Chapter 23: Fierce Battle!

Michimura Yajuu quickly arrived with Hyuga Mio and Ebisu; seeing that Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi were unharmed, all three exhaled in relief.

Fujinaka Genma detailed the situation thoroughly, then said: “Teacher Yajuu, the Grass Village has concealed much intelligence—if we continue like this, I fear everyone around us will become enemies.”

Michimura Yajuu instantly understood Fujinaka Genma’s meaning.

Clearly, his student no longer trusted the Grass Village.

Zheng nodded solemnly, and Michimura Yajuu said: “I understand!”

“Mio, Ebisu, Itachi stay behind to assist Genma and Kakashi!”

Hyuga Mio and Ebisu immediately bowed their heads in solemn agreement; they too sensed the gravity of the situation.

Michimura Yajuu turned and departed swiftly.

Hyuga Mio immediately said: “Genma, Kakashi, rest for now—we’ll hold this position for Itachi!”

“Mio’s right. There shouldn’t be any trouble in the short term—but we won’t lower our guard,” Ebisu added.

Ebisu said.

Both showed great responsibility.

“Good.”

Fujinaka Genma thought for a moment and nodded: “Itachi take the front line; Kakashi and I will hold the second line!”

The mission continued.

Half an hour later, Michimura Yajuu returned and gathered Fujinaka Genma and the other three together.

“The situation is complicated.”

Michimura Yajuu’s expression was more serious than usual: “A traitor has reportedly surfaced within the Grass Village, colluding with outsiders to seize its treasures.”

“Treasures?”

“What treasures does the Grass Village have?”

Ebisu couldn’t help asking.

“Don’t underestimate the Grass Village—the treasure might shock Itachi.”

Fujinaka Genma smiled lightly.

He was now eighty percent certain the Grass Village was guarding the Box of Bliss.

That thing could indeed shock anyone.

“That’s not our focus,” Michimura Yajuu continued. “The traitor isn’t just working with ordinary bounty hunters or rogue ninja from other villages—other ninja villages are involved too.”

“Teacher Yajuu, if we don’t know the traitor’s identity, our position is extremely dangerous.”

Fujinaka Genma bit down on a senbon.

Without knowing who the traitor was, they’d always have to watch for betrayal—this mission’s difficulty had skyrocketed.

The Horse and Sword system gave 500 Horse and Sword points for this mission—apparently not without reason.

Michimura Yajuu looked at Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi and asked: “Do Itachi have any suspects?”

Minato Namikaze and Kakashi Hatake, asking, “Do Itachi have any suspects?”

Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi exchanged glances; finally, Fujinaka Genma spoke: “There is one.”

“That guy’s behavior was suspicious, but under the circumstances just now, his actions weren’t wrong.”

“That guy’s behavior was suspicious, but under those circumstances, he wasn’t wrong.”

Michimura Yajuu hesitated, then said: “Genma, Kakashi—Itachi’ll have to take a risk now.”

Fujinaka Genma smiled and spread his hands: “Teacher Yajuu, Itachi should trust my and Kakashi’s abilities. In this situation, even if it’s risky, we must uncover the traitor first—otherwise, our danger only grows.”

Fujinaka Genma smiled and spread his hands. “Teacher Yomaki, Itachi should trust Kakashi and me. In a situation like this, even if it’s risky, we must capture the traitor first—otherwise, our position becomes even more dangerous.”

Michimura Yajuu nodded.

Moments later, the shift changed.

Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi returned to rest; Michimura Yajuu stayed behind with Hyuga Mio and Ebisu.

For the next two days, everything remained calm.

On the third day, deep night.

Due to a shortage of jounin, Michimura Yajuu and Sarutobi Hikari had been reassigned, so the night watch now consisted of only four people.

Hyuga Mio, Ebisu, and the two genin from Kakashi’s team.

The night was silent, save for the chirping of insects around them.

Suddenly, cries of battle echoed from behind, faint and intermittent.

Hyuga Mio, hidden, immediately activated his Byakugan and gasped: “So many!”

“Twelve enemies coming from the other side of the mountain—all elite!”

Ebisu said: “According to the Grass Village, the forest behind the mountain is filled with traps—even their own people dare not enter except for a few.”

Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi, disguised as Kakashi’s two genin, now dropped their disguises and resumed their true forms.

“Mio, check the front,” Fujinaka Genma said.

“Yes!”

Hyuga Mio immediately shifted his gaze and froze, whispering: “Genma, four enemies—moving fast.”

Kakashi drew his White Fang shortblade: “They’re trying to exploit our distraction from the rear battle and strike us from the front.”

“Then let’s give them a surprise.”

Fujinaka Genma revealed a cold smile.

Killing—he was already accustomed to it.

The four enemies quickly closed in, heading straight for Fujinaka Genma’s hidden position.

But what awaited them was a raging inferno.

Ebisu unleashed the Great Fireball Technique; Fujinaka Genma unleashed Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.

The wind fueled the fire, instantly multiplying the fireball’s power several times over!

Simultaneously, Kakashi and Hyuga Mio coordinated.

The former used a Lightning Release technique; the latter threw shuriken.

This assault didn’t injure the enemies—but shattered their expectations, throwing them into confusion.

Then, the piercing screech of Chidori echoed through the forest, two white lightning bolts darting and flashing through the trees.

At that moment, Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi unleashed their maximum speed, launching a surprise attack while the enemies were disoriented.

Blades slashed throats; the first enemy fell without surprise.

The second enemy, already bracing himself, was caught off guard—Fujinaka Genma didn’t charge straight ahead but leapt upward.

Mid-air, the senbon in his mouth glowed white, shooting out with a sharp hiss.

