Chapter 149. Reunion with Samui

Chapter 149 - 149. Reunion with Samui"Next, you'll encounter ninjas from Kumogakure. You must stay fully alert," Tsunade said as they walked. "As shinobi from one of the Five Great Nations, their overall strength surpasses the ninjas you've encountered on previous missions." Hanekawa nodded slightly. In their earlier missions, they rarely dealt with shinobi from the Five Great Nations or their villages. This was their first official encounter. Although the ranks of Genin, Chūnin, and Jōnin were the same across villages, the standards of the Five Great Nations were significantly stricter. "When we reach the outpost, Rin and I will treat the wounded. Hanekawa and Kurenai, you'll handle defense against enemy attacks," Tsunade said after some thought. Their primary task this time was to provide medical aid, not to defeat or eliminate Kumogakure ninjas. "Understood," Hanekawa, Kurenai, and Rin responded in unison. After leaving the Konoha camp, they headed north. "Hanekawa, scout ahead," Tsunade instructed after about twenty minutes. Hearing her command, Hanekawa immediately formed hand seals and closed his eyes. Mind's Eye of the Kagura! The surrounding area unfolded in his mind like a complete map. "Southwest of here, there's an outpost with six people inside," Hanekawa said with a slight frown. "But I didn't detect any signs of Kumogakure ninjas." "Not detecting them doesn't mean they aren't there," Tsunade cautioned. "Many jutsu and barriers can block sensory abilities." "Understood." Hanekawa opened his eyes and added, "But with you here, Sensei, we don't need to fear any ambush." "Flatterer," Tsunade replied, her lips curving into a slight smile. "Move out!" The four of them simultaneously used the Body Flicker Technique. "Who's there?!" The patrolling Konoha ninjas heard the rushing wind and raised their guard. "It's me," Tsunade said calmly as she appeared, halting their defensive stance. "Lady Tsunade?!" the younger ninja exclaimed in surprise. "Lady Tsunade is here! Hekei and the others will be saved!" the older ninja said, beaming with joy. "No time to waste. Take us to the injured," Tsunade instructed with a nod. "Right this way, Lady Tsunade." The older ninja turned and led them into the outpost. "Hanekawa and Kurenai, stay here. If it's an ambush, the enemy will strike soon," Tsunade said before heading inside with Rin. Mind's Eye of the Kagura! Hanekawa closed his eyes again. The younger ninja wanted to introduce himself but decided against it after seeing Hanekawa's focused expression. "They're here!" Hanekawa suddenly exclaimed. "Eight ninjas have appeared out of nowhere to the southeast. It seems only one of them is a Jōnin." "So it really is an ambush," Kurenai said, taking a deep breath. "Eight ninjas? What should we do?" the younger ninja asked nervously. "Should we inform Lady Tsunade?" "Tsunade-sensei is treating the injured. If interrupted, it could cost lives," Hanekawa replied, opening his eyes. "Eight isn't too many. We can handle them." "...?" The younger ninja glanced at Hanekawa and Kurenai's youthful faces, clearly skeptical. "Here," Hanekawa said, handing them a small black pill. "This is an antidote I made." "Thank you." After a moment of hesitation, the younger ninja chose to trust Hanekawa's identity as Tsunade's student and swallowed the pill. Kurenai, without hesitation, bit into hers immediately. "Blech! It's so bitter!" Kurenai spat twice and looked at Hanekawa with a pleading expression. "I'll add more sugar next time," Hanekawa said, patting her head with a grin. "...?" The younger ninja stared in confusion. Are you even considering how I feel right now? "Prepare yourselves," Hanekawa said, turning to face the southeast. Soon, eight figures sped toward them at an incredible pace. His brow suddenly arched. Activating his enhanced vision, he spotted a familiar face—Samui. Though it had been years since they'd last met, he recognized her instantly. Her defining features—her golden short hair and prominent figure—made her unmistakable. Hanekawa didn't dwell on it and immediately threw two smoke bombs with all his strength. Wind Release: Great Breakthrough! Forming seals, Hanekawa gathered chakra in his mouth and exhaled a powerful gust of wind. The wind caught the smoke bombs, causing them to explode, filling the area with a thick, choking fog. The lead Kumogakure ninja rushed into the smoke and was overcome with a suffocating sensation, unable to breathe. Clutching his throat, he managed to croak out, "There... there's poison!" "Clear the smoke!" Samui quickly ordered. Wind Release: Gale Palm! Two Kumogakure ninjas formed seals simultaneously, releasing gusts of wind that swept away the smoke, dispersing it completely. The smoke dispersed, restoring their vision. "What kind of poison is this?" Samui's heart sank. The other Kumogakure ninjas were visibly shaken as well. The ninja who had rushed into the smoke was now lifeless, his skin corroded and covered in festering boils. "Be careful!" Samui shouted quickly. "Stay alert!" Water Release: Water Collision Wave! As the smoke had formed, Hanekawa and Kurenai had already begun weaving signs. Two water tornadoes surged forward, one from each of them. The spiraling waves collided midair, exploding into a massive tidal wave that surged toward the Kumogakure group with overwhelming force. Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall! Two earth walls rose in front of the Kumogakure ninjas. However, the tidal wave slammed into them, causing cracks to form almost instantly. The walls wobbled under the impact. "Scatter!" Samui leaped into the air, channeling chakra to her feet, allowing her to stand effortlessly on the water's surface. "Ahhh!" A scream echoed. Samui instinctively turned her head to see a Kumogakure Genin being swallowed by the rushing water after failing to dodge in time. She moved to rescue him but was forced to stop when two massive water dragons emerged, hurtling toward them. "Since when does Konoha have Water Release users?" Samui muttered, frustrated. She turned her attention to the incoming water dragons. Cloud-Style: Flying Blade! Samui flickered forward, drawing the short blade at her waist. She slashed rapidly at one water dragon, her blade crackling with lightning chakra. The lightning arcs tore through the water dragon, dismembering it into countless droplets. "Head for the outpost!" Her Jōnin teammate formed hand signs, readying his attack. Lightning Release: Scattershock Stream! Two spheres of crackling electricity formed in his palms. He hurled them at the other water dragon, obliterating it in a flash of lightning and mist. The remaining four Kumogakure ninjas seized the opportunity to use the Body Flicker Technique, dashing toward the outpost. Samui exhaled, her gaze stern. Kumogakure specialized in Lightning Release and close-quarters combat, particularly taijutsu. Facing long-range Water Release users put them at a disadvantage. Still, the real issue was the skill level of these Water Release users. They were far from ordinary. But Samui was confident in her remaining teammates. Once they closed the distance, their taijutsu prowess would guarantee victory. Body Flicker Technique! Samui and the other Jōnin teammate moved forward rapidly, closing in on the outpost. Then she saw him—Hanekawa. A strong sense of familiarity flooded her mind. It's him! Samui recognized him instantly. His striking features were unforgettable. The next moment, her face paled. "Retreat!" she shouted. If Hanekawa was here, that meant Tsunade couldn't be far behind. They stood no chance. But it was too late. Hanekawa stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Kurenai. "Die, bastard!" Infuriated by the loss of two comrades and the obstruction caused by the Water Release techniques, the four Kumogakure ninjas charged at Hanekawa with rage in their eyes. Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique! Hanekawa clapped his hands together, and the four ninjas froze momentarily, their faces going blank. "It's genjutsu!" The middle-aged man was the first to react, but it was too late. Water Release: Water Blade Slash! Kurenai used the Body Flicker Technique to close in on one of the Kumogakure ninjas. Her kunai, wrapped in a layer of flowing water, easily sliced through his neck. The young Konoha ninja, though shocked by Hanekawa and Kurenai's overwhelming skill, didn't hesitate. Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique! He spat out a massive fireball that engulfed the closest Kumogakure ninja, incinerating him in moments. Hanekawa's approach was more straightforward. The False Surroundings Technique, a C-rank genjutsu, could be broken easily. Speed was crucial. Raising his hand, he hurled two kunai with immense force. The kunai, propelled like spears, pierced through the remaining two ninjas, spraying blood as they collapsed with disbelief etched on their faces. "This... this can't be happening," Samui whispered. She had barely finished shouting for a retreat, and in an instant, her four comrades were reduced to corpses. The speed of their demise left her stunned. "I'll kill them!" Her remaining Jōnin teammate surged with lightning chakra, his killing intent palpable. "Don't!" Samui quickly warned. "Tsunade is here!" The lightning faded. Without another word, the Kumogakure Jōnin turned and fled with Samui. "Did we really win that easily?" The young Konoha ninja stared at the battlefield littered with corpses, feeling as if he were dreaming. "Did she recognize us?" Kurenai asked, surprised. "Are