Fujin and his team were running towards Yusuke's province. Since it was to the east of the Hidden Hot Springs Village, it was close to the border of the Land of Frost where their squad had done their previous mission. After a couple of hours of running, they reached close to Yusuke's province.

Since they were close, Tamotsu began instructing his squad, "Yusuke's exploration team has already established a base. We will meet up with them and decide on a plan to continue. Katsumi, you will set up a perimeter around the entire area with your bugs. I want to know about everyone who enters and leaves the area. It will be tough, but I want you to maintain it all the time."

Katsumi replied, "Alright. I'll get it done."

Tamotsu looked at Tadashi and said, "You and Kenta will keep patrolling the area. Remember every worker's scent when we reach there. If later on you smell any new scents, alert me immediately."

Tadashi replied with a grin, "Don't worry, we got it! Right, Kenta?"

Kenta barked in agreement.

Tamotsu nodded and said, "Ryota, Fujin and I will stay on standby. If you two find something off, then you will pass on the message to us and tell us what you think will be the appropriate action to take."

Everyone nodded. Tamotsu was about to say more when all the Konoha ninjas suddenly stopped and jumped backwards. They landed on a branch and saw dozens of kunais raining down in front of them. All 5 frowned.

In the next second, 20 silhouettes appeared from behind the trees. The Konoha ninjas were surrounded. As they saw their headbands, everyone's faces grew grim.

Fujin muttered, "I couldn't sense them until now. They are all at Chunin and Jounin levels."

Tadashi said softly, "They have disguised their scent to smell similar to the trees."

Fujin said, "At least 30 more ninjas are forming a 2nd perimeter. And a few more are probably still hiding."

Everyone's faces grew grim. One of the ninjas who were surrounding them spoke in a teasing tone, "I wonder why Konoha ninjas are rushing so hurriedly towards the Land of Frost."

Tamotsu said, "We have a mission in this country. Why have you Kumogakure ninjas encircling us?"

The Kumogakure ninja said, "If your mission is to explore that chakra metal mine, then I have unfortunate news for you. Kumogakure has decided to take control over the mine."

His words angered everyone except Fujin. Fujin's mind was busy calculating whether they could avoid a confrontation or at least ensure a safe escape. However, he noticed the other 19 Kumo ninjas getting ready to attack. He could feel bloodlust from some of them. The more he calculated, the more he realized how dire the situation was. In the end, he just had one thought, 'Shit!'

Tamotsu quickly analyzed the situation. He didn't want to give up the mission, but success against such huge numbers was impossible. He said, "Alright. We'll withdraw."

However, the Kumo ninjas didn't move. The guy speaking had an evil smirk on his face as he said, "If we let you go, Konoha will send a larger squad to confront us. Unfortunately, you have to DIE!"

He immediately jumped forward to attack. The other 19 Kumo ninjas also attacked. In addition, a few Kumo ninjas kept hiding in the forest and observed the fight.

Tamotsu shouted, "Stay together! Protect each other and focus on retreating!"

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

He knew that their chances of survival weren't great. He wanted to use teamwork to break through and run away.

The Kumo ninjas all attacked Konoha ninjas with shurikens. They had launched so many shurikens that dodging them all would be impossible.

Ryota shouted, "Careful, those shurikens are charged with Lightning!"

The Kumo ninjas smirked on hearing that.

Despite knowing, the Konoha ninjas wouldn't be able to dodge due to the high number of shurikens. As long as the shurikens hit them or even their weapons, their body will be paralyzed for a few seconds. Even if they barely managed to avoid the shurikens, their bodies will still feel the electric charge and slow them down momentarily. This would be enough time for Kumo ninjas to win the battle.

Chakra gathered on Fujin's palm. He said, "Ignore them, focus on making a breakthrough."

His team decided to trust him and began moving back in the direction of the Hidden Hot Springs Village.

