Back at the Reconnaissance spot,
Ayaka and Hanabi meet with Yakumo and Izumi who is current acting jounin of their team.
"Ayaka, Hanabi… are you two alright?" Izumi inquires.
"Some Otogakure shinobis ambushed us while capturing the target, but retreated with superficial injuries." Ayaka throws the unconscious Hanma to the ground.
Hmm…
Izumi inspects him and nods.
"Great job, you two! We will head for the Yugakure and submit our mission. Yakumo and I also have gathered intel requested by the Daimyo of Land of Hot Water."
Izumi takes out a map with various circles marked over it.
"I have spotted most of the hideouts of the bandits and other rogue shinobis, including the shinobis from Otogakure. We shall leave the rest to Yugakure's Harmony squad." Izumi unfurls the map and flickers towards the camp of Yugakure shinobis.
'The secret mission Hokage-sama assigned to me is also complete. We will head back to Konoha after submitting the report to Yugakure. This intel is too crucial.'
Ayaka, Hanabi, and Yakumo quietly follow her.
Izumi glances at the trio from the corner of her eyes.
'It has almost been one and half a year since I mentored this team. These girls used to be so cheerful before, but after that incident two years ago, they barely even smile.' Izumi shakes her head as she recounts the past.
'For some reason, after Izuna went missing; the Uchiha clan; no, the entire village feels like it has lost its soul. Itachi indulged himself in his Anbu missions, striving for any information about Izuna Nii-san's whereabouts. Shisui Nii-san became the commissioner of the Konoha Police Force and is barely present at his house. Sasuke left to train in Ryuchi cave; after the Great Snake Sage personally sent a summon. Naruto left for Mount Myoboku after the Great Toad Sage's prophecy. Mei Nii-san is keeping herself busy with her twins and Mizukage duties, but I can still sense the sorrow in her eyes.'
Izumi raises her head and stares in the direction of Death Crevice.
'Izuna Nii-san… where are you? When will you return home?'
----------------------------
At the border of Yugakure,
A group of shinobi led by a woman quietly observe Team Three's movement through a crystal wall.
"Is she the one who infiltrated the secret hideout?"
The woman turns towards a nearby buck-teethed Otogakure shinobi.
Hmm…
The buck-teethed shinobi narrows his eyes and stares at Izumi's silhouette.
"I wasn't able to spot her face. But from her figure, I am almost sure she was the one who infiltrated our headquarters. If not for the alert from insects, we wouldn't even be aware of it."
A swarm of ants crawled around the back teeth's face.
The woman turns her head away in disgust.
"Should we intercept them?" Another Sound shinobi asks the woman.
"Not for now… they are near Yugakure's border. It might alert Yugakure's shinobis. We can't alarm them of our presence and ruin our plans. We will take action once they leave the Land of Hot Water's borders. There is a small village at the border of the Land of Hot Water and Land of Fire. They will definitely stop there to restock their supplies. That will be our chance."
The woman turns around and leaves. The Sound shinobis quickly follows after her.
Swoosh…
The girls arrive at the border of Yugakure.
Suddenly,
Swish… swish…
Multiple kunais stabbed in the ground in front of Team three. Multiple shinobis in Yugakure's shinobi gear surround them.
"We are allies!"
Izumi unfurls a scroll from her pocket and waves it towards the Yugakure shinobis. The guard captain of the Patrol squad recognizes it.
"Let them in!"
Izumi stores the scroll and follows after a shinobi who guides them.
-------------------
A few hours later,
Team three departs from the Yugakure,
"I didn't expect Izuna Nii-san owns a few shops here." Izumi has a relaxed expression as she recalls her experience in Yugakure.
The Land of Hot Water is famous for its hot springs. After submitting the report, the girls arbitrarily decided to take a dip in the hot springs. They were pleasantly surprised when the Hot Spring owner recognized Ayaka.
He treated them very well and even arranged a VIP hot spring for them. They even enjoyed a spa and massage after the bath.
Later, upon Izumi's inquiry; it was revealed this business is owned by Izuna Nii-san and is managed by one of his subordinates.
Numerous emotions surged through their heat; from ecstasy to depression.
"Alright, Girls cheer up! We will soon return to Konoha and will make it back on time to prepare for Konoha's Annual Sports Festival. You can ask Hokage-sama for anything you want if you managed to get the first position." Izumi tries to cheer them up.
