Whether Chunin or Jonin, explosions impartially send lives to the Six Paths Pure Land.
"There's an ambush here. Konoha has modified explosive tags, they should be buried in the ground, stepping on them causes an explosion..."
Munashi Jinpachi said in a deep voice, "I understand, this is Konoha's confidence. They have new ninja tools!"
"There are footprints over there, they must be left by Konoha's ninja..."
Kuriarare Kushimaru squinted, observing a string of footprints in the depths of the forest: "These must be left by the Konoha ninja, follow these tracks!"
"Although it's a bit sinister, the details weren't handled well. Compared to our ninjas from the Blood Mist Village, those guys from Konoha are still too naive!"
The expressions of the Hidden Mist ninjas brightened slightly.
Two unexplained explosions had already strained their nerves.
If it were just two companions killed in battle, to these Mist ninja accustomed to life and death, it wouldn't be much.
But this unknown feeling was a fear they couldn't resist.
Everything seemed normal, but a single step could suddenly result in an explosion, like an unreasonable death god claiming lives, making even the normal rustling of leaves sound especially harsh to their ears.
Fortunately, the experienced Seven Ninja Swordsmen were leading, finding the flaws in Konoha's setup.
"That's right, these footprints lead towards Konoha, we can at least pass through this forest..."
The leading Hidden Mist ninja stepped on the footprints, feeling slightly relieved.
For a moment, he even thought these footprints might be a trap.
But luckily, he was overthinking it.
As the Hidden Mist scouts proceeded, the entire team entered, and at this moment, an explosion sounded!
The mines weren't at the first footprint but placed somewhere in the middle.
Only this way could more enemies be drawn in...
Kisame watched the distant flames, dumbstruck. The Mist scouts were wiped out before they even made contact.
Who the enemy was, where they were, all this information was completely unknown to them.
Terumi Mei and Kaguya Kimijiro exchanged a glance, both frowned, and they tapped Kisame and Zabuza, retreating behind the others.
Something's off...
Zabuza silently moved to the back of the team; although he wasn't afraid to die, he didn't want to die meaninglessly.
Kisame looked at Ayano behind him, hesitated, then also pulled on her sleeve, joining the four-man squad participating in Konoha's joint Chunin exams in slacking at the back...
"Damn it, damn it!"
Kuriarare Kushimaru and Munashi Jinpachi's eyes flared with anger; since when did Konoha become so despicable?
"Where's the perception ninja? This might be some kind of secret technique, not just an explosive tag. Probe the Chakra in the area ahead for me!"
Kuriarare Kushimaru shouted, "Even if we have to inch our way through, we must clear a path for Lord Mizukage with our lives. That's our mission!"
Kisame silently shielded Ayano behind him, covering her mouth.
Ayano was startled but obediently listened to Kisame and didn't make a sound.
Thus, a few reluctant Hidden Mist perception ninjas stepped forward, cautiously probing the road ahead.
Ten kilometers away.
Hyuga Hizashi nodded, somewhat regretfully saying,
"This war broke out a bit too quickly. Although our mines are specially treated, there's still Chakra residue. After the enemy was hit by the first wave, they reacted, and using perception Ninjutsu, they can still avoid part of it."
"If we had more time, we could try to make even more concealed mines."
Aomi nodded.
If the mines were used against Konoha, without special treatment, the effect wouldn't be great.
In the original timeline, Hyuga Hoheto's Byakugan could detect detonating clay.
Although Hidden Mist doesn't have such a powerful detection ability as the Byakugan, with Blood Mist still not fully engaged in internal conflict, this Hidden Village, one of the Five Great Hidden Villages, can still find some skilled perception ninjas with effort.
"Hizashi, regarding this point, the village is already prepared..."
Aomi slowly said, "But to deal with these Hidden Mist, we don't need to engage in a perception battle with them."
Aomi took in a deep breath, feeling the slightly damp sea breeze.
In this forest near the coastline, the humidity was high, shrouded in an elusive mist.
"Ninpo: Hidden Mist Jutsu..."
From Aomi's mouth, an extremely thick white mist slowly enveloped the battlefield, and visibility rapidly decreased.
Hyuga Hizashi watched Aomi in shock.
One kilometer, five kilometers, ten kilometers...
At the limit of his Byakugan's vision, Aomi's mist completely obscured their view, enveloping the entire forest in milky-white thick fog.
And even through his Byakugan, under the interference of Chakra in the water mist, it was difficult to distinguish the remaining Chakra from the Explosion Release mines, merging with the fog.
"This..."
Hyuga Hizashi burst into laughter: "In the face of such mist, it's hard to imagine how they'll break through the defense line."
Aomi leisurely waved his hand: "If they try hard enough, there'll still be a chance..."
"We've left them a spacious road, though Tobirama Series Bombs are still waiting for them."
Hyuga Hizashi slowly exhaled a long breath.
Even as a ninja in the Root, he could somewhat empathize with the pressure on the Hidden Mist ninja at this moment.
And in the Hidden Mist camp.
Almost everyone was bewildered.
Such a pure Hidden Mist Jutsu, has the Third Mizukage arrived?
But in the mist, aren't they even more doomed...
Only a few who've seen Aomi exchanged glances, their faces somewhat pale, and internally, they all exclaimed in unison:
"It's him!"