A few minutes ago :

On one of the numerous small islands in the Land of Water, an inconspicuous house stood. In the house were 11 children and 3 adults. Suddenly, a person began knocking on the door impatiently.

A man got up and opened the door. The person quickly entered the house. Panic and fear could be seen on his face. He said, "Renjiro-san, I sensed multiple ninjas heading towards this island. I think the rebel faction is heading towards this island."

A frown formed on Renjiro's face. He asked, "How many did you sense, Makoto?"

Yamanaka Makoto shook his head and said, "I saw 4 ships heading towards this island from the West. And I felt multiple chakra fluctuations from each ship. I didn't dare to sense them or stare for too long."

Renjiro nodded, "Good work. They might be just passing by here. Change your transformation jutsu to another appearance and keep the kids quiet. It's best to not attract any attention."

Makato nodded. He dispelled his transformation jutsu and then transformed into a young lady and went into the room where the kids were and put them to sleep. The other two Konoha ninjas got serious as well. All four suppressed their chakra to civilian levels and waited.

In the sea, on one of the ships, a lady was standing on the bow while looking towards the island. She had long, ankle-length, auburn hair. She asked with a serious face, "Is your information accurate, Ao?"

Ao nodded and replied, "Yes. I have received information that a group of people are kidnapping young children. Though I am not sure if they have evil intentions as all the children whose information I received were orphans and in a very bad state.

But, there were many other similar orphans. Since only these kids were kidnapped, I'm afraid that it is one of the major villages trying to rescue and recruit young talent and probably kids with bloodlines."

Mei nodded. She agreed with Ao's speculation. After all, over the last decade, her family had done the same in the Land of Water. The kids she rescued were completely loyal to her and had a reason to get stronger.

Ao added, "But if it is one of the four major villages, we need to proceed with caution. Though I doubt anyone would want to enter into our mess, if they do and decide to support the Mizukage faction, we will be in deep trouble."

Mei nodded and said, "Let's decide after seeing who it is. If we can kill them all, then we will do so and dispose of their bodies. The news can be blocked as well. For now, create a perimeter and send 20 ninjas to attack them."

Ao nodded and flickered onto other ships to pass the instructions. Soon, all 4 ships reached and docked on the island. The Konoha ninjas were alarmed. But Renjiro said, "They might be here to restock supplies. Stay calm and don't leak any chakra. But be prepared to run. If any issues occur, then we may have to fight or even kill our way out."

Renjiro's teammates had solemn faces. They were aware that the number of Kiri ninjas would be at least ten times their number. However, all of them were Jounins. And everyone had Water affinity and could travel rapidly in the sea. They believed in their abilities to escape from an enemy that would be composed of a mix of Genins, Chunins and Jounins.

Akimichi Itaru asked, "But what about the kids?"

Renjiro replied, "We will leave them here. The rebels are known to take young kids and provide them with proper care and training. So they won't suffer."

Renjiro's teammates nodded.

After landing, Ao activated his Byakugan. He immediately noticed the 11 children in the house where the Konoha ninjas were. He whispered commands to the Jounin leaders. Half the Kiri ninjas moved normally towards the market on the island while the other half stayed near the ship. Ao and Mei waited on the coast.

All of a sudden, 20 ninjas got in action and surrounded the house. 40 more ninjas moved and established a perimeter to prevent their targets from running away.

Inside the house, a ninja sighed. Nara Kazuki said, "They are onto us."

Renjiro nodded. And said, "Break out towards the East. Avoid killing to leave some room for negotiations later. Also, don't use your secret techniques unless there is no choice."

Outside the house, one ninja said loudly, "We know that you have kidnapped young children and are hiding inside the house. Surrender yourself and give the children to us if you want to live!"

He waited to hear any responses. But he received none. His expression became serious as he thought, 'I can't blow up the house. It might harm the children. But if we attack, then there might be some traps.'

Without any other option, he commanded half of his ninjas to attack the house and while the other half prepared themselves to provide backup. Meanwhile, Mei and Ao kept an eye from a distance.