"Izumi Sensei, it's the same as usual since it's held every year." Yakumo shakes her head.
"I can ask Lady Hokage anything without the need for the Annual Sports Festival." Ayaka increases her pace.
"I think so…" Izumi speechlessly stare at Ayaka's back as she was reminded of Ayaka's relationship with Lady Hokage.
'Why are these girls so hard to please?' She sighs and follows them.
Late in the evening, the girls arrive in the KokkyōVillage.
"The village has some interactions with the Konoha shinobis. It will be easy if we directly contact the Village chief. He can arrange a room in an inn for us." Izumi approaches the house of the village chief.
After conversing for a bit and convincing the village chief of her identity, Izumi and the girls' books a room in the village inn to stay for a night.
Ayaka's gaze lingers on the village chief for a moment as she notices a trace of sweat on his forehead.
'Is he afraid of our identity or is he hiding something from us?'
The girls eat the dinner provided by the inn and enter their respective rooms to sleep.
--------------------
Later in the night.
Swoosh… swoosh…
Multiple shadows surround the inn. The shadows communicate with hand signs.
"Kill the girls!"
They quietly enter the inn and lurk outside the girl's respective rooms. The shadows signal each other and take out a metal ball. The metal ball has several spikes jutting out from it.
The metal ball also called the 'murder sphere' is one of the most popular and vicious shinobi weapons. Upon explosion, it releases an Omni-directional barrage of kunais together with numerous senbons, small metal balls, and shrapnel leaving behind a badly mangled corpse riddled with holes. Due to its cruelty, the weapon is forbidden in several shinobi villages.
They shield themselves with metal shields and toss the 'murder sphere' into the room.
BOOM…
A deafening explosion sounds inside the room.
Pew… Pew…
Multiple stray kunais, senbons, metal balls, and shrapnel fly across the room riddling the walls, doors, and windows with walls. Smoke and poisonous gas fill the rooms. The intruders put on gas masks and enter the inn to confirm their kills.
A few meters outside the inn,
Izumi, Ayaka, Hanabi, and Yakumo silently stare at the scene unfolding at the inn.
"They look like Sound Shinobis. Why are they ambushing us? Shouldn't they attack Yugakure if they want revenge?" Hanabi ponders.
Izumi looks at the girls with surprise.
"I can understand if it's Ayaka and Hanabi since both of them possess Dojutsu and keen observation skills to identify the abnormality with the village chief…"
She turns towards Yakumo.
"But Yakumo… you…"
"I can sense negative emotions directed towards me. Earlier, I sensed panic, hesitation, and fear from the village chief. I also sensed a faint killing intent in the Village Chief's house." Yakumo answers Izumi's doubts.
"You girls… you have hidden well!" Izumi sighs helplessly.
"How did Izuna even teach you? He mentored you only for a few months and yet…" She shakes her head, flabbergasted by the girl's prowess.
"All our previous missions were too easy. So, there wasn't any need for us to showcase our abilities." Ayaka turns towards Yakumo and murmurs.
"Do it!"
The pupil in Yakumo's eyes turns black. Purple Demonic chakra flows through Yakumo's fingertips.
Izumi narrows her eyes as she recognizes the familiar chakra signature.
'This chakra is similar to the chakra of the Demon Army two years ago.' Izumi activates her Sharingan and observes the entire process.
'No… there seem to be some distinct elements. Her chakra seems to be a bit more controlled and spiritual type compared to the chaotic and repulsive chakra of demons. Is this her secret? Did Izuna Nii-san know about it?' Several questions flash through her mind.
'Now, it looks like Tsunade-sama was right! I am unable to fully unleash the potential of this group of misfits.' Izumi continues to monitor Yakumo curiously.
Yakumo takes out a chakra paper and quickly swipes her finger over it.
Soon, a painting of the inn and all of its residents appear in a matter of seconds. Dark purple chakra flames appear on Yakumo's fingertips.
Swish… swish…
Yakumo swipes her finger through the painting, setting it on fire. Similar flames engulf the inn in the distance.
"This is…" Izumi's eyes widen in shock.
Yakumo's purple nether flames engulf the entire inn. Soon, the entire inn turns to ashes along with the Sound shinobis trapped inside.