Next came a second enemy who had already prepared himself, but unexpectedly, Fujinaka Genma did not charge straight ahead—he suddenly leapt upward.

He was skilled, quick to react—he avoided the senbon coated in high-frequency lightning.

But Fujinaka Genma followed instantly, descending with a blade from above.

The enemy was strong and reacted quickly, avoiding the senbon coated with high-frequency lightning blade at the critical moment.

The masked ninja screamed in agony.

His sword was severed, then his arm was cleanly cut off.

As Fujinaka Genma landed, he swept his blade upward—white light flared, and with a wet *plop*, the enemy’s throat was slit.

His sword was severed by Fujinaka Genma, who then smoothly cut off his arm.

The enemy ninja collapsed, clutching his neck.

Two enemies—both chunin level—dispatched effortlessly by Fujinaka Genma.

He retrieved his senbon, wiped it, and placed it back between his teeth; then he turned to look at Kakashi’s side.

One enemy already dead—now three against one.

Fujinaka Genma rushed over and swiftly eliminated the remaining foe.

“Mio, Ebisu, hold this position—it’s our escape route!”

Fujinaka Genma barked, then charged toward the other battlefield with Kakashi.

When they arrived, the cliffside was a bloody mess—Grass Village ninja lay dead and wounded.

Fujinaka Genma shouted, then charged toward another battlefield with Kakashi.

Seeing the glasses-wearing ninja attacking his own, Fujinaka Genma snorted.

The Grass Village jounin with glasses was named Tachibana; during the previous attack, he’d sent only genin to chase the fleeing enemies.

Though that might’ve been to avoid a diversion, his smug smile had always unsettled Fujinaka Genma.

The masked Grass Ninja jōnin, named Tanbō, had during the attack two days ago merely sent a few genin to chase the fleeing enemy.

Tachibana spotted Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi and immediately understood—but then he smiled: “Itachi two brats aren’t enough.”

“Tachibana, Itachi’re insane—stop this now!”

The Grass Village jounin fighting him roared in fury.

Watching Tachibana, Fujinaka Genma remained calm, observing the battlefield as he said: “Don’t underestimate brats—underestimating them will get Itachi killed horribly.”

Before his words finished, the sound of crackling lightning filled the air.

Looking at Tanbō, Fujinaka Genma’s expression was calm; as he observed the terrain, he said, “Don’t underestimate the kids. If Itachi do, Itachi’ll die horribly.”

Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi lunged forward, both unleashing Lightning Cutter—their lightning merging into a single line.

Almost simultaneously.

Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi dashed forward, both unleashing Lightning Cutter, their lightning connecting into a single line.

His figure darted forward; lightning sliced through, and bodies split in two, falling into the dust.

“Watch out for those two brats!”

A cry of alarm rang out.

After three of their number were suddenly slain by Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi, the enemies finally took notice, breaking off their fights and gathering together.

“Itachi damned brats—Itachi’ve ruined everything again!”

Tan’yu glared at Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi, his face twisted with rage.

“See what happens when Itachi underestimate us!”

Fujinaka Genma dissolved his technique, spreading his hands with a calm smile.

“Kill these two Konoha brats first!”

Tan’yu roared in fury.

The battle resumed.

Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi stood back-to-back, facing the four masked ninja closing in.

Each of the four was strong—not ordinary chunin, likely special jonin or even jonin.

Facing opponents far outnumbering them, Fujinaka Genma felt some pressure.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Weapons clashed, sparks flying.

Both sides moved at blinding speed, their forms nearly invisible.

After several exchanges, Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi once again stood back-to-back.

“They’re Cloud ninja!”

Kakashi panted heavily—he was barely seven years old; his stamina was a serious issue.

“I noticed!”

Fujinaka Genma’s eyes sharpened.

The Cloud ninja excel not only in Lei Dun but also in taijutsu and sword techniques.

Of course, their village also loves collecting secret techniques from other villages, so their knowledge is extremely broad.

Still, even with their masks, their fighting style made their identity clear.

The killing style of these men matched their own perfectly.

Lei Dun + sword technique!

Watching the four enemies preparing to strike, Fujinaka Genma raised one hand: “Kakashi, I’ll create an opening—Itachi conserve your chakra and deliver the killing blow!”

“Understood!”

Kakashi nodded, sheathing his White Fang short blade.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Five Shadow Clones appeared, surrounding Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi.

Immediately, brilliant white lightning arcs flared into view.

In an instant, the entire battlefield was drowned in the piercing screech of Chidori.

Each of the five Shadow Clones held a Chidori in the right hand and a Lei Dun Rasengan in the left, then charged in unison.

The battlefield erupted into chaos.

The Lei Dun Rasengan appeared and vanished unpredictably; the Chidori struck with lethal speed.

Though the Shadow Clones were swiftly destroyed, they had broken the enemy’s formation and created openings.

Fujinaka Genma and Kakashi moved like two venomous snakes, striking with deadly precision the moment an opening appeared.

Moments later, all five Shadow Clones vanished.

Fujinaka Genma pulled Kakashi back.

He was wounded!

Kakashi’s right ribcage bled profusely; blood quickly soaked through his clothing.

Fujinaka Genma had a deep gash on his left upper arm; his guard was sliced open, the wound nearly exposing bone.

But the enemies fared no better—they had lost three of their own.

Most importantly, the traitorous Grass ninja jonin, Tan’yu, had been severely wounded by Fujinaka Genma’s Lei Dun Rasengan.

“Genma!”

A voice called out.

It was Hiyuga Mio.

Mimura Yajuan and Sarutobi Koki had also arrived.

Kakashi’s composure broke; he collapsed onto the ground.

Fujinaka Genma quietly exhaled in relief.

If they hadn’t come now, they’d have had to flee.