On the Kirigakure front, the Uchiha clan was locked in fierce combat with the Mist ninja.
Large numbers of Konoha shinobi were being deployed to the battlefield, but due to the pressure on the Iwagakure front, the main fighting force on the Mist side was still the Uchiha.
The Hyūga, Inuzuka, Ino–Shika–Chō, and other clans had all joined the war.
Because Hidden Mist Technique severely interfered with the Uchiha's Sharingan, every squad was now required to include at least one Wind Release user to disperse the fog.
At this moment, Wen Lan was leading a squad as its captain.
Squad members:
Sarutobi Asuma
Yūhi Kurenai
Might Guy
Shiranui Genma
Ebisu had been seriously injured during the battle with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and, together with Might Duy, had already been sent back to the village.
Wen Lan led the squad through the dense fog, every step taken with extreme caution.
Suddenly, sharp gusts of wind tore through the air.
Several Kirigakure shinobi launched a surprise attack—battle erupted instantly.
Asuma swung his chakra blades to meet the enemy head-on.
Kurenai released genjutsu to disrupt their movements.
Guy and Genma worked in perfect coordination, quickly forcing the attackers back.
"This is already the thirty-sixth wave!"
Genma cursed around the senbon in his mouth.
"These Mist bastards feel like they can track our position. We've run into at least three times more enemies than any other squad in the past half month!"
Wen Lan frowned, sensing stronger presences approaching from afar.
"This is just the vanguard," he said quietly.
"The real trouble is about to arrive."
Everyone stiffened, gripping their weapons.
When Kurenai sensed the incoming enemies, her expression changed drastically.
Though she specialized in genjutsu, her perception was far from weak—otherwise she would never have led Team Eight in the future.
"Five chūnin! Sixteen genin!" Kurenai cried out.
Wen Lan's gaze sharpened as he rapidly assessed the situation.
Before he could speak, Asuma immediately lowered his voice and said,
"We should retreat—this isn't something we can handle!"
Wen Lan shook his head.
"No. We can't retreat. We're the vanguard unit. Behind us is the village's defensive line. If we fall back, the pressure will collapse straight onto the rear."
"Then do you think we can win?!"
Asuma snapped angrily.
"You're treating this squad's lives like a joke!"
Wen Lan looked at him calmly, his voice firm and unquestionable.
"I'm not gambling with anyone's life. I'm fulfilling a ninja's duty.
The path of a shinobi is never safe—it comes with sacrifice and resolve.
Our job isn't to avoid battle, but to face it with wisdom and conviction.
If you're afraid to die, then get the hell out of my squad."
"What the hell did you just say?!" Asuma roared.
Bang!
Wen Lan kicked Asuma hard in the stomach, sending him flying several meters until he slammed into a tree.
Asuma grimaced in pain. Just as he was about to shout back, a shadow loomed over him.
He looked up—and met Wen Lan's demonic Sharingan gaze.
His lips trembled.
Wen Lan stared down at him coldly.
"You're in my squad for three reasons.
First: The Uchiha rarely produce Wind Release users. You just happen to be one.
Second: Sarutobi Hiruzen sent you to the Kirigakure front because he originally believed this war wouldn't break out.
Now that it has, you—his son—absolutely cannot return. Otherwise, the villagers would resent him as Hokage.
For the sake of public support, he must maintain the image of 'even my own son is on the battlefield.'
Third: The Third Hokage sent a secret letter to the clan head ordering me to protect you.
He put you under my command because I'm young—he believed I wouldn't target you the way other Uchiha might.
But if you let fear shake morale, I will not show mercy.
Hiruzen only told me to keep you alive.
So even if you come back missing arms or legs, I'll still have completed my mission."
Asuma's face turned deathly pale.
After a long moment, he clenched his teeth and lowered his head.
Wen Lan turned to the rest of the squad.
"From now on, my orders are absolute.
I will not tolerate anyone questioning them. Understood?"
Everyone nodded solemnly. The tension was suffocating.
Wen Lan glanced at Asuma with icy contempt.
"Useless trash."
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
Several figures sped through the forest, their movements cutting through the air.
Suddenly, one Mist ninja stopped abruptly and raised his hand, signaling the others to halt.
"What is it?" another asked.
"Too quiet," he said grimly.
"Way too quiet…"
The surrounding forest seemed to be holding its breath.
Even the rustling of leaves felt unnaturally loud.
A few birds chirped in the distance—but it only made the silence more unsettling.
The Mist ninja exchanged uneasy glances.
Then—
Soft pink cherry blossom petals drifted down from above, swaying gently in the air—
like invitations from the god of death.
"Retreat!" one Mist ninja shouted in horror.
"Threefold Cherry Blossom!"
A girl's voice rang out.
Shk!
Before the man could turn around, a flash of cold steel passed his throat.
Blood splattered across the leaves as his body collapsed, crimson spreading like blooming flowers.
Before the others could react, multiple black figures burst out from all directions, striking like lightning.
The sound slicing through the air no longer belonged to their footsteps—
but to death itself.
"Leaf Whirlwind!"
"Ninja Art: Thousand Needle Rain!"
Attacks overlapped instantly.
Fierce winds swept up fallen leaves as senbon rained down like a storm.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
A water barrier rose, deflecting part of the barrage—but several needles still pierced shoulders and arms, blood soaking sleeves instantly.
Another Mist ninja formed seals rapidly.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
A massive water dragon roared forth, charging straight at Might Guy.
Guy's eyes sharpened.
He slammed his foot into the ground and shot upward like an arrow, avoiding the dragon head-on.
In midair, his body twisted— and in the next instant, he appeared above the water dragon.
His right leg came down like a guillotine.
The Mist ninja was struck before he could react, his body sent flying like a broken kite, smashing into the ground with a thunderous crash.
At that very moment—
"Thunder Breathing, First Form— Thunderclap and Flash!"
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