Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

Raindrops drizzled down, creating ripples as they splashed in shallow puddles. Footsteps splashed through the puddles, muddying the once-clear water.

Silhouettes moved quickly through the rain, splashing through puddles, heading forward.

This was the squad sent by the Mist Village, there were forty-three shinobi in total. They maintained an even distance between each other and moved at a steady pace.

Four shinobi, specializing in sensory skills, were positioned at a distance from the main group, covering the flanks and scanning for potential threats. If they detected anything, one would relay the information.

Leading the group was Ao, using his Byakugan to scan long distances. If he spotted an enemy, he would signal to shift the formation to attack.

Their mission was twofold: to learn the Mizukage's fate and exact retribution on Akatsuki. The main objective, however, was to rescue Yagura.

Each Mist shinobi was prepared for the worst.

Ao's gaze pierced through the rain, focusing on the distance. As Yagura's protector, he felt a deep sense of failure. Under the circumstances, he, along with Kisame and Mei Terumi, could have faced serious consequences.

But their valuable abilities made them essential assets, especially after the war when capable shinobi became highly valuable to each village.

The Mist squad advanced in formation.

Their primary objective was to assess the Mizukage's situation, with a tentative plan in place.

Along the way, they would eliminate any Rain shinobi they encountered. As they neared the Rain Village, they would split into three groups: one to engage, one to harass, and one to search for the Mizukage.

Although they were all elite shinobi, entering the Rain Village with such a group size carried a high risk of total annihilation.

Even so, every Mist shinobi was prepared for this.

However, despite extending their range of detection, the Mist ninja were under White Zetsu's surveillance from the moment they entered the Land of Rain. As they crossed the border, Nagato had already mobilized.

Ao, positioned at the front, suddenly clenched his fist and raised it, signaling the squad to halt.

All of the Mist shinobi stopped simultaneously, standing on a flat, open ground in front of a forest that lay along their path.

"There's something up ahead."

With his Byakugan, Ao detected a massive chakra source rapidly approaching them.

"Could it be… Ye Zi? No, this person's chakra is even greater than Ye Zi's. Who is it? And alone?" he muttered, quickly dismissing his initial guess.

"Someone with a huge amount of chakra is coming. No holding back—prepare to engage!" Ao commanded firmly. The immense chakra presence suggested a powerful enemy, and with their limited numbers, they couldn't afford any casualties along the way.

Upon his command, the forty-two remaining Mist shinobi dispersed into a semi-circle formation, preparing to engage.

Each Mist shinobi drew their preferred weapons, while those without specific weapons held kunai.

Mei, her red lips set in a determined line, focused on the direction of the forest. Next to her was a young kunoichi, close to her age.

This kunoichi, Aoba Yukino, had short, light-blue hair and a delicate face. She cast a glance at Mei, whom she greatly admired and followed as her role model.

"I'll definitely make Lady Mei notice me!"

On the other side, Kisame held his long blade calmly, his cold gaze fixed on the edge of the forest, where skilled Mist shinobi stood ready.

"Prepare!"

Ao's gaze hardened as the figure continued forward without slowing. With that amount of chakra, there was no chance it was a shadow clone—the enemy was bound to be strong, so their first wave of attacks needed to strike hard.

As Ao spoke, every Mist shinobi reflexively prepared their jutsu and readied their weapons.

"Attack!"

As he gave the command, a figure shot out from the forest, still in mid-air as a torrent of jutsu and weapons rained toward them!

"Lava Release: Dissolving Jutsu!" Mei opened her mouth, releasing a viscous acid toward the figure.

"Water Release: Water Gun Jutsu!" Among them was a member of the Hozuki Clan, unleashing a powerful water projectile alongside the thrown weapons.

"Earth Release: Raging Ground Spear!"

"Lightning Release: Claw Thunder Fang!"

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"

…

The figure, of course, was Nagato. Emerging from the trees, he saw an array of weapons and powerful water blasts hurtling toward him.

With his Rinnegan, he calmly watched the oncoming weapons, looking past them at the various jutsu and the Mist shinobi formation.

In mid-air, he spread his arms and extended his hands.

After the barrage of weapons came a series of techniques, each more deadly than the last: corrosive lava, lightning shaped like fangs, a water dragon with red eyes, vibrating crescent water blades, and stone spears thrusting from the ground.

"Die!" several Mist shinobi muttered with killing intent.

In the midst of all these attacks, Nagato's eyes opened slightly.

Shinra Tensei!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The projectiles crashed against an invisible force field, instantly rebounding. As the weapons collided mid-air, they produced a cacophony of clashing metal.

The rebounding kunai and shuriken shot back at the Mist shinobi.

Simultaneously, the radiant, deadly jutsu including those involving kekkei genkai were stopped by the invisible barrier.

However, unlike the projectiles, they didn't bounce back. Instead, they were dispersed into the air.

The Mist shinobi's well-coordinated assault had inexplicably been neutralized by Nagato raising his hand.

"Be careful!"

"What's going on?"

"This is impossible!"

"What is that ability?"

Shocked by the scene, the Mist shinobi muttered in confusion, all while the rebounding projectiles hurtled toward them.

Caught off-guard, the Mist shinobi attempted to dodge. But in the chaos, two of them were struck by the rebounded weapons, killing them instantly.

Having repelled the jutsu and weapons, Nagato landed unharmed, his cold gaze fixed on the Mist shinobi.

From a distance, Ye Zi and White Zetsu watched without surprise.

Before Nagato and the Mist shinobi made contact, they had already taken out the four sensory-type Mist shinobi.

Given the goal of gathering bodies, Ye Zi decided to keep these four, even if their abilities were modest. At least they were Jonin and sensory-type ninja, making them valuable enough.

Afterward, he and White Zetsu moved to a vantage point, observing the battle unfold.

This was one of Nagato's abilities, one Ye Zi had seen before, so he wasn't shocked. However, previously, Nagato had only deflected projectiles. Now, he was dispersing jutsu and even rebounding weapons, catching the Mist shinobi off guard.

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Currently on Chapter 350 - Land of Iron