The Raikage finally looked at Uchiha Shao Yu and patted his shoulder heavily.
"Elder Shao Yu, I'm counting on you. Remember, safety first, mission objective second. The future of Kumogakure needs you to bring back results alive."
"I will not fail the mission."
Shao Yu responded with a smile.
Soon, this super-elite squad—led by a Kage-level Elder, supported by the future Raikage and Uchiha elites, and anchored by ten top-tier Jonin—quietly left Kumogakure.
A few days later, the squad successfully infiltrated the Land of Rain. The scene before them was already vastly different from times of peace.
Under the drizzling sky, traces of war's devastation were visible everywhere.
Scorched earth, collapsed houses, and makeshift graves left untended; the air was thick with moisture, gunpowder smoke, and a faint scent of blood.
Faint sounds of explosions and battle cries drifted from the distance, showing that the fighting was still ongoing.
"According to the latest intelligence and previous analysis, the main combat zones for the Three Great Nations in Amegakure are concentrated on the eastern and northern borders. That's where the fighting is most intense and where special units are most likely to appear."
In a hidden cave, Uchiha Shao Yu spread out a detailed map and said to everyone.
"But at the same time, those areas are the most dangerous, as it's easy to get caught in large-scale conflicts."
His finger moved to a relatively mountainous area in the west-central part of the map, where the terrain was complex and there were fewer combat reports.
"Here, although there is small-scale friction and infiltration by various forces, it's difficult for large-scale armies to deploy."
"It's more likely to be an area where small and medium-sized Ninja clans, rogue Ninjas, or squads on special missions operate. It's also a potential key area for our hunting."
"Captain, should we find a few 'tongues' first to understand the specific situation?"
A Cloud Hidden Jonin skilled in interrogation and intelligence proposed.
"Mhm," Shao Yu nodded.
"Renka, take two people and go five kilometers southeast. There's an abandoned village there where a small-scale conflict just occurred; there might be scattered Ninjas or leftover intelligence. Be careful, prioritize gathering information, and try to avoid combat."
"Yes!"
Uchiha Renka took the order and quickly left with two Jonin.
"Ai, take three people and scout to the west. Pay attention to sensing Chakra fluctuations, especially those with special properties—that could be the sign of a Bloodline Limit Ninja. If you find anything unusual, don't alert them; report back immediately."
"Understood!"
Young Ai rubbed his hands in anticipation and left with his team... The drizzling rain continued, and the west-central mountains of the Land of Rain were shrouded in a cold, damp mist.
Inside the cave where Uchiha Shao Yu and the others were hiding, there was only the monotonous sound of raindrops hitting the rocks and the suppressed breathing of the group.
The scouting teams had not all returned yet. Uchiha Shao Yu sat with his eyes closed, focusing. Through the extraordinary perception granted by his Six Eyes, he vaguely captured extremely faint and chaotic Chakra fluctuations carried by the wind from afar.
Suddenly, his brow twitched slightly, and he opened his eyes.
Almost at the same time, a shadow flickered at the cave entrance. Young Ai, along with a scouting Jonin, darted in as swiftly as a leopard, carrying a bit of moisture and a hint of excitement.
"Captain Shao Yu! There's a situation!"
Young Ai lowered his voice, his eyes gleaming.
"About seven or eight kilometers to the west, in the direction of the valley, there's combat activity. We moved closer to observe—it's people from Sunagakure."
"Sunagakure?"
Shao Yu's gaze sharpened.
Sunagakure had just suffered a major defeat and its national strength was depleted. Had they already sent people deep into the heart of the Land of Rain so soon? And in such a relatively remote area?
"What's the specific situation?"
Shao Yu asked.
"Four people. Three Sunagakure Jonin are hunting down another Sunagakure Jonin."
Young Ai spoke quickly, sounding puzzled.
"Judging by their attire and Forehead Protectors, they are all definitely from Sunagakure. But the one being hunted is a man in very poor condition; his Chakra fluctuations are weak, he's wounded, and he's about to collapse. However..."
Ai paused for a moment and added.
"The Ninjutsu that guy uses is a bit strange. It seems like he can make the Shuriken he throws curve, and the things he hits seem to get some kind of mark, allowing his subsequent attacks to home in on them."
"We were far away and couldn't see the details clearly, but the nature of the Chakra felt very special. The three people hunting him are coordinating perfectly and attacking ruthlessly; they are definitely out for blood."
