NOVEL NEXT Chapter 23: Chapter 23
Under the towering tree, the ninja standing quietly weren't strangers. It was none other than Fujiwara Tetsuya, Uchiha Mikoto, and Aburame Muto.
For some reason—luck, perhaps—they had successfully disarmed several traps already. But up to this point, there wasn't a single scroll in sight.
"That mark! It belongs to the Uzumaki clan!"
As the only unique symbol on the flak jackets of Konoha's elite, it was unmistakable. The three of them, of course, recognized it right away. It was the sign of the alliance between Konoha and the Uzumaki clan.
"Looks like our allies are in some serious trouble."
Kiri's genin weren't slow, either. As Uzumaki Heiji and Uzumaki Namika landed, the enemy appeared no more than ten meters from Fujiwara's team.
"Konoha ninja!" one of the Kiri genin hissed.
"Shin! Should we retreat?"
"Retreat? Why?" the leader, a boy named Hozuki Shin, sneered. "They're just three brats."
"Whatever happens, the Uzumaki must die! Remember, everything we do today is for Kiri's future strength."
Hozuki Shin—yes, from that Hozuki clan. He was a descendant of the infamous second Mizukage, Hozuki Gengetsu.
"We understand, Shin!"
"Good. Then make it quick. Take out those Uzumaki, and while we're at it, deal with these Konoha genin."
Heiji, calm but with a sense of urgency, stepped forward. "Hello, my name is Uzumaki Heiji. This is my clanmate, Uzumaki Namihana. We were ambushed by Kiri ninja over the scrolls. One of our comrades was killed."
He cast a hopeful glance toward the three Konoha genin. "We humbly request your help. In return, we'll give you our scroll."
Uzumaki Heiji and Namihana finally relaxed a little, seeing Fujiwara's team standing with quiet confidence.
Mikoto stepped forward. "You two, stand back. We'll handle the rest."
Her tone brooked no argument. Even Fujiwara, feeling the weight of her gaze, sighed and unsheathed his short sword.
This wasn't the Mist Village from twenty or thirty years later, soaked in blood and chaos by Uchiha Obito's manipulation. No, this was the era where clans like the Hozuki, Kaguya, Yuki, and the Terumi still held considerable power. Kiri's genin were no joke, and their strength reflected their clan's legacy.
Fujiwara's eyes flicked to Heiji and Namihana. Were these two just oblivious, or had they been sheltered too much? These Kiri ninjas weren't after their scrolls—they wanted their heads.
"Kiri shinobi," Fujiwara spoke up, a slight smirk on his face. "Meeting by chance, shouldn't we introduce ourselves before we fight?"
He subtly adjusted his grip on his blade, keeping an eye on the six Kiri genin.
"Kid," Shin replied, his voice dripping with disdain, "didn't anyone teach you to introduce yourself before asking others?"
Perhaps it was Fujiwara's young appearance, or maybe they underestimated him, but Shin and the others didn't even bother to look at him properly. Instead, their focus was entirely on Mikoto and Muto.
Fujiwara shrugged. "I'm Fujiwara Tetsuya, from a small, unremarkable ninja clan. You probably haven't heard of it." He gestured toward his comrades. "These two are my teammates: Uchiha Mikoto and Aburame Muto."
Hearing those names, Shin's group stiffened.
"Uchiha... Aburame..."
The tension in the air shifted as their focus locked firmly on Mikoto and Muto. Fujiwara could see them recalculating their approach, ready to make their move.
"I've introduced us. Now, it's only fair if you do the same. Or what? Are you too afraid to even say your own names?"
"Nice try, kid, but you won't get under our skin." Shin's eyes narrowed. "But fine, I'll humor you. I'm Hozuki Shin."
"Kaguya Saki."
"Kugutsu Koyo."
"Minazuki Chione."
"Hoshigaki Mikawa."
"And... Nomiki Kageri."
As the names echoed through the forest, Fujiwara's expression visibly soured. Except for the last one, who seemed like a nobody, every single one of them came from powerful clans. Bloodline limits, secret techniques—these guys were much stronger than he'd hoped.
"Enough talk," Shin commanded. "Move!"
In an instant, nine figures blurred into action. The clash was fast, fierce. These Kiri genin weren't just regular kids—they were hardened by the brutal training their village was infamous for. The kind of training that was known to produce the world's deadliest shinobi.
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"
Thick fog rapidly blanketed the battlefield, conjured by Shin and Koyo. The dense mist swallowed everything in its path, reducing visibility to almost nothing—even Mikoto's Sharingan struggled.
"Mikoto!" Fujiwara shouted. "Use fire jutsu!"
The easiest way to counter the Hidden Mist technique was to blow it away with Wind Release. But none of them had wind-based chakra, not Fujiwara, not Mikoto, not Muto.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Flames roared forward, evaporating the mist as they surged through the air. For a brief moment, the battlefield cleared, giving them some visibility.
"Mikoto, Muto! Can you see where they are?"
Blocking the barrage of kunai and shuriken flying toward them, Fujiwara regrouped with his teammates. They stood back-to-back, scanning their surroundings.
"This jutsu is a nightmare," Fujiwara muttered under his breath. As long as the user's chakra held out, the mist would just keep regenerating. No wonder even someone like Madara had once been stalled by it.
There's no such thing as weak jutsu, he reminded himself—only weak shinobi.
"My Sharingan's being disrupted by the mist," Mikoto said through gritted teeth. "And they're moving too fast for me to track."
"My insects can sense them," Muto chimed in, "but I'll need more time to pinpoint their exact location."
This was bad—really bad. Since joining Team Thirteen, Fujiwara had never been in such a tight spot, not even against rogue Jonin.
"Muto, I'm counting on you to find them. Mikoto and I will keep them at bay for as long as we can."
Fujiwara's eyes sharpened with determination. "No choice but to hold on."
"Konoha brats," Shin's voice echoed through the mist, mocking. "Even Jonin struggle to track us in here. You think you stand a chance?"
"Dance of the Clematis: Finger Bullets!"
"Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!"
"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
Attacks came from all directions, but Fujiwara didn't flinch.
"Water Prison Technique: Return!"
A massive sphere of water encased the trio, blocking the incoming jutsu. However, the strain was visible on Fujiwara's face. Maintaining the barrier against so many attacks was taking its toll.
"It's too much..." he muttered through clenched teeth. The water surrounding them started to collapse, and before long, it had reached their ankles, pooling ominously at their feet.
"Water Prison Technique... used like this?" Fujiwara marveled, watching as the ground slowly flooded. Things were about to get even more dangerous.
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