Konoha's Tag-System Ninja

Chapter 60: Chapter 60: Blue Flame Sky Blade

Having grasped the key point, Kurama Sanyō asked, "Minato Sensei, according to what Shuichi said, we can't afford to lose. As the vanguard team, do we have a particularly crucial mission?"

Minato Namikaze nodded. "Of course!"

"Our first task is to take control of this town in front of us. Afterward, others will come to replace us."

"The second step is to penetrate deeper into the Land of Rivers, disrupt the Sand Ninja's current arrangements, and draw out Sand Village's forces, creating opportunities for the teams that will follow."

"So, this is an A-rank mission!"

Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō's expressions became more serious than ever. It wasn't just because of the mission's A-rank classification but also due to the inherent dangers of going deep behind enemy lines.

Meanwhile, Hoshita Shuichi was pondering that even if they succeeded in this mission, it would be difficult for Konoha to secure a victory, especially without a full-scale war.

So, where is the key?

"Is it the Daimyō of the Land of Rivers?"

"No, it's the Third Kazekage of Sand Village!"

"But if we target the Third Kazekage, it risks triggering an all-out war, so maybe it is the Daimyō of the Land of Rivers?"

Shuichi grasped the critical point, but it had little to do with their current mission.

"Next, we'll use shadow clones to infiltrate the town, gather intelligence, locate the Sand Ninjas, and eliminate them as quickly as possible," Minato outlined the plan, which was straightforward yet aggressive.

The four of them created shadow clones and moved out.

As they neared the town, Shuichi and Shisui transformed into a wildcat and a raccoon, slipping into the town unnoticed.

Meanwhile, Minato and Kurama Sanyō, after Shuichi and Shisui had entered the town, used the Flying Thunder God Technique to teleport inside.

Once inside, the four split up, moving through the streets and alleys to search for any signs of the Sand Ninjas.

Suddenly, Shuichi halted, noticing a shadow flicker by. He immediately leaped onto a rooftop and spotted a figure moving swiftly in the direction he had just come from.

A Sand Ninja!

However, Shuichi didn't pursue. The Sand Ninja's movements were too conspicuous. Since he wasn't skilled in genjutsu, it would be better for someone like Shisui to handle it.

Instead, Shuichi decided to trace the Sand Ninja's tracks in reverse, hoping to uncover other Sand Ninjas or their base in the town.

As expected, it wasn't long before Shuichi, following the traces and listening to the conversations of some townspeople, identified that the Sand Ninjas' base was in the manor right in the center of the town.

Without delay, Shuichi dispelled his shadow clone.

Outside the town, when Shuichi received the memories from his clone, Minato already had feedback. The Sand Ninja he had seen was the same one Minato and Kurama Sanyō had captured.

With the information verified, Minato didn't wait for feedback from Shisui's shadow clone. He placed his hands on Shisui and Kurama Sanyō's shoulders, while Shuichi placed his hand on Minato's arm.

The next moment, the four of them vanished from where they stood and reappeared inside a woodshed. Nearby lay the Sand Ninja they had captured, already dealt with, and beside him was Minato's Flying Thunder God kunai.

According to the intel, there were two Sand Ninja squads in this town: one led by a Jonin with three Chunin, and another led by a Chunin with three Genin.

The Jonin-led team was stationed in the manor and patrolled the area regularly. The Sand Ninja they had captured was part of the patrol.

The Chunin squad, on the other hand, was dispersed in four directions around the town, guarding the main roads. They were disguised as ordinary townspeople rather than wearing ninja attire.

"The Jonin-led Sand Ninja squad will be handled by me. Shisui, Shuichi, and Sanyō, you three will take care of the Chunin squad," Minato Namikaze instructed.

"Shisui, you'll focus on the Chunin, while Shuichi and Sanyō will deal with the three Genin."

"When I initiate the attack, it'll cause quite a commotion. That will prompt the Chunin squad to react, which will expose them."

"Understood!" the three responded in unison, and with that, all four vanished from their spot.

After leaving, Shuichi immediately split into two, with one clone heading north and the other west. His task was to eliminate the two Genin in those directions.

Before long, both Shuichi and his shadow clone reached their respective destinations, each in the form of a wildcat.

After surveying the area, they quickly identified their targets. However, Shuichi didn't act immediately and waited in silence.

Moments later, a loud rumbling sound came from the center of the town. The two Genin, whom Shuichi had been watching, immediately reacted, leaping onto the rooftops to investigate the smoke rising from the town center, then swiftly rushed toward it.

Shuichi and his shadow clone acted quickly, launching a surprise attack from the side.

Slash!

Blood spurted as the two Sand Ninjas collapsed, clutching their throats, never even glimpsing Shuichi's face.

With the two enemies dispatched, the shadow clone dispersed, while Shuichi headed straight for the town center. By the time he arrived, Minato had already finished the battle.

Soon, Uchiha Shisui and Kurama Sanyō joined them, both having successfully completed their respective tasks.

