Aozora returned home to prepare his ninja tools and hurriedly headed toward the gathering point.
Upon arriving, Aozora scanned each face in the crowd carefully. He quickly realized that Konoha was severely understaffed at the moment.
There weren't many well-known ninjas present, and among them, the only one who had appeared in the original story was Might Guy, wearing his signature green bodysuit.
Aozora greeted him enthusiastically, "Guy, never thought you'd be joining this mission too!"
"Ha! I've just been promoted from Tokubetsu Jonin to Jonin, so Lord Hokage's entrusted me with a major task."
Guy explained, then praised Aozora, "But speaking of promotions, you're truly impressive! Just a few months ago you were still a Genin, yet now you've already become a Tokubetsu Jonin. You truly live up to your reputation as a genius from a prestigious clan!"
Aozora happily accepted the compliment before responding, "Please, you flatter me. You're the strongest taijutsu genius I've ever met—and the hardest-working one too! Just knowing I'll be on this mission with you, Senior, gives me a real sense of security!"
Of course it did—he could just call for Guy if danger arose.
Though Guy likely hadn't mastered [Eight Gates] technique yet, since he'd been promoted to Jonin purely through taijutsu skills alone, he must have already unlocked at least six of the gates by now.
With [Six Gates] activated, Guy was already quite a capable Kage-level fighter.
Guy beamed at the compliment. Though they'd only trained together a few times, he really appreciated Aozora's modesty and earnest attitude.
As someone always seen as the black sheep, Guy had never imagined that a genius from a noble clan would show him such respect and admiration—this was the first time he got to feel like a true senior.
As Aozora chatted casually with Guy, Junping and others with Elite Jonin-level strength arrived as well. Among them, Aozora spotted someone familiar.
The newcomer looked around fifteen or sixteen years old, sporting short brown hair, wearing a forehead protector with a faceguard design, dressed in loose black combat attire with an outer green vest.
Yamato—or rather, Tenzo!
Even without activating his Sharingan, Aozora immediately recognized the person as Yamato.
Seeing Aozora staring at Yamato, Guy expressed surprise, "Who's that? I don't remember anyone like him from our graduating class!"
Despite looking older due to intense training, Guy was actually just a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old boy at heart.
Sensing their gazes, Yamato turned his head slightly. His eyes landed directly on Aozora, but then he nonchalantly shifted his gaze away again and walked straight to a corner to wait quietly.
Before long, Kosuke Maruboshi approached slowly, carrying a ladle-shaped weapon strapped to his back along with a ninja sword.
Standing before the group, his kind face gradually turned serious. "At some unknown point, the Land of Fire became infested with black markets, and bounty hunters are running rampant.
Not long ago, a certain bounty organization called Akatsuki even dared to attack our northwest camp near Konoha.
In response to this open provocation by bounty hunters, we absolutely won't tolerate it—we must demonstrate overwhelming force and establish our authority, letting these bounty hunters feel the consequences of crossing Konoha."
All the ninjas present were closely connected to Konoha. Upon hearing this, everyone was filled with righteous indignation, loudly voicing agreement.
Kosuke Maruboshi raised a hand to quiet them down, continuing, "This mission's objective is to eradicate the black markets throughout the Land of Fire and strike against those despicable bounty organizations until justice prevails. I am Kosuke Maruboshi, the commanding officer of this mission. I hope everyone will work together in unity and follow orders diligently."
Kosuke Maruboshi gestured to Yamato and introduced, "This is Yamato, our deputy commander for this mission. Don't let his youth fool you—he's already a squad leader in Anbu. His strength surpasses ordinary Jonin, and he's known as 'Wood Release Tenzo.'"
The crowd listened to Kosuke Maruboshi's introduction with visible astonishment toward Yamato.
"Is he the one known as 'Wood Release Tenzo'? The only one in Konoha capable of using Wood Release now?"
"I've heard of him before. They say his survival rate for teammates on missions is exceptional."
"To become an Anbu squad leader at such a young age? Truly amazing talent—another Kakashi or Aozora-like figure..."
Hearing the murmurs, Aozora inwardly felt relieved that he hadn't used the 'Tenzo' issue to tarnish Third's reputation.
Most likely, after joining Third's direct Anbu under the name Yamato, he had established his own identity rather than remaining hidden in shadows. The matter of his Wood Release ability would've been neatly handled by Third long ago.
