They had barely traveled a few kilometers from the cave when Miyuki, without breaking her stride, handed them a new scroll. The exhaustion was evident on Akihiro’s face, but he still received the mission with seriousness. Aiko, though fatigued, maintained her usual calm, while Hiroshi walked with light steps, seemingly less affected by the weariness.

  —Here are the details, —announced Miyuki, extending the scroll to Aiko, who accepted it with a resigned nod.

  —Can’t we rest for at least an hour? —Hiroshi protested, crossing his arms in visible displeasure.

  Miyuki completely ignored him and kept her firm pace. Akihiro let out a faint sigh as Aiko unrolled the scroll and began to read aloud.

  —Objective: intercept and recover a valuable shipment in the hands of a group of traffickers near the border with Taki. Caution: they may have specialized mercenaries as escorts.

  Aiko raised her gaze toward her companions after a brief pause.

  —Great, just what we needed, —Akihiro muttered with obvious dismay.

  —Mercenaries? That could complicate things, —Hiroshi remarked, frowning.

  Miyuki suddenly stopped, forcing them to halt abruptly to avoid bumping into her.

  —This mission will be far more dangerous than the previous ones, —she warned, her tone heavy with gravity. —This time, I’ll be providing direct support.

  A brief silence followed her words. While the idea of having Miyuki accompany them was reassuring, her seriousness made it clear they were facing something far more perilous. These “mercenaries” weren’t mere bandits; they were likely chakra users, possibly even ninjas.

  Without further comment, they resumed their march. Hours passed before they arrived at the designated location, now well into the night. Before them stretched a dark, open prairie, dimly lit by the pale glow of a waning moon. In the distance, a group of figures moved silently, escorting a cargo that seemed to float in the shadows.

  —They’re cautious, —Akihiro murmured, observing the contrabandists’ silent movements. —They don’t want to draw attention.

  Aiko closed her eyes and focused her senses. The energy of those present manifested as a faint but clear trail.

  —I count at least twenty. One of them is the trafficker, —Aiko reported with precision.

  —How strong are the mercenaries? —Hiroshi asked, still on alert.

  —It’s hard to tell from here, —Aiko admitted, shaking her head. —But if they’re escorting the shipment, we must assume they’re stronger than common bandits.

  She directed her gaze toward Miyuki, who gave a slight nod. It was clear that while Miyuki would support them if things went south, the strategy was entirely in their hands.

  After a brief, whispered discussion, they outlined a pn.

  —First, we need to separate them, —Aiko began, sketching a quick diagram on the ground with the tip of her kunai. —I’ll use my Mud River Jutsu to slow their advance. Akihiro will follow up with his Raging Wave Jutsu, which should take out some of them.

  —Maybe several if we’re lucky, —Akihiro interjected with a faint, grim optimism.

  Aiko continued, ignoring his comment.

  —Once chaos breaks out, Hiroshi will unch his Fireball Jutsu. Be careful not to damage the shipment.

  —I know, —Hiroshi replied with a hint of impatience.

  —After that, Akihiro and I will attack the remaining enemies directly. Miyuki, you’ll stay close to Hiroshi and cover him if anything goes wrong.

  Miyuki nodded briefly.

  With the pn set, the group prepared in silence, moving with precision to their assigned positions. They stationed themselves strategically along the convoy’s path: Hiroshi and Miyuki concealed themselves near the edge of the trail amidst the bushes, while Aiko and Akihiro moved ahead to intercept the convoy head-on.

  The wait was brief but tense. When the convoy came within range, Aiko and Akihiro exchanged a quick gnce before forming their seals with precision. Acting in perfect unison, they unleashed their techniques with coordinated force.

  —Earth Style: Mud River Jutsu! —Aiko struck the ground with both hands, a rumble echoing through the night as a torrent of earth surged forward like a massive ndslide, sweeping toward the path with unstoppable momentum.

  —Water Style: Raging Wave Jutsu! —Akihiro inhaled deeply before exhaling a massive torrent of water from his mouth. The surge collided with the sliding earth, transforming it into a thick, muddy stream that surged violently toward the convoy.

  The combined power of both jutsus created a chaotic, unstoppable river of sludge that carved through the terrain, sweeping away everything in its path. The traffickers, caught off guard, shouted in panic as the mud engulfed them, destabilizing their formation and trapping many in its grasp.

  —The shipment is in danger! Protect it! —yelled one of the mercenaries, scrambling to take control of the situation.

  The raging mudslide continued its relentless advance, dragging several of the traffickers and mercenaries into its flow. Some were mired knee-deep, unable to break free, while others stumbled and were carried away by the current. Chaos reigned, forcing the convoy to come to a sudden halt.

  The devastating combination of techniques not only wreaked havoc but also spread panic among the enemy. However, the reprieve was short-lived. Some of the mercenaries quickly regrouped, showcasing their discipline and training.

  Hiroshi seized the moment, emerging from the bushes and unching his attack at the distracted mercenaries.

