Chapter 25: A surprise attack! (Please read it later)
AI Model: gemini-2.5-flash
Now, it's two against two!
Xuan Yi stared at the two people opposite him, his expression still solemn.
Uchiha Namiichi was the same.
At this moment, Kaito was shocked, while Jonin Siren was startled and furious: "Bastards!"
Two obvious brats had caused them heavy losses.
Especially Xuan Yi, who wore a tiger mask; his true body was hidden too deeply.
Previously, Kaito hadn't even noticed Xuan Yi, who had used Darkness Genjutsu earlier, which led to Siren and his group also suffering a huge loss, losing four people in one go.
Adding up before and after, they had lost eight people, three of whom belonged to the Land of the Daimyo.
Even so, Siren was now enraged to the extreme: "You... are dead!"
Uchiha Namiichi sneered: "That's probably not true!"
"Even if we die, your companion will definitely die first!"
Kaito gritted his teeth.
He was now a burden.
Indeed, injured as he was, he had no confidence in blocking either Uchiha Namiichi or Xuan Yi.
He had fought Uchiha Namiichi before; he was very strong, and Kaito was no match for him in a one-on-one fight.
As for Xuan Yi, he looked very young, but his Water Release was absurdly strong.
More than half of their lost men were dealt with by him.
This brat absolutely could not be underestimated; Kaito reckoned he couldn't beat him either.
However.
In reality, Xuan Yi was very weak now.
Although the Chakra for the Water Clone had recovered at first, and the Chakra consumed by using Water Release with the Lake wasn't much, the Chakra consumed by using Darkness Genjutsu twice was considerable.
If he were to use Darkness Genjutsu again, he would collapse after one use.
In close-quarters Swordsmanship, he could still put up a fight.
But compared to Uchiha Namiichi, his Swordsmanship probably wouldn't pose much of a threat to Kaito.
And if Uchiha Namiichi were to face Siren, who was a Jonin, alone, he would definitely have no chance of winning.
He wouldn't even be able to buy much time.
Nevertheless, he still had to act confident.
So, looking at the extremely angry but not immediately attacking Sand Ninja Jonin, Xuan Yi set his sights on Kaito: "Kill him first!"
With that, he formed hand signs.
Uchiha Namiichi's gaze also fell on Kaito.
Kaito instantly felt his hair stand on end, feeling as if he was being targeted by two poisonous snakes.
Siren snorted coldly and shouted: "Kaito, you retreat first, I'll handle them!"
Kaito's gaze shifted, he nodded, and immediately leaped back, disappearing into the darkness.
With his departure, Siren immediately had no more worries, raising his hand and shooting several Shuriken towards Xuan Yi and Uchiha Namiichi.
The Shuriken aimed at Xuan Yi also carried Exploding Tags.
Xuan Yi's hand signs were a feint; he immediately retreated.
Boom!
The Exploding Tags exploded, sending up countless splashes of water.
"Brat, your Chakra shouldn't be much, right!"
Siren charged, heading straight for Xuan Yi.
Xuan Yi quickly retreated again, landing on the shore.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Namiichi charged forward, throwing Shuriken one after another.
Clang, clang, clang!
Siren swung his sword to block, deflecting the Shuriken one by one.
Just then, Uchiha Namiichi leaped up, biting down, and fine steel wires gleamed coldly in the moonlight.
Steel wires crisscrossed, wrapping around Siren.
The Uchiha Clan's Shurikenjutsu!
At the same time, Uchiha Namiichi formed hand signs with both hands.
Just then, Siren's ninja blade hummed and glowed, easily cutting the steel wires with a swing, unable to bind him anymore.
However, the next moment, Siren found that he couldn't see anything.
"Genjutsu!"
Siren was startled and immediately leaped backward.
Boom!
Flames struck the water, raising billows of steam.
Siren narrowly avoided Uchiha Namiichi's Dragon Fire Jutsu.
Pat, pat, pat!
Footsteps sounded in his ears.
Siren concentrated and prepared, then suddenly swung his blade to block.
Clang!
Sparks flew.
Uchiha Namiichi's attack was blocked.
On the Lake shore, Xuan Yi panted heavily.
His Chakra was basically exhausted.
However, a Jonin was a Jonin; even with his sight deprived, he could still respond calmly.
After stuffing two Food Pills into his mouth, Xuan Yi's pupils suddenly constricted.
Kaito, who had left, had returned.
Stepping onto the Lake, just as Xuan Yi was about to push his Chakra to the limit and unleash a powerful Water Release.
A flash of white light, and Kaito fell.
"Sakumo-sensei!"
Xuan Yi was overjoyed.
Immediately after, Siren also died.
"Xuan Yi, are you alright?"
Sakumo Hatake asked with concern.
Xuan Yi shook his head: "I'm fine."
"Sakumo-sensei, is the mission complete?"
Sakumo Hatake shook his head.
Xuan Yi's heart sank.
Did he give up returning to save them?
Sakumo Hatake didn't explain much, shouting: "You two retreat first, I'll cover your escape!"
Xuan Yi gritted his teeth and said: "Sakumo-sensei, we can still fight."
"If we go back now, we can catch the enemy off guard!"
Uchiha Namiichi immediately added: "I agree with Xuan Yi."
Sakumo Hatake frowned.
If he chose to complete the mission, then Uchiha Namiichi and Xuan Yi would have no chance of escaping.
Because at that time, all forces would hunt them down.
Once he was entangled, Uchiha Namiichi and Xuan Yi, who had just fought a major battle, would have no chance of survival.
Choose to complete the mission.
Or choose the lives of his companions?
Sakumo Hatake chose the latter without hesitation: "Execute the order!"
Xuan Yi argued: "Sensei, I know you're worried about Namiichi and me, but I think we still have a chance."
"You can create a Shadow Clone to retreat with us as a decoy, while your true body returns to assassinate."
"This is enough to buy time for your true body to return."
"Moreover, my stamina is recovering, and I still have the strength to fight."
"As long as we retreat to En's location, we'll have more time."
Uchiha Namiichi nodded repeatedly.
Yes, yes, that's right.
Xuan Yi continued: "Second plan, Sensei, you are responsible for drawing the enemy back, and Namiichi and I will sneak in to assassinate the Daimyo."
"When the enemy sees our squad retreating, their main forces will surely pursue, and the Daimyo's side will be very vulnerable."
Sakumo Hatake, wearing his mask, looked at Xuan Yi with admiration.
He then decided: "Then we will execute the second plan!"
After speaking, he formed hand signs and created two Shadow Clones, who then used the Transformation Technique to transform into Xuan Yi and Uchiha Namiichi.
Xuan Yi and Uchiha Namiichi immediately hid themselves.
Uchiha Namiichi hid behind a rockery, using Transformation Technique to turn into a stone.
Xuan Yi, on the other hand, hid in the Lake.
Before long, the pursuers arrived.
Sakumo Hatake immediately retreated.
And he wasn't just retreating blindly.
The two Shadow Clones retreated first, with his true body following behind.
From time to time, he would turn back and charge, constantly attracting the enemy, leading them away from the Land of the Daimyo.
On the Lake side, after two waves of pursuing enemies had passed, Xuan Yi and Uchiha Namiichi finally appeared.
"Xuan Yi, you are responsible for providing support here, I will go assassinate!"
Uchiha Namiichi said.
Xuan Yi thought for a moment, then nodded: "Alright."
"If the assassination is unsuccessful, you can first lure a portion of the pursuers here, we'll deal with them, then go back and kill again."
Uchiha Namiichi nodded, then leaped and disappeared.