Chapter 49: Prelude to the Third Great Ninja War
Chapter 49: Prelude to the Third Great Ninja War
After about half a day's rest, Might Guy had recovered enough to walk normally, and the group set out again towards their destination—Frost Moon Town in the Grass Country, where their mission would conclude.
Their journey was uneventful, and they arrived safely at their destination.
"Thank you both for your escort. Here is the payment for the mission... I apologize for withholding some information earlier," Pu Budai said, taking out a voucher worth five hundred thousand liang. He bowed to Feng Ye in gratitude.
Feng Ye took the money offered by Pu Budai, quickly counted it with his fingers, and nodded. "Then, our contract ends here."
Just as Feng Ye was about to divide the payment with Guy, his expression changed slightly as he turned his head toward the distance, his eyes flickering rapidly.
He didn't proceed with the division of money but instead pocketed it.
"Guy, let's go!"
Whoosh! Whoosh!!
With that, Feng Ye sprinted in the direction they had come from.
Guy was taken aback for a moment but quickly followed suit. Running behind Feng Ye, he asked, "What's wrong? Did you discover something?"
"There are ninjas approaching," Feng Ye replied, taking a breath as he continued running, his gaze fixed on the distant town with a profound look in his eyes. "A large number of ninjas, at least a hundred."
Hearing this, Guy was shocked. "So many? Are they ninjas from the Grass Country?"
"No," Feng Ye shook his head. "They don't feel like ninjas from the Grass Country, and there might be even more of them... Guy, a war may be about to begin."
With those words, Feng Ye activated his Twofold Speed, increasing his pace as he swiftly ran out of the town and into the distance. Guy, seeing this, also activated the First Gate of the Eight Inner Gates, quickly catching up with Feng Ye.
Once they were far from the town, the two leaped into the trees, moving swiftly from treetop to treetop. As they turned to look back, they could make out a large number of figures pouring into the town they had just left.
Although they were too far away to discern the intruders' features, they could vaguely tell that their attire was not that of Grass ninjas but of Rock ninjas from the Rock Ninja Village!
"War..." Guy murmured, taking a breath as his eyes reflected the gravity of the situation.
Such a large number of Rock ninjas entering the Grass Country could only mean one thing—they intended to conquer the Grass Country and use it as a base to attack the Fire Country. Despite his usual obliviousness to such matters, Guy, who had experienced the bloodshed and brutality of the Second Great Ninja War, understood the implications.
"We should hurry back to the village and report this," Guy said in a low voice.
"Mhm," Feng Ye nodded in agreement.
And so, the Third Great Ninja War was about to begin!
...
Grass Country, Frost Moon Town.
A large number of Rock ninjas had poured into the town, quickly taking control of the entire area. The scattered Grass ninjas were no match for the invading force.
"What... What do you want?!" Pu Budai asked, his voice trembling as he was held by one of the Rock ninjas.
A burly Rock ninja stood before him, raising a finger to his lips, shushing him gently. "Quiet down. We're just borrowing your territory as a temporary war camp, that's all."
War...
Hearing those words, Pu Budai's face drained of color.
Those who had lived through the Second Great Ninja War knew all too well what war meant, especially for small countries caught between great powers. They would become frontline battlefields, ravaged by ninjas from both sides, with no power to resist.
"Red Earth, we have taken control of the town," a Chunin reported, kneeling on one knee before the burly Rock ninja.
The Jonin acknowledged and promptly conveyed the order.
Red Earth glanced indifferently at the ashen-faced Pu Budai and some of the captured high-ranking officials of Frost Moon Town. With a wave of his hand, he ordered, "Lock them all up."
Just then, another ninja landed and reported, "I apologize, Red Earth, but we have no news of the Konoha Jonin."
"How can that be?" Red Earth's eyebrows furrowed. "Their Grass Country mission should have ended a few days ago. Keep searching, and when you find them, inform them to join the advance forces at the frontline camp instead of returning to the village to debrief."
"Yes, sir!" The ninja acknowledged and swiftly disappeared.
Upon hearing Red Earth's words, Pu Budai's eyes flickered, and he seemed to realize something. He cautiously glanced at Red Earth but hesitated to speak.
However, his subtle movement did not escape the notice of Red Earth, an elite Jonin. Red Earth immediately noticed the strange look in his eyes.
"Wait." Red Earth stopped the ninja who was about to escort Pu Budai and the others. Turning to Pu Budai, he asked, "You seem to know something. What is it?"
"No, I don't know anything..." Pu Budai responded instinctively.
Shing!
Blood splattered as a kunai pierced Pu Budai's shoulder, leaving a bloody hole. Blood spurted and dripped down his clothes, and the intense pain caused his face to go pale.
"Ahhh..."
"You know nothing?" Red Earth casually spun the kunai between his fingers as he spoke in a flat tone.
Clutching his wounded shoulder, Pu Budai's forehead was drenched in cold sweat, and he shakily sat down, his eyes reflecting fear. "Th-They... If it was a team of ten ninjas... they were... killed by Konoha ninjas..."
"Hmm?" Red Earth's expression changed.
He pressed the kunai against Pu Budai's forehead and demanded, "Konoha ninjas? What exactly happened?"
The news that a squad of ten, led by a Jonin, had been eliminated by Konoha ninjas was extremely serious. It implied that Konoha might also be taking action in the Grass Country! Perhaps they were even targeting their advance forces! If they weren't careful, they could blunder into a Konoha ninja ambush, leading to disastrous consequences and putting them at a significant disadvantage in the early stages of the war.
"Cough... cough... it was... it was..."
With his forehead pierced, blood trickled down Pu Budai's nose as he struggled to speak. He recounted the events of the mission and what had transpired before.
As he narrated, Red Earth's eyes widened in astonishment.
The other Iwagakure ninjas nearby also exchanged uncertain glances. They couldn't believe that their comrades had been defeated, not by a Konoha ambush but by two Konoha ninjas who had accepted an escort mission!
It sounded like a fairy tale!
Firelight's achievements in the village were comparable to those of an elite Jonin. The squad he led consisted of ten capable ninjas, including sensory and medical ninjas. Even if they had encountered Konoha's elite ANBU, they should have been able to put up a decent fight.
For two ninjas to easily annihilate Firelight's elite squad, Konoha must have sent at least two of their elite Jonin, or perhaps even one of the legendary Sannin!
But...
Based on Pu Budai's description of the two Konoha ninjas, they didn't fit the profile of such renowned individuals at all!
While they might not remember every Jonin in Konoha, the number of elite Jonin was limited, and they could easily recognize them. Yet, the two ninjas Pu Budai described were completely unknown to them!
(End of Chapter)
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