Chapter 9 – Clash with the Kumogakure Ninja
The next morning, Yusuke woke up earlier than usual.
His father, Hatake Sakumo, had been away on a mission for several days now, leaving the house unusually quiet. With no adults around, he ended up cooking breakfast for himself.
Today, he had a mission to attend. Just yesterday, after returning home, he treated Kakashi, Kurenai, and the others to dinner. So much had happened over the last two days—it all felt like a whirlwind.
After leaving a few words for Kakashi, Yusuke packed his gear and headed out to the designated meeting point.
"Fang, you're already here," a soft voice called out. It was Hyuga Inaka, her code name "Sun" fitting her family name perfectly.
"Yeah, looks like you guys are early too," Yusuke replied with a smile.
"There wasn't anything else to do, so we showed up ahead of time," Inaka responded calmly. She was always composed, with a gentle demeanor.
"This mission is dangerous, Fang. It's your first, and you're still so young. Please don't act recklessly. Stay close and never move on your own," warned Honda Kaori seriously.
She had a cheerful, outspoken personality—somewhat reminiscent of the future Anko.
"Relax, Nightingale. I get it," Yusuke said, flashing a reassuring grin.
Just as they were talking, firm footsteps echoed from a distance. Their captain had arrived.
"That's enough. Get ready. We move out now," he said with a sharp tone. This was Black Hound, their team leader.
"Yes, Captain!" the four replied in unison.
Four?
Yusuke glanced around—ah, right. That one team member was so quiet, his presence was barely noticeable. Just like Aburame Shino—faint and hard to sense.
Eventually, they arrived near the border of the Land of Fire.
"We'll rest here for the night," Black Hound declared. Unlike regular ninja teams, ANBU squads didn't lodge in inns.
Their missions were on a whole different level—orders often came directly from the Hokage. Infiltration. Assassination. Revenge.
In contrast, standard ninja teams handled assignments from small nations or wealthy merchants. Simply put, ANBU worked in the shadows. Others worked in the light.
"According to intel, we'll reach the target site tomorrow. The enemy includes one Elite Chūnin, two standard Chūnin, and five Genin. Our main objective is intelligence gathering, but if the opportunity arises—eliminate them. Understood? For this mission, Bug will serve as team leader. Follow his orders. Unless absolutely necessary, I won't intervene," Black Hound instructed without any sugarcoating.
"Understood!" they responded firmly.
"Good. Get some rest. This isn't just a mission—it's a vital experience that'll shape you."
— — —
The Next Day
"Prepare to move!" ordered Black Hound.
After traveling for half a day, they finally approached the target's location.
"Plan your strategy. I'll be observing from the shadows," said Black Hound before vanishing from sight.
"I'll send out my insects to scout. Once night falls and their guard is down, we strike all at once," said Bug—a quiet member of the Aburame clan, known for his sharp judgment.
"Approved," the others replied almost in unison.
"For role assignment… how about I take the Elite Chūnin?" Yusuke suggested.
"No way, Fang! That's too dangerous!" Inaka immediately objected, her voice filled with concern.
"She's right. You're still too young. Even if you're strong, fighting an Elite Chūnin is too risky. Let me handle him," Nightingale said firmly.
"Let me take him. My insects can pin down his movement," Bug added at last.
Though he rarely spoke, the fact that the captain had appointed him team leader spoke volumes of his capabilities.
"Don't worry. I've got my own approach. And hey, aren't we supposed to trust each other as teammates?" Yusuke said sincerely.
His words carried a warmth that eased their worries—if only a little.
"Fine… But don't do anything reckless," Bug said eventually. He wasn't great with words, but his instincts were sharp.
He had seen the gleam of determination in Yusuke's eyes. His insects, too, gave him a strange signal—this four-year-old was dangerously capable.
"But—" Inaka still tried to protest.
"Enough, Sun. Trust me. As long as you all finish off the others quickly, everything will be fine," Yusuke cut in.
His confidence calmed them somewhat.
"I'll take the second Chūnin," Bug said.
"You two, take out the Genin as fast as possible."
"Understood," both girls responded.
"Move out!"
Secret Technique: Insect Sphere.
Hundreds of insects burst forth from the shadows, swarming toward the enemy camp where several ninja were fast asleep.
"Enemy attack! Wake up!!" shouted a burly man, reacting with startling speed.
He dodged instinctively, but not all his teammates were so lucky. Some were hit directly. Even one of the Chūnin took a minor injury.
"Damn it! Konoha ANBU?!" the man cursed, scanning ahead. "What the hell—kids?! Kill them all!"
Before he could finish shouting, his body launched forward like a cannonball—aimed straight at Bug.
"So fast...!" Bug was momentarily stunned, bracing for impact.
But before the strike could land, a black shadow intercepted the blow with flawless timing. With a calm expression, he stood between Bug and the attacker.
"Your opponent… is me," Yusuke said coolly.
"Incredible…" Bug and the two girls stood stunned behind him.
Bug could've held off the enemy—but not that cleanly. The man was fast. Too fast for a perfect block.
'He's really something… I'm more like a mage, but he's a true frontline warrior...'
"Go deal with the Genin. I'll handle this one," Yusuke ordered without looking back.
"You brat, don't think just because you blocked one hit you can beat me! I'm an Elite Chūnin!" the man roared.
"Hmph. Whether you win or lose isn't decided by shouting," Yusuke smirked.
"You little bastard—DIE!"
The man's body crackled with electricity as he surged forward.
Iron Body.
Yusuke activated his defensive technique. The enemy moved even faster than when Yusuke used Shave. Dodging wasn't an option.
He blocked the attack head-on, then leapt backward, drawing his short blade and slashing forward. The enemy evaded.
Lightning Release: Lightning Ball!
The ninja formed hand seals, launching a large ball of lightning at Yusuke.
Shave.
He vanished from its path, only for the enemy to reappear right in front of him. Yusuke parried the punch with his blade and used the force to retreat again.
Blow after blow, their exchange was rapid—too fast for the eye to follow.
Yusuke realized something:
This is the strongest enemy I've ever faced.
Ninja from the Kumogakure were known for their brutality in close combat. Their speed and raw power were terrifying.
His hands were numb. Iron Body wasn't cutting it—lightning disrupted nerve signals, making his movements slower.
Without the power of the Gura Gura no Mi, this would've been unwinnable.
But the man didn't give him a second to breathe. Another close-quarters clash erupted.
Thanks to his inherited Beginner Swordsman level, Yusuke held his ground.
Elsewhere, the two girls were locked in a fierce fight against the five Genin. Despite the enemies being wounded, the numbers made the battle drag on.
Bug's duel with the second Chūnin was also evenly matched. Both were nearing exhaustion.
Bug was in the worst state—ambushed early, wounded, and now facing an opponent with deadly insects of his own.
Yusuke, meanwhile, was adapting quickly. With each clash, his swordsmanship improved.
His enemy noticed.
This kid's getting stronger by the second. I have to finish this—now!
The man drew a kunai, deflecting Yusuke's slash, then leapt back and began weaving hand seals.
"Tiger – Snake – Ram..."
Lightning Release: Thundercloud Shockwave!
"Brat, this is my strongest ninjutsu! Even a Jonin could die from this!" he bellowed.
A brilliant white light surged toward Yusuke.
"Airquake."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
📚 Want to read more chapters or get early access?
Join my Patreon here:
🔗 patreon.com/FaaanzKun
✅ Enjoy 15 chapters ahead of WebNovel
✅ Get 1-2 new chapters every day exclusively on Patreon
☕ Prefer one-time support instead of a subscription?
You can donate here:
🔗 ko-fi.com/faaanzkun
Join now and dive deeper into the story—weeks ahead of public release!
Thank you for your amazing support 💖
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —