Shisui walked to the center of the training ground and began his routine physical training to maintain peak combat readiness.
High-intensity Taijutsu Movements created whooshing sounds, and sweat soon soaked his temples.
After finishing his training, he walked to a large tree, sat down on an exposed root, took out his water bottle, and gulped down a few mouthfuls.
Cool water slid down his throat. He gazed at the flag fluttering over the Star Ninja Academy in the distance and the faint, energetic shouts of training coming from the direction of the military district, his eyes somewhat unfocused.
The scene of peaceful integration was so beautiful it seemed almost illusory.
He sighed softly. That sigh contained worry about Konoha's current situation, as well as yearning for the alternative possibility displayed by this land before him.
Meanwhile, Team Natsuhi had already left the warm confines of Star City and set out on the road north.
The air noticeably grew colder. As they weaved through the trees, patches of unmelted snow began to appear on the ground.
"Hey, pipsqueak." Shunji couldn't hold back any longer. While moving, he turned his head to speak to Chino, who was following closely behind Natsuhi, his tone still carrying a hint of provocation.
"You talked big earlier. Chinoike Clan? Got any special Ninjutsu? Don't start crying when you see blood and hold us back." He still had reservations about whether this suddenly added, seemingly delicate and weak new teammate could adapt to cruel real combat.
Chino's steps faltered, her small face tightening again. She was about to retort when Natsuhi, ahead of her, spoke without turning her head: "Shunji, during a mission, focus on the objective."
She paused, perhaps to facilitate better tactical coordination among the three youngsters, and added, "Chino's Kekkei Genkai is the [Ketsuryugan]. In specific combat environments, it has unique tactical value. What you need to do is learn to cooperate, not question your teammate's abilities."
"Ketsuryugan?" Hazuki looked at Chino curiously: "That sounds really powerful!"
Chino, feeling somewhat defended by Natsuhi and under Hazuki's curious gaze, felt her anger mostly dissipate, replaced by an impulse to prove herself.
She raised her head with a bit of pride: "Yeah! My clan's Ketsuryugan is really powerful! It can—"
"Alright." Natsuhi timely cut off her potentially revealing explanation: "You will demonstrate its specific abilities when necessary."
"Now, conserve your strength and stay alert. Once we enter the snowy forest area, we could encounter an enemy ambush at any time. Remember, they are desperadoes who will show no mercy."
Natsuhi's words were like a bucket of cold water, sobering up the three youngsters.
Shunji also fell silent, though his eyes still held scrutiny.
Chino pressed her lips together, swallowing her boastful words. Her small hand unconsciously rested on her tool pouch as she vigilantly observed the increasingly desolate, snow-thickened environment around them.
The cold wind whipped fine snow dust across their cheeks, bringing a biting chill.
After a long, tedious, and wary trek, as the setting sun dyed the western sky a bleak, vivid orange-red, an endless expanse of coniferous forest, blanketed in heavy white snow, finally appeared before them.
Tall cedars and firs stood like giants clad in mourning white, their branches bowed low under the weight of the snow.
The cold wind whistled through the woods with a mournful, ghost-like howl, kicking up swirling snow mist that severely reduced visibility.
The air was so cold it felt like it could freeze one's breath.
"We're here, the edge of the Awa Snow Forest." Natsuhi stopped on a tree branch, raising her hand to signal the team to halt.
Her voice was very low, almost inaudible against the howling wind, but it clearly reached the three of them.
"From now on, it is the highest alert status. The enemy is likely lurking somewhere in this sea of trees."
She quickly issued orders: "Shunji, left flank. Hazuki, right flank. Chino, stick close to me, central support. Maintain a triangular formation. Keep the distance under ten meters. Watch for tracks in the snow and any unnatural sounds. They are experts at ambushes. Any rustle could be a trap."
"Yes!" the three responded in low unison, immediately dispersing according to instructions. Their movements were noticeably more cautious and efficient than during training.
Shunji drew a kunai, holding it ready, his eyes sharply scanning the snow-covered bushes and strange rocks on the left.
