suspecting that Ruri's genjutsu was not released through the Sharingan.

"I know now, so the best course of action is to avoid direct contact with her..."

boom!

Shiraishi had already taken out a smoke bomb and detonated it.

Since only he, Ruri, and Ayane were around, and the other Konoha ninjas were fighting elsewhere, it wouldn't affect them.

"I told you, these tricks won't work on us!"

Among the Sand Village ninjas who remained here, there were those skilled in using Wind Release ninjutsu.

"Wind Release: Dust Storm!"

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

The storm and the fireball collided, creating a massive firestorm that raged for a long time, further obscuring the surroundings.