Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Chapter 95: Chapter 95: Another Encounter with a Jinchūriki!

Since their team disbanded and they each carried out their own missions, they didn't see each other often, so Shisui and Shūichi frequently communicated through crows.

Sometimes they would chat casually, other times they would discuss jutsu, such as the Fire Release that Shūichi excelled in or the Genjutsu that Shisui was a master of.

Hmm?

Shisui paused, surprised as the flock of crows formed into a human figure. He chuckled, "Shūichi, your ideas are always so unique."

The crow-formed Shūichi smiled. "Necessity breeds innovation."

"But I think this jutsu is perfect for you. The principle isn't difficult, especially for someone like you."

"You project your chakra or store it within the crows, and then use that chakra to perform the Shadow Clone Jutsu."

Of course, it required the ability to communicate with the crows, but for someone like Shisui, this was not a issue.

Shisui immediately understood and, without hesitation, accepted the gesture of goodwill.

The two chatted for a bit longer before Shūichi dissolved back into crows and flew away.

As Shisui watched the crows disappear into the distance, he pondered how he could return the favor.

"I should compile a Genjutsu manual for him!"

Shisui smiled to himself. "We've discussed so many things, but it hasn't been in a structured format yet."

---

Sometimes, missions from the ANBU come quite unexpectedly.

Shūichi's vacation hadn't ended, nor had the Big Eater contest begun, and he hadn't even received Shisui's return gift before he had to leave Konoha to carry out a mission.

"Sorry, everyone, the village is a bit short-handed, and this mission is very important," Sarutobi Shinnosuke apologized as they traveled.

Chōgan laughed. "I don't mind missions, but it's a shame to miss the opening ceremony of the Big Eater contest. I helped organize it, after all."

"And Shūichi's match.."

Shūichi said with a smile, "We might miss the opening, but we should still make it in time for the contest."

"If you feel like it's a loss, we can hold it again next year."

Chōgan's eyes lit up behind his mask. "You're right!"

"Yeah, next year we'll hold it again, and I'll personally host it!"

After some lighthearted banter, Chihiro brought the conversation back to the mission. "Shinnosuke, can you brief us on the mission details?"

Shūichi and the others immediately perked up.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke explained, "Our destination is the Land of Birds, and our target is the third son of the Daimyō of the Land of Birds."

"The Land of Birds has always been allied with the Land of Earth, which makes it within Iwagakure's sphere of influence. But small countries like this usually don't make their political affiliations too obvious."

"However, this third son is a war fanatic and has been stirring up the Land of Birds to fully support the Land of Earth in its eastern expansion."

"Additionally, the current Daimyō of the Land of Birds is critically ill, and this third son has gained the favor and backing of the Land of Earth."

Shūichi listened thoughtfully, then speculated, "This third son may not necessarily want war himself. It's likely that certain individuals in the Land of Earth are using him or the Land of Birds to start a conflict."

"If they're expanding eastward, their first target would be the Land of Rain, which just so happens to be in turmoil since the last Great Ninja War."

"However, that probably isn't the ultimate goal."

"If the Land of Earth is truly behind this, then their real target is likely the Land of Grass, which has more resources than the Land of Rain."

"Moreover, while the Land of Rain is in chaos, we can't overlook the strength of Amegakure. The 'Legendary Shinobi' is still there."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded in approval. "Flame, your analysis is spot on."

"That's also what the village's higher-ups believe."

Satoshi added, "The Land of Earth has always had ambitions for the Land of Grass, and Iwagakure has been steadily infiltrating it. The death of the previous leader of Kusagakure was linked to Iwagakure, and the current leader is heavily influenced by them."

"The Land of Earth wouldn't openly attack the Land of Grass to avoid provoking the Land of Fire and Konoha, so they're using the Land of Birds as a proxy."

"If the Land of Birds invades and hires Iwagakure ninjas, the international repercussions will be much smaller."

Shinichi sighed. "It's only been less than ten years since the last Great Ninja War, and these warmongers are already restless again."

Chōgan grumbled, "The First Hokage should've wiped out all these troublemakers back then."

Shūichi gave him a thumbs up.

Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke in a more serious tone. "The village is short on personnel not only because of an increase in mission demand but also due to the heightened activity in other ninja villages, especially Iwagakure."

Chōgan asked, "Will taking out this third son prevent the war?"

Shinnosuke shook his head. "We don't know, but that's not for us to worry about."

Shūichi smiled. "If killing one won't stop it, then we'll just keep killing."

"Once everyone who wants to start a war is dead, there won't be any war left."

Everyone was stunned by his bluntness.

