Mizukage's Pokémon Ninja Scroll

Chapter 85 So Ugly (Haha, another third update!)

A nine-person squad is running at full speed along the coastline of the Land of Fire.

That's right, a nine-person team.

Perhaps because he had witnessed Tachibana's healing abilities during the previous mission to pursue Yakushi Nonou, Kushimaru Kurihara insisted on dragging Tachibana's team along during this retreat.

The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist mostly act alone and do not lead missions, so in the end, it became a seemingly legitimate nine-person team.

Fortunately, Kushimaru Kurihara did not refuse, and joined Ken's team.

By the way, Ken is the name of that Jonin with thick eyebrows and taijutsu skills.

When Tachibana Kanagawa heard this, her first thought was to ask if his surname was Might. Fortunately, he didn't have a surname and was just an ordinary commoner ninja.

This made Tachibana Kanagawa sigh that perhaps thick eyebrows really do have a talent bonus in physical combat.

As for his three team members, apart from Hozuki Shingetsu, a member of the Hozuki clan who had just been promoted to Chunin, the other two were just Genin from ordinary ninja families.

I have no idea how such a team came together.

"Kid, how long are you going to keep watching the stitches?"

Somewhat irritated, Kushimaru drew his long sword, Sewing Needle, and pointed it at Zabuza.

Everyone immediately stopped in their tracks and looked at Kushimaru and Zabuza, puzzled.

After thinking it over, Zabuza said with a serious expression.

"It's nothing, I just think it looks a bit ugly."

Fortunately, Tachibana Kanagawa, who was standing nearby, knew how stubborn her teammate was. If Kushimaru Kurihara hadn't asked, Zabuza wouldn't have provoked her, but he certainly wouldn't have said anything nice right now.

He immediately grabbed Zabuza's clothes and pulled him behind him.

"Jonin Kurisara, my teammate wants to say that we've always admired you for using a long sword and sewing needles."

As he spoke, Tachibana Kenkawa recklessly drew the short sword with steel wire attached to Zabuza's back and casually swung it a couple of times.

"You see, he is practicing his sewing skills himself."

Kushimaru looked at the short sword in Tachibana's hand with some suspicion, then simply spoke in a low voice.

"If you're not afraid of death, you can challenge me anytime."

After saying that, he ignored everyone's reactions and continued on his way.

Although Zabuza was somewhat annoyed by Kushimaru Kurihara's tone, he knew that now was not the time to cause trouble.

He glared fiercely at Jianchuan Ju, sheathed his short sword, and followed.

Perhaps this incident started the conversation.

Kurihara Kushimaru, who hadn't said much along the way, stopped keeping his head down and continuing on his way.

Instead, they slowed down and came to the side of Jianchuan Ju.

"Kid, interested in joining the assassination squad?"

Tachibana Kanakawa didn't expect the other party to ask this question.

Although Kushimaru Kurihara, as the vice-commander of the Anbu, does have the right to suggest recruiting new members to the Mizukage, it seems that the Mizukage didn't think much of them before. Why would he suddenly want to invite them to join the Anbu?

Besides, my sunny and cheerful personality doesn't really match the dark side.

After thinking for a moment, Jianchuan Ju decided to politely decline the other party's offer.

"Jonin Kurihara, my Jonin mentor is currently working in the Sensory Ability Team, and I am a medical ninja myself, so it seems I am not very suitable for ANBU work."

After speaking, she glanced cautiously at Kushimaru Kurishari, as Tachibana Kenkawa did not want to offend him for no reason.

Unfortunately, the dark mask made it impossible for him to discern the other person's expression.

"Hmm, you can think about it some more. There's no rush to give me an answer."

After saying that, Kushimaru Kurihara sped up again and went to the front of the group, leaving only the somewhat disheveled Tachibana Kanakawa behind.

"Quack~ (ο｀)"

Lanzi skipped over to Jianchuanju and patted his ankle reassuringly.

After this brief incident, the group increased their travel speed again and did not encounter any Konoha ninjas to obstruct them.

Not long after, they returned to the vicinity of Whirlpool Island.

At this point, ninja squads could be seen arriving at Uzushio Island from different directions.

It seems that Orochimaru's biggest fear—that he would directly lead his troops to garrison Uzushima—did not happen.

However, this makes sense when you think about it. Without sufficient supplies, the Hidden Mist ninjas weren't prepared to rush to the camp's rescue. Even if Konoha chose to wait for them at Uzushioka Island, the Hidden Mist ninjas wouldn't choose to launch a direct attack on the camp and increase casualties.

Looking at the dilapidated camp in front of me, it was basically a replica of the Konoha camp that was destroyed by the Hidden Mist ninja yesterday.

"Alright, temporary squad disbanded."

After saying that, Kushimaru Kurihara instantly disappeared.

The remaining two squad members looked at each other in bewilderment.

In the end, Ken was the one who spoke first.

"Dr. Jianchuan, I hope we'll have the opportunity to work together again in the future. We'll take our leave now."

"Okay, then I hope you'll take good care of me from now on."

Seeing this, Kisame Hoshigaki, who was also a temporary member of the team, also chose to say goodbye. However, before leaving, Tachibana Kenkawa asked him not to reveal the matter of the Yuki clan for the time being.

Now the team is back to the three members of Jianchuan Ju.

"Let's go find Teacher Qing first."

Mei Terumi's suggestion was also agreed upon by the other two. The camp had already become like this, and all three of them were very worried about Ao's situation.

The last three found Qing, who was limping and searching for something, in a ruin that should have been the location of the former command tent of the perception squad.

"Teacher Qing, I'm so glad you're alright."

Mei Terumi, who had been worried all the way, quickly ran to Ao's side.

Upon hearing the voice, Qing immediately turned around and saw that all three disciples were safe and sound, a genuine smile appearing on her face.

Jianchuan Ju carefully observed Qing's condition and was surprised to find that Qing, who was already injured in the battle, had not suffered any new wounds. It was truly admirable.

"Tachibana, well done." Ao first gave Tachibana Kenkawa a positive review.

For Qing, being able to lead the team to complete the mission safely is what makes a qualified team leader.

"Teacher Qing, let's talk somewhere else."

However, after looking around at the ruins of the camp with its rubble and tattered cloth, Jianchuan Ju seemed to realize that he had been overthinking things.

The four of them simply found a few broken boxes and sat down to share information from both sides.

"Are you sure it's the Snow Clan?"

"Tch, he even used Ice Release, how could it be fake?" Zabuza said angrily.

Tachibana Kanagawa also spoke up to confirm.

"That's for sure. We saw that person once before at the camp training ground, and she seems to be the female ninja from Pirate Island who was posing as an ANBU member."

"It's also thanks to the fact that the opponent is a speed-type Jonin, but he didn't exceed my reaction limit, so I was able to restrain him."

Actually, if Xue Shan hadn't been enraged by the constant mockery that day, and hadn't worried that Jian Chuan Ju's talent would become a major hidden danger in the future, she wouldn't have kept an eye on Jian Chuan Ju and wanted to kill him.

Otherwise, the small team might not have been able to win that battle unscathed.

(End of this chapter)