Early in the morning of the next day, Asuma and Kurenai took Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai to find a caravan that was about to take a boat into the Land of Water. The merchant ship would leave in five hours.
Infiltrating the Land of Water through the channel of merchant ships was a strategy that Chao Yanqian had long established.
"Thousands of people, are we really going to enter the Land of Water by merchant ship?" Yuhi Kurenai asked hesitantly.
The Land of Water is an island nation composed of multiple islands. To enter it, you must cross the sea by boat. During the war, the Land of Water was very strict in inspecting passing ships. Whether hiding in disguise or using the [Transformation Technique], there was a high probability that the sensory-type ninja would detect them.
At first, when they heard about Chao Yanqian's strategy, Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai collapsed. If the three of them really boarded the merchant ship, they would be subject to strict inspections upon entering port. If exposed, they would definitely be besieged by Kirigakure (Mist) ninjas.
"Of course not!" Chao Yanqian said. "I just need to set the coordinates of the [Flying Thunder God Technique] on their merchandise. When their merchandise passes inspection, I can teleport you directly onto the ship. The merchant ship's crossing into the Land of Water takes about seven days. As long as we wait here for seven days, we can enter the Land of Water quietly."
"[Flying Thunder God Technique] is really convenient," Yuhi Kurenai immediately praised.
"Okay! Next, I'll go locate the coordinates; you two help me keep watch," said Chao Yanqian.
"Got it!"
Yuhi Kurenai and Sarutobi Asuma nodded, and the three of them quietly approached the merchant ship. Without alerting the caravan, they set the coordinates of the [Flying Thunder God Technique] on a cargo box and concealed the rune carefully to prevent detection without close inspection.
Next, Chao Yanqian waited until the night of the eighth day to ensure that the caravan had been inspected and had safely entered the Land of Water's territory. Then he used [Flying Thunder God Technique] to teleport Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai along with him.
"Move!" Just after teleporting, Chao Yanqian shouted, punching the closest enemy and breaking his neck instantly.
Yuhi Kurenai and Sarutobi Asuma immediately drew their kunai and joined the battle behind Chao Yanqian.
The caravan chosen by Chao Yanqian was delivering food to the Land of Water and was protected by four Kirigakure ninjas.
Perhaps these merchants were innocent, but once the food entered the Land of Water, it would either be sold to civilians or used to fund Kirigakure's war efforts.
In any case, robbing this caravan was beneficial for Konoha.
Throwing a few kunai at the merchants, Chao Yanqian swiftly approached one of the Mist ninjas and pierced his throat.
"Konoha ninja!" The Mist ninja was shocked the Konoha ninjas had appeared so suddenly, as if teleported.
Clang!
Kunai clashed, then Chao Yanqian flicked his kunai back and simultaneously threw another.
The Mist ninja turned his head slightly to block Chao Yanqian's attack, but before he could react further, Chao Yanqian's figure disappeared. The next instant, a massive force struck his back, smashing him into a caravan vehicle, completely destroying it.
"Are you Konoha's Yellow Flash?!" shouted a Mist ninja.
"No, they're different from the intel. That should be Chao Yanqian! It's said he also mastered the same technique as the Yellow Flash!" another Mist ninja exclaimed.
"Yo! I didn't expect my reputation to reach Kirigakure. I'm honored," Chao Yanqian said casually, waving his hand.
"Chao Yanqian, you're dead! I'll capture you and make you suffer!" snarled a tall Mist ninja with murderous intent.
Puff!
Before he could react, Sarutobi Asuma flashed forward and slashed his throat easily.
While he was distracted, Yuhi Kurenai had already cast an illusion, trapping him without his knowledge. Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai, having worked together for years, had a tacit understanding and could cooperate without needing to speak.
"Tch, you guys are pathetic. Isn't Kirigakure known as the Bloody Mist? Didn't your teacher teach you not to drop your guard before confirming a kill?" Sarutobi Asuma mocked. "How did you even graduate from ninja school? I really pity your teacher!"
Suddenly, another Mist ninja threw several shuriken at Chao Yanqian and Sarutobi Asuma, then lunged toward Yuhi Kurenai with a kunai.
A keen observer, he had noticed Yuhi Kurenai's genjutsu. But unfortunately...
Boom!
A massive explosion tore through the darkness, lighting up the area.
When the smoke cleared, the Mist ninja lay on the ground, heavily injured, his body riddled with wounds, blood pouring out.
The "Kurenai" he had attacked was actually an earth clone set by Chao Yanqian, rigged with explosive tags and shuriken traps.
"Oh! Another idiot who doesn't know how to graduate. How troublesome!" Sarutobi Asuma laughed.
"You're getting excited, Asuma. Let's finish this!" Chao Yanqian called out.
"Alright!" Sarutobi Asuma shouted, rushing at the last remaining Mist ninja.
For Sarutobi Asuma, sneaking into an enemy country and performing sabotage missions like this was exhilarating. Every cell in his body was alive with excitement.
Soon after, all the caravan members and the four Mist ninjas protecting them were dead.
After confirming the coast was clear, Chao Yanqian gestured, and the three carefully approached the cargo.
"It's all grain," Yuhi Kurenai whispered after opening a sack.
"Same here," Chao Yanqian replied, flipping through another.
Just as the intel suggested, the caravan was transporting food.
"What do we do with the grain?" Yuhi Kurenai asked.
"Burn it all. We can't take it back, and we can't leave it for Kirigakure to use," Chao Yanqian said.
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