Chihiro laughed helplessly. "Flame, your way of thinking is too simplistic."

"Also, while your idea is admirable, it's a bit extreme!"

Shūichi grinned. "Well, I'm not even ten years old yet!"

"But sometimes, the solution isn't to address the problem directly, but to take care of the people causing the problem—just like the mission we're about to complete."

"Although, it's still not direct enough."

"The most straightforward approach would be to eliminate the warmongers in the Land of Earth!"

This time, even Sarutobi Shinnosuke laughed wryly. "Flame, your ideas... well, while they make sense, the Land of Earth is dominated by the militant faction. The current Third Tsuchikage is one of them."

"That would be almost the same as declaring war on the Land of Earth and Iwagakure."

Shūichi laughed. "In that case, let's not overthink it."

"Let's rush in, take out this Daimyō's son, and then head back to the village for the Big Eater contest. I've been looking forward to it!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and the heavy atmosphere lifted.

The group exited the Land of Fire, crossed through the Land of Rain, and by dusk the next day, they had entered the Land of Birds.

After spending the night resting in a cave and fully recovering their strength, Shūichi and the others used the Transformation Jutsu to disguise themselves as ordinary merchants and infiltrated the Daimyō's mansion in the Land of Birds.

Once they checked into an inn, a female attendant soon arrived with a meal box, entering the suite that Shūichi and the others had reserved.

"Root of the Darkness!"

Her words startled Shūichi.

However, Sarutobi Shinnosuke wasn't surprised and responded, "The Leaves Flutter in Konoha!"

The attendant nodded, then opened the meal box, revealing food on top and a map hidden underneath. "This is a map of the target's location, with the positions of the guards marked."

"On the back are details of the target's daily routines."

"But be cautious: yesterday, a four-person Iwagakure team arrived at the target's residence. We don't have much information on them yet."

"However, one of them is suspected to be Roshi, an elite Iwagakure Jōnin."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke was visibly startled. "Rōshi?"

"Can you confirm that?" he asked.

The attendant shook her head. "I only saw him once."

Shinnosuke nodded. "Thank you for your hard work."

With a slight nod, the attendant picked up the meal box and left.

Shūichi watched silently. "I didn't expect her to be a spy from Root."

"The former Orphanage's director was the same, quietly gathering intelligence in foreign lands as a medical ninja..."

At that moment, Sarutobi Shinnosuke spoke up. "This mission might get a little tricky."

Satoshi asked, "Captain, is it because of Rōshi?"

Shinnosuke nodded. "This guy is no ordinary shinobi. He's the Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails!"

Everyone was stunned—another Jinchūriki!

Chōgan sighed helplessly. "It seems we have quite the affinity with Jinchūriki, don't we?"

Everyone smiled wryly.

Shūichi then asked, "Captain, do we have any intel on Rōshi?"

Shinnosuke nodded. "Yes. In fact, both Minato-senpai and Jiraiya-sama have encountered Iwagakure's Jinchūriki before."

"While Rōshi might not be as perfectly in sync with his Tailed Beast as Killer Bee from the Cloud Village, he's even more dangerous in some ways."

Shinichi asked, "Are you saying that the Jinchūriki might lose control?"

"That's right," Shinnosuke replied. "If Rōshi fully unleashes the Four-Tails' power, it would be devastating."

Satoshi considered the situation. "In that case, we'll need to split into two groups: one to draw the enemy's attention and the other to carry out the assassination."

As he spread out the map, Shinnosuke explained, "I'll lead Group A with Seeker and Flame. We'll infiltrate first and draw the enemy's forces away, killing as many Iwagakure shinobi and guards as possible."

"Meanwhile, Force, Deer, and Mind, you'll be Group B and handle the assassination."

"Once the mission is complete, retreat immediately. You don't need to wait for us."

"Our rendezvous point will be the cave we rested in yesterday at the border."

Satoshi, Shinichi, and Chōgan all nodded in agreement. "Understood!"

With the guards drawn away, whether they snuck in directly or used the Mind Body Switch Technique to control someone close to the Daimyō's son, the mission would be much safer and smoother.

Next came the task of familiarizing themselves with the intelligence and the layout of the area.

As for conducting reconnaissance, Shinnosuke chose not to risk it. Iwagakure already had agents in place, and the more they did, the higher the risk of exposure.

Time passed quickly, and soon it was nightfall.

In the dead of night, after resting and regaining their energy, Shūichi and the others quietly left the inn, moving under the cover of darkness. They finally reached a street that overlooked their target's residence.

Though the Daimyō's son belonged to a small country, the mansion was still quite large.

However, Shūichi and the team had already memorized the layout of the map.