Special magnetic tracking ability?
Magnet Release?
Uchiha Shao Yu's heart stirred.
Besides Puppet Technique and poison, Sunagakure did indeed seem to have some special Magnet Release Ninjas with various abilities.
This kind of Bloodline Limit, which could imbue weapons with magnetism to achieve homing attacks, was extremely valuable in actual combat, especially for Ninjas skilled in throwing and tactical coordination.
Sunagakure infighting?
A Ninja with a special Magnet Release being hunted by Jonin from his own village?
There must be a hidden story behind this, and... isn't this Magnet Release Ninja exactly the kind of Bloodline Limit talent they were looking for on this trip?
"Any news from Renka's side?"
Shao Yu asked the Jonin in charge of communications.
"Vice-Captain Renka hasn't sent back any messages yet. Based on the time, he should still be scouting."
Shao Yu no longer hesitated and made an immediate decision.
"Leave a code and location information for Renka, telling him to meet up with us after finishing his scout. Ai, lead the way; let's go take a look."
He looked at the remaining Cloud Hidden Jonin in the cave.
"Prepare for action. The goal is to save the one being hunted. Try to capture them alive to clarify the situation and deal with the pursuers. Note: act fast, try not to reveal that we are from Kumogakure, and use unmarked weapons and generic Ninjutsu."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in low voices, quickly checking their equipment, removing markings unique to Kumogakure, and changing into dark clothing suitable for hiding their identities.
The group left the cave like ghosts and, led by Young Ai, traveled swiftly toward the direction of the battle.
The sound of rain and the mist became their best cover.
The distance of seven or eight kilometers was covered in an instant by these elite Ninjas.
Soon, the sounds of clashing weapons, Ninjutsu explosions, and the shouts and groans mixed with the wind and rain ahead in the valley were clearly audible.
The group lay in wait on a high ridge, looking down with the cover of rocks and shrubs.
The valley floor was a mess, with traces of Wind Release and Earth Release Ninjutsu everywhere.
Three Ninjas wearing Sunagakure Jonin Vests and fierce expressions were in a triangular formation, constantly besieging a stumbling male Ninja in the center who was struggling to hold on.
The male Ninja appeared to be in his thirties, with a determined face covered in fatigue and blood; his Sunagakure Jonin Vest was severely damaged.
His Chakra fluctuations were extremely weak and chaotic, and his left leg seemed to be seriously injured, making movement difficult.
But his fighting style was quite unique.
He constantly threw ordinary Shuriken and Kunai, but after they left his hand, their surfaces would instantly be covered in a nearly imperceptible light blue Chakra glow.
Their flight trajectories became exceptionally tricky, even making small arc-like changes in mid-air, accurately shooting toward the vital points of the three attackers.
Even more peculiar was that when a Sunagakure pursuer parried a magnetized Shuriken with a Kunai, although the parried Shuriken deviated from its target, part of its light blue glow seemed to transfer to the parrying Kunai or even the pursuer's gloved hand holding it.
Immediately after, the hunted Ninja threw a second Shuriken. This Shuriken, as if pulled by an invisible force, actually drew a distinct arc in the air, relentlessly chasing the pursuer who had just parried.
No matter how the opponent dodged, it could perform a certain degree of tracking correction.
However, he was clearly at the end of his rope.
The Chakra consumption of Magnet Release seemed to be very high; the Ninja tools he threw became fewer and fewer, the magnetized glow grew dimmer, and the tracking accuracy and speed were greatly reduced.
New wounds kept appearing on his body, and blood stained the rainwater beneath his feet.
"Troy, give up. Your Magnet Release is already useless against us."
One of the pursuers grinned, nimbly dodging a magnetized Kunai that was already sluggish in its trajectory, while sharp Wind Blades condensed in his hand.
"Die obediently, and you'll suffer less!"
The Magnet Release Ninja known as Troy grit his teeth, his emerald-green eyes burning with an unyielding fire as he rasped back.
"Don't even think about it! Even if I die, I won't let you lackeys have your way."
As he spoke, his breathing was unstable, and he forced himself to throw another Shuriken, which the opponent easily dodged by stepping aside.
(Brothers, please give the book a review. Once the rating is out, I'll release a mass update ( ﹡ˆoˆ﹡ ))
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808