Chapter 137: Target Sand Ninja Village!

The roaring explosion echoed through the woods. Ryo Aihara, who narrowly escaped, did not immediately search for the enemy but bit his finger and performed a series of seals with precision. Within seconds, a mole emerged from a summoning jutsu, Ryo quickly wrote down the information he held before handing it to the mole.

In a puff of smoke, the mole disappeared.

The entire sequence of actions took only a dozen seconds, displaying remarkable skill. As Ryo lifted his head to locate the enemy, he saw someone wearing a death mask standing before him.

"Who are you?!" Ryo was startled by Uzumaki Raiden's sudden appearance. He quickly reached into his ninja pouch, intending to grab a kunai.

A flash of cold light followed, and Ryo felt a sharp pain in his arm. Squinting his eyes in agony, he noticed his right arm was gone, blood dripping from the wound.

"Don't act rashly, or the next cut won't be just your arm."

Uzumaki Raiden's long blade rested against Ryo's neck. Ryo hadn't even seen the attack coming. In just one exchange, he realized the vast gap in skill between himself and his opponent, forcing a bitter smile.

"Heh... so this is how my luck turns."

"To think I'd encounter an opponent like this."

The screams of his comrades echoed around him as Ryo spoke to Uzumaki Raiden. Meanwhile, Uchiha Fugaku charged into the Sand Ninja camp, wreaking havoc. The transportation team, consisting of Chunin and Genin, lacked seasoned fighters. It was still early in the war, and their group included inexperienced ninjas, barely into their teens.

But their opponent was Uchiha Fugaku, an elite Jonin of Konoha and a fearsome member of the Uchiha clan. Though Sand Ninja had initially held the upper hand, the tide turned into a one-sided massacre.

"It seems you know that resistance is futile, so cooperate with me and spare yourself further pain. Now, tell me, where is your team heading?"

As Uzumaki Raiden spoke, his blade nicked Ryo's neck, drawing blood. A black curse mark appeared on the wound, slowly spreading across Raiden's body.

"You want to know? Go underground and ask me again!"

Ryo's face twisted in defiance as he laughed maniacally and attempted to detonate an explosive tag to take Uzumaki Raiden down with him. However, his body froze; he couldn't move at all. Even his chakra had been sealed.

Realizing the futility of his efforts, Ryo's laughter abruptly ceased.

"I respect you as a warrior, so I'll ensure you feel no pain," Uzumaki Raiden said softly, lowering his eyebrows. Then, glancing at Ryo's severed, bleeding arm, he turned to Fugaku.

"Fugaku, I need everything in this man's mind."

"Leave it to me," Fugaku replied.

With that, Uzumaki Raiden became a flash of lightning, darting into the battlefield to slaughter the remaining Sand Ninja. Taking advantage of the lull, Uchiha Fugaku activated his Sharingan and locked eyes with Ryo.

"Sharingan! The Uchiha clan of Konoha!"

Ryo screamed in recognition, but his pupils soon lost focus as he succumbed to Fugaku's genjutsu.

Before long, the now-cleaned-up Uzumaki Raiden approached Fugaku. Seeing Ryo's blank expression, he asked, "What did you learn?"

Fugaku's Sharingan spun, and he replied, "We were too slow. This man already sent the information. The supplies they were escorting are also gone."

"It was the mole earlier," Raiden muttered. "But it doesn't matter. They didn't know much about us, only that their team was attacked. And the supplies escorted by such a team won't be crucial."

"Since we have what we need, burn the bodies," Raiden commanded. "I promised this man a quick end."

After speaking, Uzumaki Raiden adjusted Ryo's clothes slightly before finishing him with a flash of lightning. Fugaku burned the Sand Ninja corpses with a fire jutsu, and the pair cleaned up the battlefield before departing.

The forest fell silent once more.

Returning to their base, they were greeted by their relieved comrades, Hizashi Hyuga, Duy, and Kaoru Hyuga. Before they could ask questions, Uzumaki Raiden waved them off.

"The plan has changed. We must move immediately. Target: Sand Ninja Village!"

With a grave expression, Raiden leaped onto a branch. The others exchanged confused glances.

"From the intercepted intel, Sand Ninja has a secret unit that crossed our defenses in the River Country and is heading to the Fire Country," Fugaku explained. "We attacked a supply convoy en route to the northeast of the River Country, dangerously close to the Fire Country."

Fugaku's words shocked the group. Even Duy, usually oblivious to strategy, understood the gravity of the situation.

"So, Sand Ninja removed our scouts in the River Country to make this happen," Hizashi remarked grimly. "I remember Iwa Ninja Village doing something similar before with an elite team, causing massive damage in the Fire Country."

Fugaku nodded. "Yes, but this time it's Sand Ninja. We must believe that the Konoha forces stationed behind can handle this incursion. For now, we focus on creating chaos in Sand Ninja's rear."

Uzumaki Raiden added, "The next phase will be even more dangerous. Communication is key. If anyone has doubts or concerns, speak up now."

With a determined tone, he concluded, "We are about to march deep behind enemy lines!"

(End of Chapter)