Hyuga Hizashi looked at the corpse of the Sunagakure Jonin that Natsuki and the others brought out and couldn't help but show a surprised expression.
How long had it been?
How had they already completed the mission?
Hyuga Hizashi's mission was to lead a team to eliminate Sunagakure's frontline reconnaissance and patrol squads.
Team 1, which Natsuki was in, was just one of the ninja squads he led.
But among so many ninja squads, Natsuki's squad was the first to complete their mission.
And their mission was even among the hardest—requiring them to kill a Jonin.
Many other ninja squads only needed to kill a Tokubetsu Jonin.
After all, both Natsuki and Maruboshi Kosuke possessed Jonin-level strength.
Even so, Hyuga Hizashi estimated they would need half a day to complete the mission.
The enemy was a ninja squad led by a Sunagakure Jonin.
Plus, the area of activity was very large.
There would be back-and-forth maneuvering between them. Half a day was already considered incredibly fast.
But he didn't expect Natsuki and the others to take less than half of that time.
"You guys go rest first."
Hyuga Hizashi paused. "If there are new missions, I will notify you promptly."
"Okay."
Natsuki nodded.
The four returned to their tent, but none of them went to rest.
Although this battle involved a Sunagakure Jonin, it was very easy for them.
"Senior Kosuke!"
Nawaki ran up to Maruboshi Kosuke. "Can you guide me in Water Release ninjutsu?"
During the previous battle, he had already noticed that Maruboshi Kosuke's Water Release strength was indeed very formidable.
Most importantly, he learned Water Release from Senju Tobirama.
The two of them learning the same Water Release could be considered coming from the same origin.
"No problem."
Maruboshi Kosuke agreed without hesitation.
Nawaki was, after all, Senju Hashirama's grandson and called Senju Tobirama "Second Granduncle."
If he didn't teach him, how could he face the kindness Senju Tobirama showed him by teaching him Water Release back then?
In fact, even if Nawaki hadn't asked, he would have taken the initiative to guide him upon seeing him train.
Natsuki glanced at them and paid no more attention.
He waved to Nonou.
"Nonou, I'll teach you a taijutsu."
Natsuki thought for a moment. "It's a taijutsu I created, called Soru."
Nonou was slightly taken aback.
She remembered Natsuki saying just a few days ago that he wanted to create taijutsu. Had he already succeeded?
"This taijutsu was just created and isn't perfect yet."
Natsuki lowered his head, leaned close to her ear. "You are the first to learn it. Don't tell anyone else for now."
Feeling the hot breath on her ear, Nonou's body trembled slightly. She turned her head away and murmured an agreement.
Natsuki pulled her to an open space on the other side.
After teaching her Soru, he also began his training.
But he paused his training of the three genjutsu and switched to practicing the three taijutsu Might Duy gave him.
Because taijutsu was easier to learn.
And unlocking the Shuzo template's Shigan would be very useful.
Time slowly passed.
By the afternoon, Natsuki had already grasped the basics of Konoha Whirlwind, Konoha Great Whirlwind, and Konoha Strong Whirlwind.
These three taijutsu were a series and shared similarities.
However, to truly master them, he still needed some time.
Natsuki estimated a few days would be enough.
Actually, taijutsu wasn't difficult. What was difficult was whether the user could bring out its full power.
For users like Might Duy and Might Guy, who trained like crazy every day for decades, the power of their taijutsu was naturally extraordinary.
While someone like Hatake Kakashi, even if he learned the Eight Inner Gates, wouldn't be able to bring out its full power.
A more typical example was Shinno.
Shinno was from the movie Bonds.
He was a medical ninja who could open all eight gates of the Eight Inner Gates without dying by using three forbidden medical jutsu.
But that power couldn't even compare to Might Duy's, let alone Might Guy's.
The sun set in the west.
An ANBU ninja suddenly appeared in front of the training group.
Natsuki immediately stopped training and walked up to him.
"Lady Tsunade has a new mission for you."
After speaking, the ANBU ninja took out a mission scroll and a map.
"Thank you."
Natsuki took the mission scroll and read it.
There was quite a lot of content.
The first part was a summary of the current situation.
Overall, things were going smoothly. Everyone did very well, and Konoha had initially established a defensive line.
On the map, there was a red line in front of the area occupied by Sunagakure.
That was the result of the efforts of the Konoha ninjas today.
But this was just the beginning.
