Chapter 135 Camp Assault!

"You idiot!"

Without warning, Kaoru Hyuga walked up to Hizashi Hyuga and slapped him across the face. The sudden act stunned everyone present, leaving Hizashi with flushed cheeks and a helpless expression.

"Elder Homura, we'll take our leave now."

Seeing the situation, Uzumaki Raiden realized there was a personal matter between the two and decided not to linger. He addressed Mitokadu Homura briefly, donned his mask again, signaled to his teammates, and quickly left the tent. Mitokadu Homura watched the silent tension between Hizashi and Kaoru before sighing and rubbing his temples.

"Let's talk outside," Kaoru said curtly, considering Homura's presence. She left the tent, and Hizashi followed her reluctantly.

Outside, Uzumaki Raiden glanced at the two. As Hizashi stepped out, Raiden said, "We'll wait for you outside the camp. Come back when you're done."

"Kaoru Hyuga, you're under my command now. This is a long-term mission, so prepare yourself," Raiden stated before heading off without waiting for a reply. Fugaku Uchiha smirked at Hizashi, winked mischievously, and followed Raiden. Might Duy approached Hizashi, patted his shoulder sympathetically, and left with the others.

Hizashi stood awkwardly, trying to find words, but Kaoru cut him off with an emotional outburst.

"Don't you have anything to say to me?" she demanded, her voice shaking. "You left Konoha without a word! No one could tell me where you went—not Elder Rihui, not Hiashi. Were you planning to disappear forever?"

Kaoru threw herself into Hizashi's arms, pounding his chest with her small fists, her emotions spilling over.

"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…" Hizashi began, but Kaoru's punches grew more forceful, silencing him.

Meanwhile, at the camp entrance, Fugaku leaned toward Raiden, his tone light and teasing. "Raiden, what's the deal between those two? Did Hizashi abandon her, only for her to track him down?"

"If that's the case, what are we supposed to do?" he chuckled.

"No, no," Duy interrupted, shaking his head knowingly. "I think there's something there, but it's complicated. Not exactly abandonment."

"Really? How do you figure?" Fugaku's eyes gleamed with curiosity, stepping closer to Duy.

"This is youth," Duy said sagely. "I can tell these things."

Before he could elaborate, Raiden interrupted. "Enough, you two. Stop gossiping and focus on practical matters. Check our supplies and replenish whatever's lacking."

Raiden handed each of them a scroll. "We've been moving non-stop—from Rouran to the Land of Rivers camp—and now we've got a long-term mission ahead. With an extra teammate, we need to reassess our reserves."

"Yes, Captain Raiden," Fugaku said with a mock salute, exchanging a glance with Duy before heading back to the camp. Though Duy wasn't skilled in sealing techniques like Fugaku, he could help with inventory.

"Two gossiping fools," Raiden muttered, leaning back against the wooden fence outside the camp.

At that moment, two figures approached the camp. The guards stopped them several meters away. Raiden, closing his eyes for a brief rest, paid little attention—until a deafening explosion shattered the quiet.

"Boom!"

Over a dozen explosive tags detonated simultaneously, sending a powerful shockwave through the camp. Shurikens hurtled toward Raiden along with the force of the blast.

Raiden's eyes snapped open, and he quickly summoned a Thunder Net to intercept the incoming projectiles. But before he could catch his breath, a figure lunged at him, kunai aimed for his chest.

"Another one down!" the attacker snarled, his face contorted with malice.

In the blink of an eye, Raiden countered, his fist driving into the man's abdomen with tremendous force. The impact tore through the attacker's body, shattering his spine and sending blood spraying everywhere.

"Sand Ninja," Raiden muttered grimly, seeing the forehead protector on his fallen opponent.

Two more figures charged at Raiden, one delayed by the corpse he had flung. Raiden drew his blade, deflecting the other's kunai effortlessly.

"Clang!"

Raiden's blade, the Totsuka Blade, crackled with lightning, slicing through the kunai with ease. He swung at the attacker, but the second Sand Ninja managed to pull their comrade back with a chakra thread just in time.

"Boom!"

Raiden's blade struck the ground, the force of the impact shattering the earth around him. The wooden fence nearby splintered under the shockwave, destabilizing the Sand Ninja's landing.

Before they could recover, Raiden closed the distance. The next moment, their heads separated from their bodies. Standing amidst the chaos, Raiden's red hair flowed as he wiped the blood from his blade.

"A raid team of three? What's the purpose of such an attack?" Raiden muttered, glancing at the smoldering remains of the explosion.

"Raiden, what's going on?" Fugaku and Duy arrived, concern etched on their faces.

"The camp was attacked, but I've dealt with it," Raiden replied. "Hurry with the supplies. This situation is more serious than I anticipated. If Sand Ninja are bold enough to attack a camp directly, their frontlines must be much stronger than we thought."

(End of Chapter)