Training Ground Four.
This place was not open to the public; instead, it was a designated area for Anbu members to gather and train.
At this time, there were only two teams in the training ground. One team stood on the open ground to the east, while Ren's squad was in the jungle to the west.
Over a dozen figures, either standing or crouching, were scattered around an open space, conversing in low voices, their gazes occasionally sweeping towards the entrance.
"Hoshimi Ren, an unexpected fellow has arrived."
The Monkey-Masked Anbu, who had previously made things difficult for Ren, leaned against a tree, looking at his companion beside him, and spoke with a touch of emotion.
Having been stunned at the time, they only realized afterward that this newcomer was Hoshimi Ren, who had long been rumored among them.
Normally, it was customary to give newcomers a hard time, but this time, they had unexpectedly kicked an iron plate.
"Who would have thought that guy would come to the Anbu, and even be assigned to our squad?"
An Anbu wearing a dog mask leaned against a tree trunk, arms crossed over his chest, and said with some helplessness.
"Mm."
The Monkey-Masked Anbu nodded slightly, just as he was about to say something more, two figures suddenly appeared in his vision, walking towards them. He immediately narrowed his pupils and whispered to those around him,
"They're here!"
Everyone immediately fell silent and looked up, their gazes simultaneously directed towards one spot, where they saw the Tiger Mask Anbu and Ren walking slowly.
At this moment, Ren had already changed into his Anbu exclusive uniform, with a standard short blade on his back. His face still bore the familiar wolf mask.
"Captain."
The Monkey-Masked Anbu walked closer, glanced at Ren beside him, and then spoke.
"Everyone is here."
"Mm."
The Tiger Mask Anbu nodded, then turned his gaze to Ren beside him.
"Fall into formation first, Naraku."
"Yes, Captain."
Ren responded and quickly walked into the neatly arranged team, finding an empty spot and standing in it.
Tiger Mask faced everyone and said in a deep voice,
"Konoha Chunin Kurozawa killed Konoha Chunin Hayama, who was on a mission with him this morning, and left with the intelligence scroll he obtained, intending to defect from the Land of Fire.
Our mission is to apprehend him and the mastermind behind him before he escapes the Land of Fire.
Now, depart!"
"Yes!"
The entire squad immediately sprang into action. Everyone followed the formation, rushing out of the training ground and soaring towards the village entrance.
Two Konoha Ninja who saw this scene from afar quickly moved aside, watching the group rush out of the gate and enter the jungle, a look of sympathy on their faces.
Who knew which unlucky soul had been targeted by these Anbu guys? Even if they didn't die after being caught, they would at least lose a layer of skin.
Because they had to stop the target before he escaped the Land of Fire, everyone was moving at high speed. Half an hour later, the group, who had been moving rapidly, began to slow down.
It wasn't that they were tired; rather, they had spotted their target.
On the hillside, a man wearing a Konoha forehead protector was moving forward. He was Kurozawa, the target of Ren and the others on this trip.
The Tiger Mask Anbu, standing on a tree trunk, turned his head and made a few hand gestures to the back.
Receiving the order, everyone immediately dispersed and surrounded the hillside ahead.
Those who could enter this squad were all elites of the Anbu, and the opponent was only a Chunin. He was completely unaware of their approaching encirclement.
"Hm?"
Just as the encirclement was about to form, three Anbu and Ren simultaneously changed their expressions, turned their heads to look at the far side of the hillside, and shouted in unison,
"Be careful!"
As soon as they finished speaking, over a dozen figures suddenly appeared on the distant hillside, all making hand seals.
"Earth Release: Rock Bullet Jutsu!"
Dozens of rock fragments, similar to raindrops, flew down the mountain, then rapidly expanded in the air, stopping when they reached the size of a basketball, and then whistled towards them with a whooshing sound.
The Anbu members were quick to react. The Anbu responsible for defense stepped forward two paces, standing at the front of the team, and began to quickly make hand seals.
"Earth Release: Earth Wall!"
Four or five earth walls instantly rose from the ground, protecting everyone behind them. As the two collided, the roaring sounds of rocks and earth walls shattering continuously echoed.
When the attack stopped and the smoke dispersed, the earth walls were also badly damaged. The Ninja behind quickly stepped forward, passing their defending comrades, their hand seals already formed in advance. Chakra of various attributes gathered and took shape, then poured out towards the hillside.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Earth Release: Earth Pillar Explosion!"
Various Ninjutsu flew forward with great momentum from all directions.
The opponents did not sit idly by either, releasing another wave of attacks. A large number of Ninjutsu collided and exploded in the air.
Powerful air currents spread outwards, stirring up the surrounding smoke, and everyone instantly lost sight of the enemy.
Without needing instructions, all the Anbu tacitly divided into several small teams, using the nearby smoke to soar forward, with Ren following closely behind.
Before the opponents could react, numerous Anbu burst out of the smoke, their short blades drawn from their sheaths, and slashed forward!
"Ah!"
Caught off guard, the opponents couldn't even form a decent defensive line before their formation was broken by the suddenly appearing Anbu.
With the tacit cooperation of the Anbu, these black-clad individuals couldn't even counterattack and were instantly suppressed.
In a short while, these guys who had suddenly appeared were all taken down, while the Anbu side did not suffer a single casualty.
"So weak, yet they dare to ambush us."
Ren leaned against a rock wall, looking at the guys tied up like zongzi not far in front of him, and couldn't help but exclaim.
Most of these guys were Chunin level in strength, with only two Jonin leading them. In front of these well-trained elites, they posed no threat at all.
Ren had just taken down one person and was looking up to choose his next target when he realized that the others had also finished their battles.
After dealing with the enemies, the others, like Ren, were either standing or leaning somewhere to rest.
Even though they were elites, such a long-distance dash combined with intense combat made them feel a bit tired. Before the mission ended, they could only seize such opportunities to rest more.
Just then, the Tiger Mask Anbu from the other side also walked over from a distance with two people, holding one person in his hand, who was their target for this trip, Konoha Chunin Kurozawa.
"Captain."
Upon seeing him, the Monkey-Masked Anbu immediately went up to him and reported,
"Everything has been taken care of."
"Mm."
Tiger Mask nodded, then threw the guy in his hand onto the open ground and nodded.
"Everyone rest in place; we will return immediately!"
"Yes!"
After a period of rest, everyone carried the unknown captives and began their return journey.
Because they were carrying people, their speed could not be maintained, and they could only move at a steady pace. Finally, they managed to return to Konoha Village before dark.