No matter who this kid's father was, as long as he wasn't the Kazekage, his background couldn't compare to Qingshui's.
However, the son of the First Kazekage had already died in the First Ninja World War, and the son of the Second Kazekage was currently a captain in the third division of the Puppet Force. As for the Third Kazekage, he was already old and didn't even have a wife.
The kid mumbled a few words, realizing that this wasn't the Ninja Academy and things were different now. He then turned back to help his companions inventory the supplies.
But even while working, this guy wasn't honest, flirting with a female Genin nearby.
A ninja with this kind of personality, if their background wasn't strong enough or their power wasn't great enough, would likely die quickly in the Ninja World.
"Thank you... for that." Pakura said to Qingshui.
"It was nothing, just some insignificant kids. After all, we're teammates," Qingshui replied to Pakura.
Looking into Pakura's eyes, he suddenly remembered what had happened last time.
Pakura's face also suddenly turned a bit flushed, and she brushed a strand of hair from her temple.
"It seems a bit hot today."
"Hot?" Baki looked up innocently at the sky.
The sky was overcast at the moment, with only occasional rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds.
After the supplies were inventoried, the group set off again.
Besides coordinating with Hyakusoku, Fukami Senran left all other tasks to Qingshui and the other two.
Chunin were already capable of leading low-level missions, not to mention that these three were being cultivated as important future forces for the Sand Village. They would definitely be leading high-level missions in the future.
Their ability to coordinate, plan, and execute various missions had to be developed starting now.
Baki, who had already mastered the Wind Sight Technique and possessed a certain level of sensory ability, took the lead to scout and clear the path. Qingshui and Pakura brought up the rear, protecting the back of the group while erasing any traces left by their passage.
Fukami Senran stayed in the middle, not only to be ready to assist in case of an emergency, but also to personally protect the most important third carriage.
The return journey wasn't as fast as the trip there.
Not only did they have to protect the supplies along the way, but these Genin were also only at the level of just learning tree walking and water walking, so their pace naturally wasn't quick.
Fortunately, this area was behind the Sand Hidden's main front lines, where enemies rarely appeared, making it relatively safe.
At least, from the outpost all the way to the Land of Rain, they didn't encounter any unexpected situations.
"We're already in the Land of Rain. Although we're behind the camp's front line, it's still a combat zone. From now on, everyone must remain silent, maintain formation, and not leave behind any items that could be tracked by the enemy. You've all learned this in the Ninja Academy. If anyone has an accident, the lucky ones will get to go back to the Ninja Academy for retraining. The unlucky ones..."
Baki lectured the Genin, a fierce smile appearing on his dark face.
This guy looked intimidating, perfect for this kind of work.
"Let's stop for now. It seems our luck isn't very good." Fukami Senran, sitting on top of the carriage, suddenly sighed.
He formed a hand seal with his left hand, holding it up to the side, maintaining a ninjutsu.
Qingshui recognized this ninjutsu. It was a sensory ninjutsu Fukami Senran had mentioned before, called the Wind Sight Technique.
It allowed for indirect sensing by observing the Wind Release's effect on the wind.
Although it was easily interfered with and couldn't compare to the sensing methods of true sensory ninjas, it was sufficient for most ninjas.
Qingshui hadn't learned Wind Release quickly, and he had only barely managed to grasp this ninjutsu. Pakura, on the other hand, had already mastered it.
Of course, they couldn't perform it with a single hand seal.
"East, deep in that dense forest, there's a strong Chakra fluctuation. It seems someone is fighting with ninjutsu."
As soon as he finished speaking, a towering column of fire rose into the sky above the dense forest.
Qingshui and Pakura exchanged glances.
Ninjutsu of that scale couldn't be performed by ordinary ninjas.
At least, Pakura, who was equally proficient in Fire Release, couldn't do it yet.
This indicated that a battle of Chunin level or higher was likely happening in the distance.
"That's the Great Flame Technique of Konoha's Sarutobi Clan. Only elite ninjas of the Sarutobi Clan can master that ninjutsu. Judging by the scale of the ninjutsu, it might be a Jonin of the Sarutobi Clan." Fukami Senran assessed the situation in his mind, quickly made a judgment, and issued an order.
"Qingshui, you will continue to lead the mission from here. If I don't catch up within half an hour, immediately notify Elder Chiyo!"
"Understood!"
In the blink of an eye, Fukami Senran's figure vanished from their sight.
Pakura and Baki both looked at Qingshui.
Fukami Senran's order was for Qingshui to continue leading the group.
"Everyone, third alert formation! Pakura, you stay in the center. In case of an emergency, just provide support with long-range ninjutsu. We'll speed up and return to camp. Jonin-level battles are too dangerous; we're not qualified to interfere."
Qingshui scanned the group and issued his orders.
In the distant forest, another pillar of fire shot skyward.
The fire spread, and waves of heat radiated outwards; not even the heavy rain of the Land of Rain could extinguish it.
The group quickly packed up and hastened their departure.
Ten-odd minutes later.
Fukami Senran rushed back, his body stained with blood, carrying a bearded middle-aged man by one hand.
Two Sand Hidden ninja, whom Qingshui had seen at the camp before, accompanied him.
One, named Teshima Jiro, was a genuine Jonin. He was also wounded, his face pale, and he carried another injured comrade on his back.
The other, named Eisaburo, was a Special Jonin, seemingly specializing in Sealing Jutsu. However, he didn't look well; he was bleeding from multiple places and appeared severely injured, seemingly unconscious.
The bearded middle-aged man from the Sarutobi Clan, captured alive as a prisoner, was even more severely wounded. He seemed to be unconscious, his body bound tightly, his arms and hands wrapped in cloth strips inscribed with Sealing Jutsu symbols.
These cloth strips were quite valuable, made from special fabric and treated to engrave sealing runes onto them.
In the Fourth Great Ninja War of the original timeline, the ninja brought back by Impure World Reincarnation were sealed with these very strips.
This Sarutobi Clan Jonin's hands were now sealed. Until the seal was released or weakened to a certain extent, he couldn't use ninjutsu. Furthermore, his taijutsu was restricted by the ropes on his body, rendering him temporarily incapable of fighting back.
"Keep moving. Head back to camp and find Elder Chiyo. The enemy might have important intelligence."
After Fukami Senran finished speaking, he glanced at Qingshui.
Qingshui nodded slightly and retrieved medical supplies, usually kept with the Puppet, from the Sealing Scroll on his back.
He was the only one in the team with even a rudimentary understanding of Medical Ninjutsu, enough for emergency treatment.
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