Ready to depart, Asuka led his squad on a new round of patrols—still unaware of the crisis awaiting them.
Moving swiftly through the forest, the Fourth Squad weaved between the trees at high speed. This mission was not just a routine patrol; it was also meant to further integrate the new members into the team.
Thanks to Asuka's exceptional sensory abilities, the Fourth Squad intercepted five separate invading teams within just two days. Among them were ninja from Kumogakure and Iwagakure—but notably, not a single Konoha shinobi.
The squad's coordination had also improved significantly. The new members were adapting well, and a solid tacit understanding was beginning to form.
Miyagawa Ryosuke caught up to Asuka and voiced his concern.
"Captain, we've been patrolling for three days. We've captured plenty of foreign spies, but not a single Konoha ninja. Doesn't that seem strange?"
As a veteran of the Second Great Ninja War, he knew Konoha's operational style well. Once Kumogakure declared war on Sunagakure, there was no way Konoha would remain idle. Their sudden absence was unsettling.
"It is strange," Asuka replied calmly. "Since Kumogakure's declaration of war, Konoha's spy activity hasn't increased—it's actually decreased. When something is abnormal, there's usually a reason. Konoha may be preparing something bigger."
Ryosuke's thoughts aligned exactly with Asuka's own suspicions.
"After this patrol, I'll report it to headquarters," Asuka continued. "Other squads should increase surveillance on Konoha's movements. It would be best if we could capture a few alive for interrogation."
Then he raised his voice.
"We're nearing the outer perimeter of the Land of Water. Expect increased enemy activity. Stay sharp."
---
At the border of the Land of Fire, Konoha's reinforcements finally arrived.
At the head of the unit stood a young man with golden hair and deep blue eyes filled with calm determination—Minato Namikaze.
"Minato! Hahaha, long time no see! I didn't expect you to be the one sent as reinforcement!" Murata Akira, commander of the Land of Fire's border forces, greeted him warmly. As a jonin from a civilian background, he naturally felt a sense of kinship toward another genius who had risen the same way.
"Senior Murata, it's been a while. You're as energetic as ever," Minato replied with his signature bright smile.
"I heard Hokage-sama would send reinforcements, but I never imagined it would be you. Come, sit—you must be tired."
Murata ushered him into the main tent and poured him a cup of water.
"Actually," Minato said lightly, "I requested this assignment myself."
"Oh? With your abilities, why come to the Land of Water instead of the Kumogakure or Sunagakure fronts?"
"Senior Murata, I'll speak plainly. I've heard our intelligence efforts against the Hidden Mist haven't been going well."
Murata gave a wry smile. "So you've heard. We've lost quite a bit of face recently."
"I learned about it from Shikaku-senpai. I heard a Kaguya clan ninja has been blocking our spies?"
Murata nodded with a sigh.
"That's right. His name is Kaguya Asuka—one of the Hidden Mist's rising stars. Because of him, very few of our operatives have made it past the border. But now that you're here, Minato, I believe things will change."
Minato's expression grew serious.
"I'll do my best."
---
Meanwhile, Asuka's squad reached the outermost border of the Land of Water.
Hōzuki Mangetsu chewed on a blade of grass as he complained, "When can we go back to camp? I just want to lie down in a real bed…"
Minazuki Murasaki immediately snapped back.
"Mangetsu, can't you be quiet for once? You've been complaining the entire way. The captain's working harder than anyone and hasn't said a word!"
Mangetsu bristled. "What? Murasaki, you only care about Boss Asuka! And I haven't complained that much!"
"Hmph. You know exactly how much you've complained. Honestly, if we needed to interrogate prisoners, we could just let you talk them into surrendering. Right, Kenta?"
Sato Kenta stiffened, rapidly shaking his head to avoid getting dragged into the argument.
The two were about to continue when Asuka suddenly raised a hand signal.
They immediately fell silent and shifted into combat stance.
Asuka gave a few more tactical gestures. The squad tightened formation instantly.
They trusted his sensory abilities completely—it had saved their lives more than once.
Slowing their pace, they advanced carefully.
What awaited them was not an ambush—
—but corpses.
A Hidden Mist patrol squad lay lifeless on the forest floor.
The squad members tensed, scanning for hidden enemies. But Asuka walked forward calmly, examining the bodies.
"There's no one else nearby," he said evenly. "What I sensed earlier must have been residual chakra from these corpses."
With that explanation, the tension eased slightly.
Mei Terumi stepped forward to inspect the bodies beside him.
"All killed the same way," she said quietly. "A single kunai strike. No additional wounds."
Asuka nodded.
"Their times of death are nearly identical. They were eliminated before they could mount any resistance. Whoever did this is highly skilled."
Mei's eyes sharpened. "They haven't been dead long. The enemy can't be far."
Asuka stood and ordered the Fourth Squad to spread out and search for clues.
Soon, a member called out.
"Captain! Look at this branch—the break isn't natural."
Miyagawa Ryosuke examined it closely. With his experience, he quickly confirmed it was an intentional sign left during movement.
After checking it himself, Asuka agreed.
"We've found their trail. This opponent isn't ordinary. Stay alert."
He immediately led the squad in pursuit.
Before long, several chakra signatures entered his perception—one of them exceptionally powerful.
They were moving rapidly toward the border of the Land of Water.
"Enemy ahead. Prepare for engagement!"
Asuka accelerated. The squad followed at full speed.
Soon, the enemy figures came into view.
Among them—
a flash of gold caught Asuka's eye.