"That is impressive! I never knew you Genjutsu could manipulate reality to such an extent. Looks like you have improved a lot since your previous record." Izumi praises Yakumo.
Yakumo smiles at Izumi's praise but doesn't reveal anything further.
"A shinobi ought to keep some trump cards."
Tch…
Izumi clicks her tongue and turns towards a house a few meters from the inn.
"These Sound shinobis are after us. They didn't even hesitate to hold these innocent villagers a hostage. If we leave now, then these villagers will certainly meet their end."
'How did they manage to track me? I was sure I didn't leave any clue behind.'
"What's with these ants? They are everywhere." Yakumo slaps a nearby ant to death.
"Ants?" Izumi narrows her eyes and picks up a nearby ant. Her eyes turn to Sharingan.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan"
Hmm…
Izumi notices the peculiarity of the ants and puts them in a genjutsu to access its network.
----------------------------
Back in the house near the inn,
A queen ant flies near buck-teeth's ear. The buck-teeth shinobi stare in the direction of Team Three.
"Guren, I lost connection with my ants at that place. They must be there!"
He points in the direction of Team Three.
Swoosh…
The woman jumps out of the house and makes hand signs while in mid-air.
"Crystal Release: Jade Crystal Needle Barrage"
Her right-hand turns into a crystal shard. She waves the crystal shard towards the position of Team Three.
Fwoosh… Fwoosh…
Multiple pink crystal shards bombard Team Three.
---------------------
"They found us!"
Izumi's expression turns somber.
"Quick… retreat!"
Izumi throws multiple shurikens towards the incoming crystal needle.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique"
The shurikens multiply further and counteract the crystal needle barrage.
Shiing…
Izumi's eyes turn to Sharingan as she observes Guren.
"Crystal Release… Kekkei Genkai User! Girls retreat quickly. I will hold her back."
Izumi makes a single-hand sign.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique,"
Izumi spews out a giant fire dragon. The fire dragon engulfs the remaining barrage of crystal and rapidly approaches Guren.
Swoosh…
Guren clutches her right wrist and aims her palm towards the approaching fire dragon.
Snap… snap…
The giant fire dragon slowly crystallizes, turning into a giant crystal dragon. Guren waves her hand and directs the crystal dragon around her.
"Crystal Release: Tearing Crystal Falling Dragon"
Clattering noises ring across the dragon. It roars and charges toward Izumi.
Huh…
Izumi is surprised to see her jutsu turned against her. She quickly regains her composure and wields the katana from her back.
"Kenjutsu: Sakura Blossom sword art,"
Illusionary Sakura petals surround Izumi. They form a whirlwind and gather around Izumi's katana. She wields the katana horizontally in a waki-gamae stance. Izumi takes a deep breath and murmurs.
"First Sword: Hundredfold Slash"
Swish… swish…
Multiple sword shadows appear around Izumi in the shape of a hemisphere.
Clang… clang…
Clanging noises rings in the bystander's ears as Izumi sheathes her katana.
Crack… crack… clatter…
With a loud clattering noise, the crystal dragon shatters into countless dust fragments.
"Amazing!"
Hanabi and Yakumo are shocked to see the sword art of Izumi.
"I never knew Izumi Sensei was so amazing."
"Izumi Sensei trained with Izuna Nii-san for a while." Ayaka proudly raises her head.
"No wonder! It makes sense now." The girls nod in understanding.
"These ants are so gross!" Yakumo steps on a swarm of red ants.
Hmm…
Ayaka grabs Hanabi and Yakumo and jumps away.
BANG…
A jet of water bombards their previous location, raising dust and debris.
Haha…
"We meet again!" Kajika jumps out of the crater. He crosses his arms around his chest and smirks.
"You were lucky enough to escape last time. But this time I won't give you any opportunity."
Swoosh… swoosh…
Iwana and Yamame also join him.
"I will handle him. Yakumo, take care of those two. Hanabi, locate the insect user and, if possible, deal with him." Ayaka's expression turns serious.
"Alright!" Hanabi activates her Byakugan and investigates.
Ayaka takes out a kunai from her holster and glares at Kajika.
Swoosh…
In the next second, she disappears from her place and reappears behind Kajika, striking preemptively.
Swish…
She aims her kunai for Kajika's throat.
Clang…
Kajika barely blocks her attack with his kunai, while swinging his right leg to kick her.
