The river suddenly exploded.
Mist rose into the air, tinted faintly purple beneath the moonlight.
Along both banks, explosive traps filled with poisonous gas detonated one after another.
A string of violent blasts echoed through the forest as thick smoke rolled outward, enveloping everything in sight.
The Black Ape squad was instantly swallowed by the poisonous haze.
Around the Hidden Rain Village lived a species of salamanders with lethal toxins, and the Rain ninja were experts at using poison—rivaling even the puppet masters of the Hidden Sand Village.
Every member of the Black Ape squad swallowed an antidote pill at once.
Unfortunately, their medicine was formulated for Stone ninja poisons. Against Rain ninja toxins, it was useless.
As they broke through the smoke, coughing erupted through the squad.
"Cough, cough! Captain, I'm sorry!" White Ram gasped. "I didn't detect any chakra signatures in the river!"
Black Ape coughed twice but shook his head. "Not your fault… we wasted too much time catching those prisoners! Cough! Everyone, retreat! Keep formation and make sure the three captives make it back alive!"
The squad staggered through the mud, their steps uneven as the poison weakened their bodies.
Yagami was holding up better than the rest—his Senju bloodline granted him strong resistance to toxins.
"Monkey Squad, stay behind and cover the retreat!"
The newly formed Leaf Monkey Squad didn't hesitate. They turned around and faced the pursuing Rain ninja.
The others ran ahead as fast as their poisoned legs could carry them.
Yagami glanced back. The Leaf Monkey Squad fought fiercely, killing five or six Rain ninja before they all fell within seconds, consumed by the spreading poison.
The Rain ninja pressed forward again.
Black Ape's eyes met Yagami's—filled with grim determination.
Yagami instantly understood what his captain intended.
He and Black Ape were the strongest in the squad. They would stay behind to buy time for White Ram and the others to escape with the captives.
If they kept running like this, everyone would collapse before completing the mission.
Black Ape wanted to prove himself again. This was his first mission since recovery, and he was desperate to succeed.
Yagami nodded and turned to Purple Cat. "You three, keep moving forward. Take the captives and follow White Ram's command."
"Captain…" Purple Cat's voice trembled, but she swallowed her words.
Anbu missions were always cruel.
Yagami and Black Ape stopped running and turned to face the advancing Rain ninja.
Black Ape steadied his breathing and took out a small box.
Yagami recognized it immediately—it was from the Akimichi Clan: the secret Three Colored Pills.
"Fox," Black Ape said, using Yagami's codename. "Support me."
"Understood."
Instead of the blue Spinach Pill, Black Ape skipped straight to the stronger yellow Curry Pill.
Sensing Yagami's doubt, he explained, "The Rain ninja's poison is spreading through my leg—the one that was just operated on. It's going numb and aching all over. If I don't finish this now, I won't be able to fight."
Yagami nodded. He knew exactly what that meant.
Black Ape's shattered leg had always been his weak point.
"Let's go then, Captain—your first mission after recovery."
Black Ape lifted part of his mask and swallowed the yellow pill. "If I get injured again, I might be forced to retire. Fox, how does acting captain sound to you?"
"Captain, Lady Tsunade's on the front lines. Even if you get hurt, she won't let you retire."
Black Ape chuckled faintly and said no more.
Chakra began to pour from his body in visible waves of steam.
"Partial Multi-Size Technique!"
His right hand expanded instantly, growing massive—ten meters wide, his arm thick as a battering ram.
He swung it down like a hammer, sending five Rain ninja flying.
Yagami seized the opening, flinging kunai that pierced the fallen ninja before they could recover.
Then Black Ape rolled forward, transforming into a colossal Human Bullet Tank, barreling through the Rain ninja lines.
"Don't panic!" the Rain ninja captain shouted. "He's poisoned by the salamander toxin—he won't last long! Wear him down!"
The Rain ninja spread out, surrounding him.
The Human Bullet Tank roared through their formation again and again, crushing enemies under its weight—but its momentum was slowing.
Explosive tags flashed in the dark, detonating against his spinning body.
Yagami moved along the edge of battle, waiting for his chance.
A Rain ninja leapt back to dodge the rolling mass—straight into Yagami's trap.
"Earth Style: Rising Earth Spear!"
The Rain ninja froze midair as a stone spear erupted from the ground, impaling his abdomen.
He twisted his head and saw a masked Anbu forming a single Ox seal.
Yagami nodded, satisfied with his new technique. Few hand signs, solid range, and no need to expose himself recklessly—perfect for an Anbu.
He finally understood why so many physical-type ninja switched to ninjutsu once their chakra reserves grew. Long-range attacks were safer.
Taijutsu users really did dance on the edge of a blade.
After more than ten charges, the Human Bullet Tank slowed to a halt. Black Ape collapsed, gasping, shrinking back to normal size.
His nails had turned purple—the poison was spreading fast.
Rain ninja closed in, raining down senbon needles and kunai.
"Water Style: Water Formation Wall!"
Yagami threw up a defensive barrier just in time, blocking the barrage.
Black Ape used the brief pause to take out one final pill—the Red Chilli Pill.
"Captain… you're going to burn all your fat reserves…" Yagami muttered.
Black Ape gave him a fierce grin. "For the mission… for the Akimichi Clan."
He swallowed the red pill.
A violent surge of chakra burst from his body, crackling like fire. His fat melted away, revealing a lean, powerful frame brimming with strength.
His power spiked higher than ever before.
Black Ape charged through the collapsing Water Wall.
The three Rain ninja behind it had no time to react—their eyes widened as a massive fist filled their vision.
Yagami exhaled heavily. He's going too far… just to prove himself.
He knew why. Rumors had spread in the Anbu, the higher-ups were considering removing Black Ape due to his old injuries.
But the Akimichi Clan couldn't afford to lose their position in the Anbu. The Ino–Shika–Cho trio had always been the backbone of the Leaf's command structure—every generation trained by the Sarutobi line.
Black Ape would never accept defeat quietly.
The battle turned one-sided. He tore through the Rain ninja ranks like a storm, crushing every opponent in his path.
With his last burst of strength, he charged the Rain ninja captain.
The man whipped out a large umbrella-like weapon from his back.
Black Ape's speed was too fast for a frontal defense. The captain swung the umbrella sideways—its steel frame flashing in the rain.
Black Ape slammed straight into him, driving both into the mud.
Then the captain snapped the umbrella shut.
The metal spokes shot out like spikes, impaling Black Ape's back.
Yagami sprinted forward—but it was already too late.
From the shadows, the Hidden Stone squad leader reappeared, blade gleaming as it swung toward Black Ape's head.
Black Ape barely raised his remaining arm to block—
—and the sword sheared it clean off.
"Earth Style: Rising Earth Spear!"
The stone spear erupted upward, piercing the Stone captain's heart.
Yagami finished off the wounded Rain captain, then pulled Black Ape free from the twisted weapon.
"Captain!" he shouted.
Both of Black Ape's arms were gone, his back riddled with poisoned needles, purple blood pouring from every wound.
He had given everything.
For the mission.
For the Akimichi Clan.