The Kumogakure border camp was bustling with activity, the sounds of preparation and patrols filling the air as the team settled in after delivering the supplies. Tensions remained high with frequent skirmishes against Iwagakure forces, who had been relentlessly attempting to breach the border. The mission had evolved far beyond a simple supply run, now requiring the young shinobi to defend the village's borders alongside seasoned fighters.
Ei, Yugito, Samui, and Mabui were part of the defense forces, gaining valuable experience on the front lines. Their older brother A, a Chunin at 12 years old, led the Kumogakure forces, while his partner B, an 11-year-old Genin, supported him. B's ability to wield eight swords coated with lightning chakra, along with the partial power of the Eight-Tails' Two-Tails Chakra Mode, made him a fearsome warrior even at such a young age.
Now, the young squad of Ei, Yugito, Samui, and Mabui found themselves tasked with patrolling the perimeter of the border camp. Despite the relative calm, everyone knew that Iwagakure shinobi were lurking underground, waiting for the right moment to strike.
---
As they moved through the rugged terrain, the group remained silent, their senses sharp. Mabui, who had honed her sensor abilities, walked beside Samui, her focus on detecting any unusual chakra signatures.
Suddenly, Mabui's eyes widened. "Wait," she whispered. "I'm sensing movement underground—several of them. They're coming right toward us."
Ei immediately took charge. "Yugito, with me. We'll take them head-on. Samui, protect Mabui. If they surface behind us, take them out. Stay alert."
Samui nodded, her katana already drawn and crackling with lightning chakra. She positioned herself in front of Mabui, ready to defend her teammate at all costs.
Yugito, her mismatched eyes—one blue and one yellow, both slitted like Matatabi's—glowed faintly as she sniffed the air. "They're close," she murmured. "Get ready."
---
Without warning, the ground beneath them erupted as four Iwagakure shinobi shot up from the earth, their hands already forming Earth Release hand seals. But Ei and Yugito were faster.
With a surge of her lightning chakra, Ei charged forward, her sword already crackling with energy. She swung her blade in a single, swift motion, cleaving through the first Iwagakure shinobi before he could even react. Lightning arced from her sword as she struck, the power of her attack leaving no room for defense.
Yugito followed closely behind, her hands wreathed in Matatabi's blue flame. Using bursts of flame from her feet to boost her speed, she closed the distance between her and the second shinobi in an instant. Her fist, engulfed in the fierce fire of Matatabi, smashed into the enemy's chest, sending him flying backward with a scorch mark burned into his armor.
At the same time, Samui kept her position, her senses on high alert. Another Iwagakure shinobi emerged behind them, attempting to ambush Mabui. But Samui was ready. In a fluid motion, she struck with her lightning-enhanced katana, cutting through the enemy's defenses with precision. The shinobi barely had time to raise his guard before Samui's blade pierced through, taking him down before he could reach Mabui.
"Stay close," Samui instructed Mabui, her eyes never leaving the surroundings. "They might try again."
Mabui nodded, her mind already focused on keeping track of the enemy's movements. "There's still one more underground," she warned. "Heading toward Ei and Yugito."
---
Ei, sensing the final enemy, moved swiftly to intercept. Her sword glowed with lightning chakra as she slashed into the ground, sending a current of electricity surging through the earth. The Iwagakure shinobi was forced to the surface, where Yugito was waiting.
With a powerful kick, Yugito sent a burst of Matatabi's blue flames from her feet, propelling herself toward the enemy with incredible speed. She struck with both hands, her arms coated in the fierce blue fire. The enemy let out a gasp as the flames seared through his defenses, leaving him incapacitated on the ground.
The fight was over as quickly as it had begun.
---
As the dust settled, Ei wiped her blade clean and turned to her teammates. "Is everyone alright?"
"All good here," Samui replied, sheathing her katana as she gave Mabui a reassuring nod.
Mabui, still focused, scanned the area for any remaining threats before relaxing her stance. "We're clear. No more enemies nearby."
Yugito stretched her arms, the blue flames flickering before they faded from her fists. "That was easier than I thought," she said with a smirk. "But they'll be back, and next time they'll bring more."
"We'll be ready," Ei responded, her voice calm and confident. "We can't afford to let our guard down."
---
Back at the camp, A and B had returned from their own patrol, both looking unscathed despite the ongoing skirmishes. A, with his muscular build and intimidating presence, nodded approvingly at his younger sister.
"You handled yourself well out there," he said, glancing between Ei and her teammates. "The border has been quiet today, but that doesn't mean it'll stay that way."
B, still holding two of his lightning-coated swords, gave them a grin. "I heard you took down some Iwagakure shinobi. Not bad for a bunch of 10-year-olds."
"Coming from an 11-year-old Genin, that's high praise," Samui teased, earning a laugh from B.
"Don't let it get to your head," B replied, chuckling. "But you're right—being a Genin at my age is no small feat."
Ei smiled slightly, but her focus remained on their mission. "We'll keep pushing forward. We've got more to learn, and the real fight isn't over yet."
As night fell over the border camp, the Kumogakure squad remained vigilant, knowing that more challenges lay ahead. The skirmishes with Iwagakure forces were only the beginning, and Ei's team was determined to keep sharpening their skills for whatever battles awaited them next.
End of Chapter 21.