Chapter 17: The True First Battle, Terrifying Power!

Konoha Year 40, October 18th.

It had been half a month since Fujinaka Genma and the others arrived at the western border as the second-tier patrol team.

The patrol duty was slightly dull, but thanks to Hyuga Mio’s Byakugan, the task had become somewhat easier.

Over the past half month, Fujinaka Genma and his team had encountered no intruders.

Or rather—

Although the ninja world’s situation was growing increasingly tense, it had not yet reached the point where enemies dared infiltrate the country.

The reason for assigning this mission was likely to help Fujinaka Genma and the others adapt to life as ninja.

But—

Fujinaka Genma did not particularly like this kind of mission.

It lasted too long.

Another half month remained until mission completion, and only ten Rider Slash points would be awarded upon success.

Still, Fujinaka Genma was no true child; he possessed sufficient mental maturity to suppress his impatience and could still find time to train and improve himself during the patrol.

Even the stern-looking Murauchi Hachijo was surprisingly easy to get along with, offering guidance to all three of Fujinaka Genma’s team.

“Genma, Mio—Route Three. Genma, check the traps carefully.”

At 2 p.m., it was patrol time, and Murauchi Hachijo gave the orders.

“Yes, Sensei Hachijo!”

Fujinaka Genma and Hyuga Mio rose and left the outpost, beginning their patrol along the pre-planned Route Three.

For the past half month, the four-person team had operated in two groups.

Fujinaka Genma and Hyuga Mio formed one group; Murauchi Hachijo and Ebisu formed the other—a balanced pairing.

The patrol routes were not fixed but consisted of three planned routes, rotated alternately.

Fujinaka Genma and Hyuga Mio’s roles were clearly defined.

Not only were traps and their maintenance assigned to Fujinaka Genma, but Hyuga Mio, with her Byakugan’s wide field of vision, handled reconnaissance.

Thus, Hyuga Mio’s actual patrol range extended far beyond the designated Route Three, often advancing a considerable distance ahead.

This was not the maximum observation range of her Byakugan.

But patrol didn’t require maxing it out—it drained chakra excessively, and she wasn’t like Fujinaka Genma, who had a chakra reservoir. Even when eating, she never consumed less than he did.

“Maybe they grew in the wrong place?”

Hyuga Mio mused to herself, glancing down briefly before continuing her patrol.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, Hyuga Mio froze.

In her Byakugan’s vision, a four-person squad appeared—clearly moving in a combat formation.

“Enemies!”

Hyuga Mio snapped to attention and rushed to find Fujinaka Genma.

Nearby, Fujinaka Genma was inspecting each trap one by one.

In the forest, traps could be accidentally damaged by animals, so regular checks were necessary.

Otherwise, their small team could never cover such a vast area—traps were meant to reduce that coverage.

“Genma!”

Hyuga Mio’s anxious voice carried from afar.

Fujinaka Genma’s brow lifted—he knew something had happened—and immediately moved toward her.

“Enemies are approaching!”

“A four-person squad, combat formation, not following the prearranged route!”

Hyuga Mio landed beside Fujinaka Genma, speaking rapidly.

Fujinaka Genma looked westward: “No alert from the first patrol line—either they had no chance to send one, or there’s a breach; someone has infiltrated.”

“Either way, these intruders mean trouble.”

Fujinaka Genma turned away, speaking swiftly: “Mio, go notify Sensei Hachijo and Ebisu—don’t use signal flares.”

“I’ll use the traps to buy us some time!”

“Understood. Be careful, Genma.”

Hyuga bit her lip and turned to leave.

Though worried for Fujinaka Genma’s safety, she knew this was the right arrangement.

Watching Hyuga Mio vanish into the dense forest, Fujinaka Genma took a deep breath and drew his short blade.

Though he had seen blood and death countless times as a doctor in his past life, this was his first real battlefield kill—and his nerves tightened.

But he wasn’t trying to be a lone hero now.

Using traps—or setting temporary ones to slow the enemy’s advance—was his best option, not reckless bravado.

So Fujinaka Genma raised one hand, summoning two Shadow Clones, who took the backpacks and departed.

He himself flickered forward, leaping past several traps, and took cover along the enemy’s path of advance.

