On the way, Feng Zheng thought.
“So this is why I was never assigned another mission! Ugh, at least someone should have told me... Yuan Feibao’s words probably came indirectly from Hiruzen.”
“Then again, even if I knew this, I don’t have any connections with other Chunin. This is the same conclusion I reached when I went on missions with Yasooka and the others. Simply spreading information about my Wind Release abilities isn’t enough. After all, who knows which squad I’ll join? The only way is to ask Renjiro or Hiruzen to assign me to a team. This is probably what Hiruzen did.”
“However, not having connections is indeed a problem. Before, I didn’t think much of it, because this is a world where the strong prevail. As long as I keep working hard and reach the top, everyone will scramble to build relationships with me. But it will take a lot of time to reach that level. I might still need help along the way.”
“At least, the help Renjiro has given me so far is crucial. Unlike Hiruzen, his help is selfless. Ugh, I need to interact more with other Ninja. While I don’t need as much help as Renjiro gives me, I need to build connections so I can form different types of teams based on missions.”
“But how do I do that? I can’t just hang out and drink with them, can I? Never mind, no need to worry so much. I’ll build connections when the opportunity arises in the future.”
“However, not having any missions for the past three months isn’t a problem either. My Sealing Technique has improved greatly during these months. I have already learned all the important Sealing Jutsu. In terms of effectiveness, I should be on par with a Seal Master.”
“I might still need a few more months to learn all the remaining Sealing Technique. But it’s best to stop learning for now. I should practice the Sealing Jutsu I’ve already learned more. After all, Hiruzen is unlikely to give me the Flying Thunder God scroll so soon.”
Feng Zheng trained with his Shadow Clone for several more hours, practicing his Ninjutsu, kenjutsu, and taijutsu.
The next day, Feng Zheng began walking towards Konoha’s gate. He thought.
“Land of Rice Fields... I hope I don’t run into Orochimaru. My encounter with Kakuzu has already stimulated me for years.”
Feng Zheng and his new team gathered at the gate. Yuan Feibao said.
“Our client will arrive here in a few minutes, and I will brief you on the situation. After the Third Shinobi World War, the Land of Rice Fields has been peaceful. However, in recent years, there has been a lot of unrest.”
“According to reports, there have been many rogue Ninja attacks here. Many nobles have also been targeted. Even the Daimyo’s retainers have been attacked. Therefore, we must be very careful on this mission.”
“Zheng, you are responsible for sniffing out any potential attackers. Katsumi and Feng Zheng, you two assist him. Liang Tai, you are responsible for ensuring the safety of our client. You will cooperate with his bodyguards. I am responsible for attacking any assailants. Zheng will assist me, and Katsumi will provide long-range support. Feng Zheng, on this mission, you only need to observe us. If there’s an opportunity, you can attack.”
Feng Zheng nodded. This arrangement was reasonable, as he needed some time to integrate into their team.
Yuan Feibao briefed his team on a few things until two men arrived at the gate.
The younger man was blond and wore an expensive robe. The older man was dressed as a Ninja, wearing a mask similar to Kakashi’s, and two swords could be seen on his back.
The two of them greeted Yuan Feibao, with whom they had already dealt the previous day.
After a brief discussion, the group set off.
The young noble and his bodyguard walked in the center. Inuzuka Zheng, Kenta, and Yuan Feibao walked in front of them. Feng Zheng walked to their right, and Liang Tai walked to their left. Katsumi was responsible for the rear.
It took the group 7 days to reach the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rice Fields. They encountered no trouble along the way.
Upon reaching the border, the bodyguard said.
“We have suffered many rogue Ninja attacks in the past year, and we still have a day and a half to go. Please be vigilant and protect us.”
Yuan Feibao replied.
“Don’t worry. We have always been vigilant.”
The group continued onward. A few hours later, Inuzuka Zheng stopped and said.
“There are three people’s scents in this place; someone was here not long ago.”
Yuan Feibao looked at Feng Zheng and Yume Nura Katsumi. Feng Zheng activated his Chakra Field. Some insects appeared around Katsumi and spread into the forest.
Feng Zheng said.
“There is no one within a one-kilometer radius of us.”
