Chapter 424: Yet Another Unexpected Incident

Might Guy had once carried out missions with Kakashi and Obito during their genin days, and since they were both disciples of Muyue, Kakashi wasn't worried that adding Might Guy to the team would affect overall team coordination.

But others joining included Shiranui Genma and Ebisu. After careful deliberation, Kakashi decided to keep things as they were and complete B-rank missions to build team synergy, then upgrade the mission rank after some time.

Kakashi didn't need Shiranui Genma and Ebisu to contribute much—after all, there was a gap in strength. Kakashi's main concern was that insufficient synergy would lead to negative returns for the team.

Neither Shiranui Genma nor Ebisu were the type to be both weak and reckless; they consciously played a supporting role for the others and didn't recklessly charge in to show off during battles. After a few days, their teamwork had shaped up reasonably well.

"It's so comfortable teaming up with you guys. Before I knew it, the mission was already done. I wish we could keep teaming up forever," Shiranui Genma said in a joking tone.

In fact, to some extent this was also what Shiranui Genma really thought. Teaming up with Kakashi and the others really was relaxing, even easier than doing D-rank missions in Konoha.

Because the enemies weren't even enough for the main fighters on their team to split among themselves. The main fighters could barely get a few chances to strike, let alone the supports—they were basically just coasting along and still getting rewards.

"Hahaha, after all, we're an elite squad," Obito said with a proud smile.

Although their ninja ranks were still only chunin, the overall strength of their four-man squad had long surpassed that of normal squads led by jonin.

"I'll pass your suggestion along to Teacher Chen," Ebisu said softly.

Shiranui Genma's expression stiffened, then he gave an awkward laugh. "No need to bother him with such a trivial matter."

Having been taught by Teacher Chen for so long, Shiranui Genma knew Teacher Chen's temper well. If he said that, he'd definitely get a head full of bumps.

Teacher Chen usually didn't put on airs and was very easygoing, but when it came to his disciples' growth, Teacher Chen had his own set of requirements.

They could choose not to take on missions beyond their ability, but they couldn't ride on others' coattails and enjoy the fruits of the mission.

Actually, Shiranui Genma also understood that it wasn't that Teacher Chen was rigidly opposed to getting something for nothing; rather, this approach wasn't good for their growth.

After all, Teacher Chen was at an age where he would openly read that kind of book in public—no matter how you looked at it, that had nothing to do with being rigid.

After completing two B-rank missions, Kakashi felt the teamwork was good enough and began taking on A-rank missions.

One noteworthy thing happened in between—they encountered Might Guy's father, Might Duy, at the camp.

Combining what he saw at the camp with the actual situation on the battlefield, Kakashi had a premonition that a large-scale shinobi war would soon break out on the eastern coast of the Land of Fire.

Konoha had not only deployed a top-tier shinobi like Orochimaru but also gathered a considerable number of jonin and chunin. Even a low-key powerhouse like Muyue had been sent to the battlefield—this clearly signaled a major operation.

Kakashi wasn't too worried. At their shinobi rank, they couldn't take on overly important combat missions, and they could manage to protect themselves in a melee.

"Finally starting A-rank missions. Hope we run into some stronger enemies this time," Obito said, clenching his fists with an eager expression.

Hearing Obito's words, Kakashi paused mid-step. "These aren't ordinary missions. In a war mission, things can go wrong and we might encounter powerful enemies we can't handle."

Kakashi didn't want Obito to maintain that kind of attitude on the battlefield—it could easily lead to problems.

"I'm not you, Kakashi. There's no way something like that will happen to me, right?" Obito felt he couldn't possibly be as jinxed as Kakashi.

Kakashi's record was a maximum of four consecutive missions going wrong; the worst one had them accidentally stumble into a battle involving a thousand ninja.

Kakashi looked at Obito speechlessly. Major accidents were indeed uncommon, but that wasn't the point—he just wanted Obito to adjust his mindset.

"I mean you should be more serious and careful when it comes to war. It's not like saying that will definitely make this mission go wrong," Kakashi explained helplessly.

Obito scratched his head, as if he understood and as if he didn't.

Seeing this, Kakashi gave up on explaining. Once again, he felt how amazing Muyue's teaching ability was.

Muyue could actually teach an Obito like this to pass his theory exams—truly godlike teaching ability.

If it were Kakashi in his place, probably before Obito got impatient, Kakashi himself would have broken down first.

The mission went smoothly. Kakashi and the others successfully found the enemy described in the mission, and the enemy's combat strength wasn't much different—one Mist jonin, two Mist chunin, and two Mist genin.

But not long after the battle started, the sharp-eyed Kakashi suddenly sensed something and immediately withdrew.

Swish! Swish!

Two kunai sharp with lightning pierced through the air and embedded into the empty space where Kakashi had just been standing.

"He dodged it." Raiga Kurosuki was a little surprised.

He, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, had ambushed a boy who appeared to be about ten years old and missed. Even considering various factors, if word got out, he would definitely be laughed at.

As Raiga Kurosuki expected, his teammate laughed without holding back.

"Raiga Kurosuki, did you come here without eating enough?" Jinin Akebino roared with laughter.

Kurosuchi Raiga's face was slightly dark, and he didn't explain. That attack just now was indeed a bit embarrassing.

The sudden turn of events made Obito and the others temporarily stop their attacks and warily look around.

"Saved." The besieged Mist jonin instantly breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the approaching Kurosuchi Raiga and Tori no Sanjin with expressions of surprise.

As a Mist jonin, he certainly couldn't fail to recognize the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. The moment he saw them, he knew he was saved.

The Mist jonin ignored his severely wounded subordinates and immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to close the distance with the approaching Kurosuchi Raiga and Tori no Sanjin.

"Two new enemies? None of you will escape." Obito was not flustered. Even if the two newcomers were jonin, their side could handle them with ease.

But what Obito didn't notice was that Kakashi's expression gradually turned serious, even tense.

"Damn it." Kakashi's heart skipped a beat after recognizing the arrivals.

Kakashi, who loved gathering intelligence, would never miss out on enemy information on his own battlefield. He instantly recognized the two as Kurosuchi Raiga and Tori no Sanjin of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

If it were just these two, Kakashi actually wouldn't feel too pressured.

Their seven-man squad had four jonin-level combatants, plus a medical special jonin and two chunin. If it came to a fight, it was uncertain who would win.

But if Kakashi remembered correctly, on this battlefield, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist liked to act together. That meant when you saw one swordsman, you had actually encountered the whole group; the others just hadn't come out yet.

No matter how confident Kakashi was in his team's strength, he absolutely had no confidence in fighting the entire Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Together, they were on a level that shook the ninja world.

Even if the Ino-Shika-Cho of Konoha came, they would be slightly inferior.

"Obito, and everyone, don't act rashly." Kakashi took a deep breath and said.

"Make a big commotion to attract reinforcements? Too uncertain. The first to arrive might be the enemy…" At that moment, Kakashi's mind was frantically thinking of how to let more people survive.

Obito looked at Kakashi with confusion, searching his memory for information on the few Mist ninja before him, but ultimately came up with nothing.

Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses, his fingers trembling slightly. "These appear to be the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. They like to act together. Perhaps the remaining five are hidden in the shadows."

Ebisu's heart pounded wildly. The moment he recognized them, sweat uncontrollably broke out on his forehead.

This was really too intense for him — to encounter such a terrifyingly powerful enemy in the middle of war.

"Such bad luck today." Shiranui Genma swallowed hard, as if he could already see himself dying a miserable death.

Shiranui Genma believed in the strength of Kakashi, Might Guy, and the others, but the enemies this time were different.

Kakashi and the others were genius ninja, but the Seven Ninja Swordsmen were fully grown ninja world powerhouses!

Shiranui Genma had never wished so much to see Teacher Chen. He really hoped Teacher Chen would use the Konoha Dragon God to descend from the sky and send the enemies flying.

But Shiranui Genma knew it was impossible, because Teacher Chen hadn't even arrived at the battlefield, so of course he couldn't descend from the sky to save them.

"So it's those Seven Ninja Swordsmen." After hearing Ebisu say the enemy's title, Obito finally remembered some information about them.

Obito hadn't managed to memorize their faces, but he still remembered some basic information. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen had seven members, each wielding a ninja sword with special abilities.

