Kurenai Yuhi was slightly taken aback.
People? Ninjas?
She had originally thought that Xia Muyang would have them help gather intelligence on Konoha.
She hadn't expected...
Just this?
But she quickly understood.
For the Wolf Ninja Village to develop, it needed people.
Specifically, it needed Ninjas.
And they, as Konoha Ninja, encountered the most people while out on missions—Wandering Ninjas, fallen samurai, refugees, and even those with nowhere else to turn who were looking for a place to settle.
These people were the best "resources" for the Wolf Ninja Village.
Kurenai Yuhi took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
"I understand, Wolf King."
"In the future, while executing missions, I will keep an eye out for suitable candidates."
"If I can guide them, I will certainly guide them over."
Xia Muyang nodded with satisfaction.
"Go."
"Take them to practice coordination first."
"Human-Wolf Resonance is not innate; it requires practice to synchronize."
Kurenai Yuhi acknowledged this and turned to look at the three children.
"Let's go, let's find an open space."
The three people, three wolves, and one dog walked out of Wolf Valley.
The sunlight spilled onto them, casting long shadows.
"With Kurenai Yuhi and the others as a precedent..."
Xia Muyang's golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"I believe it won't be long before Kakashi and the others return as well."
He paused, casting his gaze into the distance.
"I just don't know if Kakashi will bring his team over..."
If he brought them over—
Naruto, Sasuke.
Xia Muyang licked his lips.
He couldn't let these two slip away.
As a transmigrator, he knew all too well how terrifying their growth rate was.
One was the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, the other the last bloodline of the Uchiha.
In three years, they would be existences capable of trading blows with Kage-level fighters.
In five years, they would be existences capable of changing the landscape of the Ninja World.
Xia Muyang narrowed his eyes.
He did have a system, and his growth speed was already fast enough.
But compared to these two cheating protagonists?
He really wasn't confident.
Therefore—
The best method was to get them into the Wolf clan.
Let them be his subordinates.
Let them work for the Wolf Ninja Village.
That way, whether he faced Konoha or the Akatsuki in the future, he would have two more trump cards in his hand.
Xia Muyang's lips curled up slightly.
—
Time passed quickly.
After Kurenai Yuhi and the others practiced with Great Remnant and Black Fiend for most of the day, the setting sun had begun to dip in the west.
"That's enough for now."
Kurenai Yuhi glanced at the sky and patted Black Fiend's head.
"Time to go on the mission."
Black Fiend let out a low growl in response.
The four of them leaped onto the wolves' backs.
"Let's go!"
Whoosh—!
Four figures shot out like arrows from a bow, speeding toward the mission location.
With Great Remnant and Black Fiend there, their speed was significantly faster than usual; trees flew past, wind whistled in their ears, and a journey that usually took half a day was completed in just over two hours.
When night fell, they had already arrived at the border town where the mission was located.
The town was quiet, with only a few scattered lights flickering in the night.
"Let's stop here."
Kurenai Yuhi leaped off Black Fiend's back and looked at the three giant wolves in front of her.
"Thank you for your hard work today."
Black Fiend shook its head and let out a low growl—meaning it wasn't hard work.
Great Remnant yawned lazily, as if to say, "It's over already? I haven't run enough yet."
"You all go back and rest for a bit."
Kurenai Yuhi smiled and formed hand seals.
"Release!"
Poof—!
Four puffs of white smoke exploded simultaneously.
Great Remnant, Black Fiend, and the two Ninja Wolves of Kiba and Shino disappeared into the smoke.
"Let's go, let's find the person in charge of the town."
Kurenai Yuhi put away her smile and led the three children toward the depths of the town.
—
Early the next morning.
According to the clues provided by the town, the Mountain Bandits' stronghold was in the mountains ten miles outside the town.
Kurenai Yuhi led Team 8 to sneak over quietly.
However, when they infiltrated the bandit camp—
The scene before them stunned everyone.
There were indeed quite a few bandits in the camp, about thirty or so.
But in the center of the camp stood five figures dressed completely differently.
They wore Hidden Cloud Village headbands, wore the standard vests of Cloud Ninja, their eyes were sharp, and they radiated a dangerous aura.
Cloud Ninja.
"Teacher Kurenai..." Kiba lowered his voice.
