Konoha's Hextech Ninja

"We've heard of your reputation. Lady Tsunade highly recommended you, so we're confident in your abilities."

A ninja with a pineapple-shaped hairstyle and a smug expression sized up Yagami Yoruichi and said, "I am Nara Shikaku, and these two are Akimichi Choza and Yamanaka Inoichi. I believe you have heard of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. Our standard tactic is for Inoichi and me to be responsible for containment and control, while Choza is responsible for the frontal assault. Since you are skilled in ninjutsu and sensory perception, you will be responsible for support. Without my orders, you will be responsible for judging whether to use long-range ninjutsu or close combat based on the situation."

Nara Shikaku, Yamazaka Kaiichi, and Akimichi Choza.

This generation's 'Ino-Shika-Cho' combination!

He is also the father of the next generation of the Konoha Twelve, the "Ino-Shika-Cho".

Yagami Yoruichi couldn't help but glance at Yamanaka Inoichi a few times.

His daughter, Yamanaka Ino, was quite stunning by Yagami Yoruichi's standards of beauty.

Of course, it's about looks, not ability.

Nara Shikaku and the others are only teenagers, but thanks to their family's secret techniques and the great boost to their combat power from the cooperation between the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, all three have already earned the title of Jonin.

Considering their age, this is truly remarkable.

Of course, the Ino-Shika-Cho trio are close allies with the Sarutobi clan, who are currently in power in Konoha. In fact, since the Warring States period, the Sarutobi clan has witnessed the alliance ceremony of each generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

There might be some 'insider trading' going on here.

But since Tsunade recommended her to join this team, it means that the strength of this generation of Ino-Shika-Cho is definitely not bad.

Thinking to himself, Yagami Yoruichi spoke up: "I have a general understanding of the Ino-Shika-Cho teamwork. I may not be able to achieve the same level of chemistry as you, but I definitely won't hold you back. Of course, if there's anything you need me to do, please just say so."

"Our mission this time is to conduct reconnaissance at outposts A15 to A22 on the border of the River Country, to confirm the situation of these eight outposts. The plan is to take four days, confirming two outposts each day."

Nara Shikaku briefly explained the mission, then looked up at Yagami Yoruichi and asked, "You said you are good at perception, can you tell me exactly to what extent you can do it?"

"My sensory ninjutsu relies on chakra perception, with a radius of three kilometers. Within this range, I can identify some chakra characteristics to confirm identities," Yagami Yoruichi explained simply. "When traveling, the perception range shrinks to about one kilometer. Also, I can't perceive targets underground or in airtight bunkers."

The introduction of Yagami Yoruichi is very vague.

However, Nara Shikaku immediately analyzed the principle behind Yagami Yoruichi's sensory ninjutsu upon hearing this.

"A wind-style sensory ninjutsu that relies on air? I understand." Nara Shikaku nodded and said, "Then when we're traveling, you walk in the middle and keep your sensory ninjutsu active at all times. I heard from Tsunade-sama that you have a lot of chakra, so you should be able to maintain your sensory ninjutsu at all times, right? If you have any problems, don't hide them because you're trying to save face. I'll adjust the strategy according to your situation."

“If it’s just about maintaining sensory ninjutsu, then it’s no problem,” Yagami Yoruichi nodded.

【Wind Perception】 consumes a significant amount of chakra, making it difficult for Jonin with low chakra reserves to maintain.

But with Yagami Yoruichi's chakra reserves, maintaining that for 24 hours wouldn't be a problem.

“That’s settled then. You’ll be in charge of sensing distant targets, and Inoichi will be in charge of sensing underground targets.” Nara Shikaku quickly established the formation: “You two go first, Choza in the middle, and I’ll ensure the safety of the rear. Let’s go!”

Chapter 114 Infiltrating the Land of Sichuan, the 'Hero's' First Kill!

In the jungle on the border of the Land of Fire.

Yagami Yoruichi's shadow clones moved swiftly, crossing the border of the Land of Fire and entering the territory of the Land of Rivers.

This shadow clone was created by Yagami Yoruichi on her way to the border outpost, and she deliberately allocated most of her chakra to it.

It possesses two-thirds of the original's chakra, enough to keep this shadow clone active for a very long time.

