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As the convoy slid past the shadow of the trees, a sudden force slammed into Raizen from the side, gripping him tight. Before he could react, his body stiffened, paralyzed.
Shadow technique?
Raizen's eyes narrowed at the dark shape melding with the forest shadows. Instantly, his mind clicked—Nara Clan. The strangling power of their shadow jutsu wrapped around him like a suffocating snake.
"This is… impressive," he muttered under his breath. "But why would the Nara clan attack a merchant convoy?"
"You flatter me."
From beneath a massive tree, a twelve-year-old boy with spiky hair stepped out, grinning at Raizen. "Every clan has its mission. Maybe your clan's job is to protect the convoy… ours is to destroy it."
Raizen just nodded. Of course, things always got complicated when missions clashed.
The convoy froze, guards tightening formation around the Nara ninja. "Little devil! Let go of Master Ninja!" one shouted, stepping forward with his katana raised.
"Hehe, the Nara never fight alone," the young ninja said, voice calm but cold.
Suddenly, the jungle quaked. A massive rolling ball of flesh—an Akamichi-style attack—hurtled toward the guards. They tried to slice it with katanas, but the force sent blades flying harmlessly aside. Within moments, eight or nine guards were knocked down, groaning in pain, weapons scattered.
"Akame, Chōdeer, Butterfly… the famous trio must be close," Raizen muttered with a half-smile. Random mission and I run straight into the Akamichi-Yamanaka-Nara circus. Perfect.
A yellow-haired boy leapt from the tree, forming hand seals midair. "Offered mercy, but we don't wish to hurt you—"
"Try your illusion, I dare you," Raizen interrupted. "Too bad my shadow restraint isn't fully trained yet."
The Nara ninja tensed, squeezing the shadow technique tighter, but Raizen struggled violently for only a heartbeat. In that instant, his hand slipped into his ninja bag.
The Yamanaka moved first, ready to throw him into an illusion—but before they could react, a clay bird shot from Raizen's bag like a missile.
"Danger!" they shouted, instincts flaring, and leapt aside.
"Drink!" Raizen barked, detonating the clay. The explosion rocked the clearing, a wave of force flinging all three enemies into a tree. The Akamichi's solid body slammed into the bark, the Yamanaka and Nara ninja coughing from the shockwave, chest burning.
"Are you okay?" the Akamichi grunted, checking his teammates.
"We're fine…" the Yamanaka and Nara whispered, staggering to their feet, eyes flicking to Raizen with newfound respect.
Even at twelve, this "kid" carried the aura of a ninja who could't be underestimated.