One of the two subordinates was Shisui, and the other was also from the Uchiha clan, considered an old veteran. He had participated in the Second Great Ninja War, but unexpectedly found himself caught in the tide of the Third Great Ninja War.
"Lord, what do you think these bastards from Kirigakure are planning? They haven't made any major moves."
"Call me Captain!!!"
Ronglin corrected Shisui's address, sitting on a rock and observing their surroundings.
With the Hyuga clan forming the first line of defense and the Uchiha as the second, Tsunade and Shikaku Nara placed great importance on reconnaissance, ensuring no opportunity for the enemy to launch a surprise attack.
"What else could it mean? They're just letting the other two battlefields fight fiercely, while they wait to pick up the spoils."
"But Captain…"
The other person in the squad, Uchiha Qi, felt deeply puzzled:
"The situation between the Land of Water and the Land of Earth is clearly premeditated. In that case, would the Land of Earth just stand by and do nothing?"
Conspiring together to start a war, only for one side to be fighting to the death while the other remains completely inactive—does that make sense?
"There's nothing we can do even if we have opinions."
Ronglin sneered, "Old Qi, you should know that this place is too far from the Land of Earth battlefield, and the so-called alliance in this world is not worth scrutinizing at all. It's too fragile; one tap and it shatters."
"Besides, those bastards from Kirigakure won't keep up this stalemate forever. They'll start fighting sooner or later. I think the lack of major movement is probably because they're making some preparations.
After all, traveling thousands of miles across the sea to fight on land is also a test for Kirigakure's ninja. Many ninja in Kirigakure experience a significant drop in combat strength once they are far from the sea."
"They probably won't make a move until they've formulated appropriate countermeasures."
"So that's how it is."
Shisui and Old Qi suddenly understood.
"Then our patrols, aren't they all in vain?"
"Not entirely."
The mist grew thicker day by day, and visibility was very low. Konoha couldn't retreat a single step, otherwise, it would only provide a way for Kirigakure's forces to infiltrate their rear. They had to keep these guys pinned on the border.
"Follow me, the show is starting."
Just as he said it, Ronglin inadvertently spotted a few Hidden Mist ninja appearing within his reconnaissance range. Although this was the second line of defense, the border was too long, and some Hidden Mist ninja quietly infiltrated from one side, concealing their presence.
"Enemies?" Shisui and Old Qi were startled, quickly following behind Ronglin, not daring to make any sound, fearing they would alarm the enemy.
It wasn't just Ronglin's patrol squad where enemies started appearing; it was the same in other areas, pinning Kirigakure's main forces to the border.
However, Konoha was helpless against the Hidden Mist ninja who infiltrated the rear. The thousand-plus members of the Hyuga clan couldn't cover the entire border, so there would always be gaps, and these were the entry points for the Hidden Mist ninja.
In the mist, three ninja wearing Kirigakure headbands stealthily advanced. Their orders were to infiltrate and eliminate Konoha's patrol squads.
Unfortunately, this particular squad had bad luck and happened to run into Ronglin.
The Hyuga clan's reconnaissance abilities were simply chicken feed compared to Ronglin's, not even worth mentioning.
"Three people. You two take on one, and I'll handle the other two."
Three enemies: one Jonin and two Tokubetsu Jonin. Ronglin took on two directly, leaving one for Old Qi and Shisui.
Shisui's strength was only at the Chunin level, and Old Qi… although experienced, his talent was more like a craftsman.
Despite having gone through the Second Great Ninja War, his strength had remained at the Elite Chunin level, unable to advance further.
"Yes, Captain."
The two responded, following Ronglin's gestures and running in another direction to set up an ambush.
"Kid, although the opponent is a Tokubetsu Jonin, as long as our cooperation doesn't go wrong, we can fight! Don't get cold feet now."
Having chosen the ambush spot, Old Qi began lecturing Shisui. Unfortunately, the current Shisui was no hothouse flower. Even the original Shisui in the story was like this; it was just that the Land of Water's declaration of war happened a few years early, and Shisui hadn't fully matured yet.
"Tch~" he blustered. "This kind of situation won't scare me. I've followed the Captain into the Land of Earth and experienced all sorts of battles. A mere little Tokubetsu Jonin—could they really make me get cold feet?"
"I really can't believe you've had such experiences?"
"It must be that the Captain wants to train you, which is why he brought you along. I just don't understand why, with so many strong people in the clan, he would choose a kid like you as a guard. In the end, the Lord still has to divert his attention to protect you."
"Who says I'm not strong enough?"
Shisui bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Stop bragging. We'll see when we try."
"Try it then! Who's afraid of whom? I'm worried about you, getting taken out in a single exchange with the enemy."
"Joke! I, Old Qi, survived the Second Great Ninja War. I'd be taken out in a single exchange?"
"Maybe it's like the Captain said, you're just old and useless."
"You…"
Three enemies, two slowly approached Ronglin's direction, while the other neared Shisui and Old Qi's ambush spot.
The Hidden Mist ninja moved cautiously, as they were very close to Konoha's camp.
"Someone!!!!"
The mist was a big problem for Konoha's ninja, but for Kirigakure's ninja, it provided many conveniences, making it easy to hide, observe enemy movements, and set ambushes.
The strongest Jonin among the three suddenly noticed Ronglin approaching and whispered, "Conceal!"
Ronglin didn't choose to ambush, but instead walked boldly forward, intending to draw the enemy's attention and facilitate Shisui and Old Qi's ambush.
The enemies were hidden in the bushes, motionless. If they hadn't been discovered in advance, without strong sensory abilities, no one would have noticed that two enemies were concealed within the mist-shrouded bushes.
"Pfft~ This battle credit came too easily."
The two ambushing Hidden Mist ninja apparently wanted to wait until Ronglin was very close before making a move. Ronglin, therefore, had no choice but to strike first. Since they weren't moving, he decided to take their heads.
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