Chapter 53: Killing Kumogakure Jōnin
At the gates of Konohagakure, Namikaze Minato, Hatake Kakashi, and Nohara Rin were already waiting.
Minato wore his green flak jacket, his blond hair catching a warm glimmer beneath the morning light.
Kakashi leaned half his body against a tree trunk. A black mask covered most of his face, and his left eye—the Sharingan—was slanted shut beneath his forehead protector. Only his right eye remained visible.
Rin wore a tight black ninja outfit, the tips of her hair still damp with morning dew. The moment Izumo approached, she immediately stepped forward.
"Izumo, it's been a while."
"Lord Minato, Kakashi, Rin." Izumo quickened his pace and stepped forward.
Minato spoke calmly, "Izumo, welcome to the team. This is a frontline support mission. Kumogakure's ninja aren't easy opponents—we must work together."
"Understood," Izumo replied.
None of them delayed any longer. Their figures shot forward at once, trees and hills along the path retreating into blurred shadows.
In less than three hours, the silhouette of Konoha's frontline camp appeared at the edge of their vision.
Inside the camp, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Some ninja crouched in corners, wiping down their blades. Others sat in circles, wrapping bandages around wounds.
Stretchers carrying heavily bandaged shinobi passed by with suppressed groans. The air was filled with the metallic scent of blood mixed with the scorched smell of burnt gunpowder.
A Chūnin dressed in standard uniform ran toward them. "Jōnin Minato, you've finally arrived! Kumogakure attacked the left flank yesterday. We lost three squads. Their main force is now gathering at Black Wind Canyon, ten miles ahead!"
Minato nodded seriously. "Understood. I'll report to command first."
Once all personnel gathered, the command headquarters began discussing their next course of action. By the time the meeting ended, the sun had already set, and night draped over the sky like spilled ink.
Izumo was organizing his ninja tools when Minato's order reached his ears.
"Tonight, we launch a night assault on Kumogakure."
Under the cover of darkness, the four of them infiltrated the canyon. The Kumogakure camp was heavily guarded. Every ten meters, patrol ninja carried lanterns as they circled.
Bonfires were arranged tightly at the center of the camp, illuminating the tents as brightly as day. Even the pebbles scattered across the ground were clearly visible.
"Kakashi, locate the jōnin," Minato whispered, his fingers resting on the handle of a kunai at his waist.
Kakashi lifted his forehead protector. The red Sharingan glowed in the darkness, two tomoe spinning swiftly and forming faint afterimages.
After observing for a moment, he reported in a low voice, "One in the main tent at the center. One in the eastern tent, and another on the west side. The rest are Chūnin and Genin. Patrol teams rotate every three minutes."
"Move!" Minato exhaled softly, his body instantly turning into a flash of golden light.
The brilliance of the Flying Thunder God Technique tore through the veil of night. He appeared instantly before the main tent. In his right hand, a Rasengan spun with brilliant blue light, its swirling force roaring like wind as it slammed into the peak of the tent.
A thunderous explosion erupted.
The tent cloth and wooden frame were blasted in all directions. The Kumogakure jōnin inside had just begun forming hand seals when the Rasengan struck his body directly. His form collapsed limply amid the wreckage, his chakra dispersing instantly.
The explosion alarmed the entire camp. Kumogakure ninja immediately raised their weapons and formed a perimeter, warning shouts echoing everywhere.
"Enemy attack! Konoha ninja!"
Kakashi charged forward at once. His Sharingan read the trajectories of incoming attacks with precision. His short blade flashed like silver in the air. Each strike perfectly deflected incoming kunai and ninja swords. With a swift counterthrust, a Chūnin fell.
Rin followed behind the three of them, her medical pouch slung over her shoulder. She threw kunai and shuriken to provide cover.
Izumo's target was the jōnin in the eastern tent.
Power surged into his legs. Master-level Body Flicker Technique activated instantly. His body turned into a pale green gust of wind that pierced through the crowd.
