Chapter 313

Realizing this, Lei Huche’s enthusiasm instantly surged.

He immediately began briefing Da He and the others on the internal details of the Cloud Village’s ANBU, dumping everything he knew about his superior’s situation and the rival teammates who could block his promotion.

“Understood.”

“Our squad moves tonight. Your superior won’t see tomorrow’s sun.”

“Tomorrow, the Cloud Village ANBU will be in chaos—Itachi must prepare for the competition in advance, especially manage your loyalists tightly!”

Da He spoke with grave seriousness and gave immediate orders.

Lei Huche had no objections to his commands.

After all, this was the highest-ranking commander of the Hidden Leaf ANBU’s operational zone—he might even have to serve under this man in the future, let alone that his own life was currently in this man’s hands.

…

That night, deep into the night.

Da He’s squad moved out, and Lei Huche joined them.

Under the cover of night, the entire Cloud Village lay cold and silent; izakayas, bathhouses, and other nightspots had closed early—within a short time, the consecutive deaths of two Raikage had made the entire populace sense an impending storm.

Da He’s squad moved like ghosts, swiftly reaching a three-story single-family house near the Raikage Building.

They halted. Da He raised his hand.

Then—

His three ANBU subordinates immediately pulled out sealing scrolls.

“Release!”

As the three ANBU acted, intricate sealing runes erupted and instantly formed a circular sealing barrier.

“What is this?”

Lei Huche asked.

Da He replied casually: “A new barrier technique developed by the Hidden Leaf. It has dual effects: sound suppression, enemy confinement, and illusion.”

“Even if a fierce battle rages inside, it will appear utterly silent from outside.”

Lei Huche felt a chill run through him—no wonder the Hidden Leaf was the strongest.

Truly formidable!

Even though the Cloud Village was one of the Five Great Villages, its depth paled in comparison to the Hidden Leaf’s.

Especially when he thought that after this mission, he might return to the Hidden Leaf and secure a mid-level leadership position, his eyes burned with fervor.

“Move!”

Da He ignored Lei Huche’s daydreams and waved his hand, leading everyone into the barrier.

At that moment—

Since they hadn’t concealed their presence, the occupants inside were quickly alerted.

The captain of the Cloud Village ANBU’s Third Division: Lei Menzhen!

He was fastening his combat gear and strapping ninja tools to his waist when he spotted them and frowned.

“Che?”

“What are Itachi doing here at this hour?”

“Wait…”

“Hidden Leaf ANBU?”

“Itachi bastard—Itachi’re a spy?”

Lei Menzhen was initially stunned, but no one who rose to lead an ANBU division was truly foolish.

Added to that, Da He and his team made no effort to hide their identities—they were clearly dressed in Hidden Leaf ANBU gear—and in an instant, Lei Menzhen confirmed his subordinate was a Hidden Leaf spy.

His expression darkened further, yet he showed no surprise.

The reason was simple.

Over the past period, too many powerful figures in the Cloud Village had died; to keep institutions running, the village had relaxed its vetting procedures—and the Cloud Village’s high command well knew that some spies had climbed to high positions under these conditions.

But there was nothing they could do.

At this critical juncture, the Cloud Village had no choice.

They had merely hoped to endure this special period, then later, once internal stability returned, they would re-screen for enemy spies.

Unfortunately—

The enemy villages hadn’t given the Cloud Village that time. At least, the Hidden Leaf’s spies intended to exploit the chaos—and this time, their target was clearly him.

“Captain Zhen, I’m sorry.”

Lei Huche shrugged, his face filled with mockery.

And yet—

Da He had no patience for words. He immediately formed hand seals at maximum speed.

“Wood Release: Thorned Death Technique!”

Almost instantly—

Before anyone could react, the courtyard’s ground cracked open; countless thorny vines erupted wildly, covered in dense spikes, surging toward Lei Menzhen at blinding speed.

“Lightning Release Chakra Mode!”

“Lightning Release: Heavy Flowing Storm!”

Lei Menzhen reacted with astonishing speed. In an instant, he activated his Lightning Armor and lunged at Da He with a devastating elbow strike.

Clearly—

He had been momentarily stunned by Da He’s technique, then his entire body broke out in goosebumps, and without hesitation, he charged straight at Da He.

Whether he could kill him didn’t matter—what mattered was making as much noise as possible.

The reason was even simpler:

This was Wood Release!

The most mysterious and terrifying of the Hidden Leaf’s techniques—he knew he had no chance against it.

So—

All he wanted now was to create as much commotion as possible, buy time, and pray that other Cloud Village Qiangzhe would arrive soon.

“Wood Release: Tree Wall!”

Da He’s expression remained unchanged as he swiftly formed new hand seals.

Dense trees and vines erupted wildly, rapidly coalescing into an unbreakable wall before them.

CRASH!

A tremendous impact rang out; though cracks multiplied across the rear wall, it ultimately held firm.

“No wonder Itachi’re a Cloud Village brute.”

Da He spoke coldly, his tone still calm.

The next second—

The rampant thorns caught up with Lei Menzhen, seizing him at the moment his old technique had ended and his new one hadn’t yet formed, wrapping him completely.

Almost instantly—

Countless thorns pierced Lei Menzhen’s skin; crimson blood gushed out, slowly beginning to absorb his chakra.

“Everyone—attack!”

At Da He’s command, the three ANBU and Lei Huche moved instantly.

Though Lei Menzhen struggled to defend himself, he couldn’t break free from the thorns’ grip in time—and was swiftly overwhelmed and killed by the group’s combined assault.

“Fire Crow—erase all traces!”

Da He glanced at the dead Lei Menzhen and spoke with utter calm.

One ANBU stepped forward, forming hand seals; hundreds of fire crows erupted skyward, igniting every structure within the barrier—including the thorny vines themselves.

The reason was simple:

Da He’s Wood Release was far inferior to Hashirama Senju’s; he couldn’t sustain the vital energy inherent in true Wood Release, so once he stopped pouring chakra into it, the vines became lifeless matter—easily reduced to ash by fire.

Not long after—

Watching Lei Menzhen’s corpse and all traces of the scene reduced to ashes, Da He calmly waved his hand.

“Withdraw!”