On the road from Kumogakure to the border of the Land of Fire, a small squad advanced step by step. Their pace was unhurried but steady.
The jōnin leading the group kept a sharp eye on everything around them. On this familiar path, even the slightest difference from before would make him stop and toss a shuriken to test for danger.
Another jōnin covered the rear, vanishing behind a tree every few minutes to scan the area. Only when he was certain it was safe would he dart forward to rejoin the team. The remaining chūnin guarded the flanks, protecting the group's movement on both sides.
This was a highly seasoned and elite unit, tasked with transporting supplies for the war—shuriken, kunai, military ration pills, and explosive tags.
"So, the backup my brother mentioned is you, huh?"
From the middle of the formation, a young man with a small mustache glanced at the kunoichi beside him as he spoke.
"What else? When it comes to Shisui Uchiha's genjutsu, no one but us can handle it."
The kunoichi flicked her pale golden hair lightly, her voice carrying a youthful tone that didn't quite match her mature appearance.
Shisui Uchiha's genjutsu!
Perhaps at this time, Kakashi Hatake hadn't yet made a name for himself as the Copy Ninja. But Shisui was different. Already active during the Third Shinobi World War, his title—Shisui of the Body Flicker—was far from an empty boast.
Tailed Beasts fear genjutsu. Jinchūriki fear genjutsu. Both were proven true through the Nine-Tails.
Madara Uchiha once controlled the Nine-Tails, activating Susanoo's armor to battle Hashirama Senju. Their legendary fight was recorded in history, creating the Valley of the End. Later, in the Nine-Tails' rampage during the original story, when Obito used the beast to attack Konoha, it once again proved this point.
However—when a Jinchūriki evolves into a Perfect Jinchūriki, they gain a strong resistance to genjutsu. That resistance doesn't come from the Jinchūriki themselves, but from the tailed beast within. Once their minds are synchronized, the beast can disrupt the host's chakra flow, breaking the illusion instantly. Only a truly Perfect Jinchūriki would understand this.
For example, in the battle between Sasuke and Killer Bee, Sasuke's genjutsu failed to produce the desired effect. This knowledge remained a classified secret within Kumogakure.
"You and I together—Konoha won't stand a chance."
His awkward attempt at rap made the kunoichi sigh, instantly killing any interest she had in continuing their earlier talk about techniques for controlling tailed beast power.
"Here we come."
The group abruptly halted.
The jōnin from Kumogakure in front instantly clasped ten shuriken in both hands, ready to attack. But when everyone's gaze shifted forward and they clearly saw the figure blocking their path, they froze.
A figure of average height stood alone in the middle of the road, exuding quiet arrogance. Though not tall, his attire was utterly unlike that of an ordinary ninja. A massive sword, clearly disproportionate to his size, rested on his shoulder. He wore a simple black robe resembling a martial arts uniform. A mask concealed his face, and the gourd flask at his waist was particularly eye-catching.
This person seemed to have been waiting for quite some time.
"Who are you?"
The jōnin from Kumogakure—apparently the squad leader—watched the figure before him warily. Despite the unimposing stature, he showed no sign of lowering his guard.
Based on reconnaissance of the ambushed supply squad's death site, they had already gathered significant intelligence.
First, footprints at the scene indicated four intruders had infiltrated the Land of Lightning.
Second, every fallen comrade bore fatal blade wounds.
These two clues alone seemed to point directly to the man standing before them. Yet the captain still hesitated. The man looked far too young.
If someone this young could run rampant through the Land of Lightning, what meaning would this war even hold?
"Two Jinchūriki disguised within such a squad… Does the Raikage intend to completely eradicate every potential threat to the Land of Lightning?"
"But this setup does show some respect for us."
Raising his blade, boundless fighting spirit erupted instantly.
In that moment, though it was only a young man standing there, the entire squad felt as though they were being hunted by a predator. A chilling sense of danger surged through the air.
Had their identities been exposed?
Yugito and Killer Bee stepped forward, expressions grave. It wasn't the sight of Hakken that weighed on them—but the sudden warning from the tailed beasts within.
"Bee, watch out for the blade in his hand."
The Eight-Tails, second only to the Nine-Tails in power, was not one to issue empty warnings. The Nine-Tails could sense danger, and so could the Eight-Tails and the Two-Tails.
From the tone of Hakken's voice and the sheer pressure of his fighting spirit, they had already drawn their conclusion. This youth was a member of Konoha's elite squad.
Even so, Killer Bee and Yugito found the situation strange. Only one person had appeared—there could still be others hiding nearby. But regardless, standing alone to block their path was an audacious move.
"Together."
The Transformation Technique dissolved in an instant. Wearing a tight-fitting suit, Yugito flicked her pale golden ponytail and nodded to Killer Bee.
The Raikage's order was absolute—kill.
In true battle, seasoned ninja never underestimated an opponent based on appearance. Those who did were already dead.
Swish!
Swish!
In an instant, the two core fighters lunged straight toward Hakken.
While sprinting, Killer Bee had already drawn all seven or eight of his blades.
Acrobat - Seven Swords Dance!
Using various parts of his body in combination with taijutsu, he wielded seven blades with blinding, unpredictable movements that were impossible to guard against—or even see clearly. It was a sword style only Killer Bee could master.
Yugito, however, was more cautious. Her body began to undergo Partial Tailed Beast Transformation, and by the time she reached Hakken, a pale blue cat had already revealed its claws.
...
Going all out right from the start?
Cracking his neck, Hakken took a deep breath, tracked Killer Bee's movement, and swung his blade in advance.
A pitch-black crescent wave surged forward, carrying a crushing spiritual pressure as it hurtled straight toward Killer Bee.
"What the hell is that?"
Killer Bee froze, momentarily stunned.
"Bee, don't block it head-on!"
The Eight-Tails within him roared its warning, clearly sensing the overwhelming power in that attack.
If hit, he'd die.
Before the black crescent even struck, Hakken swung his Zanpakutō again, slashing against the charging cat's claws.
Clang!
The piercing sound of metal meeting metal echoed through the forest. Yugito's transformation broke instantly as she was sent flying backward.
"You charge fast, but you seem to have forgotten—I'm not alone."
The black crescent blade swept past. As Killer Bee steadied himself, he saw Hakken's sword pointed behind him.
He turned—only to see countless solid clones surrounding their teammates.
The next instant, blood sprayed into the air.
When Shisui's Body Flicker Technique reached its pinnacle, every phantom clone became real.
Lightning flashed above. A streak of light cut through the air, followed by a massive fireball exploding on the spot.
In a single moment, all six chūnin were dead.
The Night Owl Squad's seamless coordination was breathtaking.