After all, being an orphan in Konoha wasn't shameful, even if he'd once been Orochimaru's experiment subject.
Naming Yamato as deputy commander made Aozora instinctively more vigilant.
Smiling gently, Yamato stepped forward and greeted, "Hello everyone, I'm Yamato. Please take care of me from now on!"
Once Yamato finished his self-introduction, Kosuke Maruboshi directly led a group of more than ten people out of Konoha village toward the nearest black market outpost.
Despite his hunched posture and a prosthetic left leg, Kosuke Maruboshi kept a steady pace and easily led the group sprinting through the forest.
Soon, they arrived at a black market outpost.
Coincidentally, it was the same black market where Aozora had first visited.
Crouching on the rooftop and gazing at the familiar Sake Bar, a wave of nostalgia washed over Aozora.
From now on, those old memories would probably just fade away like smoke—no more free Golden Droplets here for him to enjoy.
"This place appears as a sake bar but hides a massive underground black market," Kosuke Maruboshi explained.
Scanning the area, Kosuke Maruboshi looked at Hiashi and ordered, "Hiashi, scout it out."
[Byakugan! Activate!]
With a shout, Hiashi's veins bulged as he thoroughly examined every inch above and below the sake bar.
"Reporting to Captain Kosuke Maruboshi, there are three civilians and one Chunin inside the bar, plus one Jonin and dozens of lower and mid-level Chunin beneath."
Nodding approvingly, Kosuke Maruboshi calmly began assigning tasks: "Hiashi, you stay outside as lookout. Yamato, protect these three civilians. Everyone else follows me to open the black market entrance and subdue the bounty hunters within. Our primary objective is capture—but if danger arises, don't hold back!"
In the past, reckless pursuit of quick results led to the deaths of two team members. Therefore, even facing such simple enemies, Kosuke approached conservatively now.
Although some found this excessive caution unnecessary, they still responded together, "Roger!"
Actually, Kosuke was being too cautious.
Aozora entered the building first, his left eye's Sharingan spinning—the Chunin inside collapsed immediately, while simultaneously three wooden tendrils shot out and swiftly pulled the three civilians away from the Sake Bar.
Without further concerns, the team quickly swept through and cleared the underground black market section.
Because the enemies were too weak, several Jonin who were even slightly slower didn't get a chance to strike.
While everyone was collecting money and documents from the Black Market, Yamato approached Guai and said, "Guai! Ordinary Black Markets are so weak that a small squad of Elite Jonin would be enough to wipe them out. There's no need for such an elaborate operation.
Moreover, as we proceed, other Black Markets will surely catch wind of our actions. At our current pace, most of the Bounty Hunters will definitely escape."
Guai nodded upon hearing this, realizing his cautious approach had indeed hindered efficiency.
Looking at him approvingly, Guai asked, "What do you suggest then?"
Yamato now revealed his purpose: "I suggest dividing the Elite Jonin into five squads, with three people in each squad, and then clearing out the Black Markets individually as separate units."
Guai nodded again. A team of three Elite Jonin was indeed a solid formation.
First, three Elite Jonin were sufficient to eliminate an ordinary Black Market Outpost.
Secondly, when facing most threats, a trio of Elite Jonin could usually hold their ground until reinforcements arrived.
Soon after, Guai and Yamato finished their discussion and gathered everyone to announce their new task-allocation plan.
The decision to divide into teams received general approval. The Ninja who hadn't gotten to fight earlier especially burst into cheers.
Most Jonin had ambitious spirits, and few actually enjoyed idling.
Although splitting into teams favored Aozora's chances to earn Golden Droplets, he sensed something off. He noticed Yamato speaking privately to Guai before the decision was made.
However, during the subsequent team assignments, Yamato didn't play any tricks. Aozora, Junping, and Guy easily formed a team.
After assigning the teams, Guai began distributing tasks.
Except for Guai and Yamato, the fifteen Elite Jonin were divided into five teams. Each team was responsible for cleaning up the Black Markets within a certain area.
If a Black Market was particularly strong, they could leave it temporarily and focus on it later collectively.
As for Guai and Yamato themselves, they were in charge of coordination and backup support.
Holding the map detailing the Black Market locations in their assigned area, Aozora left with Junping and Guy, deep in silent suspicion.
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