"Next target: Shanliao Town!" Minato declared.

Ignoring the chaos that had erupted in the town, Minato led Shuichi and the others directly toward their next target.

Upon reaching Shanliao Town, the group infiltrated and gathered intelligence using the same method.

Unlike the previous town, Shanliao Town was guarded by three Sand Ninja squads, each led by a Jonin, positioned in a triangular formation at three key locations.

Additionally, the three Sand Ninja squads had set up elevated observation points to assist their patrols.

Shuichi and the others quickly realized that even if they silently took down one of the patrolling Sand Ninjas, it would be detected almost immediately.

If they launched a surprise attack on one base, the other two would respond rapidly, arriving within a minute or two.

It became clear that the two squads in the previous town were merely for early warning. Now, Shuichi and his team faced at least three Jonin.

After gathering the necessary information from the outskirts, the team hid inside a room, where Minato gave his orders: "We'll split into two groups. Shisui, you'll pair up with Shuichi; Sanyō, you'll be with me."

"Sanyō and I will launch a surprise attack on the eastern Sand Ninja squad. Shisui, Shuichi, you two will intercept the Sand Ninja squad coming from the north."

"Understood!" they all replied in unison.

The plan was to execute a lightning-fast strike.

After receiving their orders, the four immediately split up.

Disguised as a stray dog and a stray cat using the Transformation Jutsu, Shuichi and Shisui took their positions near a pile of garbage, waiting silently.

In less than three minutes, an explosion erupted from the east, prompting the Sand Ninja squads in the north and south to spring into action, rushing toward the eastern side.

As the Sand Ninja squad leaped over his head, Shuichi, disguised as a stray dog, swiftly moved, jumping from the rooftops.

In mid-air, he returned to his human form.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!

A fireball with a diameter exceeding five meters surged toward the Sand Ninja squad's back.

Almost simultaneously, Uchiha Shisui launched a Great Fireball Jutsu from the right. His fireball was even larger than Shuichi's.

"Watch out!"

The two Sand Ninja at the rear turned around, but they were too close to react with a jutsu.

However, they remained composed despite the surprise, and with a flick of their arms, they hurled kunai attached with explosive tags.

Boom!

The explosive tags detonated, dispersing the two massive fireballs. The close-range explosion sent the two rear Sand Ninjas flying, crashing to the ground, while another barely managed to land on a rooftop.

The Jonin leading them also stopped in his tracks.

But Hoshita Shuichi and Uchiha Shisui were already prepared.

Shuichi used the Chakra burst technique taught by Tsunade to execute the Body Flicker Jutsu, closing the distance to the fallen Sand Ninja in an instant and beheading him with a swift slash.

Shisui, even faster with his own Body Flicker Jutsu, locked eyes with another Sand Ninja just as he was getting up.

The Sand Ninja froze in that moment, and before he could react, Shisui's blade flashed, leaving a thin line of blood across his neck.

"Shuichi, be careful!" Shisui shouted.

After dispatching one enemy, Shuichi looked up to see the Sand Ninja above him, already completing hand signs. His cheeks puffed out as he unleashed a powerful gust of wind.

Boom!

The wind roared, carrying hidden wind blades that cut through the air with a deafening sound. The buildings and walls in the wind's path, whether made of earth or wood, were left with deep cuts as if struck by a sword.

Shuichi and Shisui quickly took cover behind a building.

The storm subsided quickly, and the Jonin descended from above, sword raised to strike at Shuichi's head.

At the critical moment, Shuichi sidestepped the strike, drawing his own blade from his waist. He ducked low and sprang forward like a rabbit, slashing horizontally from right to left, aiming at the enemy's abdomen.

Simultaneously, a blue light began to cover Shuichi's Totsuka Blade from hilt to tip, the intense heat distorting the air and light around it. The speed of the slash left a trail of warped afterimages.

A-Rank Kenjutsu: Blue Flame Sky Blade!

The blue light covering the Totsuka Blade was actually high-temperature flames formed by Fire Release chakra nature transformation, reaching up to 4000 degrees Celsius—the current limit of Shuichi's abilities.

As the Sand Ninja raised his sword to block, the distortion of the air and light caused him to misjudge the position of Shuichi's blade.

The Totsuka Blade sliced through half of the Sand Ninja's sword, then cut through his vest, skin, organs, and spine, splitting him in two at the waist.

The speed and heat of the blade were so intense that no blood flowed from the wound, and the Sand Ninja's body remained upright, propped up by his sword.

Without looking back, Shuichi dashed toward Shisui.

At that moment, Shisui was engaging the Sand Jonin in a fast-paced battle, using his unique Body Flicker Jutsu.

Seeing Shuichi arrive so quickly, the Sand Jonin's eyes widened in disbelief. "Impossible!"

Under the cover of his Wind Release technique, and with the experienced Sunasuke having the upper hand, he couldn't believe that this Konoha brat had defeated him so swiftly.

