Shindai and the others had just taken on a new mission to transport supplies to another frontline and had already set out.
On the road, Shindai grumbled, "Why isn't it the usual frontline we always deliver to? This one's so far away."
Obito replied helplessly, "What can we do? Didn't Captain Katsuhiko say? The fighting at that frontline is really intense. Supplies from several supply stations are being sent there."
Rin Nohara tightened the straps on her back. Each of them carried a large scroll packed with various supplies. Sighing, she said, "I wonder how much longer the war will last."
Kakashi reminded them, "Alright, stop chatting. We're entering the forest now. Stay alert, Shindai!"
"I know, I know~"
Nowadays, Shindai could figure out what Kakashi wanted him to do before he even finished speaking.
He created his Third Eye, which lifted into the air, and followed Kakashi and the others into the woods.
The four moved swiftly through the trees. Except for their footsteps and occasional insect chirps, everything was very quiet.
"Wait!"
Suddenly, Shindai called out to Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara to stop.
The three halted immediately.
Kakashi asked solemnly, "What's wrong, Shindai? Did you spot something?"
Pressing his left eye, Shindai carefully observed the images transmitted from his Third Eye. He answered seriously, "There's something. On a tree trunk far away to our left. Although I didn't see a person, there was a shadow—it looked exactly like a human shadow."
Kakashi asked, "Can you confirm it?"
Shindai remained serious. "That location is tricky. It's completely covered in leaves. If my Third Eye wants a clear view, it has to pass through the foliage. That would bring me too close, and they might notice us. Should we go check?"
After thinking briefly, Kakashi said, "Don't confirm yet. Pretend nothing happened and keep moving forward. If that shadow really belongs to an enemy, we keep moving forward. They'll have no choice but to do the same. This way, we can verify without raising suspicion.
If they truly are enemies, there's probably already a lot of enemy ninja around us. Prepare yourselves for battle!"
Shindai, Obito, and Rin Nohara nodded.
Kakashi took out the map and pretended to check directions before continuing forward.
As they advanced, Shindai confirmed the situation and told Kakashi, "Confirmed enemies. I saw their Iwagakure forehead protectors. I've spotted four so far—there could be more I haven't seen yet. They're slowly approaching us. They're about to attack any second!"
Kakashi commanded, "Slow down our pace and prepare for battle! When the fight starts, hand over all the scrolls to Rin immediately. Rin, take the scrolls and hide yourself right away!"
Rin Nohara replied, "Understood!"
Shindai and the others pressed forward, tension mounting as battle loomed.
Shindai kept reporting their positions.
They're 500 meters out.
Down to 300 meters—and another one's been detected. Total of five Rock ninjas now.
Two hundred meters!
The moment Kakashi caught wind of "200 meters," he barked, "Move!"
Kakashi hurled three smoke bombs, engulfing Shindai's group in thick smoke.
Using the smoke cover, Shindai, Kakashi, and Obito handed their scrolls to Rin Nohara, who quickly vanished into the bushes.
The concealed Rock ninjas instantly realized their presence had been detected and began hurling kunai and shuriken toward the smoke.
However, Shindai, Kakashi, and Obito were no longer inside the smoke cloud.
Kakashi appeared behind one Rock ninja like a ghost, swiftly drawing his short blade and slitting the enemy's throat in one clean motion.
Shindai had already summoned Kannazuki Tsukiji. Kannazuki's right hand flicked out with a ninja sword, impaling a Rock ninja from behind.
Obito, whose power had increased tremendously, stood on a high tree trunk, rapidly forming hand seals with both hands.
[Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!]
After completing the seals, Obito unleashed an exceptionally fast and powerful straight-line flame attack. The inferno struck a Rock ninja, snapping his bones while engulfing him entirely in raging flames, burning him to death.
The Rock ninjas who had intended to launch a surprise attack were instead ambushed by Kakashi, Shindai, and Obito, losing three men immediately.
Victory seemed assured at this point; only two remaining Rock ninjas remained—easy prey. Unexpectedly, however, three more emerged from underground.
This was actually a squad consisting of eight Rock ninjas, and their leader was a legitimate Jonin.
Despite having killed three of them during the ambush, they still had five enemies left.
None of the Rock ninjas here were Genin; aside from Jonins, they were all Chunins. Their objective was to intercept supplies and kill the Konoha ninjas transporting those supplies.
[Earth Release: Rock Section Cane!]
Two Rock ninjas simultaneously performed the same Earth Release jutsu. The ground beneath transformed into sharp, spike-like rods that launched numerous rock spears toward Kakashi.
Kakashi quickly used the Shifting Body Technique to dodge, allowing the sharp stone spikes to pierce through the tree trunks instead.
The Rock Jonin targeted Shindai, charging fiercely toward him.
Unaware that his opponent was a Jonin, Shindai controlled Kannazuki Tsukiji, wielding the ninja sword and rushing back at the Jonin, slashing toward his enemy.
[Earth Release: Rock Fist Attack!]
The Jonin's fist became coated in layers of solid rock before landing a crushing blow directly onto Kannazuki Tsukiji's sword.
The Rock Jonin emerged unscathed, while Kannazuki Tsukiji was sent flying backward.
Fortunately, Shindai's chakra threads were attached to Kannazuki; otherwise, he would have been carried off who-knows-where.
Meanwhile, Kakashi and Obito each now faced pursuit from two Rock ninja.
Shindai continued manipulating Kannazuki and activated the mechanism.
[Kannazuki - Needle Barrage!]
Kannazuki's chest cavity opened, unleashing a massive volley of senbon needles at the Jonin-level Rock ninja.
The Rock Jonin performed Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, erecting an earthen barrier that blocked all of Kannazuki's needles.
Afterward, the Jonin formed seals again.
[Earth Release - Altering Terrain Technique!]
The ground beneath Shindai suddenly collapsed, forming a deep pit into which he plummeted.
But the Jonin wasn't done attacking yet.
[Earth Release: Earth Spike Spears!]
From the bottom of the pit, countless sharp stone spears erupted.
As he fell, Shindai's scalp prickled with dread—if he hit the bottom, he'd be pierced through completely.
Moreover, the pit walls were extremely smooth, offering no foothold or grip for him to stop his fall.
Immediately, Shindai rapidly formed hand seals.
[Magnet Release: Iron Sand Wings!]
The Iron Sand within Kannazuki swiftly converged onto Shindai's shoulders, forming a pair of wings.
Flapping his wings, Shindai soared out of the pit and hovered in midair.
The Rock Jonin stared at the Iron Sand wings on Shindai's back, his eyes turning deeply menacing.
"So you're the one who helped Konoha assassinate Sunagakure's Kazekage and framed us for it!"
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>