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"A reinforced elite team of six people, with one jonin in the team, but at least two special jonin, and the rest are all highly skilled shinobi. According to intelligence, the leader should be Nara Shikadaira of Konoha, and the two special jonin should be from the Akimichi and Yamanaka clans."
"As for the Uchiha, his identity is currently unknown. He possesses a pair of Tomoe Sharingan. Capturing him is our top priority. The second priority is the Yamanaka ninja, who is likely their sensory specialist. If we take him out, they'll be like headless flies in this vast desert."
As they moved, Ishido relayed the mission details. Hiriito followed closely, a sealing scroll strapped to his back, carefully dispersing chakra into his feet to maintain balance on the shifting sand.
The desert was filled with dangers like quicksand, but as a ninja, walking on it wasn't much different from walking on water.
It didn't take long for their team to rendezvous with Kyuichi Jonin, who was leading the pursuit.
Since Kyuichi was more familiar with the battlefield, Ishido handed command over to him.
"Let's go over the tactical plan," Kyuichi began.
He was a typical Sand Village ninja, clad in a desert-white robe with brown trim. His head was wrapped in cloth to protect against the heat, and his dark skin was rough from years in the desert.
"The -Nara_Akmichi-Yamanaka trio led by Nara Shikadaira will be handled by me and Ishido Jonin. The Uchiha will be left to the puppet unit. Nanaken, your job is to support the puppet unit as needed. The rest of our forces will encircle and eliminate any remaining Konoha ninjas to ensure the Uchiha's capture."
"Understood!" the surrounding Sand ninja responded in unison.
"Captain, the Nara_Akmichi-Yamanaka has been a formidable unit since the Warring States Period. Are you and Captain Ishido confident in handling them?" Nanaken asked with a concerned expression.
"Haha, Nanaken, even if you doubt me, you shouldn't doubt Captain Ishido. He's not your average jonin puppeteer."
Kyuichi laughed heartily, patting the younger ninja's shoulder.
"Kana, lead the way!"
"Yes!"
A female Sand ninja formed hand seals, closing her eyes as she focused her chakra.
"Northwest!" she declared.
"Move out!"
The Konoha team was well-equipped, but the Sand Village had invested considerable effort into capturing the Sharingan user.
Only two jonin were available due to their forces being stretched thin at the front lines, but they compensated with sheer numbers.
Kyuichi had recruited three border patrol teams to reinforce their ranks. Given the ongoing war, each team included a special jonin with specialized combat skills alongside three chunin-level fighters.
The strategy was clear—overwhelm the Konoha team with sheer numbers and tactical coordination.
With two jonin, four special jonin, and over ten chunin, the Sand's forces outnumbered the enemy by more than two to one.
Hiriito and Sasori, while still genin, were members of the puppet unit—a division known for producing formidable fighters. Even though they lacked field experience, their abilities placed them above standard genin.
Nanaken, observing the situation, had his suspicions.
"They just want these two 'young masters' to gain battlefield experience."
However, reality quickly proved otherwise.
The strongest members of Konoha's squad were the Nara_Akmichi-Yamanaka trio, but against two elite-level jonin, they were struggling.
Kyuichi wasn't significantly stronger than Nara Shikadaira, but Ishido was a different story.
He wasn't just an ordinary puppeteer—he was a master of White Secret Technique.
Even though he couldn't control ten puppets like Chiyo, his ability to command five white-robed puppets with precision put overwhelming pressure on the Konoha trio.
"This guy is an elite among jonin…" Hiriito thought as he observed the battlefield.
"This is both a critical mission and a training exercise for the two of you," Nanaken suddenly spoke, manipulating his two puppets as he engaged the Uchiha alongside two other special jonin.
"Hiriito, Sasori, this is a perfect chance for you to test your skills. I'll send two Konoha ninjas your way as practice opponents."
Nanaken's words made Hiriito frown slightly.
Nanako, standing nearby, had a similar reaction.
"I knew it. We're here to babysit these two."
But Hiriito and Sasori thought differently.
Sasori's excitement was evident—he had been waiting for a real fight. The assessment battles back in the Sand Village weren't enough to satisfy him.
Hiriito, too, was curious.
"How far can I go now?"
"Then I'll leave it to you, Nanaken-senpai," Hiriito said, nodding.
He removed the sealing scroll from his back and unfurled it, summoning two puppets.
With a flick of his hands, chakra threads shot out, attaching to Fatty—his modified armored puppet. Its parts disassembled mid-air, snapping onto Hiriito's body like armor.
Beside him, Little Boy extended its mechanical claw-like arms, twitching in anticipation.
"Tch… Damn it! These Sand ninja are treating us like training dummies!"
A Konoha ninja wielding a blade scowled as he and his partner were forced into battle against Hiriito and Sasori.
His partner, a middle-aged fire-style user, remained calm.
"Takigi, don't lose your head. Remember what Captain Hirano said—we must hold out. You keep the puppets at bay, and I'll focus on attacking their real bodies."
Takigi sneered. "What's there to be afraid of? These brats are the young geniuses of the Sand Village, right? If we have to fight to the death, killing one of them would be worth it. If we manage to return alive, it'll be a huge achievement!"
With that, the middle-aged ninja formed hand seals.
"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
A massive fireball roared toward Hiriito and Sasori, distorting the air with its heat.
But Sasori didn't even blink.
"Black Secret Technique: Salamander."
Sasori extended his fingers, and a giant lizard-like puppet lunged forward.
With a heavy clang, a metal shield unfolded from its back, intercepting the fire jutsu head-on.
"This salamander was originally meant for you, Hiriito."
Sasori's voice was calm as he manipulated his puppet to advance.
Hiriito smirked.
"A defensive puppet to protect the puppeteer? He's refining the concept I used in my original Tom Cat puppet."
But he had no time to be impressed.
With a sharp movement, Fatty and Little Boy shot forward.
"Black Secret Technique: Little Boy."
"Black Secret Technique: Termite."
The two puppets flanked the Konoha ninja from opposite sides, moving like shadows in the night.
(End of Chapter)