The mornings in the Land of Rivers were growing colder, thick fog spreading across the land and reducing visibility.
This was already the third day of Hayashi's mission.
Anyone moving through the region could clearly sense the growing tension. The number of wandering Konoha ninja patrol squads had increased significantly, and even supply escort teams were appearing more frequently than before.
Unfortunately for Konoha, numbers alone meant little.
Without a shinobi strong enough to command and respond properly, none of them could stop Hayashi's killing spree.
After memorizing several transportation routes and setting up ambush points, he stopped bothering to conceal his movements. He no longer erased traces or cleaned the battlefield after attacks.
This was not arrogance, just practicality.
Even if he silently eliminated an entire squad and carefully removed every visible trace of blood or combat, one fact could never be hidden, a Konoha patrol team would still disappear.
Every squad followed fixed patrol routes and reported back regularly. The moment a report failed to arrive, Konoha would know something was wrong. Discovering their deaths would only be a matter of time.
Since exposure was inevitable, Hayashi chose efficiency instead.
Over the past few days, he freely used high level ninjutsu, unconcerned about attracting attention. Several supply convoys had already fallen to his ambushes. Some survivors were intentionally left alive so he could extract information from them.
The interrogation methods were harsh, but effective.
From the gathered intelligence, Hayashi roughly understood Konoha's next move. Because large quantities of supplies had been destroyed, Konoha reduced transport frequency while continuously reporting his sightings back to headquarters, attempting to predict his movement pattern.
Judging from the situation, Orochimaru would likely dispatch a specialized squad from the front lines to eliminate him.
Hayashi had expected this.
Orochimaru was not the type to watch quietly while an enemy caused chaos and escaped unharmed.
The only question was, who would lead the hunting party?
One of the Sannin, Jiraiya?
The famed White Fang, Sakumo Hatake?
Or that Uchiha prodigy who once defeated the previous One Tail Jinchuriki?
Lost in thought, Hayashi sat atop a large rock with a dry blade of yellow grass between his teeth.
As time passed, the fog slowly thinned and visibility improved. Soon, faint movement and voices of approaching shinobi echoed from the distance.
He had obtained this intelligence the previous night and arrived early to prepare the ambush.
Unlike ordinary ambushers, however, Hayashi simply sat in the middle of the road, openly waiting.
His presence was quickly noticed.
The six member Konoha squad immediately halted.
"Stay alert, Sand shinobi ahead!" a Konoha jonin shouted while signaling his teammates to spread out into formation.
Due to recent losses, every Konoha ninja stationed in the Land of Rivers already knew about the enemy targeting their forces.
The standoff lasted only seconds.
Suddenly, two arms burst from beneath the ground, attempting to seize Hayashi.
They grabbed nothing.
Hayashi had already leapt into the air.
With a faint look of disdain, his body dropped back down, chakra exploding beneath his feet as he struck the ground. The hidden shinobi was forced out instantly by the shock.
"Trying tricks like that only embarrasses you," Hayashi said coldly.
With his experience, he had sensed the opponent hiding underground using the Transformation Technique combined with concealment.
The Konoha ninja clearly did not expect to be discovered so quickly. Despite the pain from being forced out, he swung his kunai toward Hayashi the moment he surfaced.
Hayashi twisted aside smoothly, avoiding the blade, then whipped his leg forward and slammed it into the ninja's chest.
Blood burst from the man's mouth as he was launched backward, crashing heavily onto the ground.
"Are you alright?" two teammates rushed over to support him.
"The bone's broken," the injured ninja muttered through clenched teeth.
"Stay focused!" another shinobi guarding the supply cart warned urgently.
But Hayashi had already appeared beside them.
"You dare lose focus in battle?"
His kunai flashed downward with lethal intent.
The fallen ninja froze.
Am I going to die?
Just as the blade descended, a dark figure shot through the fading fog faster than an arrow.
Hayashi's strike was intercepted.
The newcomer moved like lightning. With one hand, he grabbed the injured ninja's collar and tossed him safely backward without even turning his head. At the same time, a black kunai blocked Hayashi's attack.
Hayashi paused briefly, surprised by the sudden interference.
That single moment was enough.
Hayashi seized the opening instantly.
Lowering his stance, using one foot as support, he drove his knee fiercely into Hayashi's lower abdomen.
The nearby Konoha shinobi stared in disbelief. It was the first time they had witnessed such a direct and ruthless taijutsu strike.
Hayashi showed no hesitation.
In real combat, efficiency mattered more than appearance.
The impact landed perfectly.
Hayashi's face instantly turned red as intense pain shot through his body. Instinct prevented him from dropping his weapon, but the shock nearly broke his concentration.
Before he could recover, Hayashi followed up immediately.
A flying kick slammed straight into his face.
Bang.
Hayashi was sent flying across the ground.
After delivering the rapid counterattack, Hayashi did not pursue. Instead, he turned toward the Konoha squad.
"Is everyone alright?"
Aside from the already injured shinobi, whose condition had worsened slightly after being thrown aside, the rest were unharmed.
Seeing the man's painful expression, Hayashi scratched his head awkwardly.
"Sorry, I used too much force."
The injured ninja shook his head gratefully. Without that intervention, he would already be dead.
"Leave this to me. Return to the village."
The squad leader hesitated. "Please allow us to assist."
Hayashi shook his head.
"You have wounded. Go back for treatment. I came specifically to deal with the Jinchuriki."
Recognition immediately appeared in their eyes.
This was Hayashi, the shinobi who had turned the tide of battle at a young age and earned fame on the battlefield.
The captain no longer argued. Remaining here would only slow him down.
After giving Hayashi a respectful look, the team quickly retreated with their injured companion.
"Trying to escape?" Hayashi roared after recovering from the pain.
Chakra surged.
A massive earthen dragon head rose from the ground, gathering power before launching dense mud projectiles toward the retreating Konoha ninja.
"Earth Release: Multiple Earth Style Wall!"
Hayashi slammed his palms onto the ground.
Several towering earth walls erupted upward, completely blocking the incoming attack.
He casually touched the smooth surface of the wall and sighed.
"An Earth Wall without carvings really lacks character. Maybe I should add something next time."
He paused thoughtfully.
"Though I do not have ninja dogs… maybe carving Dabai and Shukaku would work."