The Iwa jōnin's facial muscles convulsed violently, watching helplessly as the technique he launched was countered by the enemy, becoming the tomb burying his comrades. Rage and shock nearly broke through reason.
Sharp wind-breaking sounds suddenly rang from the canyon's other end! Four figures wrapped in wind and sand swept swiftly near. Shinobi wearing Suna forehead protectors peeled from rock shadows like shed skin, cutting off the two surviving Iwa shinobi's retreat.
Flanked front and back, retreat cut off.
The two Iwa shinobi's eyes instantly erupted with cornered beast-like ferocity. They actually abandoned the Konoha people ahead in unison, turning sharply to throw themselves fearlessly at the just-landed Suna shinobi!
"Hmph!"
The leading Suna shinobi snorted coldly. Facing the charging enemies, he neither dodged nor evaded. His left hand reached out, gripping one Iwa shinobi's weapon-wielding wrist, twisting forcefully! A tooth-aching bone-cracking sound rang out. The kunai fell from his hand.
Simultaneously, his right leg swept horizontally, kicking viciously at another Iwa shinobi's knee bend!
"Urgh!"
Two pain cries rang almost simultaneously. One Iwa shinobi's wrist twisted into deformity, kneeling to the ground. The other lost center of gravity completely from the kick, falling forward.
The Suna shinobi's movements showed no pause. He lifted his foot and heavily stomped the fallen one's back, pressing him firmly into sand and stone. The other was swiftly restrained with arms reversed by two Suna shinobi, tied thoroughly with rope.
That skilled Suna jōnin looked toward the Konoha people.
"Konoha shinobi, why are you here conflicting with Iwa shinobi?"
Shuji said, "This is River Country. Konoha is executing a mission here and encountered Iwa ambush. Why have you appeared here?"
That leading Suna shinobi answered, "Patrol forces received intelligence that Iwa shinobi were active in River Country. The village dispatched us to investigate."
"I see. I am Konoha Jōnin Shuji. River Country's Daimyō issued a commission. Many wandering shinobi appeared nearby. We didn't expect they were Iwa shinobi, so we engaged in combat." Lying without changing expression, Shuji answered.
"Jōnin..." That Suna shinobi chewed on this rank for a while. "So it was a Daimyō commission. According to intelligence, many Iwa shinobi remain nearby."
"We want to deal with these Iwa shinobi. Shuji-jōnin likewise has a mission. As allies, if goals align, how about cooperation?"
"My name is Kazamaki. Jōnin."
Shuji glanced at those corpses on the ground, then at the bound Iwa shinobi, suddenly smiling.
"Of course. The enemy numbers are considerable. Having willing allies assist couldn't be better."
"Please wait. We'll handle the corpses."
He waved his hand backward. The five behind simultaneously dealt with corpses. Shuji did not bother with it but continued communicating with Kazamaki before him while observing those Suna shinobi behind him.
"Kazamaki-san, regarding the scale of Iwa shinobi invading River Country, do you have approximate numbers?"
"Specifics unclear. At least five standard squads. However, Shuji..." He looked at Shuji again. Very young. "The jōnin's led squad already eliminated two squads."
Anko walked toward those three crude stone coffins, looking at the dark liquid seeping out and shapeless outlines inside, muttering quietly, "Tch, died miserably..."
Yet her movements handling corpses carried venting-like harshness, heavily slapping down shattered rock chunks, stirring up dust.
A Suna shinobi standing beside the captives, his peripheral vision glimpsing Anko's movements, imperceptibly furrowed his brows, then nonchalantly turned toward the bound Iwa shinobi on the ground, crouching as if carefully checking their tool pouches and forehead protectors.
"Understood." Shuji seemed not to see these small movements, nodding to Kazamaki. "Let's go. The road ahead is still long."
Genma's gaze briefly intersected with Shuji's. He mumbled an "mm" unclearly, the senbon in his mouth motionless.
His elbow seemingly accidentally lightly bumped Namiashi Raidō beside him. His eyes also extremely quickly glanced toward Tatami Iwashi.
Raidō tightened his grip on the black blade. Iwashi imperceptibly nodded.
Seeing the Konoha shinobi had finished handling the scene, Kazamaki spoke, "Please follow me. Our camp is just ahead. Go there temporarily for some rest."
This advance, Shuji actively walked at the formation's forefront. Anko and Itachi flanked him closely left and right.
Genma, Raidō, and Iwashi tacitly fell to the formation's rear.
Suna's so-called temporary camp was indeed not far. At shinobi traveling speed, just a few minutes brought them near a depression backed by massive rock walls. Over a dozen tents blending with the environment were faintly visible.
However, when less than a hundred meters from the camp entrance, Shuji's footsteps stopped without warning.
Kazamaki leading ahead and the Suna shinobi he led also seemed to have a pause button pressed, stopping in unison and turning around.
The two Iwa captives originally bound by ropes now had loosened bindings. The one with twisted wrist moved both hands freely, coldly observing the Konoha people.
Suna shinobi silently spread out, forming a loose semi-encirclement. Kunai and shuriken in their hands gleamed with cold light.
The atmosphere suddenly dropped to freezing. The canyon's dry wind swept up fine sand, making whimpering sounds.
Kazamaki stood at the encirclement's front. That bit of feigned courtesy on his face completely vanished. "Shuji-jōnin, why not continue following?"
Shuji's gaze calmly swept across the loosened captives, spread-out Suna shinobi, and the camp close at hand.
"Coming this far is about enough. Going further would underestimate you too much."
"Why has Suna betrayed its alliance with Konoha?"
Kazamaki's face showed a half-smile. "Betraying alliance sounds quite serious. We just plan to complete the mission together as Suna's Konoha allies."
"That would be wonderful. However, with just you, surrendering would be better." Shuji proposed.
He was not blind to abnormalities. He even placed Genma's squad at the rear, preparing for retreat.
Only Suna and Iwa possibly conspiring to intercept Konoha shinobi here had to be confirmed clearly.
This involved the entire western line's safety.
According to his memory, until the Konoha Crush Plan, Suna had always been Konoha's ally.
What was happening now...
Shuji's words made Kazamaki's face show even more cold mockery.
The young jōnin calmly stated, "The previous ambush squad's composition was approximately one jōnin, seven chūnin. Ah, not being too contemptuous, but if I or any of my comrades unintentionally killed a jōnin, please inform me."
"After all, this counts as considerable merit."
"Now your side's composition, if I'm not mistaken, besides you, there's one more Iwa jōnin. The others are all chūnin."
"So, would you like to consider..."
"Ignorant fool!" Kazamaki shouted angrily. "Precisely because of this, we can't stand you Konoha people!"
"Choosing this place specifically is just to save some trouble! You mere brat! Who do you think we are!"
"Open your eyes and see clearly! Iwa and Suna's alliance is sufficient to crush Konoha!"
"Your doomsday—begins now!"