Takuya stepped forward to meet the attack head-on. This time, he didn't rely on his special skills. Instead, he fought using pure taijutsu and kenjutsu.
The two figures collided like phantoms, their blades clashing with a metallic screech. The force of the impact reverberated up Yoshida Shoichi's arm, causing his pupils to contract.
This kid's speed and strength…!
Both were far beyond his own. If not for his extensive combat experience, that strike could have severed his hand.
The battle erupted in full force.
As Takuya and Yoshida Shoichi clashed, Nawaki and Minato worked together to take on the other enemies. Surprisingly, it was Nawaki and Minato, who seemed at a disadvantage, that began to turn the tide.
One by one, the enemies fell. Minato's incredible reflexes and burst speed left Nawaki envious.
Though Nawaki was strong in taijutsu and had much more chakra than Minato, when it came to swiftly killing enemies, Minato was far superior.
Minato could unleash a sudden burst of speed during combat, catching his opponent off guard and driving a kunai into their throat or heart.
Nawaki, on the other hand, found it much more difficult.
"You're a decent sparring partner," Takuya remarked as they fought. "Better than those other jonin from the Rain Village I've faced."
Yoshida Shoichi's taijutsu was impressive. Though his technique was somewhat erratic, his strength was genuine—unlike those so-called jonin who Takuya had dispatched in just a few strikes.
"Brat, don't underestimate me!"
To hear a ten-year-old boy casually tell him that his strength was merely "decent" enraged Yoshida Shoichi.
Clang!
Takuya blocked Yoshida's blade and chuckled. "What's the matter? Angry now? Well then, I suppose it's time for you to die."
Before Yoshida could react, Takuya's strength surged. The sudden increase in power sent him reeling back.
What shocked him even more was that Takuya's speed had increased once again.
A flash of red appeared in Takuya's eyes as the three-tomoe Sharingan activated, their hypnotic crimson glow locking onto Yoshida.
With his Sharingan activated, Yoshida's movements appeared sluggish to Takuya, as if he were watching a strange, slow-motion scene.
Takuya's blade slid along Yoshida's arm, numbing it, before piercing through his ribcage and into his heart.
"You're… Yagami Takuya…"
Blood trickled from Yoshida Shoichi's mouth as he stared in disbelief at the blade that had impaled him. His mind flashed to a recent name that had become well-known in the ninja world—Yagami Takuya.
Silver hair, about ten years old, three-tomoe Sharingan.
"That's me," Takuya replied as he withdrew his blade. Watching Yoshida collapse to the ground, gasping for breath as life drained from his eyes, Takuya sighed. "Your strength and courage are commendable. I'll see that you're buried properly."
"But as for this shipment, it's never going to reach the Rain Country."
Ugh—
Yoshida Shoichi coughed up blood, his vision fading, until life left his body entirely.
Surveying the battlefield, littered with corpses and debris, Takuya clicked his tongue in admiration.
"Minato's getting more and more monstrous. If he learns the Flying Thunder God technique, he'll be unstoppable."
As for the supplies, Takuya barely glanced at the foodstuffs. Instead, he focused on gathering the scrolls containing ninja tools and explosive tags.
These were valuable spoils of war.
With a little bit of dealing, he could fetch a high price for them.
As for turning them in? That wasn't even on his mind.
Why should I hand over what I rightfully took?
Danzo's orders were to destroy the supplies, not to confiscate them.
These ninja tools were a nice bonus that Takuya intended to keep for himself.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
With a single jutsu, Takuya set the remaining food ablaze, reducing it to ash. He then leaned against a tree by the roadside, waiting for Minato and Nawaki to return.
The two had chased the fleeing enemies into the forest, and it would take them some time to get back.
"Poor cow, I'm not going to let your meat go to waste," Takuya muttered to himself.
Among the supply convoy were both horses and cattle pulling the carts. Unfortunately, one unlucky cow had crossed paths with Nawaki and ended up skewered like a giant piece of dango.
After a while, Minato and Nawaki returned. Minato wore a broad smile, while Nawaki's face was etched with frustration.
No need to guess—Nawaki had been outdone by Minato once again.
Losing to Takuya time and time again, Nawaki had accepted.
Takuya was widely acknowledged as a prodigy. Since comparing himself to Takuya was pointless, Nawaki had set his sights on competing with Minato instead.
But Nawaki couldn't beat Takuya, and now he couldn't even beat Minato.
This was a heavy blow to Nawaki's pride, leaving him feeling utterly defeated.
"What's with the long face? We just scored a major victory," Takuya teased.
Nawaki glanced at Minato, shoulders slumped. "He got two more than me."
If Nawaki and Minato were the same age, Nawaki might have been able to accept it. But he was three years older than both Takuya and Minato!
Being outdone by someone three years younger was a bitter pill to swallow.
Dreams of world peace? Of standing shoulder to shoulder with the God of Shinobi, becoming like his grandfather?
It was all starting to feel like a joke.
"Well, serves you right for not trying hard enough," Takuya laughed, clearly enjoying Nawaki's frustration. "Now hurry up and clean up the mess so we can get out of here."
"Why is it always me?"
Can't you just cut me some slack for once?
Not only was Takuya mocking him, but now he was making Nawaki handle the cleanup.
Takuya glanced at the flustered Nawaki and shrugged. "Because out of the three of us, you're the best at Earth Style jutsu. Who else is going to do it?"
"If you're not up for it, we can all dig the holes together."
"..."
Nawaki eyed his kunai and sword, then sighed in resignation. Better to do it himself than to deal with the hassle of digging.
"When are we heading back?"
Nawaki asked as he munched on a piece of roast beef, regretting that he hadn't cut off more meat when he had the chance.
"What's the rush?"
Takuya tossed a few more sticks onto the fire, his tone unhurried.
"Commander's orders were to completely cut off this supply route. We're sticking around for a bit longer."
There was no strict time limit for this mission. Whether or not the mission was complete was up to the squad's judgment.
If they returned to camp only to have more supplies make it through, it would be their failure.
Takuya would rather spend more time securing the area than risk getting blamed for something that wasn't his fault.
Besides, why would they leave the sunny and peaceful Land of Fire to go back to the miserable weather in the Rain Country?
That place was a nightmare compared to the comfort of the Land of Fire.
Back in the Rain Country, in a rather shabby camp, Hanzo frowned as he reviewed the inventory list. Supplies were running out faster than he had anticipated.
The Rain Village wouldn't last much longer at this rate.
The losses in both personnel and resources were far beyond what Hanzo had expected.
He was beginning to taste the bitter consequences of declaring war on Konoha, the Rock Village, and the Sand Village all at once.
When it came to resources, the Rain Village simply couldn't compete with the Five Great Shinobi Countries.
While Konoha, the Sand Village, and the Rock Village were just beginning to feel the strain, the Rain Village was already on the brink of collapse.
"Lord Hanzo!"
A battered figure stumbled into the room.
Hanzo's already grim expression darkened further. "What is it?"
"Lord Hanzo, the convoy sent to the Land of Fire… has been wiped out."
***********
Note: If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 130+ at patreon.com/Emik01. Don't forget to give a power stone for many bonus chapters!