[A few Minutes Earlier]
Perched on an elevated vantage point, a group of four shinobis observed the lively scene unfolding below with its vibrant colours, music, and the anticipation of a joyous celebration. The group comprised of three males and one lady.
Cloaked in maroon attire that blended with the shadows and adorned with brown flak jackets, the group of four shinobi remained inconspicuous amidst the festival's vibrant atmosphere.
Their choice of clothing was not only a clear indication of what village they came from but also a strategic decision as the dull colours helped them to seamlessly meld with the darkness.
The leader of the group, a man with an air of authority, glanced toward a kunoichi, who was the group's sensor, awaiting her crucial update.
The man inquired, "What's the update?"
The kunoichi swiftly relayed her findings. "The three jounins are in close proximity to the negotiation hall. We need a diversion to draw their attention away from that area," she reported her voice low and measured.
The leader, aware of the delicate nature of their mission, pondered the situation.
He then responded, "A diversion hmm? Let me take care of that."
He took a step forward, signalling his intent to handle the diversion part personally. With a fluid and practised motion, he formed a hand seal and bellowed,
"Bees Arts: Bee Wrath!"
In response to his command, a swarm of bees materialized, their origin seemingly from a huge guord on the shinobi's back. The bees, agitated and ready to execute their master's bidding, surged forward with a frenetic energy.
The swarm descended upon the unsuspecting civilians like a dark cloud, disrupting the joyful atmosphere of the festival. Panic ensued as the bees began to attack the festival goers with relentless fury.
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[Present time]
The night in Harukawa was enveloped in an eerie ambience Renjiro, together with Anzai Aburame, moved with a silent vigilance through Harukawa streets.
The duo was part of a larger force, consisting of nine genins tasked with patrolling the city in pairs, except for Team 15, who navigated the night as a trio.
Hiro and Ono Inuzuka, Aiko and Fukui Hyuga, and the rest of The genins navigated the city in their designated groups, creating a web of surveillance that aimed to catch any potential threats in its threads.
Renjiro's Sharingan eyes glowed softly in the darkness, attuned to detecting any subtle disturbances in the surroundings. Anzai moved with a quiet confidence, her insect companions serving as an additional set of eyes and ears.
Silence prevailed, occasionally interrupted by the distant sounds of the city at night. Seeing the awkward silence Renjiro wanted to engage in conversation to learn more about her.
Renjiro casually remarked, "So bugs, huh?"
The words lingered in the air, awaiting Anzai's response. Renjiro anticipated a response. However, before Anzai could answer, her demeanour shifted. Her gaze was fixed on a distant point.
"Something is coming. Get ready,"
Anzai announced with an urgency that cut through the night air. The shift in her tone and the alertness in her eyes made it clear that whatever approached demanded their immediate attention.
Renjiro shifted into alert mode, his senses heightened as he activated his chakra field.
Curious and slightly perplexed, Renjiro turned to Anzai Aburame and inquired, "What's coming?"
The decision to deactivate his chakra field had been intentional from Sando's earlier instructions. The reports of potential assassination attempts had prompted caution, they wanted to bait the enemy and lure them out.
Anzai, with a furrowed brow, responded to Renjiro's question. " Wait, is this correct? Insects.... bees? They're coming," she said, her tone revealing a mix of uncertainty and concern.
"What do you mean Bees?" Renjiro asked.
"What else is there to explain? Bees are coming!" Anzai replied as they both headed to civilians who were screaming from the agony of the bee's attacks.
Unfortunately, the chaos intensified when Renjiro and Anzai sprang into action. She utilized her ability to control and communicate with insects and directed her bugs to assist in aiding the nearby civilians.
The civilians, in the midst of confusion and panic, mistook the Aburame's insect manipulation for an attack. Their cries of distress echoed through the festival grounds, amplifying the atmosphere of chaos.
The misunderstanding exacerbated the situation, as fear and paranoia swept through the crowd like wildfire.
Renjiro, recognizing the need to diffuse the tension, raised his hands in a gesture of non-aggression. "Calm down, we're here to help!" he shouted, trying to make himself heard over the commotion.
Anzai, too, attempted to reassure the civilians, urging them to remain calm amidst the turmoil.
'Probably telling them to calm down now won't help.'
Renjiro swiftly executed a Body Flicker Technique, appearing beside the startled civilians. He flickered some of them away causing the civilians to blink and find themselves at a safer distance from the perceived threat.
Along with Anzai, they both did so until all the civilians were safe from danger. Since they could now face the swarm of bees without worrying about the civilians, Renjiro decided to utilize a fire jutsu, hoping to showcase their ability to control the situation.
"Fire Release: Greater Fireball Jutsu!" he muttered, conjuring a burst of intense flames that danced in the night sky heading to the bees.
The jutsu was similar to the first fire release jutsu he had learnt. The only difference was that it allowed for more chakra to be channelled into it, supercharging it, and making the size way larger.
However, Anzai, with her expertise in the Aburame clan's techniques, informed him that fire held no threat to them. Her own insects were immune to fire, so the bees too would be.
It was a great misconception that clans that used insect techniques would have a major weakness against fire.
There was some truth in this as before that was the case. However, such clans had trained their Kikaichū to be fire resistant. At least to some extent.
'Hmm? Something is wrong.'
Back at the hall where the negotiations were being held, Riku thought.
The trio of Jounins, having noticed the sudden turmoil in the festival below, found themselves at a crossroads.
The urgency of the situation was evident, but they were unsure of whether they should intervene immediately or adhere to their original mission of safeguarding the delegation.
In the midst of their contemplation, the unexpected occurred. Four mysterious shinobi, each a Jounin like themselves, appeared before them.
'What the he-' Sando wondered.
Without warning, the attackers initiated an assault, catching the Konoha Jounins off guard.
They faced off against the assailants who had been a part of the group that unleashed the swarm of insects upon the festival.
Among these attackers, the leader, who had earlier initiated the Bee Wrath jutsu, observed the skirmish with an air of nonchalance.
His demeanour suggested an eerie calmness, standing casually as if the ongoing battle held no significance for him.
The three Jounins, Riku, Sando, and Goya, engaged in combat with the assailants. However, the leader of the opposing group refrained from direct involvement, content to let his subordinates take on the task of confronting the Konoha Jounins.
'Kaya Kamizuru. What the Hell is Iwa Thinking by deploying an S-ranked Ninja in a minor village?' Riku wondered when he managed to sneak a glance at the shinobi while fighting an Iwa Jounin.