22 Moving Forward

In the forest,

Zoooom!!!!

The fire brightened the dark forest under the night sky, flames flickering around giving immense heat.

Booom!!!!

Damn!!!!

The long wind blade spit by Danzo didn't weaken after dividing the flames, continuing the course, an angry curse falling in the ears of the alert Naoki and others.

Swish!!

The wind blade sliced anything in its way, also leaving a long gash on the ground before eventually dispersing.

The moment the jutsu cast by Danzo disappeared, three figures flew out and landed before everyone, the burning flames revealing them completely.

A black scarff mostly covered the face of the three, the revealed eyes with seriousness in them stuck at them Danzo.

"He... he's Shimura Danzo...a subordinate of the late second hokage!"

One of the three figure eyed Danzo before him a little longer, his facial features and earlier display of Wind Style reminding him of someone highly valued in black market.

"Seriously? Then It's really a big fish...but a tough one to catch as well!"

Hearing his words, the other two were surprised but got cautious as well, knowing it wasn't going to be easy.

"Bounty hounters...guess gathering together a lot of scums are upto something, raiding a town, kidnapping weaklings"

Said Danzo in a disdainful tone after hearing there conversation, no fear on his face just pure disdain.

"Hmm...you have a sharp tongue, maybe it'll sell for an extra hundred ryo in black market along with your head!"

Responded a bounty hunter to the taunt of Danzo, not showing any weakness before a famed shinobi around the world.

Danzo this time didn't respond again though and turned around to gaze at Naoki and others, who were watching everything unfold with alert looks.

"Go ahead and leave these scums to me as completing the mission is the first priority"

"Since we were ambushed here it means we might be quite close to there hideout, and this battle would have already alerted there rest of the companions!"

"Although I'm pretty sure the main force is here, these three possess the strength of a special jounin, more shinobi of such a caliber to be present is very unlikely"

"So with your strength, you'll be able to deal with the rest of the trouble, now go and don't fail the mission at any cost!"

Saying that Danzo turned his attention back on the three bounty hunters before him who all had pissed expressions at being ignored like this.

"Let's go!!"

"Um!"

Said Naoki putting the shocked old man due to the battle around on his back again, both Sayuri and Shinku nodding, acting on Danzo's orders.

"Do you think it's that easy?"

Though the bounty hunters didn't have any plans to let them leave so easily, rushing towards them at high speed.

Wind Style! Wind Shuriken!!

Danzo though did stay true to his words, taking out a number of shurikens and blowing at them, sharp spinning wind surrounding all the shurikens as he hurled them at the bounty hunters.

Keng!! Keng!!

The wind shurikens were swift as they surrounded all the three immediately, cutting towards them, leaving them no choice but to stop and defend, hurling kunai's back at the wind shurikens.

Swish!! Swish!!!

Though this gave Naoki and others to leave without any problem, following the ninja dog moving forward, both Sayuri and Shinku having solemn faces.

"You remember the plan you proposed at the entrance of leaf village?"

"So I'll leave him to you, leave the frontal fight to us, support us from behind if you can as well"

Said Naoki pointing at the old man on his back, his words clearly falling in the ears of Shinku and Sayuri.

"Ok, I'll do my best!"

Knowing Naoki was speaking to her, Sayuri was silent for a moment before she nodded, a heavy look in her eyes.

Shinku also had same eyes as the very first mission for them had turned so challenging and life threatening, quite frankly both not even ready for it.

At this moment both of them seemed to truly understand what the life of a ninja is, the fear of losing there life any moment by just a slight mistake, weighing on there mind.

"Scared huh...

The faces of Shinku and Sayuri clearly revealed there thoughts, Naoki understanding what they were going through.

Though it was not like Naoki was much different from them, this was his first mission as well but the confidence in his own strength and the urge to explore his doubts, eliminating the fear.

Soon, the four of them arrived before a huge river with a waterfall, the ninja dog stopping and looking around in confusion, the water confusing the scent of his target, though it was sure the target was around somewhere here.

Swish!!!

Naoki and others also stopped near the lake, looking at the dog but at this moment numerous arrows from the bushes at some distance shot towards them.

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