The air grew heavy, charged with an unseen pressure that sent shivers down Yuichi's spine. He had felt chakra before, trained shinobi, even powerful ones like Kagami but this… this was different.
The presence looming in the distance has vast, suffocating, and ominous chakra. It wasn't just strong, it was huge and monstrous, something far beyond the level of a regular shinobi.
Alongside it, he could sense numerous smaller signatures, each distinct in their own way. Some felt like raw, untrained aggression, while others carried the cold, lethal precision of veteran shinobi who had survived countless battles.
Yuichi swallowed hard. 'So, this is what Kagami means by strong ones.'
Beside him, Kagami's expression had shifted. His usual calm demeanor was now laced with something Yuichi had rarely seen, anger.
Kagami was not a man who let emotions dictate his actions. He had faced life-threatening battles, led countless missions, and remained unshaken through it all.
Yet now, his jaw was clenched, his hands curled into tight fists, and his eyes burned with barely restrained fury.
Yuichi hesitated before speaking. "Kagami-sensei, what's—"
"They're rogue shinobi," Kagami interrupted, his voice tight. "Hired mercenaries, men who have forsaken their villages to live as blades-for-hire, but there are few trained ones too." He exhaled sharply. "This… so this was the Chakage's final move."
Yuichi glanced in the direction of the ominous chakra. "You knew something like this might happen?"
Kagami nodded. "I expected him to seek outside help, but this… this is worse than I thought. There's someone annoying among them-" He paused, his gaze sharpening. "—someone far too powerful to be just another missing-nin, someone who had vanished."
Yuichi felt a chill creep up his spine. He had sensed it too. That one presence stood above the rest, like a towering monolith in a sea of chaos.
Kagami took a deep breath and turned to Yuichi, his expression firm. "Listen to me, Yuichi."
Yuichi straightened instinctively.
"You need to find Sakumo and Mio and assist with the evacuation. The civilians are the priority. Do whatever it takes to keep them safe."
Yuichi hesitated. "But-"
"No arguments." Kagami's voice was sharp, his gaze unyielding. "I'll handle the battlefield, this is my job. Your job is to make sure no innocent lives are lost in this mess."
There was no room for debate. Yuichi clenched his fists and nodded. "Understood."
Satisfied, Kagami reached into his pocket and pulled out a flare. With a flick of his wrist, he launched it high into the night sky. The red light burst open, illuminating the sky, a silent alarm to those stationed throughout the city that the battle had begun.
~~~
Yuichi sprinted through the city streets, his senses on high alert.
The capital, once bustling with traders, nobles, and citizens, was now shifting into a state of controlled urgency. Unlike the usual chaotic panic, this evacuation was organized, precise, and prepared.
This wasn't by chance, it was Yori's doing.
The noble-turned-warrior had anticipated this scenario long before it had unfolded, and precautions had been taken. The wealthy merchants, noble families, and high-ranking officials had already been discreetly moved to secure locations over the past few days. That left the common folk, who were now being directed out in an orderly fashion under the watchful eyes of the palace guards.
Yuichi navigated through the streets, quickly locating the designated meeting point where Sakumo and Mio were waiting.
Mio spotted him first. "You felt it too, didn't you?"
Yuichi nodded, his face serious. "Yeah. The chakra coming from the outskirts- it's not normal."
Mio crossed her arms, with a resolute expression she spoke "I don't care who they are. If they're a threat to the people here, we should just go out there and help Kagami-sensei take them down."
Yuichi shook his head. "Our mission is civilian safety. Kagami-sensei gave strict orders. We focus on evacuation first."
Mio huffed but didn't argue further. She knew Kagami's word was final.
Sakumo exhaled. "Alright then. Let's move."
The trio quickly integrated into the ongoing evacuation efforts. Palace guards and armed warriors guided the crowds, keeping them calm and composed despite the rising tension in the air. Unlike in big countries, the people of the Camellia city were accustomed to conflict. They knew the dangers of war, the risks of rebellion, and the importance of following orders.
Yuichi approached a group of guards overseeing a line of civilians. "Status?"
One of them, a grizzled officer, turned to him. "Everything's under control for now. The priority sectors have been cleared, and the outer district is moving steadily."
Yuichi's eyes scanned the crowd. Families, elders, children—ordinary people caught in the middle of a war they had no part in.
A sudden commotion drew his attention.
A young woman struggled against the guards holding her back. "My mother is still inside! I have to get her!"
The guards tried to restrain her, but her desperation made her fight harder.
Mio stepped forward, placing a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Where?"
The woman looked up, eyes brimming with panic. "She's still at our tea shop on the eastern side of the market! She refused to leave, she said it was just a false alarm!"
Yuichi and Sakumo exchanged glances. The eastern side was close to the city walls, the same direction where the rogue shinobi were and would probably clash.
Sakumo turned to the guards. "Keep the evacuation going. We'll handle this."
The officer hesitated but nodded. "Make it quick."
With evacuation almost complete, the trio decided to move toward the market district. The place closest to the eastern gate where the battle was happening.
As they neared the eastern sector, the tension in the air thickened. The sounds of distant clashes could already be heard, echoing from beyond the walls where the battlefield was unfolding.
They found the shop quickly, its wooden sign swaying in the night breeze. The lights were still on.
Yuichi pushed the door open, the small bell jingling above his head. "Anyone here?!"
An elderly woman stood behind the counter, arms crossed. "I told that fool daughter of mine, I'm not leaving."
Mio groaned. "Are you serious, old lady?! There's a literal war about to break out!"
The woman huffed. "I've run this shop for forty years. You think a little fighting is going to scare me out of here?"
Yuichi pinched the bridge of his nose. 'Stubborn old woman.'
*exhale*
"Mio, knock her out", Yuichi gave the command with a serious voice, aware of the situation.
"Huh?" Mio, confused at first, understood immediately a second later.
"What the hell are you saying? I am not leav-"
Before the old lady could speak further, Mio opened her sharingan and with just a stare knocked her out.
The Trio didn't need any more conversation. Mio picked the old lady and with a nod moved quickly towards the evacuation centre.
"We will be waiting near the eastern gate for you" Sakumo shouted to Mio. in response she gave a thumbs up while moving quickly, jumping from one rooftop to another.
Sakumo stretched a little , his tone firm and serious. "Looks like the evacuation is complete. Shall we start getting some field experience?"
Yuichi smirked. "Hmm. let's start our field experience"
Yuichi took one last glance toward the city walls. Sensing no one present in the vicinity, they both went towards the place where the battle was happening.