"Blood Release: Karibarai."
Half a month later, at a rocky beach.
Four Hidden Mist ninjas were fleeing in a panic, their expressions filled with terror.
But at that moment, several sickle-shaped weapons condensed from fresh blood shot forth following a rapidly moving figure, instantly passing through the gaps in the four-man formation.
In an instant, the sickles completed an eerie autonomous rotation, shredding the Hidden Mist ninjas' physical bodies like sharp serrated teeth.
However, the bodies of two of the Hidden Mist ninjas exploded into smoke.
Just as Yubi landed, a Hidden Mist ninja immediately lunged behind him.
"Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!"
The Hidden Mist ninja spread his palm, and a large amount of water surged together like a cage.
It enveloped Yubi, trapping him inside.
"Now... kill him!"
Seeing Yubi restrained, the Hidden Mist ninja performing the Water Release shouted loudly.
A companion hidden in the shadows immediately swung a katana down from above, intending to slay Yubi.
However... though Yubi himself was restrained, he could still control his Bloodline Limit through his consciousness.
Two drops of blood that had been left outside his body long ago shot out like rays, instantly piercing the heads of the two Hidden Mist ninjas and taking their lives.
Yubi was soaked, and the water surrounding him collapsed.
"There's one last group."
After dealing with the enemies, Yubi didn't linger and immediately flashed away.
During this time, using information gathered by the Sunagakure in the war zone, Yubi had conducted a comprehensive search of areas where the Hidden Mist might be lurking... His actions had dealt a devastating blow to the Hidden Mist's operations, causing heavy casualties.
To increase efficiency... Yubi hadn't even brought Pakura and the others, instead leaving his students at the Stronghold to cooperate with other Sunagakure squads on separate missions.
Although Hidden Mist ninjas would continue to infiltrate from the border in the future, the current cleanup... was only to gain a temporary peace.
But losing so many people at once... should at least deter the Hidden Mist Village, making them afraid to act rashly for a short while.
"The Hidden Mist are skilled in Water Release... that's a bit troublesome."
While heading to the last discovered Hidden Mist Stronghold, Yubi thought to himself.
Most of the Hidden Mist ninjas he killed relied on Taijutsu... that is, close-quarters combat.
His Blood Release had a weakness: it was easily diluted and affected by water currents.
However, ordinary Water Release, as long as it wasn't too powerful... or reached the level of 'Ocean Release,' had very limited interference with him.
Furthermore, the relatively dry environment of the Land of Wind also had an impact on the use of Water Release, especially for those with lower skill levels.
The effects of Ninjutsu would be somewhat reduced.
Swoosh...
On the way, Yubi sensed a presence approaching and looked toward the newcomer.
It was a Sunagakure ninja active nearby.
"Captain Yubi... Captain Kazuma sent me to find you, please come with me."
After approaching, the Sunagakure ninja spoke in a respectful tone.
His eyes held a hint of anxiety.
"What's wrong?"
Yubi was somewhat surprised.
Although their mission was also to drive out and kill the Hidden Mist, they weren't involved in the operational deployment of the entire war zone but acted independently... After all, he currently held the temporary status of a Jonin-in-charge, a guiding teacher leading a team, focusing on training newcomers and not being integrated into the battlefield system, unlike when fighting Iwagakure.
"A Hidden Mist squad broke through the resistance and defenses of the frontline Stronghold, killing many of our people... The one leading them is a powerhouse from the Hidden Mist Village... that Yagura Karatachi. Captain Kazuma has already gathered nearby personnel and is heading there, but... because the available manpower is limited, Captain Kazuma is worried they won't be able to intercept the target. Since you happened to be nearby, he sent me to inform you..." The Sunagakure ninja quickly explained the situation.
"Yagura Karatachi?"
Hearing this name, Yubi immediately stopped in his tracks. "Lead the way."
Then, he changed his direction.
The future Fourth Mizukage, that baby-faced guy.
Yubi's heart stirred.
The Hidden Mist Village actually sent him...
Was it for him?
Yubi speculated.
Intelligence on the battlefield was mutual; they knew the Hidden Mist's movements, and the Hidden Mist naturally knew the situation on the Sunagakure's side.
In the past half month, he had almost single-handedly swept through the Hidden Mist's infiltration squads with overwhelming force, causing heavy losses to the Hidden Mist Village. So, did they specifically send a heavyweight player to reclaim their dignity?
Clearly, the Hidden Mist Village never had the intention to formally go to war with the Sunagakure Village; they preferred these small maneuvers because the 'investment' was small, but the return was large—a guaranteed profitable business.
Now that they couldn't gain an advantage, they were certainly unhappy.
The deployment in the coastal war zone was different from other border lines because the coastal border was too vast and adjacent to the sea.
The terrain was complex, so Strongholds were scattered, and personnel deployment and gathering were slow... The Hidden Mist had seen this clearly, which was why they had been frequently harassing and finding opportunities.
They were even more aware that the Sunagakure Village was now in a period of weakness... unable to shake off the negative impacts of war for the time being.
In this situation, if the Sunagakure Village also sent top-tier combat power to engage in a 'grinding' battle with the Hidden Mist Village, it would only exacerbate their predicament.
This was exactly what the Hidden Mist Village preferred to see.
Because they had no intention of getting serious with the Sunagakure Village at all; they would just harass you, making you exhausted from responding... Once you got truly angry and dragged it out, the Sunagakure Village would sink deeper and deeper into the 'quagmire,' unable to extricate itself.
After wearing them down to a certain extent, the Hidden Mist would then bare its fangs, wait for the right moment, and make a big move.
Now, because a new-generation powerhouse like Yubi had suddenly appeared in the Sunagakure Village, not only stabilizing the situation but also causing massive losses to the Hidden Mist, it had clearly disrupted their plans.
As a result, the first one to play a card became the Hidden Mist Village.
With such a character who could act as a'stabilizing force' without requiring the Sunagakure Village to use its 'main combat power'... if the Hidden Mist wanted their plan to proceed smoothly, they had to first overcome the card that was Yubi.
Otherwise... if they continued to harass like this, the longer it took, the greater the losses would be—for them instead.
And the card the Hidden Mist played was Yagura Karatachi.
If Yagura beat Yubi, or rather... killed Yubi.
Then... the Sunagakure Village would subsequently have to increase its stakes.
The situation would be different again.
The Hidden Mist Village could continue to rely on Yagura to gamble small for big gains, dragging the battlefield out further.
Swoosh, swoosh...
On the road, Yubi and the reporting Sunagakure ninja hurried along.
In his mind, he analyzed this sudden move by the Hidden Mist Village based on the current situation on the battlefield.
After staying in this war zone for so long, Konoha and Iwagakure hadn't sent any ruthless characters to assassinate him, but instead, a plot character had appeared on the Hidden Mist's side.
Moreover... it was the future Fourth Mizukage, the ruler during the Hidden Mist Village's darkest period when the name 'Bloody Mist' was at its peak.
He was also the Puppet controlled by Obito.
"Right now, he isn't a Jinchuriki yet... his strength shouldn't be that terrifying."
Yubi narrowed his eyes.
Soon, fifteen minutes later, the two stepped from the rocky beach into a desert.
At this moment, the two sides engaged in a fierce battle in the distance came into Yubi's view.
His gaze turned cold.
He instantly accelerated and charged forward.