Chapter 102 - 32

Chapter 32: Polygamy, Many Blessings! First Mission!But the conditions were harsh: Hinata must be secretly protected by two Hyuga Jonin, the mission time cannot exceed six hours, and once there are signs of danger, they must retreat immediately."Fine." Kushina agreed readily, "But the protectors cannot interfere with the mission; they can only watch from afar."The agreement was reached.Hinata returned to Ivy Garden.When she appeared at the entrance of the training ground, everyone crowded around her."Hinata! Welcome back!""We saved some snacks for you!""The afternoon sparring continues!"Hinata's eyes reddened: "Th-thank you, everyone..."Naruto walked over and patted her on the shoulder: "Alright, the touching part is over. Next, we need to start preparing for the mission."The mission content was simple: Scout for abnormal Chakra fluctuations at the northeast border of Konoha, record the data, do not make contact, and do not engage. Kurenai Yuhi would lead, and all members of Ivy would participate."This is your first official mission." Kurenai said seriously, "Remember three points: First, follow orders; second, preserve yourselves; third, companions come first."The training entered the final stage of coordination.With Hinata's Byakugan, the team's coordination immediately improved by a level.Guren's crystal walls could precisely defend against blind spots under Hinata's guidance, Tayuya's genjutsu could use the Byakugan's Chakra vision for precision guidance, and Izumi's Sharingan and Hinata's Byakugan formed a perfect reconnaissance complement.The night before departure, Naruto found Hinata."Are you nervous?""A-a little..." Hinata admitted honestly."It's okay, I'm nervous too." Naruto smiled, "But I'm more excited. This is our first time acting as a team."He looked at Hinata: "Remember, you are not alone. You have us, you have Kurenai-sensei, and you have those protecting you from the shadows. So, let go and do it. Let everyone see just how strong Hyuga Hinata really is."Hinata nodded vigorously, her eyes shining with unprecedented brilliance.The day of the mission, early morning.All members of Ivy gathered at the main gate of Konoha.Besides Kurenai Yuhi, there were two Anbuwearing animal masks.Nominally mission supervisors, in reality, they were guards sent by the Hyuga Clan."Let's go!"The team quickly left Konoha and entered the forest to the northeast.The autumn forest was beautiful, but no one was in the mood to appreciate it.After two hours of travel, Kurenai Yuhi raised her hand to signal a stop."Three kilometers ahead is the target area." She whispered, "Hinata, use the Byakugan to scout."Hinata nodded and formed hand seals: "Byakugan, activate!"Her field of vision expanded instantly.Trees, rocks, animals, Chakra flow... everything was clearly presented in her eyes."There are... five humanoid Chakra reactions in the target area." She reported softly, "Three are moving, two are stationary. The amount of Chakra... they are all at the Chunin level. Wait!"She suddenly frowned: "Their Chakra flow... is very strange. They don't look like normal Ninjas; they look more like... puppets controlled by something."Kurenai's expression changed: "Can you see the source of control?""I'll try... No, the distance is too far, and there is interference."Just then, Tayuya raised her flute: "There is sound... many people, crying.""Crying?""It's not a real cry, it's... a residual mental echo." Tayuya's purple eyes looked into the distance, "Something very painful happened there. The pain of many people has been 'recorded'."Kurenai made a decision quickly: "Change the plan. Do not approach, only observe and record from a safe distance. Izumi, use the Sharingan to record the Chakra characteristics. Sakura, Ino, prepare defensive techniques. Tenten, set up warning traps. Naruto, Guren, protect Hinata and Tayuya."The team spread out quickly.However, what they didn't know was that from the moment they left Konoha, they had already been targeted by another pair of eyes.Deep in the forest, three Ninjas wearing Kumogakure attire were hiding in the canopy."The target has appeared. Daughter of the HyugaMain Branch, confirmed.""The guard configuration around her?""One Jonin, two Anbu, six children... wait, those children!"The leading Kumogakure Jonin narrowed his eyes.Through binoculars, he saw the crystals condensing in Guren's hands, saw the flute on Tayuya's back, saw the Sharingan in Izumi's eyes, and saw Naruto's conspicuous blond hair."Uzumaki Naruto... the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. And a Uchiha survivor, as well as a child with an unknown bloodline." He licked his lips, "The harvest this time is bigger than expected.""Should we make a move?""No. Wait until they go deeper. 'That thing' there will help us create chaos."They followed quietly, blending into the forest like shadows.The Ivy team continued to advance, stopping one kilometer away from the target.Here, they could vaguely feel that abnormal Chakra fluctuation.Cold, viscous, carrying an ominous aura."This is it." Kurenai signaled everyone to hide, "Hinata, scout again. Izumi, record."Hinata activated the Byakugan again. This time, she saw it more clearly.Those five humanoid Chakra were indeed being controlled. Controlling them was a "core" deep underground. That core was constantly emitting mental fluctuations, spreading like ripples, affecting all living things within range."That core... is absorbing negative emotions." Hinata's voice trembled slightly, "I can see that the surrounding animals, even plants, are emitting 'colors' of fear and pain, being sucked into it..."Tayuya's face turned pale: "I heard it too... more crying. That core... is 'playing' the pain it absorbed, forming a domain of mental pollution."Kurenai made a prompt decision: "Mission changed. Record existing data and evacuate immediately. This phenomenon has exceeded the scope of a C-rank mission and needs to be reported to a special unit for handling."However, just as they were preparing to retreat, an unexpected change occurred.The ground began to shake. Those controlled humanoid Chakra suddenly turned simultaneously and rushed towards the direction where they were!