Three days have passed since leaving Konoha, on the border of the Land of Fire.
Due to the transport of supplies, the journey is slow. A typical ninja squad would have reached the battlefield by now, perhaps even engaging in several small skirmishes.
Yet, they have only just arrived at the border of the Land of Fire, with a considerable distance still to the front lines.
These three days have been peaceful, with no encountered bandits for robbery or enemy ninja ambushes. Lin Yu had been quite bored, lacking any opportunity to copy jutsu.
Three days ago, Lin Yu had tested his chakra paper and discovered he possessed all five elemental affinities: wind, fire, lightning, earth, and water. Coupled with the Yin and Yang natures inherent to the Uchiha and Uzumaki clans, his Sharingan could copy most ninjutsu. It was a shame, though, that he only knew the three basic jutsu, Adamantine Sealing Chains, and the Four Symbols Seal, and not even the Body Flicker Technique.
You might wonder why he didn't learn them. Ninjutsu scrolls are expensive, and Lin Yu couldn't even afford a common one like the Great Fireball Technique. Besides, why go through the trouble of training when the Sharingan could copy it?
"Sigh, it seems there's no use for you for now." Lin Yu lifted his goggles, his ninja headband hanging around his neck. He'd have to wait until he reached the battlefield to find an opportunity.
Lin Yu's team, including himself, numbered five people: three Chunin and two Genin. The supplies they were transporting were merely ordinary medical equipment.
This was also one of the reasons for the peaceful journey. No ninja village would expend energy sending an elite squad to infiltrate the Land of Fire to intercept ordinary medical supplies.
On the muddy path leading to the battlefield, only the creaking sound of wagon wheels could be heard.
The three Chunin standing at the front vigilantly scanned their surroundings. They hadn't relaxed their guard despite the past three days of tranquility, knowing that the closer they got to the battlefield, the more dangerous it would become and the higher the chances of encountering enemies. Lin Yu and the other Genin stood on either side of the wagon, also observing their surroundings.
*Swish!*
From the dense forest in the distance, a figure landed before a man in black.
"Boss, we've spotted a Konoha supply transport team. Should we take them down!"
*Swish!*
Another figure landed. "Three Chunin, two Genin. They seem to be transporting ordinary medical equipment. Who knew we'd get an unexpected bonus? More lives to take from my hands."
"Hey, Murata, I've got my eyes on those two Genin, especially the red-haired one. Such fresh blood."
"Takeda, are you trying to compete with me?"
"Compete if you want, I..."
"All of you, shut up!" the middle-aged man in black roared, then turned to Murata. "Murata, is your information accurate?"
"Confirmed. It seems that squad doesn't have a sensory ninja. I was able to get close without them detecting me."
"Good! Prepare to move. I'll handle those three Chunin. You two quickly take down the two Genin, then come help me."
"Yes!"
*Swish, swish, swish!*
...
The muddy path remained as quiet as ever. A few birds chirped as they flew out of the forest, heading skyward.
Lin Yu watched the birds in the sky, a bad feeling suddenly stirring within him. He pulled down his goggles, closed his eyes, and activated Kagura Shingan.
Kagura Shingan consumed a considerable amount of mental energy, and even Lin Yu couldn't keep it active all the time.
One ri, two ri, three ri... Three ri! Suddenly, his senses detected three unfamiliar chakra signatures, filled with hostility. One of them reached Jonin level, and the other two were at least Chunin.
The enemy was this close? Lin Yu's face paled, and he quickly called out to the Chunin ahead. "Alert! Unidentified squad ahead."
The leading Chunin, Matsuno, turned with surprise towards Lin Yu. He then drew a shuriken and warily looked ahead. He didn't ask for reasons; this was war, better safe than sorry. The other two also took defensive stances.
"Hahaha, I didn't expect you to have a hidden sensory ninja in your team. And a kid, too! This is a great harvest!"
"Hehehe, I love the blood of geniuses the most. That feeling of crushing them in the cradle is simply intoxicating." Murata licked his shuriken with a sinister grin.
"Enough with the nonsense, attack!" The Jonin in black didn't waste words. Seeing that the enemy was prepared and his surprise attack had failed, he launched a direct frontal assault, engaging the three Chunin with his shuriken.
"Oh dear, the boss can't wait. Then, little genius, prepare to die!" Murata, wearing a Rain Village forehead protector, flung several kunai towards Lin Yu and then flickered his body.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
Lin Yu blocked the three kunai with his shuriken. Before he could even assess the situation.
*Puff!* A shuriken shot out from his chest!
Body Flicker Technique!
"Oh my, already over? I haven't even put in much effort yet."
*Bang!* The Lin Yu pierced by the shuriken dissolved into a puff of white smoke, leaving behind a log. Through Lin Yu's pulled-down red goggles, three faintly discernible black tomoe flickered.
"Substitution Jutsu? You damn brat, take this!" Enraged at being tricked, Murata furiously attacked Lin Yu with wild slashes.
"Damn brat, are you just going to dodge?"
Using the dynamic vision of his Sharingan, Lin Yu easily evaded the attacks.
In his eyes, Murata's movements were as slow as a snail. Several times, Lin Yu had opportunities to counter-attack but refrained, waiting. In his blood-red pupils, the three black tomoe swirled.
"Damn it, let's see how you dodge this." Murata rapidly formed hand seals. Lin Yu's three tomoe spun rapidly, and his hands mirrored Murata's seals.
Rat - Ox - Rabbit!
"Water Style: Water Colliding Wave!"
Two streams of water shot from their mouths towards each other. *Poof!* Murata held out for three seconds before being hit by the water, flying backward and crashing to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.
"How is this possible! Your Genin-level jutsu is more powerful than mine!" Lin Yu casually smirked. With my Sage Body and Sharingan, dealing with a Chunin like you is a piece of cake.
It should be known that Uchiha clan members who awaken the three-tomoe Sharingan are at least Special Jonin level, let alone with the addition of the Sage Body.
What Lin Yu lacked was practical combat experience. His ninjutsu and reaction speed were decent, but his practical experience was practically zero, so he had to be extremely cautious.
He had activated his Sharingan the moment the enemies appeared, without any attempt to hide it. Or rather, after this mission, he would no longer need to hide his Sharingan. If that old dog Danzo displeased him, he'd send him to the sky with a Shinra Tensei.
"Damn it, brat, don't get cocky. Water Style: Water Winged Feather!"
"Water Style: Water Winged Feather!"
*Puff!* Murata was sent flying again, this time worse off. His ribs were likely broken in multiple places. He spat out another mouthful of blood. Defeated by his own jutsu twice, his ashen face was filled with disbelief.
"It seems you have no more value to extract. Time to send you on your way." Without further ado, Lin Yu flashed in front of Murata and cleanly plunged his shuriken into the opponent's heart.
This was Lin Yu's first kill. There was no fear, no apprehension.
Looking at his still clean hands, Lin Yu felt a sense of unreality. He shook his head, discarding extraneous thoughts, and his gaze flickered towards Takeda, who had already killed the other Genin.
"What kind of surprise will you bring me?"