The white mist hanging in the air thickened, and the damp atmosphere pressed down suffocatingly.
After cleaning the battlefield, the tally of losses shocked and angered all the shinobi inside the Konoha base in Futada Village.
Two large supply warehouses were destroyed, one holding strategic provisions enough for over a thousand shinobi on the front line to use for three days — all reduced to ashes.
Thirteen jonin and fifty-eight chunin were killed in action. Shisui Uchiha, skilled in body flicker, was severely wounded and lost one of his Sharingan eyes.
This was the greatest loss Konoha had suffered since the war with Kirigakure began, and most critical was that the damage was not on the frontline but in logistics!
Inside the tent—
All Konoha jonin responsible for Futada Village's logistics gathered, with Uchiha Fugaku sitting at the head, his expression dark as he looked around at the others.
Losses in war were normal — no war ever went without casualties.
What he couldn't accept was that the prodigy Uchiha Shisui, famed across the shinobi world, was killed outright, and one of his three-tomoe Sharingan was stolen!
The leaking of bloodline limits was intolerable to any bloodline clan. Not long ago, when Kakashi Hatake inherited Obito Uchiha's Sharingan during the Kannabi Bridge battle, it already stirred major controversy within the clan.
But that was one of their own—this time, Shisui's eye was taken by the enemy!
"Based on information extracted from captured enemy minds," Yamabushi Santne said gravely, "the target was Kirigakure's assassination squad First Team. Its composition includes First Squad Leader Hozuki Mangetsu, Second Squad Leader Fuyuna Yukiko, Third Squad Leader Ringo Amayuri, and Fourth Squad Leader Uzumaki Hiromi."
"The squad's leader is Kirigakure's rising star, feared as the Anbu 'Blood Mist Blade,' Hozuki Yoru."
Santen's voice was heavy as he continued, "Their mission was to destroy Konoha's supply depots. I suspect the enemy intends to cut our supply lines to ease pressure on their front, much like how we severed the Kannabi Bridge on the Iwagakure battlefield."
"Hozuki Mangetsu, Uzumaki Hiromi... and Hozuki Yoru?!"
Hearing the names, many present frowned deeply.
The Hozuki clan was undeniably prominent, considered Kirigakure's noble family, with their representative, the Second Mizukage, being renowned.
As for Uzumaki Hiromi...
During the Second Shinobi World War, the Uzumaki clan of Uzushio Village was wiped out, the clan brutally massacred, with only a few survivors left.
No one expected there would still be a surviving Uzumaki descendant in Kirigakure.
Regarding Hozuki Yoru...
To be honest, like the others, most had never heard of this name, but they were not unfamiliar with the Hozuki surname.
Every ninja village had several noble bloodline clans — like Konoha's Uchiha and Hyuga.
Kirigakure was no different.
The Yukino clan, known for their rare ice-style kekkei genkai, held a position equivalent to the Hyuga and Uchiha clans in Konoha. Their ice techniques, in the water mist environment, were said to be terrifying as natural disasters.
The Hozuki clan, the Uzumaki clan...
Such a lineup for the Anbu First Team was remarkably prestigious.
"And," Santen said, "according to intel from his subordinates' minds, Hozuki Yoru has not yet awakened the Yukino clan's kekkei genkai."
"Not awakened a kekkei genkai?"
This revelation shocked the room again.
To reach such a level without awakening a bloodline limit?
"That guy did not use any ice-style kekkei genkai in battle. His techniques were very unusual — not the common Kirigakure jutsu."
At that moment, Sarutobi Shinnosuke entered the tent with a grave expression, scanning the room before focusing on Fugaku Uchiha.
"His swordsmanship, secret techniques, and body flicker are terrifying. But what's most important are those secret arts he controls."
"Stealth and concealment, binding and control, sudden bursts of power."
"It's as if those techniques were born specifically for this battlefield. If we don't respond properly, it will cause us serious trouble!"
"Most critically, our Byakugan has detected no sign of him or his squad. Clearly, the enemy has developed a way to counter the Byakugan!"
Shinnosuke's words were like a splash of cold water, waking the gathered ninja from their complacency.
Especially the last point.
The Hyuga Byakugan had always been Konoha's greatest asset on the battlefield — a white eye that could perceive everything, making it invaluable for stealth, intelligence gathering, or guarding.
Thanks to the Byakugan, Konoha repeatedly gained the upper hand against attacks from other villages, playing a huge strategic role in their victories.
But now the enemy had a countermeasure against the Byakugan. How could Konoha's ninjas not be alarmed?
Fugaku's expression showed doubt and concern.
Kirigakure had silently bred such a monster—was this the true power hidden within the Blood Mist?
Like breeding the strongest venomous insect, they had kept quiet at the start of the war to appear weak, only to strike and claim victory near the end.
"Immediately report all information on Hozuki Yoru and Kirigakure's possible Byakugan counters to the Third Hokage. We need all intel on them — the sooner, the better," Fugaku ordered sternly.
"Also, notify the frontline base to warn all combat units to remain alert — they must not let their guard down."
"A monster has appeared in Kirigakure!"
"Yes, sir!"
Orders were quickly relayed by Konoha shinobi leaving the tent.
The tent fell silent.
Hozuki Yoru's sudden emergence caught them completely off guard. Even the body flicker master Shisui was utterly defeated. That guy must be a terrifying prodigy rivaling the likes of the Golden Flash.
"By the way, where is Jiraiya-sama?"
"By my count, he should have arrived by now, but I don't know why..." Shino Nara's voice held slight confusion.
"Emergency!"
Suddenly, the tent's curtain was pulled back. A jonin rushed in, breathless:
"Lord Hizashi sensed a strong chakra signature just a few kilometers away. Judging by the readings, it's very likely Jiraiya-sama!"
"What?!"