Pop—
The moment his toe touched the branch, chakra gathered in his legs. The branch barely bent as the boy leaped over ten meters.
In a series of quick movements, the boy passed through the dense forest like a gust of wind.
He was young, with a handsome face, wearing black tight-fitting clothes and a green standard-issue vest armor. His thick black hair was tied at the end with a red ribbon, giving him a gentle and calm demeanor.
If a stranger saw him, they would definitely notice two distinctive features.
Firstly, the metal forehead protector with the Konoha emblem tied to his head.
Secondly, those pure white, unblemished eyes!
—He is a member of the Hyuga clan from Konoha Village in the Land of Fire!
A powerful shinobi clan, the Hyuga clan has formidable combat abilities stem from their Dojutsu, the "Byakugan." As a result, The Hyuga clan has always been a force to be reckoned with.
"Fifteen kilometers left for us to reach the Land of Fire's border."
While running, Yuto Hyuga calculated the distance.
"Too dangerous."
He abruptly halted, stomping heavily on the tree trunk, instantly stopping his high-speed movement. His strong and flexible physique was evident.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Four figures quickly converged around him, forming a tactical formation with their backs against each other.
"What's wrong, Yuto Hyuga? Did you find something?" asked a middle-aged man with short hair and an indifferent expression.
Yuto nodded.
"Sugiura-sama, there are footprints in the forest..."
A breeze blew through the forest, and the other three Genin instinctively tightened their grip on their kunai.
The team led by Jonin Tetsuro Sugiura consisted of one Jonin, one Hyuga Chuunin, and three civilian Genin—a surprise reconnaissance team formed during wartime. There were no females in the group!
"So, is it the enemy?" Tetsuro said, his tone still calm.
"Well done, Hyuga. We could avoid th-" He stopped mid-talking, and shook his head.
"Never mind." Tetsuro drew a kunai, feeling its sharp edge,
"If they can block this path, they may have set up ambushes elsewhere too. Let's charge through. After all, we have the Byakugan."
The three Genin sighed in relief, looking at Tetsuro and Yuto with respect.
The history of the shinobi world has proven that the Byakugan's reconnaissance abilities are trustworthy.
"Yes, Sugiura-sama" Yuto replied respectfully.
He brought his index and middle fingers together in front of his nose, forming a seal.
Chakra instantly surged to his optic nerves. Veins bulged around his eyes, and his pale blue pupils appeared in the center.
His vision changed, extending into a unique 360-degree field, revealing chakra flows, chakra pathways, hidden birds behind trees, and even animals drinking water kilometers away...
With the Byakugan's enhanced vision and perception, everything was laid bare.
Yuto lowered his hand.
While activating the Byakugan only required chakra concentration, Hyuga clan members often used seals to focus their minds, a habit that became a family tradition over time.
Seeing that Yuto was ready, Tetsuro took the lead, charging ahead. Yuto followed closely, with the three Genin forming a semi-circle around him as they resumed their journey.
This time, they were fully alert.
In Yuto's vision, everything turned into shades of black and white, semi-transparent trees moving swiftly backward. He observed his surroundings meticulously, not missing any suspicious signs.
Finally, during their rapid movement, a few tiny "Humanoid Strings" appeared in Yuto's sight—chakra flowing through chakra pathways!
"Found them..." Yuto exhaled, signaling his teammates with a series of hand signs, then sped up to inform Tetsuro.
Despite his speed, by the time he relayed the information, they were only 400 meters away from the enemy.
—Shinobis honed by war possessed superior combat instincts.
Though newly formed, Yuto's team displayed commendable synergy, maintaining their speed as if nothing had happened.
Until Tetsuro, at the forefront, was within twenty meters of the first enemy.
Twenty meters for a Konoha Jonin... was nearly face-to-face.
Bang!
In a flash, Yuto saw Tetsuro appear directly above the enemy hidden underground.
Tetsuro's kunai stabbed into the ground. He released it, and stomped hard at it. Screams and blood splattered from below.
Using basic Body Flicker Technique combined with Yuto's precise intel, he instantly eliminated one enemy.
Yet, Tetsuro's assault continued.
Ignoring the shouts and sounds of weapons from elsewhere, he calmly formed hand seals.
Though using a kunai with his foot was unconventional, the small risk was worth it, freeing his hands to form seals.
Ox → Monkey → Hare → Rat → Boar → Bird → Ox → Horse → Bird → Rat... 44 seals were formed flawlessly.
Jonin-level chakra surged through specific pathways within his body. At its peak, Tetsuro opened his mouth.
—Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!
Tons of water gushed from his mouth, forming a tree-sized water dragon that crashed to the ground.
Rumble...
The enemy below was crushed into blood mist, the massive water flow was tearing up the ground, uprooting trees, sweeping away chains, explosive tags, and iron hooks. The traps were obliterated by the powerful water jutsu.
Fighting amidst enemy traps was unwise. As an Experienced shinobi—Tetsuro immediately altered the battlefield.
Yuto and the three Genin regrouped around Tetsuro, ready to fight.
As the water receded and dust cleared, several shinobi emerged from the other side.
The Konoha team's hearts sank.
There were too many—six in plain sight, likely with three more hidden.
The enemy leader, a tall man, walked forward, tying a Cloud Village forehead protector.
After a brief silence, both sides charged.
No words exchanged, not even verbal reconnaissance.
In Konoha Year 55, under the immense pressure of looming war, constant border skirmishes, and the ever-tense political climate, the string of tension could snap any moment, triggering a shinobi world war.
In the forest, Konoha and Cloud shinobi clashed, with their lives losing instantly.
No one mourned. Kunai gleamed coldly, jutsu flashed relentlessly. They stole each other's lives, colder than the steel they wielded.
—For reasons ample or insufficient, those who gave their lives,
—Are shinobis.
(End of Chapters)