Naruto: My Progress in Konoha.

"This won't do.

We can't afford to keep moving so slowly—time is not on our side. We have to pick up the pace."

After a round of discussion, someone voiced this opinion.

The others nodded in agreement.

Nara Soshui fell into deep thought. Though he didn't have a better plan, he ultimately agreed with the suggestion.

Then he gave a direct order:

"From this moment on, everyone drop any unnecessary items.

We're moving at full speed."

Upon hearing this, all the Konoha shinobi discarded their non-essential gear and began to travel light.

Even the supply carts and baggage were left behind.

Since they planned to move quickly, they would reach Fengliu Town's outpost in less than a day.

Once there, all basic provisions would be available, so there was no point wasting time or energy hauling supplies.

Meanwhile, Haruki had picked up a new short sword for himself.

Though it wasn't as well-balanced or reliable as his previous one, at least he could resume fighting using sword techniques.

Of course, this randomly acquired weapon didn't contain any chakra-conductive metal.

So techniques like Shunkenjutsu (Instant Sword Technique), which required chakra flow to function properly, were now unusable.

If Haruki wanted to fight at full strength again, he'd need to find a new main weapon.

As for the ideal replacement...

He had already decided during the development of Shunkenjutsu—

It would be none other than the Kusanagi Sword, a weapon famous across the entire shinobi world.

But relying on himself alone to locate such a rare item would be close to impossible—

And besides, he couldn't just abandon his position on the front lines.

"Maybe… once I get back, I can ask the clan to help search."

Haruki thought to himself.

Given the Uchiha clan's influence and connections, finding one or two rare weapons shouldn't be too difficult.

And with the potential Haruki had demonstrated recently, the clan likely wouldn't mind helping him.

Having made up his mind, Haruki no longer dwelled on it.

He moved ahead of the main group to join the other combat units, patrolling and watching the perimeter.

This time, however, they didn't venture too far from the main force.

They had confirmed that Iwa shinobi were actively watching nearby, and no one wanted to walk right into a trap.

As for concerns about exposing the main force's movements—

That was already irrelevant.

Given the current situation, being detected was inevitable.

So rather than wasting time trying to stay hidden, it was better to push forward aggressively while Iwagakure's forces were still organizing.

This way, they might reduce casualties.

Yes—reduce casualties, not avoid them.

Haruki and the other jonin all understood clearly:

Iwagakure would never let them leave so easily.

A battle—or more likely, several—was unavoidable.

And once combat broke out, casualties were guaranteed.

Their only hope now was that Iwagakure's reaction would be slightly delayed, giving them a little more distance before the fighting started.

The farther they got, the fewer attacks they'd suffer, and the lower the death toll would be.

But hopes were hopes. Reality, however, was cruel.

Just as they had shaken off smaller Iwa units and were about to leave the area of danger—

Hyuga Aoyama suddenly spoke up with grim news:

"The road ahead is blocked!"

The veins around his Byakugan bulged as his gaze pierced through the forest and rocky terrain, spotting something several hundred meters away.

The jonin regrouped around him immediately.

"How many enemies?" someone asked.

"And what's their strength?"

Aoyama observed for a few seconds, then replied:

"About a hundred shinobi.

Fewer than ten jonin, with most being chunin."

"Wait a second…"

He suddenly paused mid-sentence.

His gaze shifted—first to the 2 o'clock direction, then to 10 o'clock.

Then he spoke rapidly:

"Two more Iwa squads are approaching!

Their strength is about the same as the one blocking the road."

Although the Byakugan had a full 360-degree field of vision, Aoyama had a habit of turning slightly toward whatever direction he was focusing on.

This habit turned out to be helpful—it allowed Haruki and the others to immediately understand where the danger was coming from.

Nara Soshui glanced toward the 2 and 10 o'clock directions.

After mentally comparing the terrain with the local map, he confirmed:

"Those two directions… they both lead to exits from this area.

Iwa must've already sealed all possible escape routes.

These squads likely rushed over when they saw we were headed this way."

Without wasting time, he issued an immediate order:

"Inform everyone—get ready.

We're breaking through, all at once."

At first, the others hesitated, but quickly realized what he meant.

They needed to force a breakthrough before Iwa completed their encirclement.

It was the only way to escape danger, even temporarily.

Staying here would mean getting trapped and wiped out.

Everyone sprang into action, scattering across the ranks to prepare for the charge.

Haruki and the other jonin in the combat units gathered at the front of the formation, forming the vanguard, ready to absorb the first wave of attacks.

The formation was quickly set.

Before the Iwa shinobi at 2 and 10 o'clock could close in, the Konoha force was already moving.

The distance between the two sides shrank rapidly.

500 meters…

300 meters…

100 meters…

Soon, Haruki saw them clearly—

Over a hundred fully armed Iwa shinobi, standing along the treetops on both sides of the road, their eyes locked on the Konoha troops with grim intensity.

Clearly, the reckless charge had shaken them up as well.

The distance continued to close—

80 meters…

50 meters…

30 meters…

20 meters…

Suddenly, a loud command rang out from the Iwa side:

"Release!"

A storm of kunai flew toward them like a rain of metal.

With his Sharingan's powerful insight, Haruki immediately spotted explosive tags among the projectiles.

If those landed inside the formation, even without fatalities, the detonations would scatter their troops and shatter their coordination.

"I can't let them get through!"

The thought flashed through Haruki's mind, and he instantly wove hand signs.

Then he took a massive breath—his chest swelling—and unleashed it all in one powerful exhale.

A vast torrent of Wind Release chakra surged out, twisting the air into a raging typhoon.

In an instant, not only were the kunai blown off course, but even the surrounding trees and the Iwa shinobi behind them were shaken violently, swaying and stumbling.

"What kind of jutsu is this?!"

Haruki could hear terrified cries from the Iwa side through the howling wind.

Their panic was understandable.

The Wind Release: Great Breakthrough that Haruki unleashed this time was absolutely monstrous.