Companions! Bonds!

"Yoru, these are all the Exploding Tags our Hyuga clan has."

A Hyuga Jonin gathered the Exploding Tags from the Hyuga Shinobi in their group and solemnly handed them over to Uchiha Yoru.

Uchiha Fugaku fell silent for a moment, then let out a deep sigh. He raised his hand, signaling the Uchiha clan's Shinobi to take out their Exploding Tags.

After collecting all the Exploding Tags, Uchiha Yoru looked at everyone's heavy expressions and, uncharacteristically, showed a relaxed smile.

"Don't all look so grim. I'm an Uchiha, and this time, it's not like there's no chance of survival."

Uchiha Fugaku chose to respect Uchiha Yoru's decision. As he handed over the Exploding Tags, he said in a deep voice:

"Lord Yoru, although Lady Tsunade is surrounded within the Land of Grass, she will definitely choose to break through. The best direction for her breakthrough is... this area filled with mountains and rocks. If you get there in advance and make contact, you can use these Exploding Tags to set traps.

This is also the closest location to the border of the Land of Fire, where reinforcements can arrive the fastest."

Reinforcements?

Although Fugaku spoke of a chance, to everyone else, his words were incredibly heavy.

They were all experienced Jonin and knew that this so-called reinforcement mission was a death trap.

"Understood."

The group moved rapidly across the plains. Uchiha Yoru smiled and nodded at everyone, while the other Jonin showed expressions of respect.

Perhaps before, Uchiha Yoru's promotion to Jonin had seemed questionable, leading them to look down on him. But this time, everyone showed him respect.

"Yoru!"

From the team running behind him, Minato Namikaze seemed to have figured something out. He took a deep breath and said directly, "Yoru, Teacher Jiraiya is also here, I—"

Before he could finish speaking, a Jonin beside him frowned and interrupted him.

"You're just a Chunin, don't cause trouble. Although Lord Yoru's plan is very risky, it does increase the chances of rescue. After all, he has so many Exploding Tags, and Lord Yoru has the best speed and stamina."

In the eyes of the Jonin, a Chunin in this situation was just cannon fodder, and going along would only be a hindrance.

Minato was left speechless by the remark, but Uchiha Yoru smiled and nodded at the Jonin.

"Minato, this isn't just for Lady Tsunade and the others. We've left many comrades behind. Perhaps among all the Jonin, I'm not the strongest, but I am the most suitable.

The other Jonin all have their own missions, and mine is already complete. More importantly, I have the ability to communicate with animals. There are many flying beasts in this forest, and I can use them to pass through the encirclement."

This was an ability he had deliberately revealed to Tsunade recently, as he integrated the Sage Body.

After all, in the Shinobi World, especially with such close proximity, a lie would eventually be exposed.

Therefore, he never lied. If he was going to do something, he would do it for real!

His intelligence was real! His willingness to risk his life was real! Who would doubt that?

Furthermore, there were less than ten Jonin here. Their orders were to escort these two back to the Land of Fire. Uchiha Yoru, however, was different.

His mission was to impersonate Tsunade and stabilize morale. Therefore, according to ninja regulations, he was the only one with the freedom to choose at this moment. This was also why he had said his mission was complete earlier.

Beneath Uchiha Yoru's smile, his eyes held a look of determination.

"Relay a message to the Konoha Shinobi falling behind using Swift Hawk, telling them to retreat and rendezvous in this direction."

"Understood!"

One of the Hyuga Jonin said solemnly, "Order all Konoha Shinobi behind us to hand over half of their Exploding Tags to Jonin Uchiha Yoru."

"Yes!"

As the ninja orders were issued, under everyone's watchful eyes, Uchiha Yoru's speed gradually slowed. He began to fall behind the Jonin leading the group.

As he fell further behind, Konoha Shinobi one after another solemnly took out Exploding Tags.

"An Uchiha!"

At this moment, the Konoha Shinobi who usually disliked the Uchiha's arrogant demeanor seemed to have a new understanding.

"Lord Yoru, come back alive."

Minato Namikaze's expression became resolute. Beside him, Shikaku Nara, uncharacteristically losing his usual lazy demeanor, said with a solemn tone, "Lord Yoru, if the Stone Ninja encirclement has already been established, retreat quickly!"

The intelligent Shikaku instantly analyzed Uchiha Yoru's plan, but it was still a gamble.

He gambled that the Stone Ninja had not yet formed an encirclement. However, even if they had, the Stone Ninja would likely be happy to see a fish swim into their net. This was Shikaku's attempt at comforting words.

"I will definitely bring Lady Tsunade and the others back alive!"

Facing everyone's gazes, Uchiha Yoru's smile held a look of unwavering determination. He didn't mention himself at all, which in everyone's eyes meant he had cast his own life and death aside.

At this moment, everyone fell silent. Uchiha Yoru's proud Will of Fire shone in everyone's hearts – a ninja willing to risk his life to save his comrades.

Who dared to say it was fake?

His, Uchiha Yoru's, Will of Fire, told everyone so nakedly.

Looking down from the sky, one could clearly see that among the Konoha Shinobi speeding across the plains, a black dot suddenly changed direction.

All the Konoha Shinobi looked back at the disappearing figure, their expressions grave.

"Damn it! I'm a Konoha Shinobi too!"

One of the Chunin roared in anger, tears of humiliation welling up in his eyes.

In this distorted world, while ninjas were tools, the bond of companionship was also extremely important.

Many felt stifled. They weren't afraid of death, but this time they had to abandon their comrades.

"That's not true! Our meaning in returning alive is far greater."

Just then, Shikaku Nara calmly began to analyze the situation for everyone in the group.

"Our identities affect too many clans within the village, so I won't even mention that. From a strategic analysis perspective, our staying here doesn't hold much significance. Instead, it would cause Lady Tsunade to lose her chance to break through.

If so many of us were to make a stand, the best location would be the camp. But where is our camp? Deep within the Land of Grass. At that point, Tsunade and Lord Orochimaru would have no choice but to retreat. Once an encirclement is formed, it would be difficult for reinforcements to rescue us."

"On the contrary, if we abandon all our supplies and withdraw now, Lady Tsunade and the others can choose to break through from the start. Now, they are closer to the border of the Land of Fire and have a greater chance of receiving reinforcements."

Under Shikaku Nara's analysis, the Konoha ninjas could only nod in silence. At this point, they could only choose to complete their respective missions.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Yoru, who had parted ways with the main Konoha force, was rapidly heading into the Land of Grass. Birds were also flying in the sky.

"Although I can communicate with animals, it's clear that most animals have low intelligence and can only perform simple exchanges."

With his hands behind his back, Uchiha Yoru, who was running at full speed, showed a solemn expression. This time, he also faced a crisis.

One was to avoid being found and killed by the Stone Ninja before finding Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya. The second was to hope that reinforcements would arrive as in the original story.

Let's take a gamble! From zero to hero!