CHAPTER 94
Half a month later.
Guy's trio had already become familiar with the situation at the Land of Waves base.
They finally received Team 9's first mission.
A supply interception operation.
Inside the tactical briefing tent, Hyuga Yukian pointed at a route marked on the map, his voice calm and steady.
"According to intelligence reports, Kirigakure will have a supply ship traveling from the Land of Water to the Land of Waves. Tomorrow is their scheduled resupply day."
"Our mission is to intercept and seize those supplies."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across Guy, Ebisu, and Genma.
"According to the latest intelligence, there are only five people aboard. A guard unit consisting of three Chunin and two Genin."
"With our team's strength, there should be no problem in theory."
Although Hyuga Yukian was only a newly promoted Jonin, he was a member of the Hyuga Main House and possessed the Byakugan.
Guy was a Chunin.
Ebisu and Genma were Genin.
Such a lineup was indeed more than enough to deal with three Chunin and two Genin.
However, none of them appeared relaxed.
Guy's trio had spent over three months escorting and protecting supply lines at Mount Kikyo.
They understood the importance of logistics better than most people.
Likewise, they understood that no army would casually leave such crucial resources completely unprotected.
"The intelligence may not be entirely accurate."
Genma bit down on his senbon, speaking in his usual calm tone.
"There may be hidden shinobi aboard, or the information could already be outdated."
Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses and nodded in agreement.
"Kirigakure specializes in Water Release and concealment. They have an even greater advantage at sea."
"We can't rely completely on intelligence reports."
Guy silently checked the alloy nunchaku hanging at his waist, ensuring it could be drawn at any moment.
He said nothing.
But the seriousness in his eyes already expressed his attitude.
Hyuga Yukian looked at his three teammates.
A trace of approval flashed through his pale eyes.
"Not underestimating the enemy. Good."
"But the mission has already been assigned."
"Our responsibility is to execute it."
He rolled up the map.
"Mission objective: eliminate the enemy escort unit, seize the ship and supplies, then return safely."
"Move out."
Night provided the perfect cover.
Using the long-range reconnaissance capabilities of the Byakugan, Team 9 concealed themselves behind the reefs of a deserted island located along the enemy's projected route.
The area offered clear visibility while still providing excellent cover.
The wait was long.
The sea breeze carried a salty scent, leaving their skin slightly tight and dry.
Only when the first pale light of dawn began to appear on the horizon did Hyuga Yukian finally spot movement.
Within the range of his Byakugan, a medium-sized supply vessel bearing Kirigakure's emblem slowly entered the ambush zone.
"They're here."
Veins bulged around Hyuga Yukian's eyes as he maintained the Byakugan.
"Five individuals."
"All active on the deck and near the cabin entrance."
"Chakra signatures confirmed."
"Consistent with the intelligence report."
"No hidden units detected."
"Begin the operation."
Hyuga Yukian formed a hand signal.
The battle erupted instantly.
Hyuga Yukian was the first to burst out from behind the reef.
With a precise Gentle Fist strike, he instantly disabled the nearest Kirigakure Chunin.
At the same time, Guy's trio launched their attack from both flanks.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Ebisu rapidly formed hand seals.
A blazing fireball crashed toward the ship's railing.
The attack wasn't intended to kill.
Its purpose was to create confusion and obstruct visibility.
Genma's senbon silently pierced through the morning mist.
The needles accurately struck the hand acupoints of another Kirigakure Chunin who was attempting to form seals.
Guy selected the enemy leader as his target.
The man's reactions were extremely quick.
The moment his companion was attacked, he had already drawn his blade.
A sharp Water Release blade slashed toward Guy.
Rather than confront it directly, Guy kicked off the deck and retreated.
At the same time, his right hand swept toward his waist.
Whoosh!
A dark golden arc flashed through the air.
One end of the nunchaku was firmly gripped in his hand.
The other section, connected by a steel chain, emitted a low whistle as it sliced through the wind.
The Kirigakure Chunin had clearly never encountered such a weapon before.
He froze for a fraction of a second.
That brief hesitation was enough.
Guy immediately closed the distance.
The nunchaku seemed alive in his hands.
Its attacks were no longer limited to straightforward strikes.
The chain allowed for strange and unpredictable attack trajectories.
It bypassed the enemy's blade and smashed directly into his wrist.
Then, using the force of its momentum, it transformed into a sweeping strike with a range far beyond that of an ordinary short club.
"What kind of weapon is this?!"
The Kirigakure Chunin became increasingly alarmed.
His Water Release sword techniques were heavily restricted by the bizarre attack patterns of the nunchaku.
Several times, his blade was nearly entangled by the chain.
"Break!"
Guy spotted an opening.
A direct thrust from the nunchaku forced the opponent to dodge sideways.
However, the moment the attack missed, Guy flicked his wrist.
The chain swung the second section in a sharp arc.
It crashed directly into the opponent's ribs.
Shaolin Nunchaku, Fifth Form.
Sweeping Clouds!
"Ugh!"
The Kirigakure Chunin groaned in pain.
His movements immediately slowed.
Guy gave him no chance to recover.
A powerful Konoha Senpu struck his chest.
The force launched him backward into the ship's railing before he collapsed unconscious.
Elsewhere, Hyuga Yukian had already subdued two opponents with precise tenketsu strikes.
Ebisu and Genma worked together seamlessly.
After forcing one enemy back with Fire Release, Genma seized the opening and disabled him with a barrage of senbon.
The final Kirigakure Chunin realized the battle was lost and attempted to dive into the sea.
Before he could escape, Hyuga Yukian unleashed a long-range Gentle Fist strike.
A burst of Chakra slammed into his back.
The man crashed into the water.
Genma immediately followed up with several senbon.
After that, there was no further movement.
The battle lasted only a few minutes from beginning to end.
All five enemies lost their ability to continue fighting.
Three were captured alive.
Two were killed.
"Inspect the ship."
"Take inventory of the supplies."
"Prepare to return."
Hyuga Yukian issued orders succinctly while his Byakugan continued scanning the surrounding sea.
The mission had gone unexpectedly smoothly.
No surprises.
No ambushes.
Just a standard supply interception operation.
And Konoha had emerged victorious.
The team quickly inspected the vessel.
The ship itself was undamaged.
The cargo consisted primarily of military ration pills, medical supplies, and various ninja tools.
Exactly the kind of resources desperately needed on the frontline.
Guy's trio quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Even so, they maintained their vigilance.
After helping Hyuga Yukian secure the prisoners, they redirected the captured vessel toward Konoha's offshore base.
The sea gradually returned to silence.
Only the sound of waves breaking against the hull remained.
However, midway through their return journey, Hyuga Yukian's expression suddenly changed.
The veins around his eyes bulged once more.
His Byakugan focused toward the distant horizon.
"There's another ship."
His voice became noticeably lower.
"A Kirigakure vessel."
"Its destination appears to be the Land of Waves as well."
Everyone instantly became alert.
The ship was still far away.
Within the sea mist, it appeared only as a vague silhouette.
Yet even from this distance, they could barely make out three figures standing motionless on its deck.
Three figures.
Standing quietly amidst the drifting sea fog.
{🥳 Loving the story so far? Craving more chapters? 🥰
If you're enjoying the journey, don't forget to vote with your Power Stones! Every Power Stone helps the novel reach more readers and motivates me to keep the updates coming. 💙
Support me on Patreon and unlock 45+ advance chapters right now, plus 3 fresh chapters every two days to keep you hooked! 🎉
✨ Subscribe or grab lifetime access with a one-time purchase... your choice, no pressure!
👉 /mythborne }