As the 10 ninjas reached the house and were about to break in, the walls suddenly broke apart on their own! And hundreds of small spherical stones were launched on the ninjas. The sudden attack caught them off guard. They were hit by the pebbles and immediately retreated back. The ninjas at the back immediately weaved hand signs.

'Water Release: Water Wall jutsu'

A water wall appeared on all four sides of the house. The Kiri ninjas retreated through the water wall while the pebbles were stopped. However, instead of trapping the Konoha ninjas, they received an opportunity! They immediately broke out of the house and through the water wall on their East, that is, in the opposite direction of the ships.

The Kiri ninjas were taken by surprise. Renjiro and Akimichi punched their opponents in the stomach, knocking them out. Nara Kazuki analyzed, 'Good, they are just Chunin levels.'

They immediately broke through and began running. Renjiro observed the situation, '5 ninjas in front of us, 2 Jounins and 3 Chunins. 3 coming in from both directions. They will reach us. As for the rest, they are behind us.'

He instructed, "Itaru, stop any attacks coming from the rear. Kazuki, Makoto, slow down the ones on our flanks."

He immediately sped up towards the ninjas in front of him.

Itaru weaved hand signs and slammed his hands on the ground. A gigantic wall appeared behind them. A bunch of water jutsus crashed into the wall and were halted.

At the same time, multiple kunais with explosive tags appeared in the hands of Kazuki and Makoto. Both threw them at the ninjas running towards them from the sides forcing them to dodge and slow down.

Meanwhile, the 5 ninjas saw Renjiro rushing towards them. A few of them threw Shurikens while others weaved hand seals.

Renjiro used the snake hand sign.

'Earth Release: Iron Skin jutsu'

His skin turned into black and at the same time chakra appeared on his body. The shurikens hit his body and harmlessly bounced off. The two Jounins finally completed their hand signs.

'Water Release: Great Waterfall jutsu'

'Lightning Release: False Darkness jutsu'

The two jutsu merged together and rushed like a broken dam towards Konoha ninjas. Chakra appeared on Renjiro's palms as he slammed his hands on the ground. The ground in front of him rose diagonally. The electrified water hit it and was diverted harmlessly away from the Konoha ninjas. Instead, it moved towards the ninjas chasing them from the rear.

A frown formed on Mei's face as she watched the clash. She muttered, "They are strong."

Ao nodded in agreement.

The 2 Jounins frowned. The one who used the Lightning jutsu began weaving hand signs again. He wanted to destroy the ground that Renjiro had raised.

However, before he could complete his hand seals, he and the remaining Kiri ninjas jumped and retreated. The ground under their feet transformed and spikes were launched at them. Each of the 3 Chunins had 4-6 spikes pierced into their body while the Jounin who was weaving hand signs took a couple of hits. However, none of the injuries were mortal.

But, before they could regroup, Renjiro flicked behind one of the Chunins. With a strike to the back of his neck, he was knocked out cold. In the next couple of seconds, the other two Chunins suffered the same fate.

He flickered and appeared in front of the two Jounins. They grabbed their kunai and attacked Renjiro from both sides. Renjiro's body was already covered with the Iron skin jutsu. He punched at one Jounin and kicked at the other, forcing them to block.

Using the opening, Kazuki and Makoto appeared next to Renjiro and attacked the two Kiri ninjas, forcing them to retreat. Renjiro quickly flickered behind Kazuki's opponent and kicked his back. The chakra enhanced kick cracked numerous bones in his back and sent him flying! Being outnumbered by these times and seeing how easily his fellow ninjas were overwhelmed, the last Jounin immediately retreated.

The Konoha ninjas ignored him and began running away while defending themselves from the attacks coming from their rear. To their relief, they reached the other end of the island. Renjiro instructed, "Dive into the water and create 3 shadow clones. We will travel underwater in 4 directions."

Everyone nodded. Unfortunately, before they could reach the shore, they noticed a silhouette standing on the water. She weaved her hand signs.

'Lava Release: Melting Apparition jutsu'

She spat out a massive amount of Lava that headed towards the Konoha ninjas like a flood! It cut off their escape route and forced them to stop while the ninjas behind them closed the distance rapidly!