Chapter 7: Ambush

Three Hyuga clan members received a special mission—to form a reconnaissance team and survey the terrain along the Fire Country-Rain Country border, drafting a tactical map.

For them, this was more than just another mission, it was another lucrative opportunity. Along the way, they could extort travelers and make shady deals with Rain Country merchants.

Since joining the Anbu, their Byakugan's unparalleled scouting abilities made them indispensable, granting them access to numerous exclusive missions.

...

Fire Country-Rain Country Border

Hyuga Gakuya and his team had already set up an ambush along the enemy's expected route.

Kakashi and his squad stood atop the trees, observing the movement of the three Hyuga members from a distance.

Kakashi asked, "Are you sure you can handle this alone?"

"No problem. And even if there is, I have you all, don't I?"

With that, the four of them flickered forward, swiftly overtaking the Hyuga trio and positioning themselves at the prearranged ambush site, ready to spring the trap.

The Hyuga members, weighed down by their heavy cargo, moved sluggishly compared to Kakashi's team, who traveled light and fast.

As their convoy approached, Gakuya activated the trap—kunai with explosive tags shot out from all directions.

"Ambush! Formation—protect the cargo!" The leading Special Jonin reacted swiftly. The three of them leaped from the carriage and activated their Byakugan in an instant.

"Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms!"

They formed a defensive triangle, striking down as many kunai as possible to safeguard their goods.

But it was futile. Against such an overwhelming barrage, they couldn't deflect every single explosive kunai.

When the trap ended, their supplies had been blown to smithereens. Who dared to attack Konoha's Anbu within the Fire Country!?

Fury contorted their faces as their Byakugan scanned the treetops, only to spot the unmistakable uniforms of Konoha's Anbu.

One thought immediately came to mind—someone was trying to frame Konoha's Anbu! But the idea was quickly dismissed. Who would be foolish enough to attack Konoha and blame Konoha at the same time?

That left only one possibility.

Their secret dealings had been exposed.

And the Third Hokage had ordered their elimination.

Gakuya dispelled his concealment jutsu and leaped down from the branches.

"I demand an audience with the Third Hokage! You have no right to judge me! I am a branch family member of the Hyuga clan!" one of them shouted indignantly.

Gakuya calmly formed hand seals. Lightning chakra surged from his tenketsu points, encasing his body in a protective cloak.

"This is the Third Hokage's decree. And the Hyuga main family won't start a war with Konoha over a few expendable branch members. To them, you are nothing more than a resource to be used up."

"Lightning Taijutsu: Lightning Armor."

This was a B-rank jutsu Gakuya had developed by fusing the Hyuga's Gentle Fist with Lightning Release.

Gentle Fist worked by emitting chakra from the user's hands to disrupt an opponent's chakra network.

Gakuya had enhanced this technique by expelling lightning chakra from all his tenketsu, forming an armor of raw energy.

The result was a technique that mimicked the Lightning Chakra Mode used by the Raikage.

Even Kakashi was astonished upon witnessing Gakuya's concept in action—an ingenious development.

"This is Lightning Chakra Mode!"

The Hyuga trio were visibly shaken. A technique that combined external armor with defensive properties was the perfect counter to Gentle Fist.

They wouldn't be able to send chakra into Gakuya's body, severely crippling their combat effectiveness.

Gakuya wasted no words. In an instant, appearing before one of the Hyuga Chunin and striking with his palm.

Sealing Thunder Palm!

A surge of lightning chakra poured into the opponent's body, instantly sealing all his tenketsu. His chakra flow was completely paralyzed—he couldn't move an inch.

The other two rushed to aid their comrade.

Gakuya grabbed the immobilized Hyuga and hurled him at one of the approaching enemies.

Instinctively, the other Hyuga reached out to catch his comrade.

That was exactly what Gakuya had anticipated.

He flickered forward like a shadow and landed a double-palm strike on the held ninja.

Lightning Gentle Fist: Thunder Palm!

This was a hybrid of the Gentle Fist's Mountain Crusher and Lightning Release.

Gakuya injected lightning chakra into the first opponent's body, using him as a conduit to transfer the force into the ninja behind him.

The second Hyuga barely had time to react before a thunderous explosion shattered his abdomen, leaving a gaping, bloodied hole.

With one final swipe, Gakuya slashed his hand across their throats, ending them both instantly.

In mere moments, two Hyuga Chunin lay dead.

Gakuya turned to the last remaining foe—the Special Jonin leader of the group.

"You're Hyuga Gakuya! If the Hyuga clan finds out you've slaughtered your own kin, they will never forgive you!" The leader's expression twisted in fury as he finally recognized Gakuya.

Gakuya smirked and removed his wolf mask, holding it at his side. "I am no Hyuga."

With a flick of his hand, he extended his fingers toward the Special Jonin.

Chidori Spear!

A concentrated bolt of lightning shot from his fingertips, streaking toward his opponent.

The Jonin reacted instantly, dodging sideways. He had already deciphered Gakuya's intentions by analyzing his chakra flow with the Byakugan.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, Gakuya reappeared in front of him, engaging in a high-speed taijutsu exchange.

Blows were traded—fist meeting fist, palm meeting palm.

For the first time, Gakuya found himself unable to gain an upper hand. He was still young, his body not yet at its peak.

Realizing this, he decided to disengage and let his teammates assist.

But before he could retreat, the Special Jonin lunged forward, wrapping his arms around Gakuya in a death grip.

Smoke billowed from his chest—hidden explosive tags.

"A disgrace to the Hyuga... I'll take you to hell with me!"

Gakuya remained unfazed. Lightning erupted from his tenketsu, paralyzing the Jonin in an instant.

A swift kick sent the unconscious enemy flying several meters away.

"Earth Style: Earth Wall!" Kakashi acted immediately.

A thick wall of earth rose just in time to absorb the explosion's force.

Kakashi, Yamato stood beside Gakuya.

"Are you alright? Need medical attention?" Yamato asked cautiously.

They assumed Gakuya was silently mourning—no one enjoyed fighting their own clan.

What they didn't know was that Gakuya felt nothing but satisfaction.

With these Hyuga spies eliminated, the clan had suffered a heavy blow.

"I'm fine. Let's clean up. Officially, they were ambushed by Rain ninja during an illegal trade."

Gakuya sealed the corpses into a scroll, while Kakashi and Yamato worked on falsifying the crime scene with Water Style jutsu.

"Let's go. Time to report back to Konoha."

...

Two Days Later – Amegakure's Tower

Pierced by black rods, Pain glanced at Konan. "Why haven't those Konoha shinobi delivered the goods yet?"

Their recent coup had left Rain Country in dire straits. They desperately needed supplies from external trades.

Konan's voice was cold. "They were intercepted. Konoha silenced them and made it look like we attacked our own men."

Pain remained expressionless. "Such is the way of great nations. In the end, everyone betrays for their own interests."

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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