  —Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!

  A massive sphere of fire tore through the air, striking just behind the enemy group. The explosion illuminated the night sky, scattering fmes without endangering the shipment.

  A pair of mercenaries still stuck in the mud were consumed by the fmes, their cries silenced in moments. The remaining enemies, however, reacted swiftly, managing to escape the jutsu’s range.

  One mercenary raised his sword while forming a hand sign with his free hand.

  —Lightning Style: Cutting Discharge Jutsu! —he shouted, releasing a surge of electricity that coursed through the mud, neutralizing part of the trap and freeing his comrades.

  He didn’t stop there, charging straight at Hiroshi, only to be intercepted by Miyuki. The mercenary clicked his tongue in frustration, swinging his lightning-infused bde toward her.

  Meanwhile, Aiko and Akihiro dove into close combat, engaging the mercenaries who had evaded the initial assault.

  Aiko drew a pair of kunai, facing off against the mercenaries with precision and composure. Despite their coordinated attacks, she remained calm, reading their movements. With swift sidesteps and deflections, she parried their strikes and counterattacked with surgical accuracy. Her training against bandits had honed her ability to handle fights even when outnumbered.

  Meanwhile, Akihiro attempted a different approach. He swiftly formed a hand seal and locked eyes with one of the mercenaries.

  —Genjutsu: Confused Mind.

  The mercenary hesitated, his expression clouding with confusion as the genjutsu began to take hold. Akihiro smirked, closing the distance to finish him off. However, with a guttural shout and a sharp injection of chakra, the mercenary shattered the illusion and counterattacked instantly.

  —Tsk, tougher than I expected, —Akihiro muttered, clicking his tongue in frustration.

  Too close for ninjutsu, he had no choice but to engage in hand-to-hand combat, throwing a direct punch that forced the mercenary to backpedal. Akihiro’s movements were powerful and aggressive, but the mercenary deftly evaded his strikes, retaliating with his sword.

  Not accustomed to fighting against bded weapons, Akihiro received several shallow cuts across his body—each dangerously close to being fatal.

  —Don’t get careless, Akihiro! —shouted Aiko as she deflected another attack from her own adversaries, her focus split between her fight and his.

  —I never do! —he retorted, blocking a strike with his forearm before countering with a kick that staggered the mercenary. Yet, like before, the enemy quickly recovered and pressed the assault.

  The battle reached a stalemate where neither side could gain or lose ground. While Kusa’s team had stronger techniques, the mercenaries’ experience and mastery of their combat styles gave them an edge.

  At that moment, even the smallest shift in bance could decide the outcome.

  Akihiro threw another punch at his opponent, who parried and swiftly sshed to gain distance.

  —It was fun while it sted, —muttered Akihiro, a sly grin forming on his face.

  The mercenary, puzzled by his words, suddenly felt a surge of heat behind him. Turning, he saw only darkness.

  A deafening explosion captured everyone’s attention. As they turned, they spotted two ninjas standing over the corpse of one of the mercenaries.

  It was Hiroshi and Akihiro.

  —You took longer than I expected —commented Akihiro, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead.

  —I had to make sure the cargo was safe —Hiroshi replied with a shrug.

  Hiroshi had ensured that the cargo remained intact; after all, this was a recovery mission, not an extermination. His meticulous attention ensured no accidental damage would compromise the objective.

  —Oh, right... I need to tell you something about the cargo ter —Hiroshi added in a casual tone as he rushed toward one of the mercenaries.

  Akihiro, somewhat puzzled by the odd remark, gave a quick nod before focusing on his own task. Without wasting time, he charged at another enemy.

  The bance of the battle had shifted dramatically. With the mercenaries disorganized and scattered, victory leaned firmly toward Team Kusa. Aiko, Akihiro, and Hiroshi worked in perfect harmony, taking advantage of every opening and supporting each other as they finished off the remaining adversaries.

  The mercenaries fell one by one under the relentless pressure of the group. What had started as a challenging encounter was now being resolved decisively.

  Miyuki, watching from her position, let out a quiet chuckle, a mix of satisfaction and mockery. However, her gaze soon settled on the st remaining opponent, his face twisted in visceral rage. It was clear that he was no ordinary mercenary but the leader, and the sight of his fallen comrades only intensified his fury.

  —Damn it... —the man growled, his voice heavy with frustration as he clenched his fists so tightly that the veins in his arms bulged—. This was supposed to be an easy mission. And now all my subordinates are dead!

  The leader stepped forward, his chakra swirling around him like a violent storm.

  —I won't let it end like this... You’ll pay for this!

  The atmosphere grew heavier, and the Kusa team tensed as they felt the mounting pressure. Aiko adjusted her stance, ready for anything, while Akihiro and Hiroshi exchanged quick gnces.

  —This is about to get messy —Aiko muttered, her voice calm yet firm.

  Miyuki groaned, her tone filled with irritation as she tightened her grip on her kunai.

