A week after starting the mission, Shiraishi and the others gradually grew accustomed to the ninja mission procedures.
Apart from the initial wave of enemies they encountered, there was only one other battle on the fifth day, when they ran into Sand Hidden ninjas lurking within the Land of Fire, and no further combat occurred.
Most of the enemies they faced were Sand Hidden ninjas of Chunin rank, with only one Jonin encountered.
However, after Sakumo displayed overwhelming strength against the Jonin, Shiraishi and the others gained a clearer understanding of just how unfathomable Sakumo's power was as their captain and guiding Jonin.
Although they hadn't witnessed the formidable power of the Sannin, who were praised by the Demigod, Sakumo's strength was fundamentally different from that of an ordinary Jonin.
If one were to insist, his strength likely could no longer be measured by the Jonin rank.
"The missions these past few days have been excellent, and your teamwork has been superb. You've essentially avoided the common mistakes beginners often make. Just keep up this pace."
As night fell, the four sat around a bonfire.
The burning fire not only dispelled the surrounding darkness but also brought a touch of warmth.
As it was still early spring, the night air carried the lingering chill of winter.
Sakumo, holding a grilled fish, took a water bottle from Shiraishi and spoke with an appreciative smile.
Shiraishi, being a non-combat medical ninja, was the only one among the four to carry a backpack, which contained ample water and food.
"That's because you, Sakumo-sensei, basically dealt with all the enemies yourself!" Ayane said with a laugh.
The enemies they had encountered twice were almost completely wiped out after one skirmish; even if some escaped, they were just fodder like Chunin and Genin.
And with Ayane constantly observing the situation with her Byakugan, and Ruri providing long-range Fire Release attacks, those stragglers were essentially obliterated without any direct combat.
"Haha, don't say that. As beginners, you've already performed exceptionally well."
Sakumo knew the common ailments of most newcomers: they wanted to be safe, yet also yearned for merit, recognition from the village, and ultimately to become respected, excellent ninjas.
However, this path was not easy, and most ninjas couldn't see it through to the end.
Newcomers with such an eager desire for merit were too easily sacrificed on the battlefield and during missions.
Sakumo had seen such rookie ninjas countless times.
After a day's work, all four were somewhat fatigued.
However, to ensure safety, not everyone could rest at the same time; someone had to stand guard at night.
So, Sakumo arranged for Shiraishi and Ayane to take the first half of the night, and then he and Ruri would take the second half.
This way, if enemies launched a surprise attack, they wouldn't be caught off guard and in a chaotic state of defense.
Shiraishi and the other two had no objections to this.
Sakumo and Ruri quickly fell into a peaceful sleep, needing adequate rest to have the energy to continue the mission the next day.
Shiraishi and Ayane walked to the other side and sat down, the rustling of leaves in the breeze emphasizing the forest's tranquility.
Enjoying the rare quiet as the evening breeze caressed his cheeks and hair, Shiraishi savored the moment.
"As expected of Shiraishi-kun, even when facing a powerful Jonin like Sakumo-sensei, you can hide so perfectly."
Ayane walked over with light, unhurried steps, expressing genuine admiration.
"Because I'm a medical ninja, no one pays attention to my strength. After all, medical ninjas like Tsunade-sensei are a rarity," Shiraishi replied with a smile, glancing at Ayane.
The biggest impression medical ninjas gave was that they were frail, and aside from using medical ninjutsu, they basically couldn't form effective combat power.
This was also why, during wartime, enemy medical ninjas were not casually executed once captured.
On one hand, medical ninjas served a significant purpose, and on the other, their perceived weakness meant they posed no threat.
Medical ninjas like Tsunade, one of the Sannin, were ultimately exceptions.
Most medical ninjas were still like Shiraishi, with no notable achievements beyond medical ninjutsu.
To ensure the successful implementation of medical ninjutsu, medical ninjas not only needed innate talent but also had to master a vast amount of medical knowledge and precise chakra control abilities.
This was also the main reason medical ninjas lacked combat capabilities; learning endless specialized knowledge and constantly refining their chakra control already consumed a great deal of time, leaving no time for other pursuits.
"Is that so? Then you should be careful. Sakumo-sensei isn't an ordinary ninja. If he finds out, the Hokage will soon know too."
Ayane was extremely wary of Sakumo's strength.
The name 'Konoha's White Fang' was well-known, even to newcomers like them.
His prestige in Konoha even surpassed that of the Sannin.
If one were to vote for Konoha's strongest Jonin, Sakumo would undoubtedly receive the most votes.
Although Sakumo himself didn't see it that way, in others' eyes, he was the undisputed strongest Jonin of Konoha.
The Jonin closest to the position of Hokage.
"Don't worry, my chakra is always kept at the minimum. Even if there's a Byakugan or a sensory ninja, they'll only think I'm a Genin based on my chakra level."
Shiraishi had already considered this point.
While using chakra levels to determine a ninja's rank wasn't entirely accurate, most people in the ninja world believed it to be so.
Stronger ninjas inevitably had ample chakra.