Not long after—

Four figures appeared one after another within Fujinaka Genma’s line of sight.

No visible village insignias—they looked more like a covert unit.

Iwa? Rain?

Or Suna?

Had the Third Kazekage already been killed by Sasori by now?

Thoughts flashed through his mind as the four ninja entered his trap zone—he triggered them instantly.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! A dense rain of hidden weapons shot from every direction.

Fujinaka Genma turned and ran.

Soon after, a series of thunderous explosions echoed behind him.

He didn’t look back—he knew his explosive tags had detonated.

How much damage they caused? Luck would decide.

But those who had penetrated the first defensive line were unlikely to be weak—traps alone probably wouldn’t eliminate them.

Quickly—

Fujinaka Genma reunited with Hyuga Mio and the others.

“Genma, how was it?”

Ebisu, about to face his first battle, was nervous.

“The enemy is no ordinary force—the traps were mostly useless.”

Fujinaka Genma said.

Though he hadn’t faced them directly, his trail of traps had given him a clear sense of their strength.

Murauchi Hachijo nodded slightly: “Anyone who made it this far must be formidable.”

“From now on, coordinate carefully—no reckless charges.”

“Our mission is to delay them until the first-tier patrol team arrives to encircle them!”

He had already contacted the border line via special means and received confirmation.

“Understood!”

Fujinaka Genma and the other two nodded in unison.

Next, Fujinaka Genma, Hyuga Mio, and Ebisu formed one group, while Murauchi Hachijo operated alone—hiding, waiting for the enemy to approach.

Less than two minutes passed.

The four enemies entered the ambush zone.

Hidden behind a large tree, Hyuga Mio, Byakugan active, watched their every move—then suddenly shouted: “Now!”

Fujinaka Genma and Ebisu moved simultaneously, raising one hand.

“Detonate!”

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A chain of explosive tags ignited—flames roared through the forest, smoke surging violently.

“One o’clock, twelve o’clock!”

“One o’clock direction—no obstruction!”

Hyuga Mio precisely reported the enemy positions—only two remained because the other two were already engaged by Murauchi Hachijo.

Fujinaka Genma and Ebisu emerged from behind the trees—Ebisu hurled shuriken toward one o’clock, while Fujinaka Genma infused his with a Fire Release.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Metal clashed—and a muffled grunt followed.

“So fast!”

“Genma—above Itachi!”

Hyuga Mio cried out in alarm.

Fujinaka Genma looked up—white lightning flickered across his body—and he leapt upward with his blade, his foot crushing a thick branch into a deep imprint.

Hidden behind him, Hyuga Mio watched in awe as Fujinaka Genma shot toward the enemy descending from above like a bolt of lightning.

The two clashed midair—three sharp metallic strikes rang out—and then a piece of blade fell.

“Genma!”

Hyuga Mio couldn't help but gasp.

In the air.

Fujinaka Genma’s short sword was severed in one stroke, and he was startled.

Wind ninjutsu counters Lightning ninjutsu—just as I thought!

Without hesitation, as he retreated, he abandoned his sword, then gathered lightning arcs in his right hand; the Chidori Sharp Spear extended outward, stabbing the enemy charging at him with blade raised.

Clang!

The Chidori Sharp Spear was instantly severed by the enemy’s blade, infused with wind ninjutsu chakra.

But Fujinaka Genma gained a precious breath—he twisted his waist midair, using his exceptional bodily coordination to deliver a flying kick. A crack of breaking bone echoed as he caved in the enemy’s chest, sending the man spitting blood plummeting from the sky.

Landing beside Ebisu, Fujinaka Genma heard a sharp command: “Retreat!”

The enemy is fleeing!

As Fujinaka Genma and Ebisu leapt down from the branches to pursue the grappling foe, Mura Kamiha appeared before them: “Don’t chase!”

“We must hold this position, or the frontline will have a gap.”

After speaking, Mura Kamiha looked at Fujinaka Genma and the other two, and his stern face broke into a smile: “Itachi three coordinated well today—especially Itachi, Genma. Itachi killed one of them!”

He had seen it—kicked the man to death with a single kick.

Such terrifying power—it rivals even one of the Legendary Sannin, Tsunade!