When Kyuushin and his two companions arrived at the gathering point, many ninja were already on standby. They gathered in small groups, their faces solemn. Some conversed in low voices, while others polished their blades as if no one else was around. The faint aura emanating from them revealed that this group consisted of the elite from various squads.
Upon seeing the three of them approach, many people showed surprise, but a few others, who seemed to recognize Nawaki or Kyuushin, looked thoughtful. At this moment, a woman with war paint on her face suddenly emerged from the closest squad, accompanied by a large dog. She walked towards them and asked, "Little brothers, have you perhaps come to the wrong place? There's a confidential mission being assigned here soon, so you should leave quickly."
But before Kyuushin could answer, another voice chimed in from the side. "Don't be rude, Yae!"
They followed the sound and saw a young man, about twenty years old, approaching them. His face was also painted, and he was accompanied by a large yellow dog. "These three are Tsunade's disciples, and also the village's three most renowned genius ninja, not children." The young man who spoke was Inuzuka Tsume, whom Kyuushin recognized.
"Brother Tsume," Kyuushin greeted him.
Inuzuka Tsume, though young, appeared very steady. He looked at the three and said, "Although this mission is to support your teachers, a mission of this level is still too early for you."
Nawaki, standing nearby, was about to retort but was held back by Kyuushin, who said, "If a teacher is in trouble, and a disciple has the ability to save them but doesn't, that is not the duty of a disciple."
Hearing Kyuushin's words, Inuzuka Tsume nodded in agreement. Sensing that the three were not acting impulsively, he walked away.
"Ah, so you are the three geniuses the village has been talking about. I apologize for my rudeness earlier," the female ninja said, walking up to them.
"You're too kind. It was just luck," Kyuushin said modestly.
As direct disciples of the Sannin, the three of them were naturally not unknown in the village. Thus, those who knew their identities whispered among their companions, and soon, the group of ninja also learned their names. Their surprised expressions quickly faded, replaced by occasional glances of goodwill.
After a while, seeing that no more people were arriving and it was almost noon, the Third Hokage finally appeared. In the face of such a critical mission, he wasted no words, directly and forcefully commanding them, "This mission is not only to rescue our comrades but also because Iwagakure's activities in the Land of Grass have severely endangered the security of our Land of Fire. Therefore, I demand that you thoroughly eradicate Iwagakure's arrangements there."
"Yes, we obey Hokage-sama's command!" all the ninja present knelt on one knee and shouted, Kyuushin and his two companions naturally following suit.
With the orders delivered, the Third Hokage distributed the equipment he had brought. Besides basic gear like soldier pills and explosive tags, there was also a dark silver breastplate that looked very sturdy. He then walked up to the three and said, "Since Lady Mito also agreed to your participation, I won't say anything more. But you must pay attention to your own safety. In critical moments, even if you have to abandon the mission, you must ensure your own well-being. Do you understand?"
"Yes!" the three nodded in response. Seeing this, the Third Hokage personally distributed their equipment. He then led them to a ninja with an ordinary face but a considerable aura, introducing him. "This is the captain of this operation, Jonin Mokume Koutou. Since you are participating in the mission, you must obey the captain's command, understood?" Before they could answer, the Third Hokage said to Mokume, "These are the disciples of my three disappointing students. Although they are young, they possess considerable strength. I'll have to trouble you to look after them this time."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Mokume Koutou replied.
With everything arranged, Mokume Koutou gave the order, and nearly thirty ninja instantly vanished, speeding towards the Land of Grass. They traveled at full speed, with almost no stops, finally reaching the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass before nightfall.
"Stop, take a rest!" Mokume commanded upon arriving in a forest. Immediately, some of the panting ninja in the team sat directly on the ground, taking out soldier pills and swallowing them. Hundreds of kilometers of continuous travel had pushed some to their limits.
Kyuushin, however, was fine. Ever since he unlocked his Second Stage Gene Lock, his physical fitness had greatly improved. Nawaki was also fine, but Minato looked a bit miserable, sweating profusely and his face pale. He didn't have a special bloodline to support him, so such continuous high-intensity marching was very challenging. Kyuushin's hand glowed with green chakra, which he placed on Minato, trying his best to relieve his fatigue.
Mokume, who was on alert in the treetops, saw this scene and nodded slightly. Although the Third Hokage had instructed him to take good care of them, he would not slow down for them. If they couldn't keep up, it would prove they were not suitable for this mission. However, it now seemed that Kyuushin and his companions indeed had the capability.
After resting for a while, seeing that everyone had basically recovered, he jumped down and commanded, "Now, all sensory ninja, please raise your hands."
Nearly half of the ninja raised their hands, and Kyuushin also raised his. Their squad's main task was a rescue mission, so it naturally needed to be equipped with enough sensory ninja.
Mokume nodded, then said, "State your name, sensing method, and range, one by one, starting from the closest."
"Inuzuka Tsume, olfactory sensing, two-kilometer radius."
"Aburame Daisuke, insect sensing, two-kilometer radius."
"Hyuga Yukito, Byakugan, one and a half-kilometer radius."
"Yamanaka Yoshiyuki, Mind Body Transmission Technique, three-kilometer radius."
"Uzumaki Kyuushin, Mind's Eye of the Kagura, five-kilometer radius," Kyuushin said when it was his turn.
Upon hearing the five-kilometer range, many ninja showed surprise, and Mokume directly asked, "What kind of secret technique is it, and how does it work?" He mostly understood the sensing abilities of the other ninja, but he didn't know Kyuushin's, so he asked directly.
"It's an ability called the Mind's Eye of the Kagura. It can sense the chakra of people within a five-kilometer radius. Based on the amount of chakra, it can also vaguely perceive the enemy's strength, and if there's a specific person's chakra, it can also distinguish them," Kyuushin replied.
Mokume nodded, then gestured for the other ninja to continue. After understanding everyone's abilities, he began to give orders. "Soon we will directly enter the Land of Grass, so I need you to maintain sensing at all times. First, Uzumaki Kyuushin, avoid any ninja within five kilometers while searching for Tsunade and her two companions. Second, Yamanaka Yoshiyuki to confirm once more. The Inuzuka and Aburame clansmen will ensure we avoid civilians. That is all."
"Yes!"