we already that famous?" "It's not us who are famous—it's our teacher," Hanekawa replied, shaking his head. "Perhaps our faces have been circulated among Kumogakure ninjas." Of course, Samui's recognition of him likely wasn't from any circulated image—it was because they had met before. Hanekawa pondered briefly but ultimately decided not to pursue her. Now wasn't the time for a reunion. "I'm going to assist Sensei," he said, turning his gaze back to the outpost. "Kurenai, stay here and guard against any further attacks." "Got it!" Kurenai nodded firmly. "Leave it to me!" Hanekawa entered the outpost. Tsunade and Rin Nohara were busy performing surgery. They glanced at him briefly but quickly returned their focus to the task, having no time for conversation. "That's Hekei," the middle-aged man explained in a low voice. "His injuries are the most severe. If it weren't for Lady Tsunade's timely intervention, he'd already be dead." "What about the other two injured?" Hanekawa asked, recalling that the mission scroll mentioned three injured individuals. "They're in another room. I'll take you there," the man replied, leading the way. Hanekawa followed him into a room filled with the stench of blood. Unlike the comatose Hekei, the other two injured ninjas were still conscious. "This is Hanekawa, Lady Tsunade's student," the man introduced. "Thank goodness!" Relief washed over the injured ninjas, their faces lighting up. They had heard of Hanekawa before. Mystical Palm Technique! Hanekawa stepped forward and began treating their injuries. Time passed slowly. After half an hour, Hanekawa finished and exhaled deeply. Both injured ninjas were now stable and out of danger. Hanekawa felt more drained than after the earlier battle. The chakra expenditure and intense focus required for the procedure had left him both physically and mentally exhausted. "Let them rest for a few days, and they'll recover," Hanekawa told the middle-aged man before leaving the room. Tsunade and Rin were still in the middle of their surgery. Despite his fatigue, Hanekawa joined them. Another pair of hands would help speed things up. --- Samui and her Jōnin teammate managed to reach Kumogakure's camp safely. "Why are you in such a state?" A raised an eyebrow in surprise upon seeing them. "Did you run into Minato Namikaze?" Like his father, the Third Raikage, A had dark skin, a powerful physique, and an imposing presence. However, he was still young and not yet at his peak. Beside him stood Killer B, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, carrying seven swords on his back. "No," Samui replied, taking a deep breath. "It was Tsunade and her student, Hanekawa." "No wonder." A nodded slightly. "This one's not on you." Searᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. "Tsunade is probably still at the outpost," Samui's Jōnin teammate said, his tone filled with frustration. "Lord A, we could rally more ninjas and ambush them!" "Good idea, but impossible," A said, his excitement quickly giving way to calm. "Any large movement from us, and Minato Namikaze will notice." "That Flying Thunder God Technique of his is such a pain!" Killer B grumbled. He and A had fought Minato multiple times, and every battle had been perilous. In terms of overall strength, they had the upper hand. But Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique was simply too fast. Facing him left no room for error. "Our objective is to keep Konoha occupied," A said with a calm expression. "Right now, the most important thing is to wait until things settle on the Sunagakure front." "Big bro's right!" Killer B shouted. "Once we take down Sunagakure, Konoha's ours! We'll make Minato bow down then!" "You two, go rest," A said with a grin. "Understood." Samui acknowledged the order but lingered as her teammate left. "Should we make contact with Hanekawa?" she asked hesitantly. "Not yet," A replied, shaking his head. "We'll save him for a critical moment." "Understood." Samui exited the command tent and gazed at the gray, overcast sky, lost in thought. Hanekawa's strength had grown even more fearsome. If Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, found out, she wouldn't sit still. But thankfully, she wasn't here. With the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki already present, adding the Two-Tails would likely make Konoha think they were preparing for full-scale war. "What a shame," Samui muttered softly. She had really wanted to see Hanekawa again. __ New entry: This Danzo Is Weird Patreon.com/rashta Be a member so you can read: New. 420 adv ch of This Danzo Is Weird 1. 300 adv ch of Talent System In Naruto 2. 560 adv ch of Qian Renxue's Younger Brother 3. 270 adv ch of Uchiha Madara's Cousin 4. 163 adv ch of WDQK: Divorcing Ling Qingzhu (Complete)