Kurenai Yuhi raised her hand, signaling him to be quiet.
Her mind raced.
Was there a Cloud Ninja controlling the bandits from behind the scenes?
Why?
How could the hand of the Hidden Cloud reach the border of the Land of Fire?
Could they be planning to attack Konoha?
This thought flashed through Kurenai Yuhi's mind, and was immediately replaced by even greater shock.
"Oh no, Teacher Kurenai!"
Hinata activated her Byakugan, her white pupils shrinking violently, and her voice changed pitch.
"The leader of the opposing group is a Jonin, and there are four Chunin!!!"
Kurenai Yuhi's heart sank to the bottom.
One Jonin, four Chunin.
And on their side, she was only a Special Jonin, and the three children were only Genin.
The gap in strength was too large.
"Let's leave first."
She lowered her voice, her brows locked tightly.
"This matter is not something we can solve; we need support from the Village."
The three children held their breath, preparing to retreat quietly.
Just at that moment—
"Who's there!"
A violent shout exploded!
A Cloud Ninja turned his head sharply, his gaze piercing the bushes where they were hiding like a knife!
Kurenai Yuhi's expression changed drastically.
They had been discovered!
"Retreat!!!"
She gave the order and simultaneously threw out several Kunai!
Attached to the Kunai were explosive tags, whistling as they flew toward the five Cloud Ninja!
Boom, boom, boom—!
The explosive tags detonated one after another, fire lighting up the sky, smoke and dust filling the air!
"Hurry, go!"
Kurenai Yuhi turned and ran wildly with the three children!
However—
"Want to run?"
A cold voice sounded in front of them.
From within the dust, a figure darted out like a ghost, blocking their path!
A Cloud Ninja Jonin!
He formed hand seals with both hands and slammed them onto the ground!
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Rumble—!
A huge earthen wall rose from the ground, instantly sealing off their path!
Pincer attack!
Kurenai Yuhi gritted her teeth and tightened her grip on her Kunai.
"Prepare for battle!"
The battle was on the verge of breaking out.
Three Genin against four Chunin.
One Special Jonin against one Jonin.
The gap in strength was clear enough to be despairing.
Kiba and Akamaru coordinated, using all their strength to barely hold off one Cloud Ninja Chunin.
Shino's bugs swarmed out frantically, but were scattered by the opponent's Fire Release.
Hinata struggled to hold on using Gentle Fist; her Byakugan allowed her to predict the opponent's attacks, but her speed couldn't keep up, and she was in danger several times.
Kurenai Yuhi's situation was even worse.
The Cloud Ninja Jonin's swordsmanship was as fast as lightning; she used all her strength just to barely parry, and she had already sustained several wounds.
"Teacher Kurenai!"
Hinata exclaimed.
Kurenai Yuhi was knocked back by a slash, stumbling backward, blood spilling from the corner of her mouth.
The Cloud Ninja Jonin sneered and stepped forward with his blade.
"Is this all the strength a Special Jonin from Konoha has?"
Kurenai Yuhi panted heavily, looking at her students caught in a bitter struggle, looking at that blade drawing closer and closer—
She leaped backward quickly, formed hand seals rapidly, and then pressed her hands to the ground.
"Ninja Art—Summoning Jutsu!"
Poof—!
A huge puff of white smoke exploded in front of her!
In the smoke, a huge figure as pitch-black as ink slowly emerged.
Two and a half meters in length, pure black fur, amber eyes gleaming with a cold, chilling light in the sunlight.
Black Fiend.
It lowered its head to look at the wounded Kurenai Yuhi, then looked up at the Cloud Ninja Jonin holding the long sword.
Then, it bared its teeth.
Exposing its stark white fangs.
"Daring to touch my people?"
A low voice came from the wolf's mouth.
The Cloud Ninja Jonin's pupils contracted violently.
At the same moment—
On Kiba's side, they also summoned their Ninja Wolves, pushing back the few Cloud Ninja.
Kurenai Yuhi wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, looking at Black Fiend in front of her, a hint of a smile flashing in her red eyes.
"Good thing you guys are here."
Black Fiend looked back at her.
"Less talk—let's try out yesterday's coordination!"
It turned its head, staring fixedly at the Cloud Ninja Jonin, revealing a ferocious grin.
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