Yōkō wasn't worried about the White Goat Squad and the Flower Deer Squad; they had no psychological burden when it came to killing Nara clansmen.
But Yōkō was still worried about Purple Cat.
Purple Cat was a ninja from the Yamanaka clan. When it came to taking action against the Nara clan, she might hesitate at a critical moment.
Hesitation leads to defeat. If this covert execution mission failed, Purple Cat's future would be over.
Yōkō swiftly moved across the border's Gobi desert and soon found Purple Cat's squad.
Purple Cat's squad's battle was indeed not going smoothly.
Amidst the scattered rocks, a Rain ninja squad was confronting three Konoha ninja.
The three Konoha ninja were a Konoha Ino–Shika–Chō formation.
The Akimichi ninja and the Yamanaka ninja were shielding the Nara ninja behind them.
Yōkō's gaze flickered. It was actually her?
That Yamanaka clan ninja was named Yamanaka Ruri, the biological younger sister of Purple Cat, Yamanaka Ruri.
When Danzō went to the Yamanaka clan to select talent for the Anbu, Yamanaka Ruri, as the big sister among her peers, volunteered to join, solving a major problem for the clan head, Yamanaka Inson.
Yōkō had thought Purple Cat might go soft because of the Nara ninja, but it seemed now it was because of her younger sister.
Yamanaka Ruri shouted:
"Nara Shiku, we've just formed our Ino–Shika–Chō team! We won't be defeated on our first mission! We'll protect you!"
The Rain ninja squad was specifically targeting Nara Shiku, and Yamanaka Ruri had stepped forward.
The little chubby guy, Akimichi Kan, added, "We'll protect you!"
Nara Shiku's eyelids lowered slightly.
What wonderful teammates... Unlike those previous civilian ninja, each one as stupid as maggots, forcing me to use the Shadow Imitation Technique to control them just to complete the mission.
It's a pity I never managed to find a suitable Ino–Shika–Chō combination after graduating. Now, meeting these two Genin who are two years my junior has finally solved my biggest problem.
Nara Shiku said, "I don't need your protection. I'm a few years older than you, of course I should deal with the Rain ninja."
He brushed aside Yamanaka Ruri's shoulder, putting her behind him.
This time, I absolutely won't let my comrades die.
This time, I will be the most reliable 'Shika' in the Ino–Shika–Chō.
Purple Cat hadn't noticed Yōkō's arrival. Holding a kunai, she glanced once more at Yamanaka Ruri before continuing her charge towards the Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
Akimichi Kan let out a yell, transforming into a Human Bullet Tank and charging towards the four Rain ninja.
Purple Cat adjusted her direction slightly, maintaining her speed as she dashed forward and to the side. The Human Bullet Tank was slow to turn, brushing past Purple Cat as it charged by.
Nara Shiku was taken aback. Dodging the Human Bullet Tank wasn't surprising, but dodging it so precisely and effortlessly... only someone extremely familiar with it could do that.
Nara Shiku crouched low and used his shadow secret technique.
His shadow elongated, rapidly stretching across the ground towards Purple Cat.
Purple Cat changed direction again, avoiding all the rocks, arriving at the most open area to the side.
Without the shadows of rocks to use as relays, the threat from Nara Shiku's shadow diminished.
He was shocked again. Why is this Mist ninja so familiar with the Shadow Imitation Technique? How does she know how to avoid the shadow's sudden extension?
As Purple Cat was dodging, Yamanaka Ruri completed the Yamanaka clan secret technique.
"Mind Body Switch Technique!"
Yamanaka Ruri raised her hands, framing a rectangle in front of her eyes with her thumbs and index fingers, aiming at the Mist ninja squad leader.
Purple Cat, with perfect timing, threw a kunai in advance, aimed directly at the rectangular hand seal Yamanaka Ruri was forming.
Barring any mishap, this kunai would pass through the rectangular hand seal and pierce Yamanaka Ruri's forehead.
Nara Shiku raised his hand, using his kunai to deflect the Mist ninja's kunai.
