Chapter 63: Something Went Wrong!


    <span style="font-weight:400">Two days were all it took for Mochizuki Hui’s team to return from the area near the Land of Earth back to the center of the Land of Mist, where Vige of Fog was located.


    <span style="font-weight:400">They wasted no time and immediately resumed their covert campaign against the Iwagakure ANBU operatives in the area.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Once again, they acted independently, choosing not to link up with other Konoha ANBU units. Instead, they patrolled the region, relying on their sensory skills to seek out Iwagakure’s ANBU squads that operated alone.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Against Mochizuki Hui’s team, none of the Iwagakure squads stood a chance. Once detected, their fate was sealed—and death inevitable.


    <span style="font-weight:400">In just two days, Mochizuki Hui’s team eliminated two more Iwagakure ANBU squads, bringing their tally to eight squads in total!


    <span style="font-weight:400">Eight squads—back in thest war, that would have been equivalent to two entire divisions, half of Iwagakure’s ANBU force.


    <span style="font-weight:400">The news quickly reached Kamizuru Ishigawa, the Iwagakure ANBUmander, who stood in shock for a moment before erupting in a fit of rage. His entire body trembled with fury, and his eyes reddened with anger.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Damn it!!!”


    <span style="font-weight:400">His fist mmed down onto the table, causing it to crack under the force. He panted heavily, trying to contain his seething wrath.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He had been yed. There was no doubt about it.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Amander of Iwagakure’s ANBU, meticulously nning and leading an operation, had been outmanoeuvred by a single Konoha ANBU squad.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Order all units to move to the region of the Fog Vige immediately!”


    <span style="font-weight:400">Kamizuru Ishigawa barked themand. If his quarry had left this area, there was no point in remaining here.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He could not tolerate the humiliation of being outsmarted; he vowed to capture that Konoha squad and make them pay.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Meanwhile, in another cave, Mochizuki Hui’s team rested. It seemed they had a preference for caves as hideouts, finding them perfect forying low.


    <span style="font-weight:400">They always picked small, concealed caves—ones where the entrance could only be seen when up close, providing excellent cover.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Their advantage was their sensory skills, allowing them to detect threats well before being discovered themselves.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Other ANBU units wouldn’t risk using such spots, knowing that being cornered in a cave could turn them into sitting ducks if the entrance was blocked.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Captain, we’ve taken out two more Iwagakure squads! I bet those ANBU back in the Land of Earth are losing their minds right now!” Hunter chuckled, imagining how furious their enemies must be upon hearing the news.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Mochizuki Hui couldn’t help but smile. He knew that if he were in their shoes, he’d be just as enraged.


    <span style="font-weight:400">"Thanks to our distractions, the other Konoha squads are making good progress. If everything goes as nned, we’llplete this mission in just a few more days,” Mochizuki Hui noted.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Although they hadn’t directlymunicated with the other ANBU teams, Konoha had a system of coded symbols for exchanging information. When the other units learned of Mochizuki Hui’s arrival, they left messages detailing the progress on their end.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Heh, our Fourth Squad’s actions have been pretty significant after all,” Lightningmented, clearly satisfied with their contribution.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“It’s going well so far. But we need to be careful moving forward. The Iwagakure ANBU will surely regroup ande to this area. We should avoid further solo actions and join up with the others,” Mochizuki Hui advised as he nced outside the cave. The sun was setting, casting long shadows as dusk approached.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Let’s rest for a bit. We’ll move out in an hour,” he ordered, opting not to stay the night in the cave.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, sir!” the three replied in unison, beginning to inspect their equipment and supplies.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Hey, I’m almost out of water. I’m going to refill at the stream. Do any of you need me to grab some?” Hunter asked, noticing his water pouch was nearly empty.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Water was essential for ninja, whose intense physical activity demanded constant hydration.


    <span style="font-weight:400">After suffering through a severeck of water during one mission, Hunter had made a habit of keeping enough tost at least two days.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’m good, I’ve got plenty,” Mochizuki Hui replied. He made sure to stay on top of these little details.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Get some for me, too. My supply’s okay, but it never hurts to have extra, haha,” Lightning said, passing his water pouch to Hunter.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“I’ve still got enough, so I’m fine,” Hatake Sakumo added, continuing to adjust his gear.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Got it, I’ll be back soon,” Hunter said, taking Lightning’s water pouch before heading out.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Stay alert, and keep your senses sharp,” Mochizuki Hui reminded him.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t worry, Captain. I’m a sensory ninja, remember? I’ve got this!” Hunter replied with a confident wave before leaving.


    <span style="font-weight:400">The water source wasn’t far; he’d be back in about half an hour. It seemed unlikely that he’d encounter any danger.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Yet sometimes, fate has other ns.


    <span style="font-weight:400">As Hunter headed toward the stream, another group was also making their way in that direction—the team led by Iwagakure’s ANBUmander, Kamizuru Ishigawa!


    <span style="font-weight:400">Back in the cave, Mochizuki Hui and the others sat in quiet meditation, resting and conserving their energy. After about twenty minutes, Mochizuki Hui suddenly opened his eyes.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He nced toward the cave entrance, where a small squirrel scurried toward him.


    <span style="font-weight:400">It stopped in front of him, offering a tiny scroll held in its bushy tail, deftly passing it over with its little paws.


    <span style="font-weight:400">The squirrel was a summoning creature from Konoha’s ANBU First Division’s captain—a familiar ally to Mochizuki Hui.


    <span style="font-weight:400">He unfolded the scroll and read the message inside.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“The division captain wants us to head back to Iwagakure territory immediately. There’s a critical mission,” he informed Lightning and Hatake Sakumo before patting the squirrel’s head in acknowledgment.


    <span style="font-weight:400">The squirrel vanished in a puff of white smoke, returning to its summoner.


    <span style="font-weight:400">“We’ll set out as soon as Hunter returns. He should be back any minute now,” Mochizuki Hui said, referring to Hunter.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Five minutes passed, bringing the total time since Hunter had left to twenty-five minutes.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Mochizuki Hui closed his eyes again, extending his senses to locate Hunter.


    <span style="font-weight:400">His brows furrowed when he sensed nothing—Hunter was not within his range. This stirred unease within him.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Five more minutes slipped by, making it a full half-hour since Hunter had left.


    <span style="font-weight:400">Mochizuki Hui opened his eyes, his expression grim as he addressed Lightning and Hatake Sakumo:


    <span style="font-weight:400">“Hunter is in trouble.”


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