Chapter 41: Hidden Sentry

After learning of the new round of battlefield intelligence, Uchiha Feiyu also received a new mission assignment: to scout for intelligence on Iwagakure and, if possible, pinpoint the location of the Rock Ninja main camp.

The Sand Ninja and Konoha had been fighting for a long time and were already well-acquainted with each other's roots, but regarding the newly arrived Rock Ninja, Konoha had absolutely no idea where their main camp was located.

Conversely, the Rock Ninja had already managed to locate the Konoha main camp; to a certain extent, Konoha's intelligence was already lagging and at a disadvantage.

This mission could not be called difficult, but it was not simple either.

Even if Iwagakure guarded its main camp strictly, it was such a large camp with so many supplies and ninja moving in and out that being found eventually was only a matter of time.

But at the same time, because the camp was surely heavily guarded, even if an ordinary ninja found it, it would be difficult to escape unscathed; to reduce losses, this required a ninja with high power and speed to conduct the investigation.

Clearly, Uchiha Feiyu was exactly this type of ninja.

After walking out of the main camp, Uchiha Feiyu followed the intelligence provided by Orochimaru and tracked in the direction the Rock Ninja had retreated.

This time, he did not call for Yamanaka Cheng; although this sensory ninja had strong auxiliary capabilities, his Power Level was very weak. If the Rock Ninja were to mobilize their entire force, even if Uchiha Feiyu was not afraid, he would have no way to protect this dead weight.

Moreover, Uchiha Feiyu's own sensory ability had expanded quite a bit; searching a 200-meter range was slightly strenuous, but as long as he ran diligently, it was enough.

"Senior White Fang, are you sure it's this direction?"

"Rest assured... I've dealt with plenty of those Iwagakure dirt-pots; listen to me and you can't go wrong!"

In the dense forest, under the guidance of Hatake Sakumo's Soul, Uchiha Feiyu followed some imperceptible traces, tracking the group of Rock Ninja who had fled earlier.

The Rock Ninja who had dared to attack Konoha back then were all of special Jonin level or higher; even though they were exposed from the start, in the end, only two ninja were left behind, while the others all escaped.

Among the two ninja left behind, one was finished off by Uchiha Feiyu, and the remaining one also died in battle while covering the retreat.

These high-level ninja all had certain seals in their brains; the intelligence ninja at the Konoha main camp had limited skills and no way to extract information from their heads, so they could only rely on Uchiha Feiyu to track them slowly.

If it were just Uchiha Feiyu alone, he certainly wouldn't be able to keep a grip on those Rock Ninja's tails. Fortunately, there was the experienced White Fang of the Leaf. This man, once the sharpest tooth-blade of Konoha, had primarily dealt with Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja back in the day; they were old rivals.

The man and the ghost moved at an incredible speed. Even while on the road, Uchiha Feiyu had the presence of mind to control the soul of the Rock Ninja he had finished off, excavating the ninjutsu he knew.

Gradually, while running, Uchiha Feiyu's body would suddenly disappear without a trace, only to reappear again in a very distant place; this was precisely the Camouflage Concealment Technique he had obtained from the Rock Ninja.

Although the effect of the Rock Ninja's Camouflage Concealment Technique was quite good, it was generally only used for evasion and sneak attacks; once the movements were too large, the entire camouflage would completely deform and collapse.

However, after Hatake Sakumo's integration, Uchiha Feiyu combined the Wind Release changes from the White Fang blade technique with the Camouflage Concealment Technique, which resulted in this flickering effect during movement.

"If I had been able to obtain this ninjutsu when I was alive, that would have been great. If that were the case, I should have been able to completely integrate the Camouflage Concealment Technique into my White Fang blade technique."

Hatake Sakumo looked at Uchiha Feiyu with some envy. The ability to learn through the Soul-Controlling Command was truly bug-like in its excellence; any opponent who died at Uchiha Feiyu's hands would become nourishment for him to grow stronger in the future.

"It doesn't matter. At worst, after Senior White Fang develops this ninjutsu well, I will also pass it on to Kakashi. By then, it can be considered carried forward."

Uchiha Feiyu said very relaxedly, causing a wry smile to appear on Hatake Sakumo's face. Kakashi couldn't learn such profound ninjutsu right now; the current White Fang blade technique alone was enough for Kakashi to digest for two or three years.

"I sense an unfamiliar soul aura; it seems we have found the place?"

The two had just finished their casual chat when Uchiha Feiyu sensed the enemy's location. He immediately slowed down, used the Soul-Controlling Command's ability to control the Rock Ninja soul, and his whole person gradually disappeared into the air.

Compared to Uchiha Feiyu's novice attempts, this Rock Ninja had achieved quite a high level in the Camouflage Concealment Technique, even being able to mask his chakra aura to some extent. Uchiha Feiyu, like an invisible ghost, slowly crept up to the side of the unfamiliar soul he had sensed.

It was a seemingly desolate hillside, with a few boulders scattered across it. The several souls Uchiha Feiyu sensed were inside a boulder at the top of the hill.

"It should be a Rock Ninja hidden sentry. These dirt-pots love nothing more than to secretly hollow out these kinds of rocks and then hide inside to observe the external situation."

The very experienced Hatake Sakumo spoke to Uchiha Feiyu at the first opportunity. Of course, even if he hadn't said anything, Uchiha Feiyu, who could sense soul auras, would have been able to pinpoint the location of those few Rock Ninja.

"Hiding in a rock? Then stay in the rock forever and don't come out!"

"Earth Release—Heavenly Falling Lid!"

A massive stone lid descended from the sky, smashing onto the boulder with a 'Boom—'. The boulder was instantly shattered completely, the screams stopped abruptly, and wisps of blood slowly seeped out from a pile of rubble.

"Did one escape? These Rock Ninja fellows are truly a bunch of ground rats. They use the Earth Walking Technique so smoothly; it must be the Earth-in-Fish Projection Technique!"

There had been four soul auras originally hiding in the boulder; now three had completely vanished, but one soul aura had dived underground and was retreating at high speed.

Generally, ninjutsu that can dive underground and move through it are called Earth Walking Techniques, but the most brilliant Earth Walking Techniques are basically in the hands of the Rock Ninja; these fellows are also the ninja who most love to use this kind of tunnel warfare.

However, although the Earth Walking Technique is very stealthy, once it is discovered, the result...

"Earth Release—Earth-Splitting Palm!"

As Uchiha Feiyu struck the ground with his palm, the entire earth emitted a rumbling sound, mixed with a muffled scream.

After a moment, faint bloodstains seeped out from the ground. Uchiha Feiyu beckoned, and a soul light orb rose from the ground and landed in his hand.

At the boulder smashed by the Heavenly Falling Lid, three light orbs also emerged and flew into Uchiha Feiyu's hand.

(End of chapter)