Feng Zheng’s Chakra Field could sense up to 1.25 kilometers. However, he decided to only report one kilometer.
Later, if someone learned of Feng Zheng’s ability and decided to hide outside the range he stated, he would lose the element of surprise.
Yuan Feibao nodded and looked at Katsumi. A few minutes later, Katsumi said.
“No one is hiding around us.”
Yuan Feibao instructed.
“Keep your insects on alert. If those guys want to cause us trouble, they might appear soon.”
Katsumi nodded and let his insects fly among the group. The group continued for another kilometer.
Not far ahead of the team, four Ninja were waiting in the trees. One of them said.
“Boss, that noble named Kohinata Takuma should be coming along this route soon, but he should have Konoha Ninja escorting him. Should we attack?”
Before he could answer, another guy said.
“We should attack them, and even kill the Konoha Ninja, so we can make a name for ourselves in the Land of Rice Fields!”
The third person also wanted to attack. So their leader agreed, saying.
“We will launch an attack and kill them all. Hide well, and before they can react, we will launch a sneak attack and kill them!”
The four dispersed in different directions and took their positions. What they didn’t know was that their small meeting was being monitored by several insects.
Katsumi said calmly.
“Don’t react, there are four rogue Ninja planning an ambush ahead, about 1.5 kilometers from here.”
Yuan Feibao asked.
“How strong are they?”
Katsumi replied.
“I don’t know. Probably Chunin level.”
Yuan Feibao instructed.
“Alright, continue moving forward like this. When we get close, Katsumi and Zheng will attack. Liang Tai and Feng Zheng will be responsible for defense. Feng Zheng, do not sense them.”
No one responded to Yuan Feibao, and the group continued forward.
The noble and his bodyguard were nervous but didn’t show it. They were prepared for an attack.
About 500 meters from the ambush site, Inuzuka Zheng said.
“I can smell them.”
Katsumi said.
“My insects have also transmitted their positions to me.”
Yuan Feibao said.
“Good, attack as soon as possible.”
The group walked until they were only 100 meters from the ambush site. Suddenly, Inuzuka Zheng, Kenta, and Katsumi disappeared.
They quietly moved through the forest, approaching those waiting to ambush them.
Feng Zheng watched them, his eyes glowing. He checked the ambushers, thinking.
“Chunin? These people are Genin at most. Only one person’s Chakra reserves have reached Chunin level.”
Inuzuka Zheng and his dog ran faster. They reached their opponent first. Their opponent didn’t see them until the last moment.
When he heard something and looked behind him, Inuzuka Zheng plunged a kunai into his back, while Kenta bit his throat.
Another attacker was a few meters away from Inuzuka Zheng. He was shocked to see one of his companions killed so quickly.
He shouted loudly to warn the others and grabbed his weapon. However, Inuzuka Zheng and Kenta suddenly began to spin, performing the Human Beast Ninjutsu: Fang Over Fang.
This Ninja had never seen such a skill before. Inuzuka Zheng and Kenta struck him simultaneously. Their claws ripped open his throat.
They both stopped and looked at the victim of their attack, thinking.
“They are just Genin.”
On the other side of the road, Katsumi watched from afar as his insects devoured one of his opponents.
The last remaining member of the group was their leader. He was terrified by the screams of his subordinates on the other side and the insects eating one of his men in front of him.
When Katsumi said.
“Don’t struggle, your death is inevitable.”
He began to frantically make Hand Seals.
He felt humiliated but continued to make Hand Seals. Suddenly, he felt something bite his chest.
The tense situation made him ignore the pain, but suddenly his hands and feet trembled. His knees fell to the ground.
Katsumi said.
“When your clothes are covered in my venomous insects, you shouldn’t fight.”
As he fell to the ground. He could see some insects crawling out of Katsumi’s shirt.
Yuan Feibao appeared behind Katsumi and asked.
“Is it done?”
Katsumi said.
“It’s done. It seems only he was Chunin level. It’s hard to say if someone like him will have a bounty.”
Yuan Feibao said.
“Even if there isn’t, we can still use his head to slightly improve our relationship with the Daimyo, so collect his head.”
Katsumi nodded and put his head into a scroll.
The group continued their journey.
