Bab 56: Chapter 56: The Freelancer Yuto

As Minato Namikaze's fingertips touched the tip of the kunai, he squeezed himself out of the space-time gap.

His reflexes far surpassed those of ordinary people. In an instant, he surveyed everything around him.

Felled trees, ground torn apart as if by a giant dragon, corpses ground into fragments, seven corpses of Kumo shinobi stacked like a pile of bodies...

And atop the pile of corpses sat Yuto, eyes closed, resting.

The 13-year-old boy's long hair flowed down to his waist, tied at the end with a red ribbon. He stood tall and graceful. His right arm was wrapped in a black bandage, and his serene, gentle demeanor added a touch of mystery.

"Yuto-kun," Minato called out abruptly, "Are you hurt?"

"No," Yuto replied, opening his eyes with a light smile. "This level of ambush isn't enough to injure me. Commander, you should help the others first."

"Alright, be careful. The main force will arrive in ten minutes."

With a flash of golden light, Minato disappeared. As a top-tier skilled shinobi in the Flying Thunder God Technique, his support speed was unrivaled in the shinobi world. He was everywhere on the battlefield.

Yuto jumped off the pile of corpses, his expression calm.

Overpowering his opponents with speed made victory simple. Although Kumo shinobi's taijutsu was among the top in the Five Great Nations, they were still slow like lambs to the slaughter in the face of the "Lion's Fang Bite."

Ten minutes later, the advance team arrived. Designated record officers evaluated the battle achievements, handled the Kumo shinobi corpses, and filed the encounter.

Afterwards, Yuto advanced with the main force, setting up camp in the dense forest near the border of the Land of Hot Water.

Time flew by as scouts sent out to explore the terrain returned one by one. Unlike Yuto, some were bloodied and barely clinging to life, carried back by Minato, who then handed them to the medical unit for immediate treatment.

After crossing the Fire Country's border, the advance team set up camp, deciding to rest for the night to alleviate the exhaustion of the march.

As night fell, the advance camp buzzed with activity. Light-hearted conversations filled the air, and the aroma of roasting meat wafted through.

In a world with extraordinary powers like the shinobi world, night raids on enemy camps were exceedingly difficult.

For example, the camp's perimeter was guarded by Hyuga clan chunin at critical points. Their Byakugan's reconnaissance abilities surpassed thermal imaging cameras. Aburame clan members had scattered insects hidden in the soil, making underground attacks nearly impossible. High-mobility shinobi patrolled in shifts, missing no corner. Sensitive traps were even set on various plants and rocks.

If Kumo dared to attack at night, they would suffer heavy losses.

Moreover, the war had just begun. The shinobi's nerves were not fully tense, and it was human nature to relax a bit in a relatively safe camp.

However, only ordinary shinobi could afford to relax; the advance team's commander could not.

In the central military tent of the camp, Minato gathered all the Jonins around a map.

"In three days, we need to advance to this point and establish a defensive line at the border between the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Frost. We must intercept Kumo's attacks entirely within the Land of Hot Water!"

Keeping the battle far from one's homeland was a principle every war strategist understood, applicable in any world.

Minato, usually cheerful and gentle, issued a strict order: "Three days! No matter what we encounter, we must push through! No one is to retreat without my command!"

Strangely, despite Minato's stern tone, his subordinates did not feel rebellious. Instead, they unconsciously straightened up.

"I will leave fifty people to guard the advance team and the rear supply route. The code will change every half day, and we must defend it at all costs."

"All remaining Konoha shinobi will join me in establishing a defensive line at the Hot Water and Frost border."

"Kumo is strong. We may not encounter large forces, but there will be many skirmishes and ambushes. Including myself, everyone could die. I only hope everyone upholds the Will of Fire and exterminates all enemies."

The handsome young man with golden hair paused and began assigning tasks: "The main force will be divided into six groups, each led by two Jonin. The first group, Genji Hyuga and Eitaro Kuni, the second group..."

"The rear guard will form fifteen smaller groups..."

"Finally, Kumo often employs single-point breakthrough tactics. I will select a few powerful shinobi for free action, allowing them to operate in the Land of Hot Water or further to eliminate enemy small groups."

"Yuto Hyuga, Minoru Uchiha, Yuki Aburame..." Minato listed several names.

Standing against the wall, Yuto nodded slightly, accepting the order gladly.

Due to the ongoing war, the meeting did not last long. When Minato dismissed the Jonin, Yuto's bird roasting on the fire was still not fully cooked.

He sprinkled a pinch of salt on the meat and, once the aroma wafted up, ate it with some water.

In three days. The advance team would reach the border between the Lands of Hot Water and Frost. Yuto thought quietly, calculating the time and distance.

Given Kumo's nature, there would certainly be a big battle in three days. Both sides had elite vanguards; the outcome was uncertain, but there would be casualties, with neither side emerging unscathed.

Swallowing the last bite of bird meat, Yuto chewed slowly before standing up and walking into the darkness alone.

He did not alert anyone. As a designated free-action Shinobi, his strategic value lay in unpredictability. Ideally, even Minato would not know his whereabouts.

In this world where individual prowess could influence the outcome of wars, shinobis acting freely had significant tactical value. Each time they returned with intelligence or enemy heads, their war achievements would soar.

Yuto disappeared into the darkness, carrying the token Minato gave him before the meeting, and quickly left the advance team's reconnaissance range.

He ran deeper into the Land of Hot Water, keeping his Byakugan activated, resting only when exhausted.

For a free-acting "freelancer" like Yuto, the biggest challenge was locating the enemy. The Land of Hot Water, bordering the Fire Country, was under Konoha's influence. In the early stages of the war, it was indeed difficult for Kumo to send large forces there.

However, Yuto had his own way of finding the enemy.

If they weren't in the Land of Hot Water, he would go to the Land of Frost, heading straight to the Land of Lightning's border. He would eventually encounter Kumo shinobi.

(End of Chapter)