"What's going on?!"
Several whooshing sounds rang out as several Leaf Ninja, holding Kunai, stood on tree branches, cautiously observing everyone present. More squads were continuously approaching the area.
The commotion here was so great that all the surrounding patrol squads were drawn by the explosions. However, upon seeing the two captured Sunagakure Ninja, the gathering Leaf Ninja did not act rashly, but neither did they relax their guard, instead they stood in place to defend against the few people present.
"Uh..."
After Shinnosuke reacted, he raised his hand and pointed at Suzuki Shinji, who was almost suffocating in the Water Prison, and Haraki Gen, who was pinned down by Hayama in the distance. He explained in a deep voice.
"I am Konoha Jonin Sarutobi Shinnosuke. Our squad discovered and captured two Sunagakure Ninja during a patrol mission. That's the situation."
...
Konoha Camp.
Suzuki Shinji and Haraki Gen, their mouths stuffed with rags, sat slumped on the ground, tightly bound. Their eyes were droopy, looking lifeless.
Sakumo Hatake circled the two with a strange expression, then turned his head to Shinnosuke and the others.
"These are... your captives?"
"Yes, Sakumo-senpai."
Shinnosuke took a step forward, staring straight ahead.
"During our patrol, Ren sensed the infiltration of these two Sunagakure Ninja. Then we ambushed them on their inevitable path and took them down. Both of them are at the Special Jonin level, and their objective is currently unclear."
"Well done. Your squad will be credited for this."
Sakumo Hatake paused, then called out to the outside of the tent.
"Shikaku, you all can come in now."
"Yes, Sakumo-senpai."
As soon as his voice fell, several people entered the tent. It was the current Konoha "Ino–Shika–Chō."
"Inoichi, I'll trouble you. Please do a quick check first."
Sakumo Hatake looked at Inoichi Yamanaka, signalling him to use his secret jutsu to check the two's memories.
"Yes!"
The Commander had spoken, and Inoichi Yamanaka dared not delay. He took two steps forward and crouched in front of the two. He placed his left hand on Suzuki Shinji's head and closed his eyes.
Ninja Art: Mind Reading Jutsu!
Suzuki Shinji's pupils dilated, and a look of terror appeared in his eyes. He wanted to struggle but was bound, so he could only let Inoichi Yamanaka read his memories obediently.
The reason "Ino–Shika–Chō" gained fame in the Ninja World was closely related to the secret jutsu of their respective clans. The Yamanaka clan's secret jutsu primarily uses Yin Release Chakra to control mental power to invade others' minds to obtain information, and it can also be used for strong control over enemies in combat.
"What are you doing?"
Just then, a voice came from the tent entrance. Except for Inoichi Yamanaka, who was focused on reading memories, everyone else's gaze converged, and then their expressions turned to surprise.
Ren took two steps forward and walked up to the newcomer, bowing and smiling as he said,
"You've arrived, Tsunade-sensei."
That's right, the newcomer was Tsunade, who had been called back by Jiraiya. After Hiruzen Sarutobi learned about the situation on the front lines, he immediately dispatched Tsunade. After all, Tsunade was the only one in Konoha who could consistently outperform Chiyo in medical ninjutsu. Tsunade, upon receiving the order, rushed over alone, covered in dust, through the night.
"Oh, Ren, you brat, you came to the battlefield without telling your teacher in advance. You're getting bold, aren't you?"
Tsunade pulled Ren close, trapping him under her armpit, and raised her left fist, looking down at Ren with a half-smile.
"Cough, cough, Tsunade-sensei, please calm down. I was wrong. The situation was urgent at the time. If there's a next time, I'll definitely notify you first."
Ren's neck hurt from being squeezed by his teacher, but he could vaguely feel a hint of softness beneath her chest plate. Ren chuckled awkwardly and quickly made a promise.
"You want next time?!"
Tsunade's eyebrows furrowed, and she raised her fist, just about to discipline Ren when Nara Shikaku timely rescued Ren.
"Lady Tsunade, you've come at a good time. Today, Shinnosuke Squad captured two infiltrating Sunagakure Special Jonin. We'll listen to Inoichi after he finishes his check to see if there's any information about Chiyo's new type of poison. It might be helpful for your serum development."
"Hmph, you brat, I'll settle with you after I'm done."
"Sakumo-senpai."
Tsunade walked over to Sakumo Hatake and nodded. Although the Sannin had been famous for many years, Sakumo Hatake's title of "Konoha White Fang" had appeared even earlier than theirs. While the Sannin were still struggling to contend with Hanzō on the Land of Rain battlefield, Sakumo Hatake had already achieved legendary feats on other battlefields. Therefore, the Sannin always maintained due respect for Sakumo Hatake.
Sakumo Hatake nodded to Tsunade, and then the few of them patiently waited for the results.
Tsunade released Ren, who quickly ran back to stand among his companions, simultaneously casting a grateful look at Nara Shikaku. Nara Shikaku, noticing Ren's gaze, gave him a helpless smile, signalling him to behave.
Under everyone's gaze, time passed minute by minute. Inoichi Yamanaka slowly opened his eyes, removed his hand from Suzuki Shinji's head, stood up, and let out a long breath. Suzuki Shinji, meanwhile, fell into a daze. This secret jutsu for reading memories causes some damage to the subject's brain. But on the battlefield, there were no such concerns.
"Lady Tsunade."
Inoichi Yamanaka noticed Tsunade, and although he was a bit confused, he quickly bowed. Tsunade waved her hand, signalling him not to be so formal.
"Inoichi, quickly tell us the information you've gathered."
Nara Shikaku patted Inoichi Yamanaka's shoulder, signalling him to quickly announce the results, as several pairs of eyes were waiting.
"Alright."
Inoichi Yamanaka nodded, organised his thoughts briefly, pondered for a moment, then looked up and slowly explained to everyone.
"According to the information, the purpose of these two coming here was not to gather intelligence."
"Hmm? Not to gather intelligence? Then why did these two Special Jonin infiltrate near the Konoha Camp?"
Shinnosuke voiced the question on everyone's mind. Inoichi Yamanaka looked down at the two tightly bound individuals with a strange expression, then continued.
"They both came because Ebizo, the Sunagakure Vice Commander, encouraged them a few times, saying that if they performed well on the battlefield, he would take them as disciples. And then... they planned to sneak near the Konoha Camp, kill two Leaf Ninja, and go back to become his disciples..."
...
Everyone looked at the two on the ground with strange expressions. With such intelligence, how did they become Sunagakure's Special Jonin? Was Sunagakure Village out of people? Indeed, the Ninja World is vast, and there's no telling what you'll find.
"Also, I received information that Chiyo has indeed developed a new type of poison, which is currently being mass-produced in the Land of Wind and has already begun to be widely distributed among the Sunagakure Ninja."
So that's how it is...
Ren thought to himself. That level of poison, apart from Chiyo, no one else in Sunagakure could develop it, right? Although it's a bit troublesome...
But...
Ren looked at his teacher, and Tsunade also nodded to Ren. The two exchanged a smile.
Nothing to worry about!