Too slow. The speed of the kunai's flight clearly didn't match the Mist squad leader's skill level.
Nara Shiku's mind raced, trying to analyze enough intelligence.
His pupils suddenly constricted.
Could it be... that the Mist ninja before him are Konoha ninja in disguise?
Or even ninja from the Ino–Shika–Chō clans disguised? Only then could they be so familiar with their secret techniques.
If they are Konoha ninja in disguise... then... Nara Shiku's heart jolted. Had his actions during those previous missions been exposed?
Was it the village that wanted him dead? Or was it the Nara clan, wanting to cleanse their household?
The Mist ninja squad was clearly targeting him, but didn't seem to have the same level of killing intent towards Yamanaka Ruri and Akimichi Kan.
Nara Shiku's mind had never been clearer.
He looked at Yamanaka Ruri.
The Mist squad leader had the least killing intent towards Yamanaka Ruri. He could find a way to use Yamanaka Ruri, first kill the Mist squad leader, and obtain information about her.
As several Mist ninja charged at him, he dodged and spun twice, maneuvering behind Yamanaka Ruri.
Purple Cat almost threw her kunai at Yamanaka Ruri. In that instant, Purple Cat finally understood why the Anbu had issued a mission to kill Nara Shiku.
This person is too clever, an absolute refined egoist.
Yamanaka Ruri and Akimichi Kan once again shielded Nara Shiku behind them.
Nara Shiku was older and a head taller than the two in front of him, making it look like he was being protected by two children.
Just then, an umbrella-shaped tool shot over swiftly, embedding itself between the Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
The large umbrella opened with a bang, its surface striking Yamanaka Ruri and Akimichi Kan, pushing them forward.
Nara Shiku, however, was struck by the umbrella surface and sent flying backward.
Purple Cat glanced back and saw another Rain ninja.
It's the Battalion Commander!
Purple Cat felt terrible. She had seen her sister, but her hesitation due to soft-heartedness had caused her to fail several times.
Before setting out, the Battalion Commander had specifically warned her not to go soft because of her Yamanaka heritage, yet she had still been restrained during the mission.
Gritting her teeth, she charged fiercely at Nara Shiku, throwing all her projectile weapons at him.
The three Mist ninja squad members, seeing such a good opportunity, also attacked Nara Shiku.
The little chubby Akimichi Kan was rolling on the ground, trying to get up, when a hand pressed down on his shoulder.
Excruciating pain shot through him; Akimichi Kan felt that if he struggled any more, his shoulder blade would be crushed.
However, Akimichi Kan steeled his heart and stood up despite the large hand on his shoulder.
Even if his bones break, he absolutely cannot watch his comrade die before his eyes.
Seeing the little chubby guy so resolute, Yōkō had no choice but to deliver a karate chop, knocking him unconscious.
Then, Yōkō looked towards Yamanaka Ruri, who was already raising her hands, and used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of her.
Yamanaka Ruri's rectangular secret technique hand seal was pressed right against Yōkō's chest.
She looked up in terror, meeting the terrifying eyes behind the gas mask.
Raising his hand, Yōkō delivered a karate chop to Yamanaka Ruri's neck, knocking her unconscious as well.
When Yōkō turned around, he saw Nara Shiku, who had already been turned into a pincushion.
Purple Cat, gripping her ninjato with both hands for the final blow, brutally stabbed the blade into Nara Shiku's neck.
Two-thirds of the blade protruded from the back of Nara Shiku's head.
In the distance, a Konoha squad happened to arrive.
Purple Cat quickly signaled for everyone to retreat.
After withdrawing to a distance, Purple Cat said to Yōkō, "I'm sorry, Captain, I..."
"Pay more attention next time," Yōkō said.
"I was also at fault for not obtaining the latest intelligence. I didn't know Nara Shiku had formed an Ino–Shika–Chō team with your sister."
"Having someone like Nara Shiku near your sister was too dangerous."
***
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(Chapter End)