"These two Konoha brats are no ordinary shinobi..."

The Sand Jonin made a split-second decision, leaping into the air while completing hand signs. His chest expanded as he prepared to exhale.

Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!

This technique generated a pure gust of wind, unlike the earlier one laced with wind blades. There wasn't enough time for a more complex jutsu, and any delay would leave him vulnerable.

Shisui's Body Flicker clones could easily withstand such an attack, but the real Shisui hidden among them was blown off the rooftop, causing the other clones to dissipate as well.

Meanwhile, Shuichi burst forward with a surge of chakra under his feet, charging up the rooftop against the wind.

As the Sand Jonin descended, he quickly began forming hand signs, but before he could complete them, Shuichi unleashed a stream of flames from his mouth, which quickly expanded into a large fireball.

"This brat didn't even form hand signs!"

The Sand Jonin was shocked once more but had no choice but to abandon his jutsu. He drew his sword, infused with Wind Release chakra, and sliced through the fireball.

Shuichi then raised one hand, summoning two shadow clones, each wielding a Totsuka Blade. They both charged at the Sand Jonin as he landed.

At the same time, Shisui launched a volley of shuriken, whizzing through the air to harass the Sand Jonin.

The Sand Jonin parried the attacks with his blade, quickly engaging in a close-quarters fight with Shuichi and his clones.

The Jonin's speed was undoubtedly faster than Shuichi's, and his Wind Release-enhanced blade was equally sharp and lethal.

Yet, the Sand Jonin found himself at a disadvantage. Despite his superior speed, his attacks were either blocked or evaded.

"Damned brat!"

Gritting his teeth, the Sand Jonin created an opening in his defense, taking the opportunity to destroy one of Shuichi's clones.

He then used his shoulder armor to absorb another strike from the second clone before kicking it, causing it to disperse.

Wind Release chakra surged in his left hand as he grabbed Shuichi Hoshita's Totsuka Blade barehanded, while his right hand thrust a katana straight at Shuichi.

Clang!

Uchiha Shisui intervened just in time, blocking the strike.

In that instant, the Totsuka Blade in Shuichi's hand was enveloped in a blue glow, casting a pale blue light on all three of their faces.

Blue Flame Sky Blade!

The intense heat distorted the air. The Sand Jonin's pupils dilated in shock as he tried to pull back, but it was too late—the Totsuka Blade sliced through the Wind Release chakra covering his hand, cutting his palm open.

With a scream of agony, the Sand Jonin staggered back. But Shuichi and Shisui didn't let up, launching a relentless flurry of attacks.

Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew as the Jonin parried Shisui's strikes. But after a few exchanges, the Jonin's katana was cleaved in two by the Totsuka Blade.

Taking advantage of the opening, Shisui slashed across the Jonin's chest, tearing through his flak jacket. Enraged and in pain, the Jonin retaliated with a powerful kick, sending Shisui flying.

Ignoring Shisui as he was knocked back, Shuichi pressed the attack. With a swift strike, he severed the Jonin's short sword and then sliced off his right arm before finishing with a lethal slash to the throat.

The Sand Jonin's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the panting Shuichi. He fell to the ground, his body split in two.

"Shisui, are you okay?" Shuichi asked, turning his head.

Shisui clutched his stomach and shook his head.

That kick had almost knocked the wind out of him. Although his eyes had seen the attack coming, it was too fast, and he couldn't avoid it after committing to his own strike.

This Jonin was truly formidable!

At that moment, Minato Namikaze arrived with Kurama Sanyō, teleporting directly to Shuichi and Shisui using the Flying Thunder God kunai they carried.

Seeing that the enemies had been dealt with, Minato first expressed surprise, then gave a heartfelt compliment, "Well done!"

"But Shuichi, your chakra..."

Shuichi sheathed his sword and made a hand sign. "Don't worry, Minato-sensei. It's not a problem!"

As he spoke, he released an incomplete Yin Seal.

The chakra he had stored for the past six months flowed from his forehead, rejuvenating his depleted body.

However, this also meant that the Yin Seal Shuichi had painstakingly worked on for half a year was now undone, and he would need to start over from scratch.

But that was exactly why he had created the Yin Seal in the first place—for moments like this. He had no regrets.

"Minato-sensei, more Sand Ninjas are coming!" Kurama Sanyō warned.

Shuichi and the others looked up to see four Sand Ninjas closing in.

Their reinforcement speed was faster than expected. As soon as Minato and Kurama had finished dealing with their enemies, the southern Sand Ninja squad had already arrived.

Worried about Shuichi and Shisui, Minato and Kurama had only engaged the enemy briefly before retreating.

But as the Sand Ninja squad approached and saw the aftermath of the battle, the lead Jonin immediately ordered, "Retreat!"

Both of their squads had been wiped out in such a short time—Konoha's team was far stronger than they had anticipated.

(End of Chapter)

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