Chapter 22: The Elite Jōnin Combat Squad
The moment the supply convoy arrived at the front lines—mostly composed of Genin-level shinobi—it was met with immediate reorganization from the Supreme Commander, Hatake Sakumo.
Without wasting time, he revised the entire logistics procedure, splitting the convoy into over twenty small units. Each unit was composed of one Chūnin as team leader, accompanied by two Genin.
These teams were now officially tasked with ensuring that the frontline Konoha shinobi received all necessary supplies and battlefield support.
However, one person was notably excluded from these logistical assignments.
Hatake Kyūjō.
Following the personal decision of his older brother, Hatake Sakumo, Kyūjō was pulled from the supply unit and placed directly into the Elite Jōnin Combat Squad on the front lines—taking the spot of the team's previously injured sensory-type ninja.
After barely half a day of rest, Kyūjō was summoned by the squad captain that afternoon. His new commander was an elite ANBU operative named Araki—a formidable shinobi from a non-clan background.
They soon arrived at a large, weather-stained green-gray tent near the front lines.
As Kyūjō stepped inside alongside Araki, he quietly activated his Infinity Perception System—a technique unique to him. With just a few heartbeats, he scanned the chakra flow and mental states of the four shinobi already inside the tent.
It didn't take long to gather a rough profile on each of them.
Araki casually pointed toward the heavily built man sitting near the tent entrance, chomping loudly on his rations.
"That's Akimichi Chōkyū. Elite Jōnin of the Akimichi clan. He's a user of the clan's signature Secret Techniques, and as you might expect... his physical strength is monstrous."
Next, Araki gestured toward another man, seated cross-legged and sipping from a canteen.
"This one's Sarutobi Chikawa. Elite Jōnin of the Sarutobi clan. He's mastered nearly a hundred ninjutsu techniques using Fire and Wind Release. An all-around powerhouse."
Chikawa's face bore a noticeable resemblance to the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen. At least thirty percent alike. Then again, the Sarutobi genes had always been known to mature fast, in more ways than one.
Kyūjō gave the man a polite nod despite his wandering thoughts.
— — —
Araki's hand moved again, this time to a striking young man with long white hair.
"This is Kato Dan. He's… well, he's far stronger than I am. You'll see soon enough. No need for me to spoil it."
Kato Dan—whose snowy hair was nearly as pristine as Kyūjō's own—scratched the back of his neck sheepishly and smiled.
"Captain Araki's exaggerating. I still have a long way to go. I'm honored to learn from all of you."
Araki merely shrugged off the humility and turned to the last person.
"And this is Kurama Kaeha, Elite Jōnin from the Kurama clan. A Genjutsu specialist of the highest caliber."
To Kyūjō's surprise, the final member was a woman. Her face was delicate—beautiful even, with soft features and a graceful demeanor. By Kyūjō's internal scale, she'd rank a solid eight out of ten.
What caught him off guard, however, was her expression the moment their eyes met.
She was staring at him.
Not in admiration… but in quiet alarm. A faint trace of fear lingered in her widened eyes—something subtle, but distinct enough for Kyūjō to notice through Infinity Perception.
He didn't ask.
Instead, he stayed silent and observed. There was clearly something more to her reaction.
— — —
After all introductions were done, Araki gave Kyūjō a firm pat on the shoulder.
"This here's Hatake Kyūjō, the younger brother of Commander Sakumo. He's known as one of the brightest prodigies in the village. One of the 'Twin Stars of Konoha's Future.'"
"While his official rank is still Genin, Commander Sakumo explained that his chakra capacity is already at the level of an Elite Chūnin. On top of that, he possesses a unique ocular ability known as Lightning Eyes."
Araki glanced over to confirm.
"That's what it's called, right?"
Kyūjō nodded once.
"Lightning Eyes allows him to detect enemy movement within a constant three-kilometer radius. It's comparable to the Byakugan of the Hyūga clan. I trust Commander Sakumo's judgment—he doesn't make claims lightly. So from today forward, Kyūjō will officially serve as our new sensory ninja, replacing Yamanaka Kyōichi."
"Let's all do our part for Konoha and crush Sunagakure's ambitions once and for all!"
— — —
The first to respond was, unsurprisingly, Sarutobi Chikawa.
With blazing eyes and a fierce grin, he burst out in rage like a wild gorilla ready to brawl.
"Those damn Sunagakure bastards! They belong in the Wind Country—eating dirt and licking sand! Who the hell do they think they are, trying to step on the Land of Fire?!"
What followed was a thunderous three-minute tirade of uninterrupted swearing.
Not a single insult repeated.
It was a river of pure verbal lava—a true testament to the fiery temperament of the Land of Fire.
Kyūjō stood there, speechless, eyes wide open.
"…That's… quite the unique ninja style."
Even as someone who had once lived in the internet age and witnessed full-blown flame wars from keyboard warriors, Kyūjō was genuinely stunned. This man's profanity game... is on another level.
— — —
"Alright, alright! Chikawa, that's enough!" Araki finally stepped in, unable to take the onslaught any longer—though he knew full well he'd lit the fuse.
Taking advantage of the brief silence, Araki cleared his throat.
"Since we've got a new recruit and we haven't seen Kyūjō's abilities in action yet, I suggest we head over to the training field. That way, we can assess his combat aptitude and sensory performance firsthand."
He turned to Kyūjō.
"Any objections?"
Kyūjō responded calmly, his tone steady and composed.
"None at all, Captain Araki. I'm ready whenever."
— — —
The training ground was located on the far side of the Konoha defensive perimeter.
Reinforced using Earth Release techniques by Doton specialists, the area contained four massive battle arenas—each spanning hundreds of square meters.
Araki had no intention of pitting his team members against Kyūjō in direct combat—not when they were all Elite Jōnin, and Kyūjō was still a "Genin" on paper.
More importantly, Kyūjō was here to fill the sensory role. Araki's expectations were simple: as long as the boy could hide his presence, detect enemies accurately, and had at least Chūnin-level combat ability, that would be enough.
With one very strict exception—
His sensory ability had to be flawless.
Not just good. Perfect.
Anything less, and Araki wouldn't hesitate to reject him, even if it meant defying Commander Sakumo's wishes.
That wasn't just responsibility toward the team—it was a responsibility to Kyūjō himself.
But... knowing Sakumo's calm and discerning nature, Araki found it hard to believe the commander would make such a decision without certainty.
— — —
Araki turned to Kyūjō and said casually:
"Alright, Kyūjō. Pick one of your strongest ninjutsu attacks and hit that target fifty meters ahead."
Hearing that request…
Kyūjō quietly let out a long sigh.
His eyebrows twitched slightly.
"…Seriously? You really want me to go all out right now?"
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