The chakra on Fujin's hands transformed into the wind. A gentle breeze began flowing through the area. All the shurikens were redirected by the wind and stayed away from them. They passed the Konoha ninjas from a safe distance and instead moved towards the Kumo ninjas.

The smirk on Kumo ninjas' faces suddenly disappeared. All took evasive maneuvers. A few grabbed swords and flowed lightning chakra through them and used them to block or deflect the shurikens.

Taking advantage of the small opening, Tamotsu instructed, "Tadashi, create an opening. Ryota and I will assist you. Katsumi and Fujin, focus on defense."

Tadashi and Kenta stepped forward.

'Man-Beast Ultimate Taijutsu: Fang Over Fang'

Both began spinning around rapidly and doubled up on one of the Kumo ninjas. Ryota and Tamotsu followed him. Their goal was to stop the ninjas next to the one Tadashi targeted from interfering. As long as Tadashi injured that ninja, the Konoha ninjas could get out of the encirclement. Fujin grabbed a sword in his right hand while thousands of bugs began appearing around Katsumi.

With Tadashi leading the attack and others aiding him and protecting each other, the Konoha ninjas finally felt some chances of success.

However, as Tadashi reached close to that ninja, he suddenly grinned. He made a hand sign while saying, "You couldn't have chosen a worse opponent to break through."

'Lightning Release: Gyroscope jutsu'

His chakra suddenly spiked and two rings of Lightning appeared around him and began spinning around him at very high speeds. Fujin's eyes widened as he sensed the immensely destructive power in those Lightning rings, 'His chakra suddenly increased a lot! He had suppressed his Chakra earlier to pretend to be a Chunin. But, he is a full-fledged Jounin!'

Unfortunately, he didn't have any time to warn. Tadashi and Kenta directly hit the Lightning Rings. The jutsu was so powerful that their attack was immediately stopped. Both screamed in pain as their bodies were zapped by Lightning!

Ryota and Tamotsu were shocked. They began moving towards Tadashi. However, they were blocked by the Kumo ninjas they were trying to block earlier. Two Kumo ninjas attacked each of them and stalled them successfully.

Fujin and Katsumi wanted to help, however, they were helpless. Four Kumo ninjas weaved hand signs at the same time Tadashi and Kenta were hit by the Lightning rings.

'Lightning Release: False Darkness jutsu'

Four lightning spears were headed at them from the back. Fujin immediately shot Air Bullets at 3 of the incoming attacks. The Air bullets pierced through the lightning spears and dispersed the jutsu. Katsumi controlled his bugs to stop the last attack. The Lightning directly hit those bugs. Hundreds of bugs died, but they managed to stop the jutsu.

However, despite stopping the jutsus, their situation grew grimmer. While Tadashi and Kenta were being zapped and others were stalled, two Kumo ninjas flickered next to Tadashi and Kenta.

Fujin and Katsumi turned around to continue their escape. However, they were shocked. One Kumo ninja stabbed his sword through Kenta's neck in front of them. Tadashi watched in horror as Kenta whimpered and howled in pain and collapsed on the sword. After a moment of disbelief, his eyes turned red in rage. He looked at the Kumo ninja in front of him and shouted, "Motherfucker! I will kill you all!"

His body was still being zapped. However, he gritted his teeth and moved despite the pain. He formed a claw with his right hand. His nails grew long and became very sharp. His hand transformed and looked very muscular and savage. He attacked the ninja who had formed the Lightning rings that trapped him and Kenta with his claw aiming to crush his skull!

Unfortunately, he was highly outmatched and his body was still slow due to the shocks he had to endure. The Kumo ninja moved to the side and dodged his attack with ease. He grabbed his sword and pierced Tadashi's heart in one smooth motion. Tadashi's eyes were wide open. He couldn't believe how easily he and his partner were killed.

The Konoha ninjas wanted to help. However, they were all tied down. They didn't have any opportunity to save Tadashi. They could only watch helplessly as a teammate died in front of them.