Their group relied on the Nara clan's secret jutsu to scout the enemy's movements in advance.
While not as convenient as the Byakugan, it was better than nothing.
As for Uchiha Jin?
He hadn't exposed his Sharingan; mere taijutsu and Fire Release were enough to make him a captain.
The reason was simple.
Although the three were cooperating well now, it was only out of necessity due to the threat of death.
Once they were truly safe, who knew what each of them would be thinking.
Nara Kazama was a bit better.
The two of them held dirt on each other, so unless there was a major conflict of interest, neither would betray the other.
But for Kudo Shin, it was a different story.
He was just a civilian ninja who had barely managed to acquire an Earth Release ninjutsu after countless life-and-death struggles.
Even then, it was only a C-rank!
In front of powerful clans like Uchiha Jin and Nara Kazama, it was practically a joke.
Such civilian ninjas were incredibly easy to bribe.
Just two or three C-rank ninjutsu would be enough for him to sell them out completely.
If he was offered a B-rank ninjutsu, he would kneel and call them 'dad' without hesitation.
As for killing him?
Neither of them had ever considered it!
It wasn't out of kindness or emotional ties.
Firstly, to survive in the Shinobi World, kindness was irrelevant.
It only appeared in the weak or the absolutely strong.
Either it was civilian ninjas fooled by the higher-ups, or it was those with overwhelming power like Hashirama Senju, or children of destiny like Naruto Uzumaki, or at the very least, scions with powerful backgrounds.
Besides these people, no one else was qualified.
Was Hatake Kakashi kind?
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's hands, he was a ninja of the darkness, killing whoever he was told to kill!
Right or wrong simply didn't matter.
Was Namikaze Minato kind?
Even after he became the Fourth Hokage, he never managed to do what Sarutobi Hiruzen forbade him from doing, right up until the day he died.
He didn't even fully control the Hokage's Anbu!
If even such a person couldn't be called kind, then Uchiha Jin and Nara Kazama certainly couldn't.
Bonds were even more ridiculous!
Before they even met, everyone was a cunning old fox who understood everything.
After only a few days of contact, there had been various schemes and intrigues; how could bonds form after just a few days of cooperation?
That was a joke!
Unless it was a specially trained elite squad, forget about fostering bonds.
Not killing Kudo Shin was purely out of self-interest.
Both Nara Kazama and Uchiha Jin had skeletons in their closets.
Even if they exposed a little bit of their strength, they could hide it under the guise of war, and as long as they didn't reveal their strongest combat power, it wouldn't attract the village's attention.
At most, they would be promoted from cannon fodder to regular ninjas.
But if both civilian ninjas died, causing the village to suspect something, and then the Anbu thoroughly investigated the two of them, even going back through their entire lives, then everything would be ruined!
Humans are not gods.
Even Uchiha Jin couldn't completely guarantee that he had never made a mistake in his life and could withstand the village's investigation.
Therefore.
It was better to keep Kudo Shin alive.
"Be careful, pay attention."
"There are two Hidden Mist squads ahead; their Chakra intensity is average, most likely regular squads."
Nara Kazama suddenly spoke.
Kudo Shin looked at Uchiha Jin upon hearing this.
Clearly.
After days of cooperation and countless successful escapes, Uchiha Jin had proven himself.
Hearing this.
Uchiha Jin didn't hesitate.
"The usual!
"Kazama and I will cooperate, and Shin, you'll hide in the shadows to finish them off!"
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
He formed hand signs, and seven fireballs scattered directly towards the Hidden Mist Ninjas.
Nara Kazama didn't waste words either.
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
A huge Wind Release jutsu formed, pulverizing surrounding dead branches and crumbling the ground, merging with the Phoenix Sage Fire.
The fire, empowered by the wind, swept through everything.
Within a radius of more than ten meters, centered on the Hidden Mist squads, the area was instantly and completely destroyed.
Several Hidden Mist Genin died instantly from a single blow.
Only the remaining two Chunin barely managed to withstand the attack.
"These are... Konoha Ninjas!" the Hidden Mist Chunin gritted his teeth and spoke.
His eyes were filled with hatred.
He knew that his brother had died at the hands of Konoha Ninjas.
At this moment, he wanted revenge.
But before he could act, Kudo Shin attacked from behind, his kunai directly slitting his throat.
He died.
And the remaining Chunin was about to flee when Uchiha Jin threw a kunai, piercing his heart.
"Seal the heads, retreat!"
Uchiha Jin spoke calmly.
Nara Kazama and Kudo Shin merely nodded and began their tasks.
After days of cooperation, everyone was already familiar with this routine.
But, at this moment.
A stout Hidden Mist Ninja, carrying a large sword that least resembled a blade, walked out with a grim expression.
"Greatsword samehada — Suikazan Fuguki!" Nara Kazama exclaimed in alarm.
His face was pale.
Facing this member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, a renowned Jonin, he didn't believe that he and his companions could handle him.
Uchiha Jin's expression changed slightly.
If he truly unleashed his full power, even against the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist before him, he was confident that even if he couldn't kill the opponent, at least defeating him wouldn't be difficult.
But, he couldn't!
His true strength could never be exposed here.
"Run!"
After saying that, he immediately fled.
Nara Kazama was already prepared, and as Uchiha Jin spoke, he naturally started running without a word.
At this moment, he truly unleashed his full power.
But, alas.
The two of them could escape, but Kudo Shin was far from it.
Terrified, he couldn't even exert half of his usual strength.