Bright red covered his eyes.

The pungent smell of blood invaded his nostrils.

This was Kyohiko’s first time killing someone.

He couldn’t help but pause for a moment.

In the next second, a blade flashed before his eyes.

Kakashi’s famous short blade, swift as the wind, killed the ninja attacking them.

"Focus!" Kakashi briefly reminded him, then rushed forward with his blade to confront the next enemy.

Kyohiko snapped back to attention. Yes, this was the battlefield; there was no room for distraction.

Luckily, Kurenai’s genjutsu and Kakashi’s swordsmanship helped him avoid dangerous situations.

“Work with me, Kakashi,” Kyohiko said.

"Hm?"

Kakashi didn’t fully understand but knew what Kyohiko wanted from him. He quickly formed hand seals.

"Lightning Style: Earth Walk!"

Before the seals were even complete, Kyohiko had already moved, spewing a torrent of water from his mouth, creating a massive wave surging forward.

A few swift ninjas managed to escape.

However, some who were slower couldn’t avoid the water.

Then, an electric current followed!

“Aaargh!”

The powerful electric current left those who couldn’t escape writhing in the water, their screams breaking off intermittently.

Kyohiko immediately ended the technique.

The ninjas attacking them moved quickly and ruthlessly. When they saw their companions paralyzed by the electric current and unable to move, instead of helping, they...

Shhh!

Numerous steel needles rained down, piercing the bodies of those who couldn’t escape.

Kyohiko and Kakashi immediately switched positions and disappeared briefly.

When the scene was calm, the attackers had vanished.

From afar, Shizune watched in shock.

Previously, she only had a vague idea of Kyohiko's abilities, but now…

No wonder he could become Jiraiya-sama's student! Such speed and water-style skill!

“To reach this level, he must have practiced his water techniques for a long time, right?” Shizune murmured.

Kurenai glanced at her and sighed, "Only two weeks."

“Huh?”

Shizune looked incredulous.

Two weeks?

How could that be!

Many chunin never reach that level of skill.

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Kurenai sensed the surroundings briefly.

“They ran away quickly. Let’s go check if Kyohiko and Kakashi are hurt.”

“Oh, right!”

Shizune came to her senses—

Everything that happened earlier was so shocking, she forgot they were still in combat.

"Kakashi, Kyohiko, are you two okay?"

Kurenai and Shizune approached them.

Kurenai was holding Kyohiko’s leg wrap—and it was quite heavy!

“We’re fine, Shizune. Can you check if any of them can still be saved?”

In front of them, five people who had been paralyzed by the electric current now lay on the ground.

Shizune nodded and moved toward the few people behind the ancient wall.

Kakashi and Kyohiko stood on either side, protecting her and ensuring there were no unexpected attacks from anyone still alive.

Unfortunately—

After checking a few, Shizune found that they had all already stopped breathing.

“The needles are laced with poison!”

After a few seconds.

“This one is still breathing, we need to save him immediately!”

“I’ll go get Lady Tsunade.”

Kakashi sheathed his sword and prepared to head back.

If they could save one person, they might be able to extract some information.

Shizune hesitated momentarily, then concentrated on preserving the faint life left in him, attempting to draw out the poison, although she hadn’t fully mastered the extraction technique yet.

A few seconds later, Jiraiya and Kakashi arrived, but Tsunade remained a bit further away.

Jiraiya took a glance.

“Don’t waste chakra, he’s beyond saving.”

He squatted down.

Then, Jiraiya looked at Kyohiko.

"You and Kakashi fought directly with them. Based on their style, what do you think about their background?”

“Their style and techniques resemble those of the Sand Village ninja, but I don’t think it was them… Previously, they shouted something about capturing us for a trade. But with these kinds of skills, are they really wandering ninja?”

Kyohiko shared his thoughts.

It didn’t make sense.

The Sand Village suffered great losses during the Second Ninja World War, with many of their main forces perishing. Their best choice now would be to recover and regain strength.

Besides...

The Third Kazekage is alive and well; it would be foolish to attack Konoha now...

That would be a reckless decision.

Jiraiya surveyed the scene, then took out a sealing scroll, sealing all the bodies inside.

“Let’s bring them back so the experts can examine them. Maybe they’ll find some clues.”

He couldn’t determine their origin himself.

Outside, Tsunade calmly asked, “What’s the situation?”

“It’s hard to say, but they didn’t seem like wandering ninja either. It might be a ploy by another village to incite conflict between us and the Sand Village.”

This was also Kakashi’s conclusion.

After all, the attackers’ techniques were too distinct and organized, making them seem less like wanderers.

However...

An idea crossed Kyohiko's mind; he felt this was an opportunity for him.

He raised his hand.

“Sensei.”

“Yes?”

“We just arrived in Tanzuka today, only to complete a C-rank mission. The Land of Rivers doesn’t have any real ninja presence, and Hiraoka Kensei isn’t an important figure.”

Kyohiko looked at Tsunade, his tone hesitant, “Could it be that they were actually targeting Lady Tsunade?”

“Kid, you think this kind of person could handle me?”

Tsunade raised an eyebrow.

“Of course not, but Shizune might be a different story.”

Kyohiko continued, and his logic became clearer.

“I’ve heard some things about you. Over this past year, I’m sure your debts aren’t only with the Qinghua Pavilion, right?”

Tsunade’s face darkened.

She shot Jiraiya a sharp look.

“This isn’t from me!”

“Are you suggesting they want to capture Shizune to force me to repay my debts?”

“Maybe they have other motives too, like having you research their jutsu or teach it to them.”

Kyohiko explained.

Tsunade remained silent.

His words weren’t unfounded.

Most didn’t know her situation, but Shizune, who was always by her side, could indeed be a vulnerability.

Jiraiya’s expression turned serious.

“Tsunade, Kyohiko isn’t wrong. You need to consider Shizune’s safety, given your situation.”

“Tsunade-sama…”

Shizune’s face turned pale.

Would Tsunade send her back to Konoha?

“Shizune, maybe you should return to Konoha.”

“Tsunade, being alone outside isn’t safe for you either.”

Jiraiya’s tone grew firmer, “You should come home, even if just to visit. I’ll have the Hokage investigate, and once things are clear, you can leave again.”

Tsunade hesitated.

She had been away for over a year, with Shizune mostly taking care of her daily needs.

If Shizune left… She truly wouldn’t be accustomed to it.

“If Shizune goes back, she wouldn’t be assigned to a ninja team anytime soon, right? Would she go back to the ninja academy?”

Kyohiko spoke softly.

Jiraiya subtly gave a thumbs-up—

This kid was clever, fully grasping Tsunade’s weak points!

Although Shizune usually acted as an assistant, Tsunade clearly saw her as family; otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought only her when leaving the village.

Tsunade would surely be concerned about Shizune’s safety and future.

Tsunade glared at Kyohiko with sharp eyes.

She had to admit—

He had indeed hit her weak spot.

“It’s late. Whatever the decision, we should at least rest in Tanzuka town tonight.”

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