Kurenai Yuhi had made significant progress in her training. Under the guidance of her father, Shinku Yuhi, she not only mastered several new genjutsu hand seals but also deepened her understanding of the art's core principles.
Shinku Yuhi, an elite jōnin, was supposed to be out on missions, but out of concern for his daughter, he requested a temporary leave from the Fourth Hokage. Despite the current backlog of missions—so severe that even genin were being assigned C-rank tasks—Minato Namikaze still granted his request. As a soon-to-be father himself, he could empathize with Shinku's desire to protect his child.
Aside from training with her father, Kurenai also sought advice from Might Guy regarding taijutsu. Just as Shinku Yuhi had warned, she was no match for Guy in pure hand-to-hand combat.
Though she practiced with him for a while, Kurenai outright refused to wear his recommended training attire, adamantly declaring that she would never—not even in death—wear something so ridiculous.
With a clear goal driving her forward, Kurenai trained tirelessly. She followed her father's advice and avoided overexerting herself, but even during her rest periods, she focused on studying genjutsu theory.
The next morning, Kaede Kaminarimon's squad assembled at Konoha's main gate. Once everyone arrived, Kaede wasted no time in leading them out.
"Captain, can we know the mission details now?" Teru Kinoshita asked, his curiosity piqued. Even for an A-rank mission, this level of secrecy seemed excessive.
"It's a protection mission, commissioned jointly by three noble trade associations from the Land of Fire," Kaede explained as they traveled. "Recently, an unknown group has been attacking their regional managers and has already destroyed computer shipments worth thirty million ryō."
At the mention of such an astronomical figure, both Asuma Sarutobi and Teru Kinoshita couldn't help but be shocked. That amount could fund at least ten S-rank missions—it was no wonder the merchants were taking drastic action.
Kaede continued, "So, they decided to set up a trap and hired us to lie in wait. Our job is to either capture or eliminate the enemy when they take the bait. Hokage-sama only informed me of the full details at the last minute. We might encounter enemy jōnin."
"They also hired several bounty hunters from the underground exchange. Our squad is just one of many involved."
Hearing this, Asuma immediately focused. He had fought hard to be transferred into this squad—there was no way he would allow himself to embarrass his father during his first mission.
After traveling for some time, Kaede suddenly stopped and instructed, "Change clothes. From this moment on, we are no longer Konoha shinobi. That's the client's requirement."
Without hesitation, the squad found secluded spots to switch out of their standard uniforms and removed their forehead protectors.
Asuma grumbled as he adjusted his attire. "Man, this client is really demanding…"
Being able to operate openly as Konoha ninja was always beneficial—it helped bolster their reputations and increased Konoha's prestige. However, if the client insisted on discretion, they had no choice but to comply.
Teru shared Asuma's sentiment but knew Kaede and Kurenai weren't the type to complain. So, he kept his thoughts to himself and simply followed orders.
With their disguises in place, the squad resumed their journey. After half a day's travel, they finally arrived at their rendezvous point—Kawaki Town, east of the Land of Fire's capital.
Kaede led them through the town and approached a courtyard estate, where two armed guards stood at the entrance. He presented their mission credentials.
"Wait here," one of the guards said after verifying the documents. Another guard took the paperwork and disappeared inside to report to the client.
A few minutes later, the guard returned with another nobleman, dressed in extravagant clothing.
"Welcome, shinobi of Konoha."
As expected, the noble's servants immediately brought out tea for the four of them. However, seasoned shinobi never consumed food or drink offered to them during a mission, so Kaede's squad accepted the cups but did not take a sip.
The noble, unfazed by their caution, got straight to the point. "I trust you've been briefed on the situation. Lately, a group of unidentified shinobi has been attacking our trade association, abducting our managers, and destroying our goods. If this continues, our business will be crippled."
Kaede responded calmly, "Hokage-sama has informed us of the situation, Lord Mitsugi. We will follow the outlined strategy and lie in wait for the enemy to make their next move."
"Good. Aside from your squad, I've hired additional shinobi. My only demand is that you eliminate this group once and for all. I don't care whether they live or die—just make sure they're dealt with."
The Uzumaki Trade Association, after establishing itself in the tech industry with computers and ninja games, had gradually shifted away from direct sales, allowing nobles to handle distribution instead. These three noble families had pooled their resources to secure exclusive rights to supply the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind.
But then, these mysterious shinobi began targeting them.
