Chapter 32: Lure the tiger away from the mountain! (Seeking monthly ticket for follow-up reading)
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Uchiha Namiichi appeared cold, but Xuan Yi felt that he was actually easier to get along with than Yamanaka En.
Not to mention his powerful strength, as long as one had outstanding qualities, they could get along very well.
Of course, Uchiha Namiichi was still very proud; he disdained to bother with ordinary people, but he would not bully them either.
At this moment, Sakumo Hatake was very satisfied with Xuan Yi's performance.
The reason he agreed to their sparring was actually to allow Xuan Yi to display his strength in front of Sarutobi Shin'nosuke and the others.
In the Ninja World, strength has always been respected, and it is through strength that one earns the respect of others.
Allowing Xuan Yi to demonstrate his strength would be beneficial for this mission.
At the same time, it was also to use the mouths of the Ino–Shika–Chō, the three great Ninja Clans, to let more people know about Xuan Yi's strength.
The night passed without incident.
The next day, Xuan Yi and the others set off again, crossing the border into the Land of Rivers.
They then arrived at the mining area in the evening.
Standing on another mountaintop, Xuan Yi saw the brightly lit area below.
Besides rows of wooden houses that were clearly living quarters, there were also many lights and buildings at the mine entrance, and people could be seen coming and going.
The mining was still in progress.
Turning his head, he saw a Konoha Ninja wearing a green vest making a handover with Sakumo Hatake.
A moment later, Sakumo Hatake returned and said to Xuan Yi and the others, "Divide into two groups, first familiarize yourselves with the trap area, patrol routes, and strongpoints."
Xuan Yi and the others nodded.
Then the two teams followed a Konoha Ninja each.
The mission was to protect the mining area from attack, but not by staying in the mine itself; rather, they were to establish a defensive depth in the outer perimeter.
The original team that had been performing the mission had already set up the trap area, planned the patrol routes, and established various overt and covert outposts.
What Xuan Yi and the others needed to do now was to become familiar with all of these.
This was the handover.
After spending two hours, Xuan Yi and the others returned to the mining area.
Here, people from a big merchant had already prepared hot water and food, and even some Hime.
It must be said that merchants certainly knew how to enjoy themselves; even mining in the mountains, they brought Hime to play, which made people envious.
However, the Hime were verbally refused by Sakumo Hatake.
After washing up and having a hearty dinner, Xuan Yi and the others rested in the wooden house.
The formal mission handover would take place tomorrow morning.
However, Xuan Yi did not rest so early; instead, he spent two hours studying the Nine Syllable Mantra Hand Seals, recording his insights in a notebook before finally lying down to rest.
The night was peaceful.
At eight o'clock the next morning, after breakfast, Xuan Yi and the others officially took over from the original two teams and began the mission of protecting the mine.
At the top of a large tree on the mountain peak, Xuan Yi stood, holding a monocular telescope to observe the distance.
The view here was excellent; no matter which direction one approached the mine from, it was impossible to escape observation from this spot.
Of course.
In the mountains, the vegetation was lush, and standing far away or high up, even with a telescope, it was impossible to see movement beneath the dense forest.
However, several clear isolation belts had been cleared around the mine's outer perimeter, so the view was unobstructed.
Currently, the main focus was on observing this clear zone.
Of course, this was not foolproof.
After all, it was impossible to constantly stare, so this was just an observation point.
Sakumo Hatake and the others also had their own tasks, either patrolling according to the routes or checking traps, because wild beasts might inadvertently damage them, so they had to be checked periodically to prevent them from failing when needed.
Furthermore, both teams this time had Sensory Ninja, so Yamanaka En and the others also had sensory duties, performing sensing at intervals to prevent enemy infiltration.
This was a simple and unpretentious multi-dimensional defense.
However, this kind of mission was also very tedious.
Especially Xuan Yi's fixed-point observation, staying on the treetop for half a day at a time.
Fortunately, Xuan Yi was focused on studying the Nine Syllable Mantra Hand Seals, so he did not feel bored.
In the blink of an eye, it was almost time for lunch, and Uchiha Namiichi appeared: "Xuan Yi, I'll take over for you."
Xuan Yi put down the monocular telescope, smiled and nodded, then descended from the treetop like a large bird.
After ten minutes to solve his hunger, Xuan Yi returned to relieve Uchiha Namiichi, continuing his mission.
Uchiha Namiichi, meanwhile, went on patrol.
"If only I had the Byakugan…"
Watching Uchiha Namiichi leave, Xuan Yi realized how useful and convenient the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan was.
One only needed to sit and stare to see several miles away, no need for such effort.
The first day passed without any incidents.
The next day, early in the morning, Xuan Yi saw trucks leaving the mine, carrying preliminarily smelted iron ore.
These trucks were horse-drawn carriages…
Xuan Yi was speechless.
The Ninja World's technological level was not low.
Air conditioners, refrigerators, and other appliances had existed for a long time.
And the use of electricity had even been widespread since the era of Senju Tobirama.
Konoha Hospital, for example, had various electronic medical devices, which, in Xuan Yi's opinion, were not much different from those in his modern world.
Previously, Xuan Yi had even taken graduation photos and group photos with Sakumo Hatake and the others after graduating.
Cameras, camcorders, radios, and the like were all available.
Later, the Cloud Ninja Village would even develop a Chakra Star Destroyer Cannon.
But oddly enough, the nobles and others in the Ninja World still used palanquins for travel.
And goods transport still relied on horse-drawn carriages and the like.
There were no signs of cars, motorcycles, or bicycles appearing.
Perhaps it was related to the terrible road conditions in the Ninja World?
Watching the trucks gradually disappear, Xuan Yi felt a bit helpless to complain about this world.
The question arose.
If bicycles and cars were introduced in the Ninja World, would they be successful?
"Cars probably not, but bicycles… should be possible."
"The roads in Konoha Village are very flat; bicycles could definitely be ridden there."
Xuan Yi's eyes lit up slightly as he thought.
It seemed like something he could try.
Earn some money to set up an experimental base later.
Or use it to invest in Orochimaru's research…
Xuan Yi decided that he would try it when he returned from this mission.
Ninja might not need them, but ordinary people would.
And even within the Village, Ninja could use them too.
Unconsciously, another morning was almost over.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Xuan Yi frowned, seeing several disheveled figures running towards the mine through his telescope.
They were on the main road.
They seemed to be people from the mine.
Putting down the telescope, Xuan Yi immediately blew his whistle, three long and one short.
This was a warning.
The subsequent whistle indicated the direction.
Sakumo Hatake and Yamanaka En, who were on the outermost perimeter, heard the whistle; the former immediately formed hand seals and sent out a Shadow Clone to leave.
Not long after, Xuan Yi received the assembly whistle and immediately sent out a Shadow Clone.
His main body remained in place to monitor all directions.
Under a large tree, Xuan Yi's Shadow Clone appeared before Sakumo Hatake and the other two: "Sensei!"
Sakumo Hatake nodded, then said, "The iron ore convoy was attacked; there are Ninja."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yi immediately had a thought: "A feint!"