Even in battle, as long as the enemy isn't particularly strong, they can hold out for a long time.

The goal was to kill as many enemies as possible and speed up the equipment production process.

Of course, the premise is that you cannot be hit by the enemy, otherwise, given the characteristics of the Shadow Clone Technique, even the slightest injury will dissipate on the spot.

……

She hadn't gone far when Yagami Yoruichi started to feel a little dizzy from the complicated terrain.

Compared to the Land of Fire, which is mainly composed of plains and forests, the Land of Rivers has a much more complex terrain.

Various mountains and rivers emerge one after another, interspersed with unique landforms such as plains, deserts, and volcanoes.

Sometimes, the terrain changes completely after walking less than a kilometer.

It's unclear how this bizarre terrain, which completely defies the laws of nature, was formed.

However, it is precisely because of the unique terrain of the Land of Rivers that it has become a rare strategic buffer zone between the two great nations of the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire.

The previous two Shinobi World Wars were almost entirely fought within the Land of Rivers, without affecting the homelands of the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire.

In this complex environment, the ninjas' advantages in stealth and assassination are maximized, and either side has to pay an unbearable price to break through the other's defenses.

Unless, of course, a super-strong individual like Madara Uchiha or Hashirama Senju appears who can disregard terrain.

"I looked up some information before I came out. There are no ninja villages in the Land of Rivers, but there are a few small ninja clans and organizations that serve the daimyo and nobles of the Land of Rivers. I wonder if these clan ninjas are considered wandering ninjas or enemy ninjas in the system's classification?"

With information about the Land of Rivers flashing through his mind, Yagami Yoruichi quickened his pace and headed towards the capital of the Land of Rivers.

This small country, with its limited territory, had almost all its nobles and ninjas concentrated near the capital.

If you want to kill enemies and get gold coins, the easiest way is to go directly to the capital.

The land of rivers is long and narrow, with almost no depth.

Yagami Yoruichi's shadow clones only traveled for a few hours before they could see the location of the capital of the Land of Rivers in the distance.

"Sense of Wind!"

Yagami Yoruichi formed hand seals, and chakra mixed into the air, spreading outwards.

The Land of Rivers is indeed weak, but the Land of Rain has produced Hanzo the Salamander, known as a 'demigod,' and the Land of Taki has produced powerful figures like Kakuzu.

Who knows, some strange and powerful figures might emerge from the Land of Rivers.

Yagami Yoruichi was only a shadow clone, and he would dissipate once injured. To achieve the greatest results, it was natural to obtain as much information as possible first.

"Ok?"

Yoruichi Yagami suddenly sensed a familiar chakra, and her expression changed.

"This chilling chakra... it's Orochimaru!"

Yagami Yoruichi immediately turned her attention to Orochimaru's location.

That was in an inconspicuous building in the capital of the land of rivers.

There were more than a dozen chakra auras around Orochimaru.

One of them was a subordinate Orochimaru brought along on the reconnaissance mission, while the remaining dozen or so were not among the ninjas who left Konoha for the border of the Land of Rivers and were not among the 'chakra characteristics' recorded by Yoruichi Yagami.

However, judging from the stability of their chakra, there was no sign of war, so they did not seem to be enemies.

"Orochimaru's subordinate? Or an accomplice?"

Yagami Yoruichi's mind raced: "Could it be that Orochimaru has already established his own power base outside the village by now? And are these ninjas he brought from the village, who just haven't been to the front-line camp yet?"

"Or perhaps, the changes in the Land of Rivers were originally related to Orochimaru?"

Various speculations arose in Yagami Yoruichi's mind. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to approach and see if there was a chance to gather information.

Because of Tsunade's tireless persuasion, and the description in the original work, Yagami Yoruichi was very wary of Orochimaru.

At this time, they encountered Orochimaru in the Land of Rivers, even though they knew that Orochimaru was carrying out a mission for the village to investigate intelligence within the Land of Rivers.

But the chakra that shouldn't have been there still aroused Yagami Yoruichi's curiosity and vigilance, making him want to know if Orochimaru was secretly plotting against him.

What if it's related to me?

Tsunade has said more than once that Orochimaru harbors ulterior motives towards her.

