Chapter 126: A Man Who Says One Thing and Means Another

It had already been three days since they arrived at the border, and everyone's initial tension and excitement had gradually faded.

Unlike the intense battle everyone had imagined, life at the border was far from peaceful, but it definitely didn't involve daily combat either.

Aside from a small number of ninja carrying out covert assassination or reconnaissance missions, most ninja were stuck with nothing but endless patrols!

"Haha, did you really think war is as simple as two villages lining up their ninja for a straightforward fight?" Kosuke Maruboshi chuckled inside the camp. "Otherwise, the previous two Great Ninja World Wars wouldn't have dragged on for years!"

Seiki silently nodded in agreement. If there were battles every three days and major wars every five, the population of the great ninja villages would be wiped out within just one or two months.

The reality was that out of ten skirmishes, maybe one would lead to a minor conflict, and only after ten such conflicts might a large-scale war erupt.

By that calculation, having just one or two major decisive battles in a year was actually pretty good.

Asuma sighed, "But patrolling all day long is just too boring!"

Kosuke grew serious. "You can't afford to slack off like that. War is about continuous probing, then seizing the right opportunity for a surprise attack. That kind of lazy thinking is exactly what gives the enemy an opening."

Hearing the old man speak so solemnly, Asuma quickly showed respect. "I understand! I'll definitely stay alert!"

"Good, good," Kosuke nodded in satisfaction before bitterly adding, "Though I'm probably the last person qualified to say this. Back then, my impatience cost me comrades' lives during a mission."

Seiki and the others fell silent—they'd heard how he swore to the Second Hokage afterward never to become anything more than a genin.

Although, judging by his actual abilities, he was more than a match for any Jonin.

Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Asuma joked lightly, "Looks like it's almost time for our patrol shift change."

Kosuke perked up instantly, "Oh? Are we gonna use that ability now?"

Seiki smiled slightly as he nodded, "Then I'll have to trouble you all for protection again."

Everyone chuckled at his modesty.

"What kind of trouble are you talking about? We should thank you for making things easier on us!"

"Thanks to you, our camp doesn't have to spread out like other squads."

"We're all dying to see that legendary [Sage Art] in action!"

Before long, Seiki entered Sage Mode.

His sensory abilities rapidly extended through the forest.

"Area 47 is secure... Area 46 is secure..."

Seeing this, Kosuke couldn't help but exclaim, "Gathering intel without even having to move from your spot—no wonder you kids find it boring."

Asuma scratched his head with a sheepish grin, "Actually, Seiki can't stay in Sage Mode all that often during the day. The rest of the time, we still have to do regular patrols."

As if anticipating some misunderstanding—like why Seiki didn't simply monitor for more people—Kurenai also added, "Seiki's Sage Mode can only sense activity within this limited area. It won't extend much farther."

Kosuke Maruboshi couldn't help but feel a little helpless at being misunderstood.

At that moment, Seiki suddenly looked serious. "A large group of Cloud Village ninja has appeared in sector 43. There could be around three hundred of them!"

"What? Three hundred troops already?" Kosuke's expression changed dramatically. "They've already sent this many by the third day!"

The surrounding ninja also immediately changed their expressions at the news.

"This is bad. We only have twenty people remaining at the camp right now. We stand no chance against Cloud Village forces!"

"A force of three hundred might include five to eight jonin!"

"Hurry and use Summoned Beasts to send intelligence to Central Command! Request reinforcements!"

Just then, Seiki's face darkened again. "Not good—one of our squads is heading straight toward that direction. If they don't change course promptly, they'll likely encounter the enemy in about three more minutes!"

Kosuke immediately asked anxiously, "Seiki, how many are in that squad?"

Seiki looked grim. "About thirty."

"Darn it! Is there any way to notify them sooner?"

"Only summoned beasts of the same lineage can pass messages between each other. We can only try our luck."

"Such is war—where fate decides life and death!"

The atmosphere grew heavy. The feeling of knowing fellow villagers were walking closer to death without being able to stop it was unbearably painful!

Shaking his head slightly, Seiki said, "Next, I'll need you all to protect me once again."

Kosuke nodded but still seemed puzzled. "Of course we will, but what exactly do you plan to do, Seiki?"

Seiki sat down cross-legged. "Since ordinary methods won't work, let's give it a shot with my soul!"

[Spirit Transformation Technique]!

Seiki wasn't worried about ending up like Dan Kato—the one who had been caught off guard when enemies attacked his physical body while using the Spirit Transformation Technique. For one thing, he had already used Sage Mode to scout the surrounding area. For another, his soul was far stronger than Dan's. He could easily split his soul in two—leaving part of it within his body as a safeguard.

In the next moment, a pure white spirit form floated out from the top of Seiki's head and flew toward a certain direction at an unimaginable speed.

Everyone within the camp was stunned. It was a long time before someone could finally muster the words.

"If I'm not mistaken, isn't the Spirit Transformation Technique also an S-rank jutsu?"

" Flying Thunder God Technique, Sage Mode, and now Spirit Transformation Technique—does he even have limits?"

"In other words, Seiki didn't actually use his full strength during the last Chunin Exams?"

Seeing everyone's frantic, shocked reactions, Asuma felt reassured. Finally, there was someone else who could share the sense of being overwhelmed.

...

Somewhere in the forest bushes.

"I think everyone's exhausted. Let's rest here for now. Tokuma, Kamon, you two will be on watch duty."

"Yes sir, Hiashi-sama!"

All the Hyuga family members sat down. Some closed their eyes to rest while others took out Military Rations Pills to replenish energy.

"I thought you'd make me pretend to be you and go to battle," Hizashi Hyuga, whose face was nearly identical to Hiashi's, coldly mocked.

"Is that how you see me—as a coward unwilling to step foot onto the battlefield?" Hiashi didn't get angry but calmly asked.

"As the head of the main house, if you were to die on the battlefield, it would bring serious trouble upon the Hyuga clan!" Hizashi sneered. "After all, you don't have the *[Caged Bird Seal]* to ensure the Byakugan won't spread beyond our clan!"

"But isn't there still you, from the branch house, to protect me?" Hiashi chuckled.

"Ah! So it's me they're after!" Seiki muttered to himself as his spirit form floated above, then dove downward immediately.

"Hmph, I won't actually guard you..." Hizashi replied with his usual double entendre, but when he saw a flash of white light suddenly plunge into Hiashi's body, his expression changed dramatically. "What happened to you? Damn it, what was that just now?"

Hiashi raised his right hand strangely and said reassuringly, "Don't worry, they're one of us."

At this moment, inside Hiashi's consciousness space.

"Senior Hiashi, sorry for meeting you like this."

"It's young master Seiki! What can I do for you?"

Although they hadn't interacted much before, Hiashi still greeted him warmly. After all, even a person with minimal insight could recognize Seiki's tremendous potential.

He was a prodigy blessed with great talent, tons of connections, and direct ties to the Hokage. You just don't go out of your way to offend someone like that—even if you're not trying to be best buddies.

Knowing there wasn't a second to waste, Seiki cut straight to the chase. "Senior Hiashi, ahead of you is a force of three hundred Cloud Village ninja. Please avoid them quickly!"

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