  —Why don’t you save us the trouble and let me cut your throat already? —she taunted.

  —The mercenary leader let out a bitter ugh, clearly enraged by the threat.

  —Cut my throat? Such arrogance. Let’s see if you’re still talking like that when I destroy you.

  Without another word, the man began forming hand signs at an impressive speed. The ground beneath him started to tremble, and an aura of electricity surrounded him.

  —Lightning Style: Blinding Storm.

  With a roar, the leader unleashed a surge of electricity into the ground, creating a massive explosion of lightning that tore through the terrain, making the air dense and charged.

  Miyuki watched silently, her expression cold and calcuting. She realized that this man’s strength bordered on that of a Jounin, at least judging by the technique he had used.

  —Stay out of this! —she ordered without taking her eyes off the enemy— This is my fight.

  Akihiro and Aiko exchanged gnces but knew better than to contradict Miyuki. They stayed alert, ready to intervene if the situation became dire.

  With a swift motion, Miyuki moved toward the leader, deftly avoiding the electric bsts he unleashed.

  —Body Flicker Technique —she whispered.

  In a fsh, she vanished from the leader’s sight, moving with superhuman speed. When she reappeared, she was already in front of him, sshing a precise strike at his neck with her kunai.

  The leader reacted quickly, blocking the attack with his sword.

  —A bastard who only knows how to use his speed—he growled, releasing more electricity from his body that buzzed dangerously through the air.

  Miyuki dodged with agility, rolling to the side as the ground around her cracked under the force of the electricity.

  —This is why I hate fighting against Kumo ninjas —she muttered with annoyance, clearly irritated by his Lightning Style techniques.

  The leader tried to surround her with a barrage of lightning, but Miyuki was already ahead, using Body Flicker once again to evade it. She reappeared at his side, striking quickly. In a blur of motion, she delivered a series of rapid, precise cuts, targeting vital points.

  —Lightning Severance Technique! —the leader roared, unleashing a wave of electricity that surged around him, focusing on his sword. The lightning crackled with deadly intensity, aiming to pierce Miyuki with a devastating strike.

  But Miyuki had anticipated his move. In the blink of an eye, she vanished into the darkness like a specter, the lightning slicing through empty air where she had stood seconds before.

  The leader scowled, spinning around quickly, but before he could react, Miyuki reappeared behind him. With almost supernatural speed, she delivered a clean ssh across his back.

  The bde of her kunai sank deep, leaving a trail of blood in its wake. The leader grunted in pain, but Miyuki gave him no reprieve. In a fsh, she struck again, and again, each cut more precise and deadly than the st. Her movements were a blur, too fast for the leader to follow.

  Slowly, the mercenary’s clothing became soaked in blood, and despite his skill, his body began to falter under the relentless pressure of countless cuts. The electricity that once surged through his sword faded, and his breathing grew bored.

  It was clear: his time was running out. His legs wobbled, and the fury in his expression mixed with desperation.

  Miyuki watched him calmly, her kunai gleaming in the moonlight as the leader struggled to maintain his stance.

  —Do you still think you can win? —she murmured, her voice as cold as steel as she took the final step.

  The accumuted cuts had brought him to the brink of defeat. The leader, his eyes bloodshot with rage and his breathing ragged, finally colpsed to his knees, unable to continue the fight. The electricity that had coursed through his body was no longer enough to keep him standing. His resistance had been utterly broken.

  —I’ll take that as your answer —Miyuki murmured coldly, her kunai descending toward her opponent’s neck. With a precise motion, she pierced his throat and severed his head, ending his life in a single stroke.

  The leader’s body crumpled lifelessly to the ground, and Miyuki stood over him, watching his fall with an impassive expression. As her kunai withdrew from the corpse, a sigh escaped her lips. She had expended a considerable amount of chakra in this fight, and while she hadn’t taken a direct hit, some of the leader’s lightning strikes had grazed her, leaving minor injuries that still stung.

  If the battle had sted a little longer, it might have been her who fell. But, fortunately, that didn’t happen.

  Shortly after, Aiko and Akihiro arrived at Miyuki’s side, carefully supporting her while Hiroshi scouted the area to ensure there were no further surprises.

  —Is it all over? —Akihiro asked, still in awe of the magnitude of the battle he had just witnessed. Miyuki’s strength had far exceeded his expectations, and he couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and respect.

  Miyuki gave a slight nod, her face still marked by the exhaustion left by the fight. The minor injuries and fatigue were evident, but her determination remained unwavering.

  —Yes, it’s over... at least for now —she said in a tired voice, gncing at the fallen leader and then at her team. The battle had been intense, but there was no time to rex yet.

  —Let’s take the cargo and get out of here before someone else shows up —Miyuki ordered firmly. The worst thing that could happen now would be a group of rogue ninjas appearing, especially given that they were right on the border with Taki. If that happened, the situation could escate quickly.

  The group nodded without hesitation, understanding the gravity of the situation. They began moving toward the cargo immediately.