Raizen melted into the fog, his clay bird blending perfectly with the mist, footsteps silent as he circled the three ninja below. The air was thick, damp, and heavy—perfect cover. When he closed the distance, he launched forward, both feet kicking off the ground, propelling his body toward the trio.
Ding!
The sharp collision of steel rang in his ears. Yamashita-san had sensed the movement instantly and blocked the strike. One hit. Blocked. Raizen skidded back, cursing under his breath. His stealth was decent, but not perfect—these juniors were quick learners. If future assassins were this sharp… he might as well hang up his kunai now.
"You two, stay sharp!" Yamashita-san barked, his deep voice carrying over the fog. He clasped his hands together and shouted,"Wind Style: Gale Breaker!"
A violent hurricane spat forth, tearing through the thick mist. The fog rippled and swirled, but refused to dissipate. Yamashita-san realized wind alone wouldn't clear the dense curtain, so he abandoned the attack and shifted stance.
"Earth Style: Tremor Wave!"
The ground beneath him quivered, soil rising in waves like a living tide. The mud rippled outward, reaching toward Raizen as the technique completed.
This feeling… Raizen noted calmly. Even through the fog, he could sense the earth bending, responding to Yamashita-san's chakra. His clay constructs shifted subtly, reading the land and adjusting his footing.
"Got you!"
Yamashita-san charged, a grim smile cutting across his face. In the blink of an eye, he was before Raizen, blade glowing like a silver streak in the fog.
"Dead!" he growled, swinging with precise force.
Raizen froze for a fraction, assessing. He could've faked it with Mist Shinobi Technique—but even the best ruse couldn't hide him from a skilled observer. As the blade descended, Raizen vanished, leaving nothing but mist in its path.
"Found it!" Yamashita-san hissed, grounding himself to sense the subtle vibrations in the earth. A slight tremor gave away Raizen's position—the enemy had mastered soil chakra detection.
Damn it…
Raizen muttered, abandoning his Mist ruse. He leapt again, vanishing with Flying Thunder God Technique, leaving Yamashita-san's attack trailing empty air.
Gone again! The ninja's muttered complaint dissolved into the fog.
Suddenly, Raizen's opponent reappeared before him, swaggering, a calculating gleam in their eyes.
"Who are you? Answer, or I'll strike!"
"Who are we? Haven't you figured out who he's protecting… and what he possesses?" Yamashita-san replied calmly.
Raizen froze for a heartbeat. Treasure? That wasn't on him—it was with the merchant. Why ask him?
"The Senju clan has enhanced perception," Yamashita-san explained, approaching slowly. "The merchant on the carriage is just a clone. Don't rely on luck."
Raizen blinked at the familiar crest on their clothes. That emblem… It clicked.
"The Senju clan."
"Yes. We are ninjas of the Senju clan," Yamashita-san confirmed.
Raizen's shoulders relaxed slightly. Recognition, not hostility. Yamashita-san continued,"Hand over the treasure, and we leave immediately. No one will be embarrassed."
"Eh? The treasure isn't with me!" Raizen said, confused.
The Senju leader's eyes narrowed. "Perception abilities, remember? The clone was just a decoy. Don't get lucky."
Raizen scowled, muttering under his breath: Perception, huh? Sure, super awesome. How about spotting the real clone in the sky while you're at it? He didn't move, letting the three ninja close in, unconcerned for now.