Shinnosuke gave a hand signal, leaving Satoshi, Shinichi, and Chōgan behind, while Shūichi and Chihiro moved ahead with him, boldly approaching the front.

Yes, they were going to enter directly.

After all, their job was to draw out the enemy.

If they could fight their way to the target, there would be no need for Satoshi's team to take any further risks.

...

One by one, the guards were easily hypnotized and knocked out by Chihiro, while Shūichi Hoshita swiftly caught them and gently laid them on the ground.

The three continued to infiltrate the courtyard until they suddenly came to a halt.

"Konoha ninjas?"

"Or from Amegakure?"

A voice called out from the rooftop.

Shūichi looked up to see a figure standing with arms crossed. Under the moonlight, the man's purple hair and beard were unmistakably visible.

It was Rōshi, the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki!

At the same time, several Iwagakure shinobi appeared on the rooftops to the left, right, and behind them.

They were surrounded!

Shūichi immediately realized that the enemy had sensory-type ninja.

"Retreat!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke quickly ordered.

Whoosh!

The three of them leaped into the air.

While Rōshi remained still, the three Iwagakure ninjas charged forward, clashing mid-air. Sparks flew, and the metallic clanging sounds echoed sharply as six figures collided.

Suddenly, one of the Iwagakure ninjas was sent flying, crashing into a building with a thunderous boom, sending up a cloud of dust.

At that moment, Rōshi, who hadn't moved before, quickly formed hand seals and exhaled several massive molten lava orbs toward Shūichi and his comrades.

Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Jutsu!

Boom!

The night sky lit up with the fire's glow.

While avoiding Rōshi's attack mid-air, Shūichi swung his blade, igniting it with blue flames. From more than 20 meters away, he slashed down at Rōshi on the rooftop with his Blue Flame Waterfall Blade.

"Hm?"

Rōshi was surprised to see Shūichi hovering in mid-air. Without hesitation, he clapped his hands together, and his body became rapidly encased in molten rock.

Lava Release Chakra Mode!

As Shūichi's giant blade descended, Rōshi rocketed upward, throwing a fierce punch that collided with the sword.

Boom!

The Blue Flame Waterfall Blade shattered under Rōshi's punch, scattering pale blue flames that quickly transformed into buds scattered across the courtyard.

Having anticipated this, Sarutobi Shinnosuke and Chihiro had already withdrawn from the courtyard.

Sensing something wrong, Rōshi shouted, "Watch out for those flames!"

But before he could finish, the flames bloomed and exploded, engulfing the entire courtyard in a sea of fire.

The two Iwagakure ninjas who had leaped up to pursue Shinnosuke and the others were caught off guard and thrown back by the fiery wave.

Meanwhile, Shūichi split into three, leaving shimmering blue afterimages that twisted the air.

The two Iwagakure ninjas, having barely gotten back on their feet, were immediately faced with three Shūichis charging at them. They had no time to form hand seals and were forced to engage with their blades.

But their strikes hit nothing.

Shūichi was too fast, and the heat from his blade distorted the air, combined with a small illusion that caused both their attacks to miss entirely.

Slash!

The two Iwagakure ninjas widened their eyes in shock as they collapsed.

Without pausing, the three Shūichis sped off in pursuit of Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others.

Behind them, Rōshi's furious voice echoed, "Damn it! You won't escape!"

Shūichi glanced back and saw that Rōshi, now sporting a tail and still covered in molten lava, was closing in on them at high speed—faster than him.

Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Jutsu!

As Rōshi drew closer, he once again exhaled seven or eight massive lava orbs at the three Shūichis.

But Shūichi didn't even look back.

Boom!

A torrent of water surged up, blocking Rōshi's attack.

Immediately afterward, a high-speed water jet shot out, striking Rōshi and blasting him away.

Water Release: Water Severing Wave!

"As expected of a Jinchūriki of the Four-Tails..."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke muttered to himself before shouting, "Retreat!"

He and Chihiro swiftly leaped after Shūichi, continuing their escape.

Behind them, Rōshi quickly recovered and resumed his pursuit.

Though Shinnosuke's Water Severing Wave had hit its mark, it failed to penetrate Rōshi's molten armor, merely knocking him back.

Shūichi couldn't help but click his tongue in frustration.

If he had been hit by the Water Severing Wave, it would have either pierced him or sliced him in half.

The power of a Kekkei Genkai and a Jinchūriki was truly formidable!

...

The two groups raced through the Daimyō's mansion, swiftly exiting the town.

As soon as they were gone, Satoshi, Shinichi, and Chōgan began their operation, infiltrating the residence of the Daimyō's son.

(End of Chapter)

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