Then Let's Fight!

"Seriously, these kids..."

Watching Konan's departing figure, Jingū Kiraku muttered softly to himself.

Then he could no longer suppress the faint curl of his lips.

He somewhat understood how those old fathers felt now...

As he slurped the noodles in his bowl, Jingū Kiraku felt the exhaustion throughout his body ease considerably, while warmth spread through his heart.

However, his comfort did not last long.

Early the next morning, after less than four hours of sleep, he was awakened by an urgent military report.

"Chief, according to intelligence from the front lines, several Konoha scout teams have crossed the occupied zone and officially entered our core territory."

"Furthermore, Sunagakure has also begun making moves. They've dispatched some ninja into the core region and established forward camps."

The moment Jingū Kiraku arrived at Amegakure Tower, he heard Amemura's urgent report.

Amemura's expression was grave.

Konoha alone had already left Amegakure overwhelmed. Now Sunagakure had joined in as well, undoubtedly making their situation even more perilous.

Upon hearing the report, Jingū Kiraku's expression swiftly darkened as well.

He immediately opened the system panel. After zooming in several times on the map of the Land of Rain, he finally found the enemy's traces—

A small figure marked with a Konoha Forehead Protector symbol was moving along the border between the occupied zone and the core region.

As Jingū Kiraku focused on it, more detailed information appeared before him.

Konoha had dispatched five scout teams this time, totaling fifteen people.

The vast majority were Chunin, led by a Jonin named Nishiki.

Their purpose was likely to investigate Amegakure's military intelligence and troop deployments, providing intelligence support for the upcoming large-scale offensive.

Then he turned his gaze toward the southwest.

Three Sunagakure teams had already completed their infiltration and established forward outposts deep within the Southern Land of Rain.

Jingū Kiraku believed this was a test.

If Amegakure continued its previous silent and weak approach, they would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to expand their sphere of influence and steadily squeeze Amegakure's living space.

However, Jingū Kiraku noticed something interesting during his observation—

As Sunagakure and Konoha continued expanding, the territories occupied by their two forces had grown quite close.

After all, the Southern Land of Rain was originally the main passage connecting the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, the core territory contested by both sides.

Seeing this, a bold idea suddenly emerged in Jingū Kiraku's mind...

Seeing that Jingū Kiraku remained silent for so long, Amemura hesitantly asked from beside him, "Chief, what do we do next?"

Hearing the question, Jingū Kiraku finally came back to himself.

A fierce glint flashed through his eyes.

"What do you mean, what do we do?"

"Konoha wants to fight us, and Sunagakure has come to join the fun."

"Then we fight!!"

"Hit them hard!"

His voice suddenly rose, and the Kunai in his hand slammed into the battle line in the Southern Land of Rain.

"Strike hard once, and you'll spare yourself a hundred strikes later."

"Only by winning this battle to establish our authority, this battle to establish our nation, will the Land of Rain be qualified to speak of revival, independence, and self-determination!"

"We have nowhere left to retreat, Jonin."

Jingū Kiraku stared fixedly at Amemura, the Kunai in his hand still humming without pause.

At his words, Amemura immediately straightened, clenched his fist, and placed it against his chest.

"Yes! Chief!"

"Dedicate our hearts to the Land of Rain!!"

Jingū Kiraku nodded and patted his shoulder. "Not bad. Very spirited."

"Next, lead a Rain Ninja squad to the southern region and provide support."

"As for those Konoha rats sneaking across the border, leave them to me."

Jingū Kiraku's tone was resolute, carrying an unquestionable forcefulness.

Amemura stood where he was, seeming as though he wanted to say something but held himself back.

He appeared to be worried that something might happen if their chief personally went to the battlefield.

Suddenly, Jingū Kiraku snapped back to his senses. His gaze sharpened like an eagle's as he barked:

"Carry out my order, Jonin!"

At last, Amemura cast aside every stray thought. He straightened up again and answered loudly:

"Yes!"

Southern Land of Rain.

The five Konoha squads led by Nishiki were taking a brief rest.

"I mean, is there really anything left to scout in the Land of Rain?"

A Konoha ninja in the group suddenly complained in boredom.

After all, they had only recently ended their war with Hidden Rain Village. Its geography and terrain were not going to change much in such a short time.

As for Hidden Rain Village?

After that great war, they only had a handful of ninjas left.

It was said that they had also gone through a brutal internal conflict and purge. What strength could they possibly have left now?

They would only be crushed by Konoha's army once again.

His words quickly resonated with the other team members—

"This weather is absolutely awful. If it weren't for orders from above, I'd never come here even once in my life!"

"I can feel my knees starting to ache..."

"Damn Hidden Rain Village. They actually dared to tear up the treaty. When the time comes, I'll slaughter them all!"

For a time, the Konoha ninjas chattered away.

The lively atmosphere made it seem as though they did not regard their enemy as a threat at all.

Nishiki, the Jonin leading them, immediately frowned.

"Quiet down. We're on a mission. Do you want to be dealt with under military law?"

The Jonin's reprimand finally silenced them.

Complaints were one thing, but no one wanted to be punished over such a trivial matter.

Only then did Nishiki nod in satisfaction.

Of course, his rebuke had mainly come from the professional discipline expected of a Jonin—

No matter what opponent they faced, they had to remain cautious and give it their all.

In truth, his attitude toward Hidden Rain Village was much the same as his subordinates'.

It was only a small country. Even if it had produced an expert like Hanzō the Salamander, it would merely hold out for a few more days.

After all, Konoha had countless experts like that.

Just as they finished resting and prepared to split up according to plan to gather intelligence, a burst of urgent bird cries came from nearby.

Nishiki's expression changed. This was the signal they had agreed upon—it meant something was wrong.

He hurriedly made a hand signal. Every ninja immediately turned serious, their hands swiftly reaching for their Ninja Tool Pouches.

Then, they heard a Hyuga Clan ninja cry out in alarm:

"Watch out, it's above us!!"

At the warning, everyone instinctively looked up.

A massive figure was rapidly descending from the sky, its shadow swallowing the entire camp like hell itself!!

"What kind of monster is that?"

The Konoha ninjas' mouths fell open, their pupils trembling.

The next second, a sound like mountains collapsing and earth splitting apart rang out.