Are ninja birds dangerous?!
Of course, they are!
Even ordinary wild ninja birds can be aggressive, and if it's a reconnaissance ninja bird from a hidden village, the danger level increases significantly!
There were too many birds in the sky—some flew in flocks, some soared alone, and others fought mid-air. Because they were too far away and relatively small, Haruto Saito couldn't clearly make them out!
"Damn it, why is this sense of danger so strong?!" Haruto felt uneasy!
He needed to investigate!
Haruto pressed his hands together, his eyes instantly changing as veins bulged around them, turning his vision white!
Byakugan, activate!
The world before Haruto's eyes shifted—everything turned into shades of gray and white. Countless birds filled the sky, and as he zoomed in, his gaze quickly scanned them. A few seconds later, his eyes locked onto one target!
In the eastern sky, about three kilometers away—
A small bird with a white head and blue feathers was flying. It was roughly the size of an adult's palm, with a long, sharp beak and a tuft of blue feathers on its forehead… Haruto recognized this type of bird!
It was a ninja bird known as the Blue-Feathered Hawk, a low-level ninja bird. It wasn't particularly intelligent, but with some training, it became highly effective for reconnaissance. While it wasn't the fastest flyer, it could soar at incredible altitudes!
This type of ninja bird originated from the western islands of the Land of Water, essentially making it a seabird!
Based on what Haruto had learned in Konoha's Anbu training, the Blue-Feathered Hawk was the most widely used reconnaissance bird in Kirigakure. The village had even formed a specialized reconnaissance unit using these birds, known as the Ninja Hawk Squad!
The Land of Water was an archipelago nation, abundant with seabirds, making Kirigakure the ninja village with the largest mastery over ninja birds in the entire world!
"Kirigakure… They even deployed their Ninja Hawk Squad. What are they tracking?" Haruto narrowed his eyes. "Could it be… me?"
Haruto was merely speculating, but the possibility was real!
After all, Blue-Feathered Hawks were only used for reconnaissance and had no other purpose. Haruto had recently caused a huge commotion—escaping from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and being targeted by Kirigakure's covert forces. Even the assistant to the Mizukage, Hattori Ryuya, had taken notice of him!
"Heh! Even if they are tracking me, what can they do? These birds can't dig underground…" Haruto chuckled, feeling little pressure.
Even if the Blue-Feathered Hawks were following him, their speed wasn't fast enough, and their message relay took time. Haruto could easily escape underground, and by the time the hawks alerted powerful Kirigakure ninja, he would already be long gone!
Haruto continued scanning for any additional Blue-Feathered Hawks.
"Huh?!" Haruto suddenly gasped and whipped around!
This time, he spotted something truly concerning.
Haruto had come from Shanlong Village in the west. Now, 13 kilometers to the west, he saw a group of ninja—
All of them were exuding hostility!
They were rushing toward him!
Name: Hyuga Domon
Affiliation: Fourth Elder of the Hyuga Clan, Senior Advisor to Konoha's Intelligence Division, Assistant Captain of Konoha's Special Reconnaissance Unit.
Reputation: 21,043 points!
Relationship: Hostile!
Trait: Fearless!
This was the leader of the group!
And yes, they were all from the Hyuga Clan!
Seven Hyuga ninja in total—four Jonin, two Elite Jonin, and one pseudo-Kage, Hyuga Domon!
Haruto knew about Hyuga Domon. During his time in Anbu training, he had learned not only about the major powers in the ninja world but also about the influential clans within Konoha.
Hyuga Domon was a top-tier powerhouse of the Hyuga Clan! Within the clan, he was one of the strongest. The only ones who could definitely surpass him in strength were the clan's head, Hyuga Reiyo, and the branch family leader, Hyuga Reita!
He was also the youngest elder in the history of the Hyuga Clan!
His strength and abilities were outstanding!
During the First Great Ninja War, when he was only in his twenties, he was already an Elite Jonin!
Back then, he had achieved legendary feats—during one mission, he single-handedly held off four enemy Elite Jonin to protect his comrades. Relying on his incredible defensive abilities, he endured their attacks for several hours, nearly exhausting his chakra before Konoha reinforcements finally arrived!
According to Anbu records, that very battle was what earned him the favor of the Hyuga Clan's main branch, leading to his full support and eventual rise to Fourth Elder before the age of forty!
He was a formidable warrior with impenetrable defense and an unyielding will to fight!
Haruto respected people like him!
But unfortunately, this guy was hostile!
"Could they be coming for me?" Haruto wondered again.
He wasn't being paranoid—it was just that everyone around him seemed to be an enemy!
Haruto used his Byakugan to observe the Hyuga ninja!
As they dashed toward the Poison Punishment Forest, their Byakugan were also activated, scanning in his direction!
But Haruto could see them!
They, however, could not see Haruto!
The distance between them was over ten kilometers. That was the limit—Hyuga ninja typically had a maximum visual range of around ten kilometers. Only a few exceptionally talented individuals could see beyond that!
But Haruto's Byakugan could see up to sixteen kilometers!
Haruto felt a cold sweat forming.
He had gotten lucky—he spotted the Hyuga group while they were still 13 kilometers away. If he had looked a little later, when they were within ten kilometers, then they would have been able to see him too!
And if that happened, his Byakugan would be exposed!
That would be a massive problem!
"Are they after me? Are they not?" Haruto wasn't sure. He deactivated his Byakugan, thought for a moment, then turned and sprinted toward the Poison Punishment Forest!
Whether they were targeting him or not—
He would test them and find out!
First, he needed to enter the Poison Punishment Forest!
Meanwhile, deep within the Poison Punishment Forest—
A faint, pungent scent lingered in the air—the aroma of toxic pollen.
Palm-sized centipedes crawled along tree trunks, green venomous snakes with triangular heads and crimson eyes slithered through the grass, swarms of deadly wasps buzzed through the air, and vibrantly colored poisonous birds perched on branches, grooming their feathers.
This was a paradise of toxins!
At the base of Mist Venom Mountain in the Poison Punishment Forest—
Dozens of Kirigakure ninja were kneeling on one knee in an orderly formation, respectfully listening to the figure standing before them. Behind them, hundreds of Blue-Feathered Hawks covered the trees, ground, rocks, and grass—everywhere one looked, the birds were perched.
And in front of these Kirigakure ninja—
Stood seven figures of varying heights and builds, young and old, men and women—each carrying uniquely designed ninja swords!
They were none other than the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!
"You have been stationed in the Poison Punishment Forest for some time now. I assume you've already received orders from the Mizukage's advisor. From this point forward, you will fully cooperate with us in carrying out the pursuit mission!" Momochi Akagen declared, his face devoid of emotion.