The Chūnin along his path couldn't even catch a glimpse of his shadow. Their throats were pierced by Finger Pistol or their necks sliced by kunai—one after another, they collapsed.
In the blink of an eye, Izumo arrived before the eastern tent. A large-built Kumogakure jōnin burst out, raising a lightning-infused sword.
Dark blue lightning wrapped around the blade. It crackled loudly, making nearby bonfires crack and hiss.
"You brat from Konoha—daring to enter my camp? You're courting death!"
Lightning erupted around his body. His speed surged drastically. The lightning sword roared as it sliced through the air toward Izumo.
But Izumo remained calm. He activated the Paper Art Technique. His body folded lightly like paper swept by the wind. The lightning blade only grazed the edge of his clothing before slamming into the ground, sending rocks and dust spraying three meters high.
As the opponent's old force ended and new momentum hadn't yet formed, Izumo closed in instantly. Chakra concentrated in his right hand. His fingertips hardened like steel.
"Finger Pistol."
He thrust straight toward the opponent's chest.
A sharp metallic clash rang out.
His finger strike slammed into the lightning sword, sparks bursting outward.
The Kumogakure jōnin stared in shock. He hadn't expected the Konoha boy's strength to numb his entire arm.
Izumo seized the opening. His feet activated Shave once more. A faint shadow lifted from the ground as he appeared behind the opponent. His left hand clenched into a fist. All the explosive power of master-level taijutsu gathered within it before slamming fiercely into the opponent's back.
The sound of bone cracking rang clearly amid the chaos.
The Kumogakure jōnin spat blood and collapsed to the ground, completely powerless.
Izumo did not stop. He turned and dashed toward the western tent.
The Kumogakure jōnin on the west side had already stepped out, seeing the bodies of his comrades. His eyes reddened. His hands formed seals rapidly.
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
A spear of lightning shot from his mouth, carrying a destructive aura toward Izumo.
Izumo activated the Iron Body Technique. His body hardened like steel as he dodged sideways.
The lightning spear grazed his shoulder, leaving a thin burn mark. A sharp heat spread instantly.
He countered by throwing three kunai toward the opponent's face. At the same time, his feet stepped into Moonwalk. His body rose into the air as if stepping on invisible stairs. He twisted midair, gathering chakra in his right leg.
"Tempest Kick."
A pale green air blade shot forward, splitting the wind. The bonfires along its path were pressed low by the force.
The Kumogakure jōnin's pupils shrank. He had no time to dodge and could only block with lightning ninjutsu.
"Lightning Release: Thunder Roar!"
Two forces collided.
A shockwave swept across the area. Bonfire frames were blown away, and the ground formed a shallow crater.
The Kumogakure jōnin was struck hard by the power of the Tempest Kick. He coughed blood and fell, his breathing ragged.
Izumo landed and stepped forward swiftly. The kunai in his hand swept across the opponent's throat in one clean motion, ending his life completely.
Just as Izumo was about to move further, Minato's command sounded.
"Withdraw!"
The four of them immediately retreated from the enemy camp and regrouped at the Konoha camp.
Once they arrived, Rin noticed the burn mark on Izumo's shoulder. She quickly approached, taking ointment and bandages from her medical pouch. With gentle fingertips, she applied the ointment to his wound. Her voice was full of concern.
"Izumo-kun, are you alright? This burn needs proper treatment, or it might leave a scar."
"It's fine. Just a minor injury," Izumo replied with a small smile, watching as Rin wrapped his shoulder neatly with cross-shaped bandages.
Minato stepped closer, his eyes filled with praise. "Izumo, excellent work. Two jōnin handled swiftly and cleanly. Your strength has already reached the level of an Elite Jōnin."
Izumo gave a faint smile. But Jōnin was not the limit of his ability.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Join my Patreon here:
🔗 patreon.com/FaaanzKun
✅ Enjoy 25+ chapters ahead of WebNovel
✅ 2 new chapters every day (Monday–Saturday), exclusive on Patreon
Join now and dive deeper into the story—weeks ahead of public release!
Thank you for your amazing support 💖
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —