In reality, at just sixteen years old and having been promoted to Anbu Captain, Sora, whether in terms of combat power or seniority, fully deserved the evaluation as one of the Kirigakure's [Peerless Twin Geniuses].
After all, even before obtaining Hyorinmaru, he had Reiatsu at the Rank 4. In terms of pure energy intensity, this already placed him at the level of an Elite Jonin.
Coupled with his proficient Zanjutsu, Shunpo, and Hakuda, it could be said without exaggeration that even without Hyorinmaru, Sora's combat power would still rank in the middle-to-upper tier among Elite Jonin.
Of course, as an Anbu Ninja, even though Sora had outstanding military achievements, he remained largely unknown in the wider Ninja World.
However, his codename [Frost] had long been famous across the Ninja World, causing many Konoha and Kumogakure's Ninjas to tremble with fear and lose sleep over him.
This reputation was built entirely on a pile of corpses!
And now.
With his synchronization with Hyorinmaru increasing daily, Sora's combat power was becoming even more terrifying. Having strength naturally bred confidence.
Even when facing the imminent encounter with Jiraiya, he remained calm and steady.
'With the Zanpakuto's boost, if not for that X-factor Might Duy, there might actually be a chance to join forces with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and surround and kill Jiraiya.'
Sora's gaze beneath the mask was cold, substantial killing intent rising in his heart.
At this moment, the snowfall from the sky was an effect of the skill [Weather Subjugation] that he awakened after his synchronization with his Zanpakuto increased.
Weather Subjugation!
It allowed Sora to control, to a certain extent, the atmospheric changes in the surrounding sky. It was an ability even more formidable than the Rinnegan's [Rain Tiger at Will Technique].
With Weather Subjugation, Sora could amplify the power of his Hyorinmaru, which naturally also greatly boosting his combat power.
With a sword in hand and confidence in his heart, Sora naturally felt some excitement, wanting to test the mettle of the legendary Konoha's Sannin.
…
One day later.
The large ship docked.
The group of Kirigakure's Anbu filed out and hurried towards the Kirigakure's camp marked on the map.
Calculating the time, it was probably around Year 47 of the Konoha Calendar. The entire Ninja World was a boiling pot of war, and Konoha, occupying the most fertile land, had become the target of everyone's attacks.
Konoha had successively entered full-scale wars with Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure, while also having to guard against sneak attacks from Sunagakure and Amegakure.
This left Konoha, even during its talent boom period, feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin for combat power.
Kirigakure's decision-makers, having discerned Konoha's predicament, launched their war precisely after Konoha had fought bloody battles with Iwagakure and Kumogakure and suffered significant losses, hoping to play out the scenario of 'When the snipe and the clam grapple, the fisherman profits'.
However, the decision was sound in theory, but when it came to actual fighting, they found it wasn't so simple.
Although the Third Mizukage personally led the forces for the 'landing', executing a bloody invasion and managing to establish a beachhead for Kirigakure on the border of the Land of Fire.
Konoha, having reacted, quickly dispatched heavy reinforcements to suppress Kirigakure's invading forces.
The two sides had been locked in a stalemate along the Land of Fire's border for over half a year, with Kirigakure still unable to gain an inch, and even showing signs of being pushed back into the sea to feed the fish.
Kirigakure's difficult situation was largely due to the fact that the forces Konoha sent were no pushovers either.
One of the Sannin, Jiraiya!
The head of the prestigious Uchiha Clan, Fugaku Uchiha!
The rapidly rising Shisui of the Body Flicker!
The genius son of Konoha's White Fang, Kakashi!
And the Yellow Flash, Namikaze Minato, who would occasionally strike a few blows!
This luxurious lineup put immense pressure on Kirigakure, even with the Mizukage present and their massive army pressing forward. The battlefront was in danger of collapsing at any moment.
Land of Fire's border.
In the forest.
Sora led the two Anbu Squads, swiftly moving through the trees. After passing several hidden posts and sensory barriers, they finally saw the Kirigakure's camp stationed in the hilly area outside the forest.
Soon, the group passed through the forest and arrived at the entrance of the Kirigakure's camp.
At the main gate, several bonfires were burning, and there were watchtowers at high points observing the area to guard against sudden enemy attacks.
The arrival of over thirty Anbu's members created quite a commotion, naturally drawing the attention of the Ninjas in the camp.
By the time Sora and the others reached the camp entrance, a dozen or so Ninjas were already waiting there.
"It seems our strong reinforcements have arrived."
At the camp entrance stood a Ninja with green hair, purple pupils, and a doll-like face.
He stood at the very front of the group of Kirigakure's Ninjas, clearly the one with the highest status present.
"Yagura-sama."
The portly Anbu Captain stepped forward and said respectfully, "We have received Mizukage-sama's orders to come and reinforce the front lines."
"Well done, Chukichi."
The doll-faced Ninja called Yagura was none other than one of the contemporary [Twin Geniuses] of Kirigakure, the Deputy Commander of the Combat Division, Yagura!
As the two spoke, Yagura's subordinates finished inspecting the order document handed over by Chukichi and then stepped aside from the camp entrance, signaling that everyone could enter the camp.
"You've all had a long and dusty journey. Please, rest in the camp first, and we can discuss matters later!"
Yagura showed a gentlemanly smile as he turned and led the group of Anbu into the camp.
The noise at the entrance attracted the attention of many ninjas.
When they saw that the newcomers were Kirigakure's elite Anbu, and especially when they spotted Sora's figure, many Ninjas' faces showed excitement.
"Our reinforcements are finally here!"
"It's the Anbu!"
"My god, isn't that the Anbu Captain, Frost-sama?"
"Frost-sama is here too?"
"This is fantastic! With Yagura-sama and Frost-sama here, we can finally show those damned Uchiha the power of Kirigakure!"
Sora's arrival instantly caused a wave of excited commotion within the Kirigakure camp.
It was worth noting.
When the Kirigakure's main force previously landed on the Land of Fire's border, Sora, as a direct subordinate of the Mizukage in the Anbu, was a main force in the landing operation.
He had once single-handedly suppressed five Uchiha Jonin in a major battle and killed three of them, causing a sensation within Kirigakure.
At this moment, Sora's gaze also swept over the Ninjas in the camp.
At a glance, he could see that over eighty percent of the Kirigakure's Ninjas were wounded, with a significant number of them being seriously injured.
It was clear that in the recent period on the front lines, Kirigakure had been struggling significantly against Konoha.
Otherwise, the Third Mizukage wouldn't have suddenly had this 'whim' to formulate the crazy plan of assassinating Jiraiya.
Soon, the Anbu Ninjas dispersed to rest.
Sora, as Anbu Captain, along with his young guard, Kurumi and the other Anbu Captain, the fat Chukichi, headed towards the large tent at the center of the camp.
Swoosh!
Right at that moment.
A sharp sound of something cutting through the air suddenly rang out.
A black kunai came flying directly towards where Sora was standing.