The merchants had already suffered two major attacks, losing people and valuable cargo. Their business had come to a complete standstill. Every day they delayed meant further losses, yet continuing operations without addressing the threat was too dangerous.
That was why they had chosen to take decisive action—hiring Konoha shinobi had even been a direct suggestion from the Uzumaki Trade Association.
After explaining the situation, the noble dismissed them, and a servant escorted the squad to their assigned quarters.
As they entered the residence, they noticed several other shinobi had already arrived.
Once inside, Kaede Kaminarimon spoke in a low voice, "Kurenai."
Kurenai Yuhi nodded and activated her chakra sensory technique. After a brief moment, she had a clear count of the shinobi in the vicinity.
"Captain, there are thirteen individuals in total. One of them has an unusually large chakra reserve."
"The client doesn't fully trust Konoha. That person is likely a mercenary hired from the underground bounty exchange," Kaede replied calmly. "Get some rest. We move at sundown. Teru, you'll stay here. If the enemy's target is this location, signal us immediately."
Given that these attackers had a history of abducting key figures, Kaede was concerned that the client might be taken. If that happened, their mission would be a failure.
"Understood, Captain."
A few hours later, Kaede, Kurenai, and Asuma Sarutobi used dinnertime as an excuse to slip away toward the decoy cargo site. As they left, the other hired shinobi also began departing in small groups.
Inside the house, Teru Kinoshita carefully observed through the window, memorizing the features of each shinobi that left—especially the one Kurenai had flagged as a potential threat.
"Blue hair… black cloak with red clouds… definitely not from the Land of Fire."
Teru committed these details to memory. None of the mercenaries were wearing forehead protectors, likely due to the client's request for discretion. He would report his findings to the village later.
Nightfall
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Three Families began loading the cargo. Though the crates were filled with decoys, only the highest-ranking managers knew the truth. To the rest of the workers, this was a legitimate transaction.
Midway through the loading process, Kurenai, hidden in the shadows, suddenly tensed and signaled to her teammates.
"Someone's coming."
Moments later, figures darted onto the surrounding rooftops, concealed by the cover of night. One of them quickly wove hand seals, and within seconds, a fiery glow illuminated the darkness.
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bullet!"
A blazing dragon-shaped fireball hurtled toward the wagons. Almost immediately, another shinobi followed up with a second technique.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
The gust of wind fed the flames, doubling the fire dragon's size in an instant. The inferno engulfed several workers and reduced six or seven wagons to charred wreckage. Had the cargo been real, the Three Families would have suffered losses in the millions.
"Captain!"
Kurenai frowned, while Asuma's expression turned grim as he recognized the attackers.
Animal masks. ANBU uniforms.
These shinobi were from Konoha's ANBU.
"Hold position," Kaede ordered, his voice steady. "Kurenai, Asuma—stay close and move on my mark."
Though these attackers looked like ANBU, Kaede didn't buy it. If the Hokage had sent ANBU, he would have been informed beforehand.
There was only one other group in Konoha that wore ANBU uniforms yet operated outside the village's official orders.
Root.
"Bastards! So it's you!"
The hired mercenaries, seeing the Root members, sprang into action.
"Water Release: Water Colliding Wave!"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
A chaotic battle erupted as various ninjutsu collided, reducing parts of the trading post to rubble. Some mercenaries even resorted to explosive tags and bladed weapons, forming small teams to take down the numerically inferior Root operatives.
"Kill them all."
The Root squad leader observed the enemy for a brief moment before giving his cold command. These mercenaries were mere rogue shinobi, possessing only a handful of techniques. Eliminating them would serve as a warning to the Uzumaki Trade Association.
Root operatives were highly trained in coordinated combat. Compared to the undisciplined bounty hunters, they held a clear advantage.
Within minutes, the mercenaries who had first rushed in were slaughtered. Seven lay dead, while four others, desperate to escape, found themselves trapped.
Just then, a flurry of paper filled the air.
"Dance of the Shikigami."
Countless sheets of paper transformed into shuriken, spears, and chains, all aimed directly at the Root operatives.
At that moment, Kaede's voice rang out.
"Kurenai! Asuma!"
Without hesitation, he lunged at one of the Root shinobi. Asuma, responding to his name, followed suit, charging forward.
Meanwhile, Kurenai's form suddenly scattered into countless cherry blossoms.
In Konan's field of vision, massive cherry blossom trees sprouted from the ground, their thick branches coiling around her, tightening like unbreakable chains.
(End of Chapter)