No matter who this brat's father was, as long as he wasn't the Kazekage, his background was nothing compared to Hardy's.
After all, the First Kazekage's son had died in the First Great Ninja War. The Second Kazekage's son was now captain of the third unit of the Puppet Corps. The Third Kazekage, already old, didn't even have a wife.
The brat muttered a few words, realizing this wasn't the ninja academy anymore and things were different now, so he went back to help his teammates check the supplies.
But even while working, he didn't behave—flirting with a nearby female genin.
A ninja with this kind of personality wouldn't last long in the ninja world unless he had a powerful background or strong abilities.
"Um… thanks."
Pakura said to Hardy.
"Mm, it's just a few insignificant brats. After all, we're teammates."
Hardy replied.
Looking into Pakura's eyes, he suddenly recalled what happened last time.
Pakura's face also turned a little red, and she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear.
"It seems a bit hot today."
"Hot?"
baki looked up at the sky with a goofy expression.
At that moment, the sky was overcast, with only occasional rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds.
Once the supplies were checked, the group set off again.
Other than handling the handoff with Hyakuzu, Kazekaze Chiran left all the other work to Hardy's team.
Chunin were already capable of leading teams on lower-level missions, not to mention that the three of them were being groomed as Sand Village's future key forces—they'd definitely be leading higher-level missions in the future.
They needed to start cultivating their abilities in task coordination, planning, and execution now.
Maki, who had already mastered Earth Sense and had some perception abilities, took the lead scouting ahead. Hardy and Pakura brought up the rear, protecting the end of the line while erasing any traces left by the group.
Kazekaze Chiran stayed in the middle, both to provide support in case of emergencies and to personally guard the most important third cart.
The return journey wasn't as quick as the way there.
Not only did they have to protect the supplies, but these genin had only just learned to walk on trees and water, so their pace was naturally slow.
Fortunately, this was the rear area of Sand's main front lines, so enemy encounters were rare and it was relatively safe.
At least, from the stronghold to the border of the Land of Rain, they didn't encounter any unexpected incidents.
"We're already inside the Land of Rain. Although we're behind the camp's front lines, this is still a war zone. From here on, every—"
Everyone must remain silent, maintain formation, and ensure that nothing is left behind that could be tracked by the enemy. These are all things you've learned in any ninja academy. If anyone slips up, the lucky ones might get sent back to the academy for retraining, but the unlucky ones…"
baki was lecturing a group of genin, a fierce grin spreading across his dark face.
This guy looked rather intimidating—perfect for this kind of job.
"Let's stop for now. It seems our luck isn't so good,"
Sitting atop the carriage, Kazekaze Chiran suddenly sighed.
His left hand was forming a seal, raised to the side, maintaining a ninjutsu.
Hardy recognized this jutsu—it was a sensory technique Chiran had mentioned before, called the Wind Sight Technique.
By manipulating the wind with Wind Release, he could sense things indirectly.
Although it was easily disrupted and couldn't compare to the sensory abilities of a true sensory ninja, it was good enough for most.
Hardy wasn't learning Wind Release particularly quickly—he'd only just managed to get the basics of this technique. Pakura, on the other hand, had already mastered it.
Of course, neither of them could form seals with just one hand.
"East, deep in that dense forest, there's a strong chakra fluctuation—looks like someone's fighting with ninjutsu."
As soon as he finished speaking, a towering pillar of fire shot up into the sky above the forest.
Hardy and Pakura exchanged glances.
A Fire Release of this scale wasn't something an ordinary ninja could pull off.
At least, even Pakura, who was also skilled in Fire Release, couldn't manage it.
That meant a battle of at least chunin level or higher was likely happening in the distance.
"That's the Sarutobi clan's Great Blaze Technique from Konoha. Only elite Sarutobi ninja can use it. Judging by the scale, it's probably a jonin from the Sarutobi clan."
Kazekaze Chiran quickly assessed the situation and issued an order.
"Hardy, you'll take command and continue the mission. If I don't catch up within half an hour, notify Elder Chiyo immediately!"
"Yes!"
In the blink of an eye, Kazekaze Chiran vanished from sight.
Pakura and baki both turned to look at Hardy.
Chiran's orders were for Hardy to lead the team.
"Everyone, switch to Alert Formation Three. Pakura, you take the center. If anything happens, provide support with long-range ninjutsu. We'll make all haste back to camp. Jonin-level battles are too dangerous for us—we're not qualified to get involved."
Hardy glanced over the group and gave his orders.
In the distance, another towering pillar of fire rose from the forest.
The flames spread, waves of heat rolling in—so intense that even the heavy rain of the Land of Rain couldn't extinguish them.
The group quickly gathered their things and set off at a faster pace.
A dozen minutes later—
Kazekaze Chiran hurried back, bloodstained, carrying a burly, bearded middle-aged man in his left hand.
Two Sand ninja came with him—Hardy had seen them around camp before.
One was named Shima Tsugio, a bona fide jonin, who was also wounded, his face pale, carrying another injured comrade on his back.
The other was Ebisaburo, a special jonin apparently skilled in sealing techniques. He didn't look so good—bleeding heavily, seemingly unconscious.
The captured Sarutobi clan jonin was even worse off, apparently unconscious, tightly bound, his arms and hands wrapped in cloth strips inscribed with sealing symbols.
These cloth strips were quite precious—made from special fabric and inscribed with sealing runes after processing.
In the original timeline's Fourth Great Ninja War, those reincarnated by Edo Tensei were sealed with these very cloth strips.
With his hands sealed, this Sarutobi jonin couldn't use ninjutsu until the seal was broken or weakened, and the ropes binding his body restricted his taijutsu as well—he was temporarily incapable of resistance.
"Let's move. Head back to camp and find Elder Chiyo. The enemy likely has important intel."
Kazekaze Chiran finished speaking and glanced at Hardy.
Hardy nodded slightly, then took out the medical supplies he usually kept with his puppets from the sealing scroll on his back.
He was the only one in the team with even a basic grasp of medical ninjutsu—enough for emergency treatment.