Chapter 50: The Magnet Release Shinobi Approaches

Although the thought had crossed his mind, Genichi Geshita was not foolish enough to seek the person out blindly, nor did he even entertain the idea of making inquiries.

"Everyone, this is your resting place. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask. I will be right next to you," Mui said with a smile as he led Genichi Geshita and the others into a courtyard.

Hatake Sakumo nodded, "Thank you for the trouble!"

Mui bowed deeply and then retreated from the courtyard.

Hatake Sakumo immediately issued his orders, "Two people to a room, and do not go out unless necessary."

Genichi Geshita and the other three nodded.

Subsequently, Uchiha Langichi and Yamanaka En shared a room, while Genichi Geshita and Hatake Sakumo took the other.

However, Hatake Sakumo did not return to his room to rest; instead, he sat upright in the living room.

Genichi Geshita returned to his room and fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.

In the adjoining room, Uchiha Langichi and Yamanaka En did the same.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Genichi Geshita woke up fully rested. After washing up, he relieved his teacher, Hatake Sakumo, and sat in the living room, forming the *Jie* hand seal with both hands to comprehend the power hidden within the *Jie* mantra.

At five o'clock, Uchiha Langichi and Yamanaka En also woke up.

After washing up, the two of them sparred in taijutsu in the courtyard without disturbing Genichi Geshita.

By six o'clock in the evening, Mui appeared once again, bringing with him a sumptuous meal.

However, none of the three touched the food. Uchiha Langichi and Yamanaka En went out together and bought some provisions instead.

At eight o'clock in the evening, Hatake Sakumo also woke up, and the four members of the squad ate together.

Not long after finishing their meal, Mui appeared once more to invite Hatake Sakumo to a council meeting.

At nine o'clock in the evening, Hatake Sakumo returned. Yamanaka En hurriedly asked, "Captain, who is this VIP prisoner we are escorting from Kumogakure?"

Hatake Sakumo replied, "A Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai ninja from Kumogakure."

A Kekkei Genkai!

Genichi Geshita and the other three were all startled.

Genichi Geshita had some vague memory of a Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai ninja from Kumogakure, but he could not recall the name.

"It seems this mission is far from simple. A Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai ninja must be a jounin, right?" Yamanaka En said.

Hatake Sakumo nodded, "Be extremely vigilant during the mission."

"Although the Village of Grass has sealing techniques that restrict prisoners from using chakra, we still cannot let our guard down."

"En, you will be responsible for close-range guard duty over the prisoner."

Yamanaka En nodded.

Though called guard duty, it was essentially containment and precaution.

Genichi Geshita then asked, "Teacher, do we have any intelligence on this Magnet Release ninja?"

Hatake Sakumo explained, "A Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai user combines Lightning and Earth nature transformations to imbue their chakra with magnetic properties."

"In the ninja world, the Third Kazekage of Sunagakure also mastered Magnet Release."

"It is said that a rising star has also appeared in Sunagakure who has mastered Magnet Release."

"As for this one from Kumogakure, his name is Toroi. He excels at using Magnet Release chakra to magnetize people and ninja tools, allowing him to use weapons to automatically track and attack enemies."

Hearing this, Genichi Geshita immediately understood that this relied on the principle of magnetic attraction.

Yamanaka En remarked, "Therefore, we must absolutely not let this guy touch our bodies."

Genichi Geshita added, "And indirect contact as well, such as his ninja tools."

Uchiha Langichi was even more direct, "If this guy dares to resist or try to escape, En, just finish him off."

Genichi Geshita nodded in agreement.

No one's life was more important than one's own and that of one's comrades!

Hatake Sakumo also agreed with Uchiha Langichi's statement, "In short, for this mission, personal safety comes first, and whether the target reaches Hozuki Castle comes second."

"Understood!"

The three of them nodded one after another.

Yet, Genichi Geshita harbored a private thought: to get a sample of Toroi's blood.

If possible, he wanted to extract some bone marrow as well.

Although the probability of a successful tissue match was extremely low, what if?

...

The night passed quietly.

The next morning at eight o'clock, after breakfast, Genichi Geshita and the others rendezvoused with the prisoner-escort team at the gates of the Village of Grass.

The Village of Grass had two squads deployed, and Mui, who had previously hosted Hatake Sakumo's group, was among them.

However, among the eight members of the two Grass Village squads, only one was a jounin; the other seven consisted of three chuunin and four genin.

This wasn't because they wore obvious rank insignias, but rather something Genichi Geshita deduced from observing their speech and behavior.

This was also crucial intelligence.

Since they had no way of knowing how many people Kumogakure would send or who they would be, gaining a general understanding of their own allies' strength was necessary.

Unfortunately, the Village of Grass would not share the intelligence of their participating squads with Genichi Geshita's team.

Naturally.

Even if it were shared, it could never be completely trusted.

After leaving the village, the party headed north, crossed the northern border of the Land of Grass, and then traveled north along the border between the Land of Waterfalls and the Land of Earth until they reached the coast.

This distance was not actually very far; moving at a normal ninja pace, they could reach the port in half a day.

However, traveling with a high-profile prisoner naturally slowed their pace down significantly.

As for how the prisoner was transported, it was naturally inside a covered wooden barrel, similar to the one the Sound Four used to carry Uchiha Sasuke.

At noon, the party rested at the border of the Land of Grass.

They set off again at one o'clock in the afternoon, officially crossing out of the Land of Grass and entering dangerous territory.

Sure enough.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, Yamanaka En gave the first warning, "Captain, someone is approaching!"

"1, 2, 3... 6 people!"

Hatake Sakumo immediately ordered, "Langichi, you and En form a pair."

Uchiha Langichi nodded, picking up his pace to catch up with Yamanaka En ahead.

Before long, several figures appeared in the woods to their right.

"Lord White Fang, leave them to us," barked Muto, the jounin from the Village of Grass, as he led three chuunin away from the main formation and charged straight at the three enemies appearing on the right.

Soon, the sounds of explosions echoed from behind them.

"Captain, there are interceptors ahead!"

Yamanaka En shouted loudly.

Hatake Sakumo commanded, "Enter the Land of Earth!"

Yamanaka En and the other five immediately pressed forward with the prisoner, breaching the border line to enter the Land of Earth.

Meanwhile, Hatake Sakumo and Genichi Geshita accelerated, quickly overtaking Yamanaka En's group.

After covering some distance, three figures appeared ahead.

Their attire made it instantly clear that they were Kumogakure ninja.

Three individuals: one stood atop a tree branch while two stood on the ground, forming a triangular formation.

As for Genichi Geshita and Hatake Sakumo, they moved in tandem, one leading the other.

*Illusion: Demonic Illusion - Descending Hell Technique!*

Genichi Geshita suddenly flashed out from behind Hatake Sakumo and completed the jutsu.

In an instant, all three Kumogakure ninja were stripped of their sight, plunging into absolute darkness.

"It's an illusion!"

"Careful!"

The Kumogakure ninja shouted, but Hatake Sakumo's figure had already split into three, his short blade gleaming with a blinding white light.

Clang!

Clink!

Puff!

Genichi Geshita saw it clearly.

One Kumogakure ninja blocked Hatake Sakumo's attack, another had his blade cut cleanly in two, and blood blossomed from the chest of the third.

All of this happened in a fraction of a second.

However, the one who died had also fulfilled his mission, releasing the illusion for the remaining two.