Whoosh…
Ayaka prepared for the counter, twist her body in mid-air, and uses the momentum to counter-strike. She launches a roundhouse towards Kajika's head while coating her leg with the chakra.
BANG…
Kajika blocks the strike with his left hand, but the impact sends him flying.
Bang… bang… bang…
He flies across multiple houses and slams into a wall before stopping. Ayaka withdraws her leg and stares at the dust and debris.
The dust settles down to reveal a bleeding Kajika stuck on the wall. He slides down the wall and falls to the ground.
Cough… cough…
Kajika coughs out another mouthful of blood and slowly stands up. Blood drips down from his forehead and left ear. Kajika's left hand hangs limply from his shoulder.
"Cough… cough…"
He coughs again and stares at Ayaka's calm face.
"So, you were holding back previously?"
Snap… snap…
Kajika's left hand makes a snapping sound as the muscles and bones in his arm wriggle slightly. He grabs his left arm with his right hand and rotates it with a jerk.
Snap…
He realigns the elbow joint and clutches his fist.
"Since you aren't holding back, then it will be rude of me to not reciprocate."
Aargh…
Kajika screams as he activates the curse seal mark around his neck. Multiple blue-black curse lines spread across his body as he enters the first phase of curse form. The curse seals rapidly heal his injuries, restoring his body and chakra to their former condition.
Hmm…
Ayaka frowns as she stares at the curse seals.
'It's a usage of Senjutsu chakra to rapidly enhance and rejuvenate the body. So, even a non-sage can use Senjutsu chakra for a brief period. However, these cursed seals will slowly consume the will of its users; turning them into a mindless puppet into the end.'
Unbeknownst to Ayaka's thoughts, Kajika, fueled by the enhancement brought by the Curse marks, kicks the ground and dashes toward Ayaka.
"Water Release: Whirlwind Feet,"
Water jet gushes forth from his legs and increases his speed by another fold.
Swish… swish…
Ayaka throws multiple shurikens at the rapidly enclosing Kajika.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu"
The shurikens multiply and block Kajika's path.
BAM… BAM…
Kajika kicks the ground and launches himself in the mid-air.
Shoom…
Multiple chakra threads weave from Ayaka's finger and coil around the shurikens. She controls the direction of the shurikens and redirects them towards Kajika.
Haaah…
While in the air, Kajika kicks the air. He releases a water jet from the sole of his feet and changes his direction.
Swish… swish…
Ayaka controls the shurikens with one hand while with the other hand she makes some one-hand seals.
"Blaze Release: Smoldering purgatory Flames,"
Ayaka mixes darkness chakra with fire chakra and spews out black flames from her mouth. The flames form a spiral and chase Kajika.
'I must avoid those flames at all cost.'
Kajika feels a looming threat of death from the black flames. He takes a sealing talisman from his holster and throws it towards the flames.
Swoosh…
The sealing talisman floats mid-air and sucks the black flames towards itself. After sealing the flames, the talisman turns black and crumbles into ashes. This allows Kajika to close the distance between himself and Ayaka.
"I got you!" Kajika's hands turn into claws as he slashes them at Ayaka.
"DIE!"
----------------------------
On the other side,
Yakumo calmly stares at the Sound duo. Dark purple chakra flows through her fingers. Yakumo unfurls a chakra paper scroll. She swiftly swipes her fingers across the chakra paper, creating a creature similar to an Abyss crawler.
The summoned creature has a wolf-like appearance, with its tail split in two. One of the tails burns with purple flames, while the other tail is covered in a layer of metallic spikes.
Awhoo…
The wolf howls and jumps at the Sound duo. The expression of Sound Duo hardens. Having learned from their previous mistake, they instantly activate their curse mark and enter into phase one; avoiding the frenzied claw attack of the wolf.
Awhoo…
The wolf howls again and spats out dark purple flames.
Swoosh… swoosh…
The Sound duo rapidly flickers through the house and avoids the flames. Iwane distracts the wolf away while Yamame uses 'Hiding with Camouflage Jutsu' to disappear from Yakumo's sight.
Awhoo…
The wolf turns around and quickly approaches Yakumo to protect her.
'Hmm… so she is a summoning type shinobi who is reliant on her summons in the battle.'
Iwane and Yamame cautiously stare at Yakumo and the crawler wolf while looking for an opening.
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