"I heard Sunagakure has officially declared war on Konoha, and the southern front has suffered a crushing defeat."
"Even Lord Orochimaru was defeated and severely wounded."
Beneath dark, oppressive clouds heavy as iron and lead, a Konoha ninja spoke in a dispirited tone.
Though they were not stationed on the front against Sunagakure, they could not help worrying about the situation there.
After all, the Land of Rain front and the Sunagakure front were essentially tied to the same fate.
Once the southern front collapsed, they too would end up isolated deep in enemy territory, vulnerable to being attacked from behind.
"It looks like things are only getting worse."
"How glorious were the Konoha Sannin—Lord Jiraiya, Lady Tsunate, and Lord Orochimaru—before?"
"And now?"
"The dead are dead, and the wounded are wounded."
"Haah..."
Under the drizzling rain, the ninjas' sighs sounded all the more desolate.
Their current mood stood in stark contrast to their arrogant bearing when they had first entered the Land of Rain, boasting that they would end the war before the Fireworks Festival.
"Enough. Stop talking about that."
At last, an experienced old ninja spoke up.
"I heard White Fang-sama is also on his way to provide support."
"White Fang-sama?"
At those words, the Konoha ninjas perked up slightly.
That title resounded throughout the shinobi world. Hatake Sakumo was even called the greatest man beneath the Hokage by the villagers!
With someone like him coming to reinforce them, there was at least a little more hope.
Unfortunately, someone immediately gave a bitter laugh.
"Forget it. Konoha White Fang has already been temporarily reassigned to support the Sunagakure front."
"I'm afraid we can't count on him."
"How do you know that?"
The old ninja immediately frowned, suspicion in his eyes.
Faced with the question, the ninja merely curled