Yoruichi Yagami automatically translated this sentence as Orochimaru craving her body and wanting to use her as a vessel for 'Reanimation Jutsu'.

Of course, at this point in time, Orochimaru certainly hasn't completed the development of 'Reanimation Jutsu', and may not even have started researching this forbidden technique.

But since this possibility exists, we must take precautions.

Yagami Yoruichi approached quietly, skillfully avoiding the patrolling troops on the city walls, and sneaked into the city.

An army composed of ordinary people, even samurai who have mastered some rudimentary chakra techniques, is vastly different from a true ninja; they are not even on the same level.

When ninjas want to hide, the soldiers and samurai are no different from blind men.

……

Inside the city.

Inside a private residence.

Orochimaru was explaining the plans for the next move.

Suddenly, a ninja wearing a striped mask spoke up: "Someone is approaching. This amount of chakra... is very strong!"

Everyone fell silent instantly, turning their attention to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru formed a hand seal, and several small snakes, no thicker than a finger, crawled out of his trouser leg and swam towards the outside.

After a moment, Orochimaru looked puzzled and surprised, and said calmly, "They came for you. I won't help you. You can decide what to do yourselves."

The moment Orochimaru uttered those words, the dozen or so masked ninjas around him scattered instantly.

Without any doors or windows being opened, the dozen or so ninjas had vanished without a trace, and no one knew how they had left the room.

"Shadow clones? Yoruichi-kun, your audacity surprises me!"

Orochimaru licked his lips, muttering to himself, "Let me see what your purpose is, and what you're capable of! These Root members may be useless, but they can't be dealt with by a single shadow clone!"

……

In a small alley, Yagami Yoruichi used his 'Wind Perception' to discover that a portion of the chakra aura had disappeared from his senses, and the remaining people were all surrounding his location.

Only Orochimaru and the subordinate he initially brought remained in the original house, untouched.

"So it really is one of Orochimaru's collaborators or subordinates? Let's see who it is first. If it's someone from the village..."

As Yagami Yoruichi was thinking, she saw a masked figure dressed as an ANBU member appear at the other end of the alley.

"The Dark Guard?!"

Yagami Yoruichi was startled.

If it's Konoha's Anbu, then it will be very troublesome if my identity is exposed.

"We have no choice but to disband the shadow clones, otherwise it will be troublesome if our identities are exposed."

As Yagami Yoruichi was pondering this, she suddenly realized something was amiss.

The mask of the 'Anbu' ahead seems different from that of a normal Anbu member.

After being attacked by the 'Root' squad, in order to help Yoruichi Yagami distinguish between the Anbu and Root, Kosuke Maruboshi and Tsunade specifically explained the differences to her.

Their attire is similar, but there are subtle differences.

The biggest difference is in the masks.

The masks worn by the shadowy figures are all animal-shaped, such as cats, dogs, foxes, and so on.

The masks at the base are usually decorated with meaningless striped patterns.

The mask worn by that 'dark unit' ahead has a striped pattern!

"Since it's the root..."

Yagami Yoruichi immediately abandoned the idea of ​​dispelling the shadow clones.

Regardless of what these roots are doing in the land of rivers.

Yagami Yoruichi only knew one thing: Shimura Danzo had once tried to kill him, and therefore the Root organization that Danzo led was his enemy!

If they are enemies, of course they must be eliminated!

Although no system notification popped up when the Root ninjas were killed last time, it seems that these Root ninjas were not identified as 'enemy units' by the system.

But when it comes to killing enemies, there's no need to consider whether it's profitable or not.

The fact that the enemy is dead is the greatest benefit in itself!

In an instant, Yagami Yoruichi made a decision, rushing forward at high speed while quickly forming several hand seals.

"Ninja Art - Disruptive Charge!"

Chakra instantly created a large number of electrons, forming an electric field around Yoruichi Yagami's body.

The electric field disrupted the nerve signals transmitted by the Root ninja the moment it approached him, causing him to freeze for a moment. The ninja sword that was originally going to cut at Yagami Yoruichi took an odd angle in mid-air and stabbed into his own thigh.

Pfft!

The intense pain was bearable for Root ninjas who had undergone brutal training.