Since this mission was a reconnaissance task!
The team consisted of only four members: the captain, Hyuga Byakuro, a Jonin, while the other three, including Hyuga Goryu, were Genin!
The only difference between the two other Genin and Hyuga Goryu was that they had completed a few insignificant missions prior!
After seven days of silent travel, the four finally arrived at their mission destination!
The border of the Land of Fire near the Land of Lightning!
This was because the Hidden Leaf Village had received intelligence that a squad of Cloud Village ninjas with unclear intentions was attempting to infiltrate the Land of Fire!
To verify this information, Byakuro's team, skilled in reconnaissance, had been dispatched here.
Their sole objective was to locate the Cloud Village ninja squad attempting to infiltrate the Land of Fire.
They were to determine the enemy's position and find a way to uncover their purpose for entering the Land of Fire!
However, it was unclear whether this was a trap from the start or if something had gone wrong with the mission!
Barely arriving near the mission site, Byakuro's team didn't even have time to activate their Byakugan for scouting before they were suddenly surrounded by Cloud Village ninjas lying in ambush!
Facing a total of two squads of Cloud ninjas, the expressions of Hyuga Byakuro and his team turned grim in an instant!
With just a quick glance, Hyuga Byakuro confirmed one thing!
The Cloud ninjas surrounding them consisted of two Jonin and six Chunin!
Such an unfavorable situation could only be described as a death sentence!
Perhaps due to the looming threat of death, the two Hyuga Genin—who had never spoken to Hyuga Goryu this entire time—suddenly erupted!
"Damn it! How could this happen? Didn't they say there was only one squad of Cloud ninjas? Why are there two?"
"Isn't it obvious? It must be the bad luck this trash brought us! How else could this happen?"
"Shut up! Don't start fighting among yourselves now, or we'll die even faster!"
Seeing his two subordinates lose control of their emotions, Captain Hyuga Byakuro immediately barked at them.
"Heh, the so-called united Leaf ninjas are nothing special after all!"
Scanning the two Hyuga Genin—Hyuga Byaku and the other—who clearly distrusted Hyuga Goryu, one of the Cloud Jonin mocked with a playful smirk.
"Indeed, nothing impressive! Just a bunch of cowards!"
Amidst the taunts, the two Cloud Jonin charged toward Hyuga Goryu's group with amused expressions!
Facing the approaching Cloud ninjas, Hyuga Goryu, determined to take a gamble, abandoned watching the others and focused intently on the Cloud Jonin nearing his position!
And clearly, Hyuga Goryu's gamble paid off!
Noticing the Cloud Jonin suddenly shift direction and charge toward one side, Hyuga Goryu—his body already tensed—immediately acted according to the plan in his mind!
Raising his right hand, he thrust with all his might toward the Cloud Jonin's arm.
Then, without hesitation, he delivered a swift kick to the groin, followed by a fatal left-handed kunai strike!
Though Hyuga Goryu was severely injured in the enemy's counterattack, the Cloud Jonin, caught off guard, was taken down by this mere Genin!
This unbelievable scene unfolded in the blink of an eye as the two sides clashed!
Seeing his companion die instantly, the other Cloud Jonin's eyes turned bloodshot!
"Remy?! You damn Leaf brat! I'll tear you apart alive!"
With crimson eyes blazing, the Cloud Jonin abandoned his original target, Hyuga Byakuro.
Surrounded by a flash of lightning, he transformed into a bolt of thunder, speeding toward the successful Hyuga Goryu!
Meanwhile, his original target, Hyuga Byakuro, was skillfully pinned down by four nearby Cloud Chunin working in tandem!
As the second Cloud Jonin closed in, Hyuga Goryu—drenched in cold sweat—made another move!
His still-functional left hand swung with force, hurling several shuriken at the oncoming Cloud Jonin!
Facing Hyuga Goryu's shuriken attack, the enraged Cloud Jonin sneered coldly.
Without dodging, he swung his kunai, intending to deflect the shuriken flying toward him!
But this misjudgment cost him his life!
Just as the kunai was about to strike the shuriken, Hyuga Goryu—who had planned this all along—detonated the explosive tags attached to several of them!
As flames erupted, the Cloud Jonin's ferocious expression turned to one of terror!
With no time to use the Body Flicker Technique to escape, the sudden explosion engulfed him completely!
At the same moment the explosive tags detonated, Hyuga Goryu struck again, hurling multiple kunai toward the blast zone!
The next instant, another violent explosion rocked the area where the first had just subsided!
This utterly unexpected turn of events stunned everyone present!
As Hyuga Goryu slowly collapsed, the others who snapped out of their shock immediately took action!
With his consciousness fading, Hyuga Goryu fell to the ground, a bitter smile on his face.
"Is this the end? Sorry, A-Tian! It looks like… I'm going to break my promise!"
Thud!
With that thought flashing through his mind, Hyuga Goryu, wearing a bitter expression, completely lost consciousness…