Chapter 33: Hidden Leaf Elites Arrive, Anbu Launch Investigation

Suigetsu Hozuki stood there, utterly dazed.

He was exhausted, utterly drained.

Sweat covered his forehead, his breathing was frantic, and he was half-crouched, gasping for air.

But upon seeing the Hidden Leaf ninja charging toward him, he was so furious he wanted to curse his own mother.

Damn it!

After being tricked by Uchiha Jin all day, failing to kill that bastard at the last moment, only to turn around and see the Hidden Leaf reinforcements arriving in force?

His luck today was truly damn terrible.

He felt certain he hadn't checked the almanac before leaving home this morning; otherwise, how could he have encountered such disgusting trouble?

At this moment, he truly wanted to cry.

Had he known he would run into such nonsense, he wouldn't have come out to show off and try to slaughter this Hidden Leaf squad.

But, who could have expected it?

That a mere Hidden Leaf cannon-fodder squad would produce an oddball like Uchiha Jin?

So, sigh!

After a helpless sigh,

he glared viciously at Uchiha Jin, then without another word, turned and fled.

Yes.

More than a dozen Hidden Leaf warships, carrying at least three thousand Hidden Leaf ninja, and flying the Uchiha banner.

No need to think twice; these were absolutely Hidden Leaf elite ninja.

Even as a Hidden Mist elite Jonin and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, facing such a situation, he could only run.

Otherwise, how could he fight?

Damn it, that would be suicide!

And with Suigetsu Hozuki's departure, Uchiha Jin tossed the two people he was holding aside and collapsed directly onto the cold ground.

Yes.

The Hidden Leaf army had arrived; he could now play dead and survive.

Kudo Shin: "..."

Nara Kazuma: "..."

Seeing Uchiha Jin playing dead before them, they could only roll their eyes, momentarily at a loss for words to criticize.

Exchanging glances, they could only sigh helplessly.

About five minutes later.

Uchiha Uchiha Shisui and the other Jonin arrived, frowning slightly as they looked at the three figures before them.

Hidden Leaf ninja?

And a Nara? An Uchiha?

However.

Though they didn't fully understand the situation, their expressions relaxed.

"What happened just now?"

"Can anyone explain?"

Uchiha Uchiha Shisui was the first to speak.

In private, Uchiha Jin would have certainly spoken up.

But considering the circumstances, he helplessly shook his head, indicating he was extremely tired, and signaled for Nara Kazuma to speak.

When it came to talking, the Nara clan could be fully trusted.

Nara Kazuma did not disappoint.

He explained everything that had happened from the moment their group arrived to guard the Land of Whirlpools until now.

Of course, it was all the truth.

Only regarding Ishikawa Ki, he had made some necessary 'embellishments'.

Upon hearing this, the assembled Jonin all fell silent.

They were all shocked.

Who could have imagined that a mere squad of freshly graduated cannon-fodder Genin would manage to delay the main forces of the Hidden Mist for nearly three full days on their own territory, and even today, escape from Hoshigaki Kisame, a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, for most of the day?

This is simply a legend!

However.

Everyone saw Hoshigaki Kisame fleeing just now, which is a fact no one can deny.

"Hmm, understood."

"The three of Itachi rest well now; the Anbu will speak with Itachi shortly."

"Itachi need not concern yourselves with anything else."

"It is time for us to act."

Uchiha Uchiha Shisui spoke in a very gentle tone.

Yet the words he uttered carried an air of overwhelming dominance.

Immediately after.

Over a dozen Hidden Leaf warships docked, and wave after wave of Hidden Leaf ninja disembarked.

In less than two hours, they erected a forward camp right there on the spot, even setting up various defensive formations.

One must admit.

This batch of Hidden Leaf elites was the complete opposite of the previous cannon-fodder army.

Uchiha Jin and the other two were assigned to a tent.

Approximately two hours later.

An Anbu squad appeared inside the tent and conducted a strict interrogation of the three of them.

This was perfectly normal.

After all, the original forward camp had collapsed nearly a week ago.

No one could guarantee whether they had defected during that time.

However.

After the three of them produced nearly fifty Hidden Mist heads from their ambush, along with a large quantity of Hidden Mist ninja headbands, various kunai bearing the Hidden Mist symbol, ration pills, and shuriken.

This Anbu squad chose to believe them.

Indeed.

They had presented so much evidence, which was enough to prove the brutal situation they had endured over these past few days.

If they still did not believe them, were they even human?

Furthermore.

If they hesitated even for a moment, and this news spread, every ninja in the Hidden Leaf would erupt in outrage.

After facing such a brutal situation and achieving such merit, if they were still suspected, which ninja could guarantee they would not encounter the same fate?

"Very well, I understand."

"We will confiscate these Hidden Mist heads, headbands, and other evidence for archiving, and conduct further investigation and verification."

"Once confirmed, they will be directly converted into contribution points."

"Once the preliminary investigation concludes, the report will be submitted to the village. At the latest within two days, the Hokage will make the final judgment."

"Rest well."

"During this period, your squad will not be assigned any missions."

"As long as Itachi do not leave the forward camp!"

Having said this, the Anbu turned and left immediately.

As for Uchiha Jin and the other two, they showed no sign of worry and simply lay down on their beds to sleep.

Indeed.

Their merit was genuine, and the village was currently in desperate need of personnel.

Even if the Pot-Kage Danzo wanted to cause trouble at this moment, he would not be able to.

Furthermore, the current forward camp was different from the previous cannon-fodder camp.

The Hidden Mist could not break in!

In that case, it was only natural to rest immediately.

They had been on high alert for these past few days, and now that they had such a safe place, they naturally needed to rest properly.

This sleep.

They slept until day and night were indistinguishable.

By the time they woke up again, it was already the afternoon of the next day.

The three ate a simple meal, then returned to the tent to chat idly.

Indeed.

After all, until the village's investigation concluded, they were not required to participate in any battles.

Since they had this time, they naturally needed to relax properly.

During this period, even Uchiha Shisui did not come to find him.

This instantly made him realize that, until the investigation concluded, they were effectively under house arrest.

It was simply that, due to their special circumstances, direct imprisonment was not appropriate.

But even so.

Until the investigation was fully concluded, no one was allowed to approach them.

Otherwise, given Uchiha Shisui's temper, he would have come to find him directly long ago.

Time slowly passed.

Two days later.

The former Anbu squad leader arrived at the three's tent once more.

"After investigation,"

"your squad's merit is confirmed; the record of achievement is now complete."

"Additionally, the Hokage's order."

"Kudo Shin is promoted to Elite Jonin and transferred to another squad as its captain."

"Uchiha Jin and Nara Kazama are exceptionally promoted to Chunin!"

"As for specific assignments, await orders from the front lines."

"..."