Just outside Nifu Town, Riyi and her two teammates crouched low in the tall grass, their eyes fixed coldly on the group of Grass ninjas cursing as they left.
Not long ago, this group of Grass ninjas had entered the town in a horde, causing chaos and panic wherever they went.
It was evident—they were searching for Riyi and her team.
However, the three young genin had been clever enough to avoid detection by staying outside the town, lying in wait for their pursuers.
Now, unable to find their targets in the town, the Grass ninjas were retreating, still grumbling and swearing.
"Follow them. We'll ambush them after nightfall," Riyi whispered, her voice low but firm, as she gestured for her two teammates to follow.
Both Teuchi and Fugaku Uchiha nodded silently, trailing behind her without a word.
What they didn't realize was that among the Grass ninjas ahead, a masked man glanced thoughtfully over his shoulder, as if sensing something.
Time passed, and soon night had fallen.
The Grass ninjas had returned to their camp—a clearing in the vast grasslands, with a few tents arranged around a central fire pit.
Around the camp, sentries hid in the tall grass, their eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance.
Not far away, Riyi and her teammates watched the faint smoke rising from the campfire. They adjusted their breathing and prepared themselves mentally, waiting patiently for the right moment.
During their pursuit, the three had carefully planned their strategy.
The plan was simple: avoid close combat at all costs. They would attack with ninjutsu, retreat immediately, and use the traps they had set along the way to slow down their pursuers. Their ultimate goal was to escape safely back to the borders of the Land of Fire.
A gentle evening breeze swept across the grasslands, and the moon hid behind thick clouds.
Riyi's half-closed eyes slowly opened, her gaze filled with determination. In a hushed tone, she instructed,
"Get ready. I'll take out the sentries. Once I do, you two throw the explosive tags."
Hearing this, Teuchi and Fugaku nodded resolutely.
Using the rustling of the grass and the sound of the wind as cover, the three of them crept closer to the camp.
"Go!" Riyi whispered sharply.
In an instant, blue lightning flickered across Riyi's body as she bolted out of the grass with incredible speed. Her kunai plunged unhesitatingly into the heart of the sentry ninja.
At the same time, Teuchi and Fugaku emerged from the grass behind her. One formed hand seals while the other threw a barrage of kunai, each tied with explosive tags.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
Flames erupted, and a massive fireball, accompanied by countless kunai, rained down on the tents.
Just as the three thought their attack had succeeded and were preparing to retreat, the unexpected happened.
The ninja Riyi had stabbed through the heart suddenly exploded into a puff of white smoke—a shadow clone.
At the same moment, countless Grass ninjas burst out of the surrounding tall grass.
"Konoha brats, prepare to die!"
"Ha! And there's even a little girl!"
"Surround them! Don't let them escape!"
The chaotic shouts echoed across the open grasslands, carrying far into the distance.
A scar-faced young man, wearing a Grass Village forehead protector, stepped forward. His voice was loud and commanding as he shouted,
"Capture them alive! We'll extract their ninjutsu techniques!"
Seeing the ninjas closing in from all directions, Riyi's brows furrowed deeply. She spoke in a low, steady voice,
"It's a trap. They have a sensory ninja among them!
Head east! I'll cover the rear!"
As she spoke, Riyi's hands moved rapidly to form seals. With a sharp cry, she activated her jutsu.
Shadow Clone Technique!
In an instant, three shadow clones appeared beside her. Together, they formed seals and unleashed their next attack.
Fire Release: Flame Bullet Technique!
Violent flames erupted from Riyi's mouth, the fiery gusts blowing her bangs back as she stood her ground with fierce determination.
The advancing Grass ninjas were caught off guard, their faces filled with shock.
Some hastily retreated, while others frantically formed seals, trying to block the oncoming inferno.
High above, Rinjin and Tsunade sat on a massive sword that hovered in the air. Watching the scene below, Rinjin pointed at Riyi, grinning.
"Little Tsunade, look at this girl's fire release talent. Isn't it impressive?"
Tsunade, her attention focused on the battle below, nodded subconsciously.
She had to admit, Rinjin's assessment was accurate.
Riyi's abilities were far beyond what one would expect from a genin. In terms of chakra reserves alone, the girl was nearly on par with a jonin.
The memory of four years ago surfaced in Tsunade's mind—when she had been kidnapped by Cloud Village ninjas.
Even back then, Riyi, not yet nine years old, had been laughing arrogantly and spitting fire everywhere.
But now, in these windy grasslands, could the fire really be controlled?
While Tsunade pondered, Teuchi and Fugaku joined the fray.
Explosions and roaring flames quickly consumed the battlefield.
"Go!" Riyi shouted, her voice sharp and commanding as she formed seals and led the charge southward. Teuchi and Fugaku followed closely behind.
Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bullet!
Riyi suddenly spun around, facing the pursuers. Her chest heaved as she inhaled deeply.
In the next moment, three fiery dragons shot from her mouth, sweeping across the battlefield. Grass ninjas who failed to dodge in time were instantly engulfed in flames, their screams echoing in the night.
Just as the three were about to break through the encirclement, the scar-faced leader's expression darkened. Hidden in the shadows, his hands quickly formed seals.
Earth Release: Earth Spears!
With a low growl, chakra surged into the ground.
Ahead of the fleeing trio, the ground beneath the tall grass began to tremble slightly, as if something was brewing.
High above, Rinjin's eyes sparkled with interest as he observed the battlefield.
"Now this guy's got some tricks. Not bad," he remarked.
He wasn't worried about the three genin getting hurt. With Tsunade present, it would be a good opportunity for her to practice her healing skills.
And even if the worst happened, as long as the bodies were fresh, he could always ask the Land of Wind for help with the Reanimation Jutsu developed by the Second Kazekage. No big deal.
As the three were about to step into the trap, Teuchi, running at the rear, suddenly furrowed his brows. He reached out and grabbed the collars of both Riyi and Fugaku, yanking them back forcefully.
The next second, seven or eight sharp stone spears shot out from the ground, narrowly missing them.
"Good kid, you've got a knack for sensing!" Rinjin's eyes lit up as he watched Teuchi from above.
But just as he was about to praise further, his expression suddenly darkened. His gaze shifted quickly to the area behind the trio.
Underground, a masked figure was rapidly approaching, his target clear—Riyi.
At the same time, Teuchi felt it too.
Ever since the battle began, his head had felt foggy. But just moments ago, he had sensed a deadly danger ahead, prompting him to pull his teammates back.
Now, that same ominous feeling returned.
"Watch out below!" he shouted, pointing behind them.
Hearing this, Riyi's brows furrowed sharply. She turned to face the threat, her hands forming seals.
Water Release: Starch Syrup Gun!
In the next instant, water bullets shot out like a machine gun, pelting the ground furiously.
Despite her massive chakra reserves, the continuous high-intensity jutsu left Riyi visibly strained. Sweat dripped from her forehead, and her damp bangs clung to her face.
Teuchi, still frowning, focused his senses.
"It's not over! The presence hasn't disappeared!"
Before he could finish, a pair of large hands suddenly burst out of the ground in front of Riyi, reaching for her throat.
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