Meanwhile, Inuzuka Maru sat on a nearby rock, feeding his loyal ninja dog bits of jerky and scratching behind its ears.
Fugaku’s gaze fell on Maru’s ninja dog, admiring its unique look. “What’s his name? He’s quite impressive.”
The dog was striking. Its thick, white fur gleamed with a streak of blue running down its back. Its muscular build and strong limbs looked capable of carrying someone—or even leaping through the air.
Maru smiled, clearly proud of the praise from Fugaku. “His name is Anamaru, named for the blue on his back. He’s my closest partner—a friend I trust with my life.”
Fugaku nodded, understanding. The Inuzuka clan's bond with their ninja dogs was deep, built over years of shared meals, play, and training since childhood. For Maru, Anamaru wasn’t just a companion; he was family.
Fugaku looked around at his team, who were resting and gathering their strength. Each of them carried their own burdens, with responsibilities and bonds that connected them.
A sudden boom of thunder echoed through the cave, rumbling through the stone walls. Fugaku gazed out into the rain, his thoughts already on their next steps.
“Inuzuka,” he said, still watching the rain. “Take good care of Anamaru. As much as he protects you, he’s part of what makes you a strong ninja.”
Maru patted Anamaru’s head, meeting the dog’s intelligent gaze. “I always do, Captain. He’s got my back as much as I have his.”
The rain outside kept pouring down, but within the shelter of the cave, a sense of calm settled over the group. Each of them prepared in their own way for whatever lay ahead—whether facing traps, dodging enemy squads, or defending each other in battle.
After some time, Fugaku turned to the group again. “Rest up. Once the rain lets up, we’ll head out. The mission won’t wait, but we’ll face it together.”
Kazusuke, who had been quietly observing, looked up with curiosity. “Captain, have you ever gone up against Amegakure Ninja? What are they like in combat?”
Fugaku paused, considering his response. “I haven’t faced many Amegakure ninja directly,” he replied, “but I’ve heard a lot about their tactics. They’re known for their stealth and ability to blend with the rain, which they use to their advantage. They prefer quick, silent strikes, often attacking from unexpected angles. Their use of umbrellas isn’t just for the rain—they’re actually loaded with hidden weapons. Fighting them can feel like you’re up against the weather itself, and it’s easy to lose sight of them in these conditions.”
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Kazusuke nodded respectfully. “Thank you, Captain.”
The rain kept pouring, showing no sign of stopping, and days slowly passed. The team spent the time practicing and honing their skills together. Four of the ninjas in the group were skilled with swords and sparred within the cave, sharpening their techniques through friendly matches.
Fugaku watched their sword styles closely. Shinji’s style was fast and strong, with every move precise and deadly—a sign of elite training. Sato’s style focused on quick, single strikes intended to kill with one blow, showing a mastery of assassination techniques.
Fugaku wasn’t particularly interested in swordsmanship, but he felt proud watching his team grow stronger. He knew their improvement would be vital for the challenges they’d face together.
Three days later, the rain finally eased into a light drizzle, and the clouds began to break, letting a faint light pierce through. Fugaku glanced up, activating his Sharingan to see through the thin clouds. “All right, it’s time to move,” he announced, standing up.
“The rain may have washed away the blood for now, but it won’t be long before the fighting starts again. Remember, our mission isn’t for personal glory. We’re here to protect Konoha and the Land of Fire from this war. Our duty is to keep the enemy beyond our borders.”
He looked at each member of his team. “Nozawa, send out your insects to scout for enemies. Ning, watch with your Byakugan. Inuzuka, rely on Anamaru’s sense of smell and alert us to any changes.”
The team moved out of the cave, and Nozawa raised his arms, releasing a swarm of insects that buzzed into the sky, spreading out to search for any signs of movement.
Together, they started moving northwest, closer to the Land of Grass. The rain had faded to a drizzle, and the landscape was changing—small weeds poked between rocks, and distant trees rose on the horizon.
As they neared the border, Fugaku looked toward the tall trees. “Let’s use those trees along the border for cover. They’ll hide us and make it harder for the enemy to set traps.”
“Captain,” Nozawa said, “I’ve spotted a group of nine Iwagakure ninja up ahead.”
Fugaku’s expression grew serious. “I had hoped to run into Amegakure ninja first, but Iwagakure ninja will be a good challenge as well. A nine-man team is strong, but we outnumber them. Unless they’re elite Jōnin, we can handle this.”
He turned to his team. “Be alert. We’ll move quickly and set an ambush to catch them off guard.”
The team re-entered the rain-soaked terrain, moving with precision. Nozawa’s insects kept track of the Iwagakure ninja, giving constant updates. “Here’s the plan,” Fugaku instructed.
“The three Jōnin among us will each target one of their Chunin, aiming to take them down with the first strike. The rest of you work together to handle the remaining Chunin. Take your positions and be ready to act.”
In a flash, the twelve ninjas scattered, slipping into the surrounding terrain and blending into the shadows, their eyes locked on the path the Iwagakure ninja would take.
Fugaku’s Sharingan activated, and he could see the distant shapes of nine figures, two of them taller than the rest. “Those two taller ones are likely Jōnin,” Fugaku murmured to his team through their communication line. “Stay alert. They’re likely very skilled, so be ready for anything.”
The Iwagakure ninja moved forward, showing no hesitation as they entered the ambush zone. Fugaku waited until they were fully within range before giving the signal.
“Now!”