Sunagakure was caught off guard by Konoha today. Next, Sunagakure would counterattack with redoubled efforts.
Strictly speaking, in today's battles, Sunagakure was in the light, and Konoha was in the dark, so Konoha had the advantage.
But in the upcoming battles, both sides would be in the light, and it would be a test of pure strength.
Konoha's missions had also changed, generally divided into two types.
One type of mission was to continue pushing the defensive line forward.
The other type of mission was to hold existing outposts and strongholds, preventing Sunagakure from occupying or destroying them.
The mission Natsuki received was the second type.
He looked at the map.
A red dot at the very front of the map was the outpost they were to defend.
The location of this outpost meant their mission wouldn't be easy.
But given their squad's strength, it was suitable.
Of course, it was also more convenient for Natsuki to unlock his abilities.
"What mission?"
After the ANBU ninja left, Nawaki asked.
"Guard an outpost for three days."
Natsuki replied.
In three days, Konoha would establish more outposts. Once this outpost became safe, a new ninja squad would take over.
Their squad had two Jonin-level fighters. Guarding a safe outpost would be a waste.
"When do we leave?"
Nawaki asked again.
"Now."
Natsuki put away the mission scroll. "Let's go."
After leaving Konoha's main camp, the group traveled while keeping an eye on their surroundings.
With Maruboshi Kosuke in their ninja squad, they could prevent most accidents.
When it got dark, they finally arrived at the outpost.
There was a Konoha ninja squad inside the outpost.
They belonged to Nara Shikatsu and were specifically responsible for building outposts.
After confirming Natsuki and the others' identities, they handed over the outpost and quickly left.
"We'll split into two teams."
Natsuki thought for a moment. "Nonou and I will be one team, and you two will be the other. We'll take turns keeping watch."
He and Maruboshi Kosuke both had sensory methods, so they could each take Nawaki and Nonou, who had none.
"You guys go rest first. Nonou and I will take the first watch."
After Natsuki finished speaking, he went upstairs with Nonou.
The outpost had two floors.
Upstairs, there was a designated spot to observe the surroundings.
For Natsuki, it was simply tailor-made for his Clairvoyance and Night Vision.
"You can sleep."
Natsuki took out a carpet and laid it on the floor. "I can keep watch alone."
"I'll stay with you."
Nonou shook her head.
"Be a good girl."
Natsuki patted his thigh. "I'll lend you this as a pillow."
Nonou was stunned.
After hesitating for a moment, she lay down, resting her head on Natsuki's thigh.
She closed her eyes, a faint smile appearing on her face, and quickly fell asleep.
Natsuki looked down at her.
Her blonde hair was slightly spread out, her body slightly turned, and her small face squished against his leg, looking quite cute.
Natsuki smiled, raised his head, and activated Clairvoyance.
In the blink of an eye, it was midnight.
Just as Natsuki was about to wake up Nawaki and Maruboshi Kosuke, his gaze suddenly sharpened, spotting figures two kilometers away.
During wartime, the appearance of one person meant there were three more nearby.
The reason he only noticed them now was also simple.
They had utilized various covers while advancing.
This was the drawback of Clairvoyance.
Fortunately, they eventually exposed a flaw.
"Nonou, go wake up Senior Kosuke and Nawaki. Tell them a Sunagakure squad has been spotted."
Natsuki woke up Nonou and instructed her.
Nonou hurriedly got up and went downstairs.
Soon, she reappeared with Maruboshi Kosuke and Nawaki.
Just as Maruboshi Kosuke was about to speak, his heart jolted.
He saw Natsuki draw a bow.
The Sword of the Thunder God was placed on the bowstring, its entire body flickering with chakra fluctuations.
Although Maruboshi Kosuke had heard Natsuki explain it during the day, hearing and seeing were two different things.
Moreover, it was pitch black right now.
Could he really aim at the target?
Maruboshi Kosuke couldn't help but feel somewhat doubtful.
While thinking, he formed hand seals with both hands and used sensory ninjutsu.
White Launcher!
Natsuki elevated himself and then released the bowstring.
The Sword of the Thunder God suddenly disappeared.
In the distance.
Four Sunagakure ninjas were cautiously approaching the outpost.
They had two missions.
One was to occupy this outpost.
Two was, if they couldn't occupy it, to figure out the defensive situation of this outpost.
Right at that moment, the four heard the sound of wind.
They instinctively looked up.
The Sword of the Thunder God arrived above their heads and suddenly exploded.
BOOM!