Thinking of what he had said before departure, Obito's expression turned subtle. Had his jinx actually come true on himself?

"I really shouldn't have spoken carelessly before leaving." Obito felt a bit regretful.

Might Guy's expression also turned serious. Since Obito knew about the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Might Guy naturally knew as well.

"I hope they're not on a group mission this time," Ebisu prayed silently in his heart.

If it were only two, they would still have a glimmer of hope.

But the next person to step out, Biwa Juzo, completely shattered Ebisu's wishful thinking.

Biwa Juzo slowly emerged from the shadows, carrying a giant ninja sword on his shoulder, and scanned Kakashi and the others with a bloodthirsty expression.

"We've really run into some exceptionally easy weaklings. Let's finish this quickly." Biwa Juzo lowered the Decapitating Blade from his shoulder, leaning on it with one hand as he spoke.

As soon as Biwa Juzo finished speaking, a large-bodied ninja with orange hair stepped out.

"Biwa Juzo, these are not exceptionally easy weaklings. Among them are three Konoha geniuses that need to be killed first." Hoshigaki Kisame said in a deep voice.

"Hatake Kakashi, Might Guy, and Uchiha Obito — these three must be killed here on the spot!"

Unlike Biwa Juzo, Hoshigaki Kisame thought they were very lucky this time. Killing three Konoha geniuses was far more significant than killing a few ordinary Konoha jonin.

If they didn't kill Kakashi and the other two here now, in ten or twenty years, when Mist and Konoha go to war again, Kakashi and the others might become new strong enemies for Mist.

"A genius who hasn't grown up is just a weakling." Suikazan Hoshigaki let out a scornful laugh. After all, who hadn't been a genius once?

Back when he was a Genin and Chunin, he too had been a somewhat famous genius ninja from the Hidden Mist.

As the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist stepped out one after another, Kakashi's heart sank to the bottom.

Not to mention anything else, even seven ordinary Jonin would not be an easy opponent, and the legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were clearly no ordinary Jonin.

On top of that, there was the Mist Jonin they had failed to kill, so the enemies they now had to face were seven titled Jonin plus one ordinary Mist Jonin.

Obito silently walked in front of Rin Nohara and shielded her behind him. They were facing an unprecedented major crisis.

Even their two previous encounters with the Raikage candidate had not been as dangerous as this.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist might not necessarily be able to defeat the Hidden Cloud's AB Combo, but when they had encountered the AB Combo before, either Muyue or Minato Namikaze had been with them. This time, neither Muyue nor Minato Namikaze was present, so they had to rely on their own strength.

Everyone instinctively moved closer to Kakashi, including Obito. Kakashi might not be the strongest in the team, but as the vice-captain, he was the absolute core of the group.

The reason Obito still did not vote for Kakashi in the second round was not because Obito did not accept Kakashi as vice-captain, but because he knew his vote didn't matter. Even if he didn't vote, others would definitely vote for Kakashi, and Kakashi would end up as vice-captain anyway.

Rather than casting a losing vote, it was better to vote for Rin Nohara, which could express his regard and recognition for her.

"Kakashi, what do we do now?" Genma Shiranui couldn't help but ask in a low voice.

Kakashi sighed softly. He was only a slightly above-average Chunin. Faced with this situation, he couldn't come up with a perfect solution in such a short time.

Kakashi quickly scanned the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Their formation was very loose, as if they did not consider the people across from them as normal enemies.

But Kakashi knew this was just an illusion. The seemingly loose formation actually blocked most of their escape routes. If they tried to retreat and run, at least two of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist could instantly cut off their retreat.

"What to do?" Kakashi asked himself inwardly.

As the fastest burst-speed member of the team, Kakashi had the best chance of successfully escaping, but he could not bring himself to even think about running.

He could leave, and Might Guy had a chance too, but what about the rest?

At this moment, Kakashi absolutely did not want to abandon his comrades.

Kakashi silently pulled out the White Fang short blade from his back. Since he didn't want to run, all that was left was to fight.

Even if the enemy was the legendary Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, he would fight to create a sliver of hope for his teammates. That was his responsibility as vice-captain.