Deep within the oak forest.
Raindrops the size of soybeans fell in continuous threads through the gaps between the leaves, beating against the ground.
Over a pool of stagnant water, several feet clad in Ninja sandals swiftly stepped across the surface.
They created ripples, yet left no footprints behind, as light as feathers.
Several Amegakure Ninja, wearing respiratory masks and bamboo hats, were moving through the rain in formation.
Using Chakra to adhere to the soles of one's feet to climb trees or walk on water was a mandatory course for most veteran Genin and above.
This squad could even be called elites within Amegakure.
"Captain, should we take a temporary break?"
"Yulian's sensing ability cannot be maintained for long; she needs time to recover her Chakra."
A short, chubby Ame Ninja asked the captain.
The captain was holding an umbrella at the front of the group, occasionally looking back at a tall female Ame Ninja behind them.
"No, the reconnaissance mission is complete."
"It's now confirmed that Konoha has deployed other units to seal the gaps in their defensive positions."
"We need to take the enemy's deployment information we've scouted back."
"What we must do next is hurry; if their deployment changes again, the intelligence might become invalid."
The voice came through the gas mask, sounding particularly muffled.
"But this is still a Konoha defense zone."
"If we don't perform sensing and reconnaissance in time, we might not be able to bypass the blockade."
Another young Ame Ninja carrying a ninja sword also spoke up.
The last remaining Ame Ninja remained silent but nodded in agreement.
The leading Ame Ninja Squad Leader couldn't help but stop and look at the Ame Ninja in the middle of the group.
"Yulian, how much Chakra do you have left?"
"Whether the team rests or continues to return depends on your condition."
"Not very good."
"I've already taken two Soldier Pills in a row."
"If I continue, my internal organs will suffer a greater burden."
"If possible, I'd prefer to rest on the spot for half an hour."
"But before that, I can use Sensing Ninjutsu one last time to scout the surroundings and check for hidden threats."
The female Ame Ninja also stopped and replied.
In the nearby woods.
Uchiha Gen watched the group of Amegakure Ninja silently with his crimson Sharingan.
They must have penetrated deep into the Konoha positions from another direction earlier to perform some missions.
Based on their direction of travel, it was easy to judge that they were on their way back after completing their mission.
Relying on his sensing ability, he could also roughly judge by the quality and quantity of their Chakra that these people were not mediocre.
Especially the leader, who gave him a faint sense of threat.
Unfortunately, the distance was too far to hear the voices of these Amegakure Ninja.
Even with Uchiha Gen's Sharingan active, he couldn't read their lips while they wore respiratory masks.
Uchiha Gen looked up and shook his head at Uzuki Ruri, who was hiding in the treetops above, and made several tactical hand signals.
Tracking, alert, request backup, joint interception ahead.
The leader of the enemies was definitely strong; he wasn't sure he could handle him.
They were also outnumbered, making it difficult for their squad to take them down.
Requesting backup after just one look?
Uzuki Ruri glanced at the positions of the Amegakure Ninja and reached out to release several small snakes to notify nearby teams.
Since the enemies were in their territory and hadn't discovered them yet...
The best choice was naturally to notify teammates from other squads.
Letting them follow the marks left by their own squad to gather strength and kill them ahead.
However, this was only the ideal situation.
After the Amegakure Ninja discussed for a few moments, the Ame Ninja Squad Leader quickly issued an order.
"Fine, then we'll go with your judgment."
"Yulian, perform sensing reconnaissance; everyone else, stay alert on the spot!"
The four Ame Ninja immediately scattered, maintaining full alert.
The female Ame Ninja sat down under the protection of the other four, performed hand seals, and closed her eyes.
"Is that... an actively triggered Sensing Ninjutsu?"
A subtle sensing wave radiated out.
Although Uchiha Gen didn't perceive it directly, a bad premonition suddenly rose in his heart.
He simply signaled his teammates, then also performed hand seals to mobilize his Chakra.
Finally maintaining the Tiger seal, with his two index fingers forming a triangle aimed at his mouth.
This was the most common precursor to an imminent Fire Release Ninjutsu.
In just a few seconds, the female Ame Ninja opened her eyes in panic and looked toward Uchiha Gen's direction.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Before most of the Amegakure Ninja could react, a massive fireball nearly ten meters in diameter flew toward the female Ame Ninja with sensing abilities.
Except for the leading Ame Ninja holding a metal umbrella.
Water Release: Wild Water Wave!
In almost a single breath, a stream of water with moderate volume but strong impact was spat from his mouth.
It met Uchiha Gen's Fire Release head-on.
But how could a basic Water Release Ninjutsu, cast quickly, compare in power to Uchiha Gen's Great Fireball Technique?
His technique had been prepared for a long time and even enhanced with oil in his mouth.
The sound of hissing steam filled the air.
The other four Ame Ninja, finally reacting, immediately split into two groups.
Three lunged toward Uchiha Gen, while the final fat Ame Ninja rolled in front of the female sensing Ninja.
He opened his metal umbrella to block the two of them.
The Great Fireball, its power somewhat reduced, exploded.
It vaporized both the stagnant water and the rain into a large amount of steam.
"Clang!"
The red-hot metal umbrella shattered into several pieces and fell to the ground.
This allowed the newly fallen raindrops to hit them and cool them rapidly.
The fat Ame Ninja had multiple injuries on his body.
The female sensing Ninja behind him had already scrambled up and stuffed a Soldier Pill into her mouth.
At a time like this, she couldn't worry about the negative effects on her internal organs caused by the accumulated toxicity of overusing Soldier Pills.
If she didn't have enough Chakra for the upcoming battle, she would surely die.
If they won, it would just mean her body cells and digestive system were overtaxed.
She would need a period of recovery, leaving her unable to get out of bed for two or three days.
"Ah!"
Almost simultaneously, a scream rang out.
Sarutobi Enjun and Uzuki Ruri both struck, one with a staff and one with a sword.
While Uchiha Gen drew the enemy's attention, they successfully launched a sneak attack and forcibly killed one person.
We can win!
This thought flashed through Uchiha Gen's mind.
One of the opponents was dead, one was injured.
There was also a sensing Ninja whose condition wasn't great and whose Chakra was low.
Although their own side had fewer people, each of them was at their peak condition.
If they fought directly, they wouldn't necessarily lose.
Moreover, this was their territory.
Within five minutes, reinforcements would definitely arrive!