Hazuki also gripped her weapon tightly, warily watching the deep woods on the right.
Chino followed closely behind and slightly to the side of Natsuhi. Her heart pounded, her small palms sweating, but she tried to control her breathing, wide-eyed, imitating her teacher as she observed the vast white snowfield ahead, the distorted tree shadows, and any snowdrift that might conceal an enemy.
The team moved like ghosts, blending into the snowy landscape, advancing silently deeper into the dense forest.
They moved from tree trunk to tree trunk, trying their best to avoid leaving traces in the snow.
The icy air stung their lungs with each breath but also made their minds exceptionally clear.
Time passed minute by minute in the highly tense stealth advance.
The last rays of the setting sun were swallowed by the towering trees. The light within the forest rapidly dimmed, taking on a layer of icy deep blue cold.
The chill grew increasingly piercing.
Suddenly, Natsuhi, at the very front, stopped abruptly. Her left hand quickly formed a fist and shot up, which is the signal to halt and be alert!
Almost at the same instant!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Sharp whistling sounds tore through the howl of the wind and snow!
Seven or eight arrows, shot with powerful force and cunning angles, shot out like venomous snakes from several snow burrows and tree holes half-concealed by snow ahead and on both flanks!
Their target was all four members of the team!
The arrowheads gleamed with a sinister blue light in the dim light, clearly coated with potent poison!
"Ambush! Scatter!" Natsuhi shouted sharply, her voice like a clap of thunder in the silent snowy forest!
Her reactions were extremely fast!
The moment the arrows were loosed, her body slid sideways to the right to evade.
Simultaneously, her hands became a blur.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Several poison arrows aimed at her were precisely knocked away by kunai, sparks flying!
Shunji and Hazuki also demonstrated their qualified skills as Genin.
Shunji roared, throwing himself violently to the left, narrowly avoiding the arrows aimed at his chest and abdomen. His heavy body crashed into the thick snow.
Hazuki performed a nimble backflip. Two poison arrows grazed her hair and the soles of her boots, embedding themselves deeply into the tree trunk behind her, the shafts still vibrating violently!
However, the attack was not over!
Just as Chino's mind was reeling from the sudden ambush, she instinctively jumped towards the ground.
Upon landing, the seemingly flat snow beneath her feet suddenly gave way, collapsing downward!
An extremely cleverly disguised snow pit trap!
At the bottom of the pit stood several sharpened wooden stakes, honed to a razor's edge by ice and snow!
Cold killing intent instantly shot from the soles of her feet to the top of her head!
"Ah!" Chino screamed, losing her balance, about to fall!
"Chino!" Natsuhi's pupils constricted.
At this critical moment, the instinct to survive and three months of arduous training instantly overcame fear!
A flash of resolute red glint gleamed in Chino's eyes!
She forcibly twisted her body in mid-air, her right hand swiftly drawing a kunai and stabbing it hard into the pit wall!
Crunch!
The kunai sank deep into the frozen earth, drastically slowing her fall!
But her left calf was still grazed by a sharp wooden stake, opening a long gash.
Blood instantly gushed out, staining her pants leg and the cold snow crimson!
Intense pain made her small face turn deathly pale. She let out a muffled groan.
"Bastards!" Seeing Chino in danger and injured, a surge of rage shot through Shunji's head.
He no longer hid.
Roaring, he formed hand seals with both hands: "Earth Release: Rock Pillar Spear!"
His palms slammed onto the snow!
Rumble!
The ground not far in front of Chino's trap shook violently. Three sharp rock spears burst through the snow with a dull roar, stabbing fiercely towards a bandit hiding spot that had just been revealed!
"Argh!" A piercing scream rang out.
A bandit clad in bulky furs, his face brutish, had his thigh impaled by one of the rock spears.
Blood sprayed wildly, instantly rendering him combat ineffective.
Hazuki also quickly counterattacked, her hands moving in a blur: "Multiple Phantom Shuriken!"
Several shuriken transformed into a sheet of cold light, covering the direction another volley of arrows had come from, forcing two bandits who had just leaned out to scramble back in disarray.
"Well done!" Natsuhi praised, her cold gaze locking onto the area ahead.
"The main players are out!"
About twenty meters ahead, from behind several thick cedar trees, accompanied by falling snow, seven figures slowly emerged… blocking the path.
They wore dirty, heavy clothes patched together from various furs and rags. Their faces showed the weariness of long flight and the vicious ferocity unique to desperadoes.
The leader was a one-eyed giant of a man, a savage scar running from his left forehead to his right jaw. He held a heavy cleaver stained with dark red blood.
Beside him, a lean, wiry man with eyes as venomous as a snake held several sharpened, poisoned shuriken.
There was also an archer holding a longbow with a quiver on his back.
The remaining four also held various weapons, like axes, spears, maces, their eyes filled with a beast-like bloodlust.
They all emitted faint, chaotic, yet murderous Chakra Fluctuations.
"Star Ninjas? They sent a few brats who haven't even grown all their hair to die?" The one-eyed man licked his chapped lips, revealing yellowed teeth. His voice was hoarse and unpleasant, full of mockery and killing intent.
"Perfect. I'll use your heads to consecrate the flag for my dead brothers!" He pointed his heavy cleaver fiercely at Team Natsuhi and roared, "Brothers! Tear them apart! Leave none alive!"
"Kill!!!" The remaining bandits let out beast-like howls, brandishing their weapons, charging through the snow like a pack of mad wolves!
Snow flew everywhere under their heavy tread!
"Take them out quickly!" Natsuhi ordered. Her figure shot out like an arrow from a bow, heading straight for the one-eyed leader who emitted the strongest Chakra Fluctuations!
The kunai in her hand traced a cold arc.
"Hazuki, cover me!" Shunji roared, fearlessly charging towards the bandit wielding a mace, a man built like a bear.
He abandoned hand seals, opting for close-quarters combat with his more proficient Taijutsu. His heavy fist whistled through the air as he smashed it towards his opponent!
"Understood!" Hazuki shouted, her figure moving nimbly across the snow. Her hands flew, shuriken and kunai shooting with precision towards enemies trying to flank Shunji from the side, providing suppressive fire and disruption.
Her throwing skills were quite proficient, the angles cunning, forcing the two bandits to constantly dodge and block, temporarily preventing them from forming an encirclement.
Chino endured the burning pain in her left leg, gritted her teeth, and climbed out of the pit, leaning against a large tree, panting heavily.
Blood stained the white snow at her feet, the blinding crimson glaringly obvious.
She watched the enemies charging like beasts not far away, watched the sparks fly from the fierce clash between Natsuhi and the one-eyed leader, watched Shunji roaring as he traded blows with the giant, watched Hazuki nimbly weaving about, providing restraint.
Fear and intense pain made her body tremble slightly, but a stronger emotion burned wildly in her heart… rage!
And the desire to prove herself!
A bandit noticed the isolated and injured Chino, a cruel greed flashing in his eyes.
"Little girl! I'll finish you first!" He grinned ferociously, waving a hatchet that was rusty but had a blade which had been honed to shine. He bypassed Hazuki's restraint and charged at Chino like a starving wolf pouncing on prey!
Shunji saw this out of the corner of his eye. His heart tightened. He wanted to assist but was tied up by the fierce giant in front of him.
Unable to break free immediately, he could only roar, "Be careful!"
Just as the bandit charged to within five meters of Chino, his hatchet raised high, bringing it down with a foul wind with brutal force!
Chino, who had been hanging her head low, suddenly looked up!
Her eyes were no longer clear black, but had become a heart-stopping scarlet, like the purest rubies!
Ketsuryugan, activated!
Deep within her pupils, the faint red [ - ]symbols glowed with an eerie light!
A sinister, violent, soul-shaking Ocular Power shot out like an invisible shockwave, instantly locking onto the charging bandit!
"Huh?!" The bandit's grin instantly froze, replaced by utter terror!
He felt as if his blood was being ignited and frozen by those terrifying eyes!
