Upon hearing Uchiha Shisui's words, Hoshita Shūichi and Kurama Sanyō turned their attention to the Anbu shinobi.
The messenger had returned, but he hadn't retrieved the intelligence.
This meant something had gone wrong either during or before the rendezvous.
However, the man appeared to be around Namikaze Minato's age, and there was something familiar about him to Hoshita Shūichi.
Uchiha Shisui sat cross-legged on the ground, swallowing a soldier pill. "Let's rest while we can. An emergency mission like this won't be simple," he said.
Hoshita Shūichi and Kurama Sanyō nodded in unison, sitting down and each taking a soldier pill as well.
About half an hour later, Namikaze Minato opened his eyes and stood up, followed immediately by the Anbu shinobi.
"Shūichi, are you all ready?" Namikaze Minato asked, looking at Hoshita Shūichi and the others.
Hoshita Shūichi and Kurama Sanyō responded in unison, "We're ready, Minato-sensei!"
Namikaze Minato nodded. "Good. Let's move out!"
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Hoshita Shūichi and the other two followed closely behind Namikaze Minato as they leaped through the trees, carefully avoiding the numerous traps they had set earlier. The Anbu shinobi brought up the rear.
After traversing a vast stretch of forest, the Land of Rain came into view, and the group halted.
Fortunately, it wasn't raining.
Hoshita Shūichi silently noted this, while Namikaze Minato began explaining the mission. "Our objective is to extract an intelligence operative. The opposition is numerous—rogue shinobi from the Land of Rain, or more accurately, bounty hunters. Beyond them, there are two more elite forces. Their identities are suspected to be..."
Namikaze Minato paused before continuing, "Sunagakure and Amegakure shinobi."
Hoshita Shūichi tensed, instinctively blurting out, "Is this related to our last mission?"
Namikaze Minato replied, "That's uncertain for now. Once we enter the Land of Rain, stay alert. After securing the operative, Shisui, Shūichi, and Sanyō, you three will form a team and prioritize escorting them back to the Land of Fire. A border patrol will meet you. If..."
He hesitated briefly before adding, "If the mission fails, initiate Plan B—retrieve the intelligence at all costs."
The three young shinobi immediately understood the gravity of his words.
In such a scenario, any one of them could be the one to bring back the intelligence.
However, Namikaze Minato suddenly smiled, lightening the mood. "But don't worry too much. I doubt it'll come to that."
The tension eased slightly, and the four set off again, crossing into the Land of Rain.
Hoshita Shūichi glanced back at the unnamed Anbu shinobi. Noticing he was unarmed, Hoshita slowed his pace slightly and handed him a kunai.
The man seemed surprised but accepted it with a smile. "Thanks. I'm Sarutobi Shinnosuke."
The Hokage's son!
Hoshita Shūichi was taken aback but quickly replied, "I'm Hoshita Shūichi."
They exchanged no further words, focusing on the journey ahead. Soon, Sarutobi Shinnosuke took the lead, guiding the group through the night.
Under the cover of darkness, they traversed a barren expanse and crossed two mountains before Sarutobi Shinnosuke halted. Pointing to a dimly lit town in the distance, he said, "The operative is hiding there, using the complex sewer system. Their current condition is unknown, but they've left clues to their location."
Namikaze Minato nodded. "In that case, Shisui, Shūichi, Sanyō, you'll stay here as backup. Shinnosuke and I will infiltrate and extract the operative."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke agreed without objection. As for Hoshita Shūichi and the others, they had no choice but to follow orders.
With the plan set, Namikaze Minato and Sarutobi Shinnosuke vanished into the night, leaving the three behind.
Once they were out of sight, Uchiha Shisui turned to the others. "Sanyō, Shūichi, rest while you can. I'll keep watch."
"Got it," they replied in unison, sitting down to conserve their energy.
There was no need for debate—rotating watch duties ensured everyone stayed sharp.
Time passed slowly. An hour later, there was still no sign of movement. Hoshita Shūichi took over the watch, letting Uchiha Shisui rest.
Dawn broke without incident.
Kurama Sanyō grew restless. "Shisui, Shūichi..."
Uchiha Shisui remained calm. "Stay patient. Remember the special kunai Minato-sensei left me."
Kurama Sanyō took a deep breath, steadying himself, then glanced at Hoshita Shūichi with a wry smile. "Shūichi, your nerves of steel are impressive."
Before Hoshita Shūichi could respond, Namikaze Minato suddenly reappeared, supporting a battered and bruised man covered in wounds.
"Minato-sensei!" the three exclaimed in relief.
Namikaze Minato wasted no time. "Shūichi, treat his injuries. Then, the three of you escort him back to the Land of Fire."
With that, he vanished again.
Hoshita Shūichi quickly moved to support the rescued operative, assessing his injuries. There were many wounds, but thankfully, most were shallow.
With Kurama Sanyō's help, they bandaged the minor injuries while Hoshita Shūichi focused on the deeper ones, stopping the bleeding with emergency measures.
"Thank you. My name is Haneda Kōichi," the operative said weakly.
Hoshita Shūichi smiled, offering him a soldier pill and some of his homemade sugar water—a habit he'd developed for missions to quickly replenish energy.
Ten minutes later, Haneda Kōichi stood. "I'm ready."
Uchiha Shisui took the lead. "Move out!"
He charged ahead, Haneda Kōichi following closely, while Hoshita Shūichi and Kurama Sanyō flanked the rear.
Hoshita Shūichi activated his full concentration mode, and Uchiha Shisui's Sharingan gleamed in the dim light.
The four sped through the mountainous terrain, but soon, Uchiha Shisui warned, "Enemies approaching!"
Hoshita Shūichi scanned the surroundings. The trees blurred as his focus sharpened, revealing figures darting through the forest.
"We're surrounded!" he called out.
Enemies closed in from all sides—likely lying in wait long before their arrival.
"Sanyō, take Kōichi and go ahead! Shūichi and I will hold them off!" Uchiha Shisui's voice was firm.
The clash of steel rang out as he engaged two foes head-on.
"Understood!" Kurama Sanyō swiftly formed hand seals, casting a genjutsu to aid Uchiha Shisui in dispatching one enemy.
Without hesitation, Kurama Sanyō and Haneda Kōichi broke through the encirclement, leaving the battlefield behind.
The remaining enemies surged forward, ignoring Hoshita Shūichi for the moment.
(+20 Chapter ahead)
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