Chapter 48: CHAPTER 48
Rest
A few kunai cut through the thick haze formed by the smoke bomb, vanishing just before Fugaku's eyes. Moments later, muffled screams rang out. As the smoke cleared, only a few Iwagakure corpses remained — lifeless and cooling on the dirt.
The brief clash had told Fugaku everything he needed to know about his team's strength and synergy.
Mitarai Akimitsu, a jonin from a lesser-known offshoot of the Mitarai clan, demonstrated fluid control of Katon and Doton. His Earth Release was especially efficient in rapid burial techniques — useful for cover-ups. In close quarters, he wielded a modified trench-knife, using both taijutsu and elemental enhancements — likely making him the most well-rounded fighter among them.
Yamashiro Qinghe, while a capable tracker, lacked lethality in direct combat. His crow summoning technique—an evolution of the Yamashiro clan's signature scouting ninjutsu—excelled in surveillance and battlefield confusion, not offense. Fugaku noted that Qinghe's illusions were limited in power compared to the Uchiha's Sharingan-based genjutsu.
Gekko Shuichi, a swordsman of the Gekko clan, inherited the Konoha-ryū Kenjutsu with a flair for silent strikes and misdirection. But unlike his descendant Moonlight Gai, who mastered graceful iai-speed strikes, Shuichi emphasized overly complex sword trajectories that sacrificed speed and power.
"If he had focused more on direct penetration speed," Fugaku thought, "he could've killed the Iwa-nin in one stroke."
Even Moonlight Gai, years later, would fall short against strong opponents like Baki due to his fragile constitution and overly stylized techniques.
"Dispose of the bodies. We don't leave corpses for intel recovery," Fugaku ordered coolly. "Hinata Ning — stay alert. We've probably only seen the vanguard."
Despite being just a skirmish, Fugaku had asserted dominance — not just with his tactical efficiency, but with the visible strength of his three-tomoe Sharingan, marking him as a true elite.
In the shinobi world, raw power often outvalued subtle intrigue.
The team scattered and systematically destroyed the corpses. Akimitsu used Doton: Moguragakure no Jutsu (Hiding Like a Mole) to rapidly bury the remains, erasing chakra traces. The group retreated, knowing the survivors might already be rallying reinforcements.
Whether they advanced deeper into Iwagakure territory, circled back into Amegakure, or detoured through the Land of Grass, pursuit was guaranteed.
"This wasn't just reconnaissance anymore," Fugaku murmured. "This is a combat zone."
He gave a soft command: "Withdraw to the Land of Grass. We'll resupply at the nearest border town."
The five ninja vanished. Moments later, an Iwagakure pursuit squad arrived — led by a chunin commander, Ozawa, the sole survivor of the previous ambush.
"Search the perimeter. We're likely facing a Konoha elite unit — confirmed Uchiha and Hyūga presence," barked the commander.
"Captain," a sensor-nin reported, "Earth Release was used to alter the battlefield. Most chakra residue is gone. Judging by the lack of superficial injuries, they were assassinated precisely."
"What's your take, Ozawa?" the captain asked.
Ozawa gave a bitter smile. "I didn't 'fight' them. I parried a kunai — that's all. My comrade Shi Yan went down instantly, pierced straight through the heart after just one Sharingan illusion. These aren't standard jonin. This is a black-ops level team."
The captain crouched, unfurling a map between his knees.
"If this team showed up here," he said grimly, "it's no coincidence. The Rain Country border is just west of us. And our planned troop deployment hasn't been made public yet…"
"They're here to confirm our troop movement into Amegakure."
Another Iwa-nin nodded. "Should we pursue into Grass?"
"No," the captain said. "That would draw the attention of Kusagakure, which we can't afford. We're already under scrutiny from Hanzō. We don't want Grass Ninja Village reporting our movements to Konoha or Kiri."
"Xiaochi, report back to HQ," he said. "Confirm the presence of a Konoha elite squad, with Sharingan and Byakugan confirmed. Avoid contact. Defend and wait for backup if sighted."
---
Meanwhile, Fugaku and his squad stopped in a forest just beyond a border town in the Land of Grass. The region was known for its mixed population — civilians, refugees from the Second and Third Shinobi Wars, and spies from every village.
"Transformation technique. We go in as civilians," Fugaku ordered. "Resupply, eat, rest. Once we cross into the Land of Earth, we won't get another chance."
With five muffled pops of smoke, the shinobi were replaced with weary-looking travelers in tattered cloaks. They slipped into the town with the ease of experienced ANBU.
The town itself buzzed with activity — a melting pot of merchants, farmers, and war refugees. The Land of Grass had long tried to stay neutral during shinobi conflicts, but its territory was a highway for troop movements and covert missions.
Fugaku quietly reminded the group, "No chakra usage. No jutsu. Blend in."
At a roadside restaurant, they quietly ate, paid with real currency (not forged), and took a room at a modest inn. Even if someone saw through their henge, the tangled loyalties of the town made it unlikely they'd be reported.
The ninja of Kusagakure were too busy avoiding entanglements with the Five Great Nations to interfere.
That night passed without issue.
---
The next morning, the five left town discreetly.
"Someone is tailing us," Hinata Ning whispered, walking beside Fugaku. "Chakra is low. Wandering ninja — not village-affiliated."
Fugaku's voice was calm. "Bandits with chakra, then. Into the forest. We'll deal with them."
They picked up their pace — just enough to provoke pursuit without looking suspicious.
"Still trying to run?" a gruff voice shouted. "Cut them off!"
"They're gone, boss!"
"They must've slipped into the woods — search every direction!"
Within the sun-dappled forest, the pursuers grew careless. One by one, they separated. Fugaku, crouched in a tree, narrowed his eyes — the Sharingan catching every movement.
"Report?" he asked softly.
"All local wildlife is acting normally," Hinata Ning's Byakugan responded from the opposite flank. "No reinforcements. They're isolated."
"Engage."
A hail of shuriken sliced through the canopy — moving unpredictably, directed by Fugaku's Sharingan-assisted throws. The first wave of rogue ninja fell without even reacting.
The others barely had time to scream.
One attempted to flee — and ran straight into Akimitsu's Earth Release trap, his legs caught in hardened stone.
Yamashiro's crows cawed through the trees, pecking at the blinded bandits, disorienting their formations.
The forest went quiet again.
> "Kill a Genin and gain a small amount of pupil power."
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. The deaths of these low-level chakra users barely moved the needle. They were closer to chakra-sensitive civilians than actual ninja.
Still, they served a purpose.
"Bury the bodies," Fugaku said flatly. "We're heading for the Land of Earth."
PS: SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN CHAPTERS