dmims Chapter 97 In the Name of Konoha!
Chapter 97 In the Name of Konoha!
The Night String Squad quickly left the noisy camp and officially entered the perilous Rain Kingdom. Since they were still on the edge, there were still trees.
As soon as we entered the woods, the surrounding light immediately dimmed.
The towering tree canopies blocked out the sun, completely obscuring the already gloomy sky.
The damp, putrid smell in the air became even stronger, making it difficult to breathe.
Beneath your feet is a thick layer of ground made up of fallen leaves and soil. It's soft and yielding, and an ordinary person could easily sink into it if they're not careful.
"Wow, this feels so real! It's a hundred times more exciting than that grove of trees behind our village!"
Sota Shimura, like a monkey just released from its cage, excitedly leaped back and forth between the thick tree trunks, experiencing this unprecedented environment.
He turned around, grinned at Ju Xilin who was following behind, revealing a set of white teeth.
"Xilin, do you think I'm handsome?"
His response was a glare from Ju Xilin and a soft reminder.
"Sata, be careful. Nami said it's slippery here, and there are a lot of holes covered by leaves."
Stay vigilant!
Captain Uchiha Yogen's cold voice came from ahead.
The laughter stopped abruptly.
Sota's face regained its serious expression.
Uchiha Yogen didn't turn around to look at them. His eyes scanned everything around him warily. He paused for a moment before continuing to speak.
"This is no longer a training ground, nor is it a place for you to go on a picnic. Remember the Third Hokage's teachings: we are a team. The mistake of any one person could lead to the annihilation of the entire squad."
The three of them tensed up and immediately went into battle mode.
"Bo Cheng, you stay behind and use Water Release to test the ground ahead, paying particular attention to whether there are any traces of Earth Release traps."
"Yes, Captain," Sarutobi Nami replied immediately.
"Sata, you're on the left wing. Use your Wind Release to sense the flow of air and pay attention to any unusual smells or sounds."
"tide Lin is on the right wing, ready to provide medical support at any time, while also keeping an eye on the surroundings for signs of infection by the toxin."
"Yes, Captain."
Ju Xilin nodded, took out a few silver needles from her medical kit, and held them between her fingers.
"I'm in charge of the main attack and frontal defense."
As Yoru finished speaking, he drew the ninja sword engraved with the Uchiha clan crest and held it horizontally in front of his chest.
A standard four-person reconnaissance squad formation was quickly established.
Under Ye Xian's command, the four of them began to move cautiously yet efficiently through this unfamiliar territory.
They put those theories about teamwork into practice.
As Sarutobi Nagasumi advanced, he would occasionally stop and form hand seals.
"Water Release: Scattering Waves!"
A stream of water gushed from his mouth, washing over the seemingly flat ground in front of him.
As the water flowed, several metallic threads, disguised as vines, were revealed.
At the end of the thread were several explosive tags hidden under fallen leaves.
"There is a tripwire trap at the three o'clock position ahead. Go around it."
Bo Cheng issued a warning to his teammates in a calm tone.
This is the third trap they've discovered since they set out.
The ninjas of Amegakure truly lived up to their reputation; they turned the setting of traps into an art form.
Time passed slowly amidst the tense progress.
As night fell, Ye Xian found a huge, easily defensible cave to serve as the team's temporary resting point.
The four sat together, sharing the cold military rations.
The rain is still falling.
Ye Xian leaned against the inner wall of the cave, looking at the darkness outside shrouded in rain, and a feeling of longing for his family welled up in his heart.
He thought of his wife, the one whose voice always rang, waiting for him to return home.
I also remembered the little guy who always liked to follow me around, calling out "Father" in his sweet, childish voice.
"Obito... he should be asleep by now, right?"
Ye Xian smiled, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.
He gained a deeper understanding of what the Third Hokage had said at the opening ceremony.
The meaning of protection is not about completing a certain number of S-rank missions or beheading a certain number of enemies.
Rather, it is so that the people I cherish can live carefree in a peaceful and tranquil environment.
In order to give her son a childhood where he can pursue his dreams, instead of being burdened by hatred.
That is the whole meaning of his fight.
Yoru felt that the chakra within his body, driven by this determination, was becoming more condensed and stronger.
That Sharingan seems to be undergoing some kind of unseen change.
"Captain, what are you thinking about?"
Sota Shimura's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"It's nothing."
Ye Xian shook his head, pulling himself out of his thoughts.
He looked at his three companions. Although they were still young and even somewhat naive, each of them had the same unwavering determination in their eyes.
They are all standing here to protect the village.
Ye Xian took a deep breath, extended his fist, and placed it between the four people.
Sata, Bo Cheng, and tide Lin exchanged a glance and immediately raised their fists to touch tightly together.
"In the name of Konoha!"
Ye Xian took the lead and recited in a low voice.
"Let's embark on this mission together!"
The other three responded in unison.
This is a ritual that the Third Hokage personally taught to each team when they were formed.
Each time they recited this oath, they felt their hearts beating in unison with the pulse of the entire village.
After the ceremony, the four rose to continue their unfinished journey.
Uchiha Yoru, who was walking at the very front, kept his single-tomoe Sharingan activated the entire time.
"Stay vigilant."
"Yes, Captain!"
The three responded in unison.
After marching for more than an hour, Ye Xian raised his hand, signaling the group to stop.
That raised right hand seemed to issue a silent command.
Shimura Sota's carefree smile vanished instantly. He grabbed the kunai tucked behind his waist and crouched down slightly, assuming a standard defensive stance.
Ju Xilin subconsciously reached into her medical bag, her fingers resting on the several anesthetic needles that were readily available.
Sarutobi Nami immediately retreated to the back of the group, his hands already silently forming hand seals, ready to unleash a water-style ninjutsu at any moment to provide cover for his teammates.
No one asked a question.
This is the absolute tacit understanding they have cultivated through countless training sessions over the years.