His mind went blank. His body's movements uncontrollably stiffened for an instant!
The raised hatchet halted mid-swing!
It was that instant!
Chino endured the intense pain in her leg, her small face filled with resolute ferocity!
She didn't form hand seals, only let out a childish yet powerful shriek!
"Haaah!"
The scarlet light in her eyes swelled violently!
The smell of blood permeating the air seemed drawn by an invisible force!
The blood flowing from the wound on Chino's left leg, and the blood gushing from the wound of the bandit whose thigh had been impaled not far away, seemed to gain life! It instantly defied gravity, transforming into two thin, viscous crimson lines that rapidly coalesced in the air!
Fwoosh!
In the blink of an eye, a massive dragon, several meters long and completely formed from viscous blood, materialized!
It radiated a thick stench of blood and a nauseatingly sinisterly cold Chakra Fluctuation. Its head was savage!
Locked onto by Chino's Ketsuryugan, the crimson blood dragon tore through the air, emitting a sharp, piercing shriek.
With the speed of lightning, it precisely pierced into the chest of the bandit charging at Chino!
Thump-!
The dull sound of penetration was clearly audible!
The bandit's charging body halted abruptly as if struck by an invisible giant hammer!
He looked down in disbelief at the cavity in his chest left by the crimson blood dragon. The fear on his face solidified into eternal despair
"..."
An incomprehensible gurgle came from his throat. The hatchet in his hand fell into the snow with a clang. His body swayed, then he collapsed forward limply as if his bones had been removed, splashing up a spray of crimson snow.
Warm blood quickly spread out beneath him, melting the icy snow.
Time seemed to stand still for a moment.
The howling cold wind seemed to pause.
Shunji and Hazuki, locked in their own fierce battles, and even the fierce bandits… everyone's movements froze for an instant.
Gazes filled with shock, disbelief, and deep fear all simultaneously focused on the small figure in the center of it all.
She leaned against the rough tree trunk, the wound on her left leg still bleeding. Her small face was pale from blood loss and the intense drain of Chakra.
But her pupils were glaringly scarlet!
After a brief, dead silence, Chino's body swayed violently. Intense nausea and dizziness from Chakra overdraft washed over her like a tide.
She could no longer hold back. She bent over with a retching sound, vomiting violently, her small body trembling in the cold wind.
The impact of that bloody scene and ending a life with her own hands was far harder for her to bear than the wound on her leg.
"K-Kekkei Genkai..." A bandit stammered, his voice trembling with fear as he watched the eerie blood dragon that had pierced his companion's chest slowly dissipate into filthy blood, merging with the snow.
"M-Monster!" another bandit cried out in terror, taking a step back.
Shunji looked at the small, vomiting figure, then at the corpse on the ground rapidly losing its warmth after being pierced through the chest. The habitual disdain and arrogance on his face completely vanished, replaced by an unprecedented gravity and awe.
He finally understood what Natsuhi meant by 'unique tactical value'.
'This was no flower from a greenhouse!'
"What are you staring at?!" Natsuhi's cold voice cracked like thunder, instantly shattering the eerie silence.
Her kunai stabbed out with the cunning of a venomous snake, aiming directly for the wrist of the one-eyed leader holding the cleaver!
"Ah!" The one-eyed leader screamed as his right hand, still clutching the large knife, was severed.
After all, he was just a bandit with a bit of Chakra, his strength only equivalent to a Genin's, so he was no match for Natsuhi, who ended him in a single move.
Her main goal had been to let her three young charges 'smell blood' and gain some combat experience.
"Finish them!" Natsuhi's order was concise and filled with killing intent after effortlessly dispatching the bandit leader.
Shunji and Hazuki, snapping back to reality, had no hesitation left in their eyes. Their fighting spirit was completely ignited by Chino's stunning and brutal strike!
The two of them pounced on the remaining bandits, whose morale had plummeted, like tigers descending a mountain!
Natsuhi stood with one foot on the thoroughly dead bandit leader's corpse, watching her Genin subordinates dispatch the despairing bandits who tried to flee on the crimson snowfield.