"I told you to bring all your subordinates out, but you wouldn't listen. Being openly defeated is better than dying like rats in the dark, right?"
Seeing the remaining captain's dumbfounded expression, Yuki couldn't help but sigh. Nowadays, trying to be a good person is so difficult.
Of course, the reason for this bizarre situation was undoubtedly the work of "Kaguya-hime," currently floating behind Tenmei.
Given "Kaguya-hime's" current Range of "C," she could move freely within about twenty meters. Including her long hair, the total attack range could even exceed fifty meters!
Under such conditions, those idiots hiding in nearby trees, thinking themselves safe, naturally became "Kaguya-hime's" best targets—almost defenseless, pulled over, beaten up, then stacked on the ground like garbage...
The four who charged first, two floating in the water, and three hiding in trees—in just one minute, the nine members brought by this "Akabane Corps" squad leader had been completely wiped out, not even touching the target's clothing.
Fast, precise, ruthless! These were the squad leader's impressions of this genin so far.
The "Akabane Corps" had dispatched fifteen personnel for this mission, including a Chūnin-level squad leader and a Jōnin-level platoon leader.
The original plan was for the platoon leader to handle the escort team's Jōnin, while the squad leader led most subordinates to find and assassinate the target—a normal plan.
But unexpectedly, the platoon leader had no issues, while his originally near-certain assassination squad collapsed halfway, beaten and scattered by this just-debuted rookie...
Just a genin, this makes no sense. But if this continues, how can I face the leader... Even if I die, must kill them!
Thinking this, the "Akabane Corps" squad leader steeled himself, his left hand secretly reaching into a back pocket for a small vial.
This vial contained "Beast Pills" carried only by "Akabane Corps" squad leaders and above. If taken during battle, they enhanced strength, durability, and stamina—a forbidden drug making one stronger the longer one fought.
Of course, being "forbidden," the side effects after the drug wore off were severe: mild full-body weakness, severe meridian rupture or even death!
The original order was to avoid killing these guard ninja if possible. But now, no choice—must take the pill and quickly eliminate him.
The moment before battle began, the squad leader's left thumb quietly pried open the vial's cap. Turning sideways to block the opponent's view with his ninjato, he brought the vial toward his mouth...
"Haven't eaten? So poor you need a snack before fighting to replenish energy?"
But before the vial reached his mouth, the Hyūga clan genin appeared before him at incredible speed, grabbing his left hand!
Damn! Discovered!
Even in this emergency, the squad leader displayed rich combat experience. With a flash of blade, the sharp edge directly slashed toward Yuki's arm gripping his wrist!
"Yo, good technique. But unfortunately, close combat is my domain. A cumbersome ninjato can't be deployed effectively at this range."
With a mocking smile at the corner of his mouth, Yuki's right hand grasping the enemy's wrist shook and flung, throwing the squad leader's entire body off balance! The ninjato meant for Yuki's hand went who-knows-where...
Next second, the squad leader landed head-down on the ground! If he hadn't urgently lifted his head at the last moment, landing on his back, he might have been knocked unconscious instantly.
This guy reacts so fast! Skills far surpass mine... Wait? Where's the vial?
When the squad leader recovered from the impact of being thrown and quickly rolled backward, he realized the vial in his hand had vanished!
No way? Could it be... Immediately, the squad leader looked toward Yuki, standing not far away without pursuing. Indeed, that youth held a familiar vial in his hand!
"What's in here probably isn't ordinary soldier pills—your private stash? Doesn't look very tasty."
Feeling the squad leader's almost blood-spewing resentment, Yuki showed no fear, instead shaking the vial before his eyes.
Damn! Even the "Beast Pills" were taken. No good, must call the platoon leader for backup. I can't handle this guy alone!
Only now did the squad leader realize he seemed like a monkey being played with. So he retreated backward at high speed, attempting to seek help...
But as the squad leader leaped into the air toward a nearby tree, his movement inexplicably halted midair! As if caught by an invisible net!
Wh... what is this?!
Struggling reflexively while restrained, before he could twist much, a white-robed figure appeared before him!
"Gentle Fist Technique: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms!"
The next moment, Yuki, leaping into the air, had an "Eight Trigrams field" composed of chakra appear behind him! Then, dozens of impacts like a violent storm covered the squad leader's body!
"Don't worry, I'm not planning to kill you."
After the thirty-two-palm combo, Yuki directly grabbed the semi-conscious squad leader—most meridians sealed—by the neck, dragging him back to the ground like a dead dog.
At least keep this guy alive; figure out who they are first.
"Yuki, who exactly are these people?"
Seeing the fighting finally cease, Tenmei finally approached, frowning at the pile of various black-clad figures on the ground.
"Should ask where you managed to provoke such a group... But save that for later. We need to go back and support Teacher Kurenai and the others."
This lake was about two hundred meters from where Yuki and the others had camped. Yuki could still faintly hear commotion from not far away, indicating fighting there too.
Indeed, besides assassins here, another group was blocking Teacher Kurenai—even Jōnin-level Kurenai couldn't resolve it quickly?
Must hurry back to help. Though Teacher Kurenai should be fine, Kiba and Shino though...
However, just as Yuki finished here, several hundred meters from the lake, within the area illuminated by the campfire, two groups were locked in fierce combat!
For a time, kunai, shuriken, ninjato, tekko-kagi, and many other weapons constantly flashed under firelight, turning the originally peaceful forest into a genuine battlefield!
Within this not-large battlefield, two combat zones were evident. In one, a youth crouched on all fours and a glasses-wearing figure fought together against enemies, facing four black-clad figures wielding tekko-kagi.
These clearly professionally trained black-clad figures raised their obviously not-expensive weapons, attacking without flourish toward these two young genin!
However, if observed carefully, their iron claws weren't aimed much at the two youths' vital points, seemingly intended only to incapacitate.
But even so, Kiba and Shino already bore many wounds. After all, both were just newly debuted genin, and now two against four—losing wasn't surprising.