Chapter 88: Hydrification Technique? Just Isolate It
Kurenai and Asuma refrained from further inquiry as the four-person squad headed towards the eastern part of the Land of Fire.
On the way, Kyōichi noticed some traces left by other shinobi.
They were faint.
But where one has passed, one leaves traces.
Shinobi operate with precision, yet some unimportant details may still reveal flaws, such as—
Crushed leaves on the road.
"Sensei, were these left by the Hidden Mist?" Kyōichi asks.
"We don'y have enough evidence for that We'll have to observe. Keep heading this way and keep an eye," Kyōichi didn't make a conclusion immediately.
It could also have been left by one of their own.
They followed the trail.
On the road, Shisui, Asuma, and Kurenai were fully alert, constantly observing the surroundings for signs.
It must be said.
Since undergoing the grand battle-royale examination, the three had greatly enhanced their abilities and teamwork. Their understanding of each other had grown stronger. While surveying, they maintained vigilance and positioning, ready to assist each other at any moment.
On the way, they also discovered residual tiny traces—
A slight marking on a tree branch.
They continued to chase down the path.
Before long...
"Sensei, we've traced them, but it seems to be one of ours," Kurenai senses Might Guy.
"Go and ask them," Kyōichi nodded.
He felt that it's not that simple; the others might have been tracking them as well.
Ahead in the forest, with a "whoosh" sound, a green shadow kicked out.
Thud!
A sound rang out as Might Guy was kicked and sent flying by Kyōichi.
Looking at Kyoichi, shaking off his daze, Guy said "Kyōichi-sensei? I was hiding behind the tree and couldn't see. I thought it was an enemy!" Might Guy scratched his head.
He's been the recipient of Might Duys "love education" for years. Kyōichi's kick caused no harm; dusting himself off he got up.
Standing up, he looked at the other three, his eyes slightly confused.
Might Guy recognized them, but...
He couldn't remember their names.
"How did you get here, were you patrolling in this direction?" Kyōichi doesn't give him a chance to greet.
He knew Guy doesn't need it.
"Kyōichi-sensei, we traced the signs up to here, but unfortunately the traces vanish here, so we couldn't continue tracking," Might Guy explained.
The sound of trembling branches came from the forest.
In no time.
Hayama Shirakumo, Ebisu, and Genma Shiranui appeared.
Seeing this scene...
Hayama Shirakumo sighed, touching his forehead.
He guesses the situation.
"Guy, next time you must recognize before attacking. Otherwise, what if you accidentally hurt an ally when you're stronger?" he cautions.
"Hahaha, seems like this isn't the first time," Kyōichi couldn't help but smile.
In the Anime, Might Guy didn't recognize Kisame till the end, infuriating Kisame to no end. During the second Chunin exam, he encountered Obito but once again couldn't remember who Obito was.
It could only be said...
His strength, memory, and effort were what he gained in the future through hard work.
There was nothing to envy about it!
"Yes, I'll definitely do better next time!" Might Guy scratched his head.
Asuma and the others secretly snickered.
This guy...
Although he was promoted to Chunin, he was still unreliable. By comparison, Kurenai seemed more like a Chunin.
"Hayama, please tell us about what you found," Kyōichi cleared his throat.
After all, it wasn't a big deal. Might Guy might be off-track at times, but most of the time he was reliable. Minor details shouldn't be bothered with.
Hayama Shirakumo briefly explained the situation.
They had trailed from the other side.
But still.
The clues on both sides were cut off here.
"The enemy is very cautious in this area. There is reason to believe this is where the Mist's ninja stayed for a while. So they've cleaned up extremely well, without leaving any traces," Hayama Shirakumo, a former member of the Anbu, spoke from experience.
"If we wait here, will the enemy continue to come ashore here?" Kyōichi thought for a moment and asked directly.
He truly did not know.
When one doesn't know, one should ask.
Hayama shook his head and said, "Generally speaking, the assassination squad's entry and exit points will change to avoid being caught in an ambush. Waiting here will yield no results."
"What a shame," Kyōichi frowned, sensing his surroundings with chakra again, but he still couldn't find anything new.
The chakra sensing techniques was not omnipotent, and some methods could still stay hidden.
For example, if the Mist's ninja concealed themselves underwater, concealing their chakra, they would be very difficult to detect, not to mention the eerie Hozuki clan of the Mist who could turn into liquid.
This clan's water transformation jutsu, although not a Kekkei Genkai, was was very versatile. Their transformed bodies were almost impossible to detect, making them extremely hard to find.
Kyōichi frowned, at a loss for a moment.
He looked around...
Eight people in two teams, not a single Raiton ninja among them.
This was troublesome!
If only he had borrowed Kakashi.
But then.
That thought was fleeting.
Kakashi was probably in a rebellious phase now, provoked by something said during the Chunin exams. Speaking to him might earn you a cold shoulder or a cutting remark.
Better not.
To deal with the Hozuki clan, a Raiton ninja wasn't necessarily needed.
Didn't he have the Sword of the Thunder God?
Moreover.
There were sealing techniques, too.
He pondered for a moment, then said, "Let's first look around and see if we missed anything. Then we will reconvene to discuss our next move."
"Yes!" Hayama Shirakumo responded with a very proper attitude.
He came from the Anbu, naturally taking a firm stand by the Third's side. When the Third declared that Kyōichi was to be the commander, he treated Kyōichi as such, his actions utterly respectful without a trace of disobedience.
The two teams dispersed to search, but under Kyōichi's command, they did not separate too far from each other.
Hayama was among them in the early morning, ready to rush to anyone's aid at any time.
As for Kyōichi...
He wandered alone, and moreover, he had not donned his ninja vest for this trip, but was instead dressed in casual attire, looking no different from ordinary Chūnin or Genin.
Upon leaving the team, he even wore a face mask, coupled with his silver hair, looking very much like a larger version of Kakashi.
Hayama glanced at him, understanding in his heart what Kyōichi probably intended to do—
Draw the enemy.
Though the likelihood was slim, it was always good to try.
Kyōichi thought the same.
Anyway, he was merely casting a wide net, success or failure mattered not.
Of course.
He did not forget to pretend a bit; initially standing fairly close to the others, but gradually drifting away from the team and closer to the river—Mist shinobi loved to hide in the water.
Kyōichi's perception was fully activated, constantly aware of the surrounding chakra fluctuations.
He walked a long stretch along the river.
Suddenly.
From within the river, came a subtle fluctuation.
Almost imperceptible.
But.
Kyōichi's mastery of Water Release was profound, coupled with strong perception, and he instantly caught this faint fluctuation.
No one was around.
The Hōzuki clan?
He didn't hesitate, quickly forming seals, and the next moment...
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Two walls rose from both ends of the river, temporarily cutting off the water. His hands became a blur, following the Earth-Style Wall, a series of seals formed instantly.
"Earth-Style Rampart!"
With the two earthen walls as boundaries, this stretch of river rose along with the riverbed and surrounding land, isolating it from the adjacent water.
"Oh my God..."
Might Guy, witnessing this scene from afar, was completely dumbfounded.
This Earth Release.
Wasn't it too exaggerated?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone