radicalducati Chapter 135 Restriction Order Lifted, S-Rank Mission
Chapter 135 Restriction Order Lifted, S-Rank Mission
Chapter 135 Restriction Order Lifted, S-Rank Mission
The Hokage's office.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had a solemn expression.
"Has the supply line to the front lines been cut off again?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Nara Shikaku reports.
"The Cloud Village's AB combination, A and Killer Bee, personally led the assault force, bypassing our frontal defenses and cutting off our northern supply lines."
"Our three supply transfer stations all lost contact last night."
AB combination.
Son of the Third Raikage and Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails.
These two possess the fastest speed and the most terrifying destructive power in the ninja world. This combination is virtually unstoppable on the battlefield.
"The conventional transport routes have been blocked by the Cloud Village's reconnaissance forces. As soon as our convoy shows itself, it will be intercepted and killed by their Lightning Release: Body Flicker Technique—"
"The frontline camp only has enough explosive tags for three days, and medical supplies are almost gone. If the supply line isn't reopened soon, the northern front will collapse."
Sarutobi Megumi remained silent for two seconds.
"It seems we have no choice but to resort to drastic measures."
""
"Summon Takaya Sousuke to see me."
The door was pushed open.
Sosuke walked in.
"Hokage-sama, Captain Shikaku."
Sosuke bowed slightly, his manners impeccable.
"I heard there's a shortage of supplies at the front?"
He didn't waste any words and went straight to the point. As a businessman who controlled the Takaya Trading Company, his information channels were not much slower than those of the Dark Division.
"It's not that we lack supplies, it's that we can't get them in."
-
Lu Jiu spoke frankly.
"Sousuke, the village needs you, and it needs the Takaya Trading Company's channels."
Shikaku pointed to a gray area bordering the Land of Fire and the Land of Fields.
"The terrain here is complex, and bandits roam freely. It is a necessary route for various black market caravans."
"Although the Cloud Village's army is strong, they dare not easily offend those complex underground forces."
"We need you here to establish a new supply depot."
"Using your identity as a merchant and the name of the Takaya Trading Company, disguise the supplies as ordinary goods and infiltrate the front lines through black market channels."
This is a brilliant move. With the official channels paralyzed, they can use the underground network to build a supply line that Yunyin never expected.
"Can."
Sosuke looked at the map and quickly constructed a route in his mind.
"The Chamber of Commerce has connections there. As long as the money is right, it's not a problem."
"but----
""
Sousuke looked at Hiruzen.
"I am currently under a restriction to leave the village. Advisor Mito said that I cannot step out of the gate even half a step."
That's in the past.
Hiruzen took a document out of the drawer and stamped it with the Hokage's seal.
"This is a pardon."
"In view of the emergency situation at the front and your contribution to the village by providing clean water, I, in the name of the Hokage, lift your confinement order."
"Not only that—"
Higanbana handed the document to Sousuke.
"This mission is classified as S-level."
"This is redemption. Sosuke, if you can get these supplies in and set up a covert transit point, your previous theft of secrets will be wiped clean."
Sosuke took the document.
Although he longed to regain his freedom, he did not rush to agree.
"Lord Hokage, I have one more question—"
"I'm a special Jonin, and although I have some means of self-preservation, I'm afraid I'd have a hard time even escaping in front of monsters like the AB duo."
"rest assured."
Hiruzen relit his pipe.
"The village won't send you to your death. I've equipped you with the strongest guard for this mission."
"Come in."
As Hiruzen finished speaking, the office door was pushed open.
Two people walked in.
One of them was a silver-haired boy wearing a mask.
Kakashi Hatake.
"Kakashi is a Chunin, skilled in reconnaissance, assassination, and swordsmanship. He inherited Sakumo's swordsmanship, and his reaction speed can keep up with the movements of a Lightning Release ninja."
Hiruzen explained.
Sousuke nodded. Kakashi may be young, but he's certainly a skilled fighter. Besides, he's Sakumo's son, making him politically reliable.
The other one was a burly man.
Hyuga Katsumi.
He wore a specially made, wide robe that concealed his prominent spine and joints. His pure white eyes held a cold indifference.
"Hyuga wins."
Sousuke was somewhat surprised that Hyuga Masaru had also been summoned.
"His Byakugan can evade ambushes from Kumogakure. Most importantly—he performed exceptionally well on the front lines in the Land of Rivers, demonstrating Jonin-level combat prowess," Shikaku said.
"A Byakugan and a swordsmanship genius—that's a good combination."
Sousuke turned around and looked at Hiruzen.
"However, Hokage-sama, if I may be so bold, this is not enough against the AB duo."
"Even if the three of us combined, we wouldn't last three minutes against those two monsters."
Amidst the swirling smoke, Hiruzen's expression remained somewhat ambiguous.
"There's one more person."
Just then, a person walked out from the corner of the office.
When the person fully emerged from the shadows, Sousuke's pupils contracted slightly.
He was a man with long, flowing hair, pale skin, and long, golden pupils.
Orochimaru.
One of the legendary Sannin of Konoha.
"Hehehe————"
Orochimaru let out his signature hoarse laugh.
"Sousuke-kun, nice to meet you."
Hiruzen looked at Orochimaru with a complicated expression.
"Only those with the strength of the Legendary Sannin can stand up to the AB combination head-on. Orochimaru will serve as the Jonin captain for this mission."
With Orochimaru around, even if they encounter the future Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, they can escape unscathed.
But Sosuke knew that things weren't that simple.
Orochimaru's presence here indicates that this is more than just a transport mission.
The supplies are important, but—this is bait.
Konoha wanted to use these high-value supplies to lure out the isolated AB team.
Then----
"I see."
Sousuke smiled.
"If it's Lord Orochimaru traveling with me, then I'm relieved."
1
This team's lineup is both luxurious and bizarre.
A wealthy special Jonin. A member of the Hyuga branch family who possesses the Shikotsumyaku (Corpse Bone Pulse). A genius Chunin. And a legendary Sannin with ulterior motives.
Outside Konoha Village.
An ordinary-looking caravan set off.
-
A dozen or so horse-drawn carts were hauling heavy loads of goods. The carts were covered with tarpaulins.
The Takaya Trading Company staff are doing final checks.
Most of these men were members of the Black Tooth Gang, and each of them had bulging waistbands, clearly indicating that they were hiding weapons.
Sosuke stood in front of the convoy, checking the number of people.
"Mr. Sosuke."
Hyuga Katsu walked over.
He wore a loose robe that concealed his unusually large and imposing physique.
"All vehicles have been inspected."
Hinata Katsumi's Byakugan gleamed faintly.
"very good."
Sosuke looked to the other side.
Kakashi was leaning against a tree, wiping his short sword.
And Orochimaru—
He didn't show himself at all. But Sosuke knew that he was lurking in the shadows of the convoy.
"Set off."
The wheels rolled, making a creaking sound.
The convoy moved slowly.
The third day after leaving Konoha.
The convoy entered the territory of the Land of Fields.
The landscape here is completely different from that of the Land of Fire. Everywhere there are rice paddies and low hills, and the air is filled with the smell of decaying plants.
Because it is caught between powerful nations and has not established its own ninja village, the order of the Land of Rice Fields has collapsed.
This place is a paradise for wandering ninja families and bandit gangs of all sizes.
"Mr. Sosuke, there's an emergency ahead."
Hyuga Katsu returned to Sousuke's side to report.
-
"There are about fifty people lying in ambush in the canyon ahead. Their chakra reactions are chaotic, and their weapons are not uniform."
"It must be a local bandit gang."
Sosuke nodded.
A band of fifty men. Normally, this would be a considerable force, enough to plunder a small town.
But today, they've met their match.
"Let's just deal with this minor character."
Sousuke turned to look at Kakashi.
"Kakashi, Chunin, interested in some activities?"
Kakashi was sitting on top of the cargo container, holding a book titled "Ninja Tips".
Upon hearing Sosuke's words, he closed the book.
"Clearing roadblocks is part of the mission."
He jumped off the carriage and drew the dagger from his back.
I'll be back soon.
"7
"I'll go too."
Hyuga Katsumi said.
Since fully integrating with the Corpse Bone Vein, his warlike nature seemed to have been activated. The long journey made him feel stifled.
"Go. Leave one alive for questioning."
Sosuke waved his hand.
Above the canyon.
A group of ragged, menacing-looking bandits were crouching behind a rock.
"Boss, this is a big fish!"
A one-eyed man stared at the long line of cars below, his mouth practically watering.
"Look at those carriages, the wheels are so deeply dented, they must be carrying all the finest goods!"
The bandit leader was a bald, burly man carrying a spiked club.
"Don't rush. Wait until they're inside the encirclement—"
-
"Feed".
A cold, boyish voice suddenly rang out behind them.
"Were you waiting for us?"
"Who?!"
The bandit leader suddenly turned around.
A silver-haired boy was seen squatting on a boulder behind them.
The boy held a short knife in his hand, his eyes looking as if he were looking at a group of dead people.
"Kid?!"
The one-eyed man grinned maliciously.
"Kill him!"
The bandit leader swung his spiked club.
Seven or eight bandits charged forward, howling.
brush.
Kakashi didn't waste any words; his figure disappeared.
Immediately afterwards, several streaks of blood bloomed in the air.
That was the Hatake-ryu swordsmanship. Simple, deadly. Each strike precisely sliced open the bandit's throat.
There were no unnecessary movements, and not a single chakra was wasted.
That's what genius is.
"ah!!"
Screams echoed throughout the room.
In just a few seconds, seven or eight bandits fell to the ground in pools of blood.
"This is a tricky idea! Let's all work together!"
The bandit leader panicked and yelled at the remaining men.
Just then.
Boom! A burly figure appeared in an instant and crashed directly into the crowd.
Hyuga Katsumi.
"Steel-Soft Fist!"
boom!
He slapped a bandit in the chest.
The sound of ribs shattering was clearly audible. The bandit crashed into the rock wall and turned into a puddle of mud.
Other bandits surrounded them and slashed wildly with their knives. However, they couldn't hit their targets at all.
He saw through all the attacks with his white eyes.
Hyuga Katsu remained expressionless.
puff!
He smashed the skull of a bandit who had launched a sneak attack. Blood and brain matter splattered everywhere.
This scene was too brutal.
The remaining bandits were completely devastated. This wasn't a fat sheep; this was clearly death itself!
"Run!"
Someone shouted, and the remaining dozen or so people threw down their weapons and ran away.
"Trying to run away?"
Kakashi forms hand seals.
"Lightning Release: Earth Walk!"
Zizizi!
A blue current spread along the ground, instantly catching up with the fleeing bandits. After a series of convulsions, everyone collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth.
The battle is over.
In less than three minutes, the entire fifty-man bandit gang was wiped out.
The two returned to the convoy.
"Mr. Sosuke, we spared one of his lives."
Hyuga Katsu grabbed the bald bandit leader by the collar and dragged him over.
The bandit leader's leg had been broken; he was trembling and his pants were soaked.
"Spare me—spare me, my lord—"
Sosuke sat in the car, looking down at him.
"I ask, you answer."
"Have any Cloud Village ninjas been spotted in this area recently?"
Yes! Yes!
The bandit leader nodded frantically.
"Just the day before yesterday! A group of Cloud Village ninjas passed through here and headed west!"
"They—they were terrifying. We tried to take them too, but before we even got close, over a dozen of our brothers were struck dead by lightning—"
Sosuke opened the map.
"The western side—that's the flank of our only route. The people of Kumogakure have already laid an ambush there."
"Mr. Sosuke, should we take a detour?" Hyuga Masaru asked.
"The detour will add three days to the journey."
Sosuke shook his head.
"Moreover, passively dodging is not a solution. The Cloud Village has excellent mobility and a wide range of perception. Once we are discovered, we will be the ones on the defensive."
Sosuke made a decision.
"The best defense is a good offense."
"Let's strike first before they discover us."
"Should all four of us go?" Kakashi asked.
Sousuke looked towards the shadows where they were. Orochimaru showed no sign of coming out.
The three ninjas had no interest in getting involved in such "minor skirmishes".
"Just the three of us."
The convoy stopped in a secluded mountain valley.
Sosuke and the other two set off.
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