The flames illuminated the night sky.
Chaotic chakra air currents enveloped them.
Screams rang out.
Two Chunin died on the spot, and one Chunin fell to the ground heavily injured.
Only their Jonin instructor, at the critical moment of life and death, flicked his hands fiercely.
Two puppets leaped up, blocking above his head, taking the brunt of the explosion's power.
"How could this happen?"
The Sunagakure Jonin, having narrowly escaped death, looked at his three students lying on the ground, his face full of disbelief.
Where did this attack come from?
And when were they exposed?
But what he could be certain of was that this attack definitely came from far away.
Because if it were close, with his strength, he would have sensed it.
After all, all ninjutsu had chakra fluctuations.
But this attack gave him the feeling that it suddenly arrived above their heads.
The Sunagakure Jonin had no time to save his one student who wasn't dead yet. He turned and ran.
They were nearly wiped out before even getting close to the outpost.
The outpost's defenses far exceeded his imagination.
Now that he was the only one left, he naturally didn't dare continue the mission.
He was smarter than the Sunagakure Jonin from earlier in the day.
Not only did he utilize the nearby covers, but he also brought out two puppets to act as shields.
Natsuki shot two more Swords of the Thunder God, but neither achieved the desired effect.
Ultimately, with the Sunagakure Jonin running for his life, he managed to escape the range of Clairvoyance.
"I'll go after him!"
Nawaki said immediately.
"No need."
Natsuki grabbed his shoulder.
"He's already run far. With his Jonin speed, we won't be able to catch him."
Maruboshi Kosuke said with experience. "Moreover, he will soon enter Sunagakure's area of activity. Pursuing him would be dangerous."
"Senior Kosuke is right."
Natsuki agreed.
Although he also wanted to kill this Sunagakure Jonin to unlock his abilities, there was no rush.
After all, the war had just begun.
He would have plenty of opportunities to unlock his abilities. There was no need to take unnecessary risks.
"The location of our outpost is very important. Sunagakure definitely won't give up."
Maruboshi Kosuke smiled. "Nawaki, come with me to set up traps."
He took Nawaki along with the intention of guiding him.
Because he had already noticed Nawaki's reckless personality.
Such a personality was prone to accidents in war.
"Nonou and I will handle reconnaissance."
Natsuki nodded slightly.
At this time, the Sunagakure Jonin who had narrowly escaped death couldn't help but plop down on the ground.
The death-claiming arrows that could arrive at any moment had finally disappeared, allowing him to catch his breath.
But the thought of his three dead students made his eyes almost split open in rage.
He lost three students without even seeing the enemy's face. This battle was incredibly frustrating.
The Sunagakure Jonin subconsciously clenched his fists.
But right now, he could only rage impotently.
After resting for a moment, he quickly returned to Sunagakure's main camp.
Sunagakure had two main camps in the Land of Rain.
One was under Ebizou's command, resisting Amegakure.
This main camp was under Chiyo's command, dealing with Konoha.
Chiyo was the chief commander, but there were also two vice commanders.
One was Rasa, possessing the Kekkei Genkai Magnet Release: Gold Dust.
The other was Pakura, possessing the Kekkei Genkai Scorch Release.
The two were of similar age and were both cream of the crop among Sunagakure's younger generation.
Many people believed the next Kazekage would either be Chiyo's son Sareki, or Rasa, or Pakura.
But with Sareki captured alive, the possibility of him becoming the next Kazekage was much smaller.
After all, this was a very serious mistake or humiliation.
If he became the Kazekage of Sunagakure, how could he hold his head up high when facing Konoha, who had captured him alive?
"Lady Pakura."
The Sunagakure Jonin walked into the tent and said very ashamedly. "I apologize. Our squad's mission failed, and three teammates sacrificed their lives."
"What?"
Pakura frowned. "What happened?"
Losing three teammates in such a short time—did they encounter Tsunade or Hatake Sakumo?
But after hearing the Sunagakure Jonin's description, she realized that wasn't the case at all.
"You mean you don't even know who attacked you?"
Pakura's face darkened.
"Yes."
The Sunagakure Jonin admitted.
"You may leave first."
Pakura suppressed her emotions.
"Yes, Lady Pakura."
The Sunagakure Jonin bowed, turned, and left.
Pakura fell into deep thought.
She didn't remember any powerhouse in Konoha who could use such long-range attacks.
Pakura thought for a moment and decided to personally lead two squads to check the situation.
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