Shiraishi wasn't the type of ninja with excessive chakra; his own chakra wasn't enough for him to squander, so he had to use it sparingly.
Hearing Shiraishi say this, Ayane felt relieved.
The two then fell silent. Ayane kept her Byakugan active, occasionally turning her head to scan from her perch on a tree branch, to ensure no blind spots were missed.
Due to the Caged Bird Seal, the branch family's Byakugan had a blind spot in its field of vision, so she had to turn her head to cover that blind spot, preventing enemies from coincidentally attacking from there.
Nothing happened in the first half of the night. Next, it was Shiraishi and Ayane's turn to rest, while Sakumo and Ruri, as the captain, began to stand guard for the second half of the night.
Thus, the night passed without incident.
In the morning, the four handled the traces at the site, had a simple meal of dry rations, and then continued to patrol within the Land of Fire.
A squad of Anbu also coordinated their actions; if they rendezvoused with Anbu, they would proceed in the direction given by the Anbu. If not, they would have to search for and eliminate enemies themselves.
To ensure the safe transport of supply lines and the security of towns within the Land of Fire, these Sand Hidden ninjas lurking within the country had to be completely eradicated, without exception.
The four moved effortlessly through the forest, the light breeze brushing past their ears, and the rustling of leaves almost masking their footsteps. Dappled light filtered through the gaps in the canopy above, illuminating the dim forest and preventing it from feeling eerie.
Throughout the journey, the four spoke little, preserving their energy.
Just then, Ayane suddenly accelerated, stopping on a tree branch at the same time as Sakumo.
"Sakumo-sensei."
"Enemies?"
Sakumo placed his hand on the hilt of his White Fang short sword behind his back, ready to draw it at any moment.
Ruri also adopted a wary expression, chakra gathering in her mouth, her Fire Release ninjutsu poised for action.
"There are eleven ninjas, five of whom have very strong chakra. They are likely Jonin."
Jonin? Five of them?
Even Sakumo frowned, sensing that something was amiss.
Just as Sakumo was about to ask something, Ayane said with a grave tone, "There's a sensory ninja in the enemy squad, heading our way."
"It seems we can't avoid them. Prepare for battle."
It was within Sakumo's expectations that the enemy would dispatch special sensory ninjas if they infiltrated the Land of Fire; he just hadn't anticipated encountering them so quickly.
Regardless of whether this Sand Hidden squad intended to destroy towns in the Land of Fire or disrupt Konoha's supply lines, they had to be stopped.
Ayane's Byakugan had a detection range of a five-kilometer radius. At that distance, a ninja could reach them within minutes if they accelerated slightly.
There was no time for tactical preparations.
Under the effects of the Byakugan and sensory ninjutsu, both sides could only engage in a direct confrontation.
Click, clack, click, clack!
An eerie sound echoed through the slightly dim forest, creating a chilling atmosphere.
The sound grew closer. The approaching figure wore a black robe and held a chakra longsword.
"Be careful, that's a puppet jutsu!"
After Ayane shouted this, Ruri had already prepared her ninjutsu.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A massive, intensely hot fireball shot towards the approaching black-robed puppet.
The moment the fireball launched, an unknown number of dark figures surged forward from the front, their target very clear.
One of the ninjas, wearing a Sand Hidden forehead protector, clapped his hands together, then pressed them to the ground, a sinister grin on his lips:
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
The earthen wall blocked the fireball, and amidst the explosion, flames and earth scattered.
The black-robed puppet was unharmed, with a few specks of dust and sparks on its dark robe. Powerful chakra burst from the bottom of the robe, and it instantly vanished, reappearing above Shiraishi and the others.
Its body twisted into grotesque, impossible human poses, rapidly spinning as it descended, its blade tearing through the air like a rotating wheel.
Clang!
The White Fang short sword blocked the rapidly spinning chakra blade.
Immediately after, two dark, snake-like chains extended from the black-robed puppet's sleeves, adorned with thorn-like blades, preparing to entangle Sakumo's body.
Meanwhile, on the other side, seven ninjas surrounded Shiraishi and the other two, looking down with fierce, bloodthirsty smiles.
There was no verbal exchange, no opening remarks; they drew out their ninjutsu and weapons and began to kill.
The moment they charged, Shiraishi pulled a smoke bomb from his ninja tool pouch, which exploded on the ground, engulfing everyone.
Within the smoke, Ayane's Byakugan saw everything clearly, every movement of every person.
Her index and middle fingers were pressed together, a thin layer of chakra blades condensed on them.
With a scream, the Sand Hidden ninja attempting a sneak attack from behind found Ayane's two fingers transform into sharp blades, piercing directly into his heart.
Immediately after, the chakra blades on her two fingers turned into a small torrent of chakra, ferociously impacting the Sand Hidden ninja's heart.
When Ayane withdrew her fingers, they were merely enveloped in a layer of chakra, without a single speck of blood.
The opponent's eyeballs were filled with blood vessels on the verge of bursting, his face contorted into a crumpled mass. He endured unimaginable pain before dying and collapsing to the ground.
(PS: My computer's D drive suddenly disappeared, I'm taking it for repairs...)