Infiltration Operation

Night, 2:00 AM.

In the Hidden Leaf Village, currently under a market curfew due to wartime, the scene was one of deep shadow, with only a few scattered lights visible.

Most of the village's power supply was directed to a few special locations like the Hokage Building and the ninja tool factory. Even the gambling dens and red-light district, the liveliest spots in peacetime, were devoid of their former hustle and bustle.

Under the slightly dim moonlight, a few fleeting figures could occasionally be seen on rooftops and eaves. Most were dressed in dark gray combat uniforms and wore masks, scanning their surroundings vigilantly.

On the streets, only one or two figures were occasionally seen at this hour, likely just getting off work.

War wasn't solely about the iron, blood, and fire, the victory and sacrifice of the front lines. It was also about rear-area logistics, production, transport, mutual intelligence gathering, and defense.

Just like at this moment, in an unknown small house.

A total of three teams of Stone Village Ninja members were gathered around a unlit table, listening intently to the plan being explained by the person in the center.

The explanation didn't take long, and each person's mission was clearly defined.

Then, 'Mr. Kojima,' who had changed his disguise, spoke solemnly, "Everyone, understand?"

"Yes."

Even though their voices were low, the gaze of every Stone Village Ninja present was enough to convey their attitude.

"Very good!"

"Now... begin the mission!"

Removing their headbands, covering their faces, and stripping themselves of all identifiable markings, the Stone Village Ninja didn't linger. They orderly followed the ranks into the underground passage created by Earth Release in the corner of the room, resolute and determined.

'Mr. Kojima'... or rather, "Thousand-Faced Ash Soil," who had operated in the intelligence circles of the Five Great Nations for over a decade, completing countless reconnaissance missions for his village and earning a formidable reputation, watched them leave quietly.

He knew that the vast majority of them would die in the hands of Hidden Leaf ninja, seemingly pointlessly, just like the group earlier that day.

However, this was something that had to be done.

They had to obtain the intelligence on Tsunade's Team's mission as quickly as possible.

This was because the Third Tsuchikage was currently on the Earth-Lightning Front, leading troops in a difficult war of attrition against the main Hidden Cloud forces.

If they were to assassinate the Third Tsuchikage, causing the front line to collapse and plunging the entire Hidden Stone Village and the Land of Earth into internal chaos, now was the best opportunity.

The people of the Hidden Stone Village understood this, and naturally, the people of the Hidden Leaf also understood.

Ash Soil thought in silence.

Finally, he resolutely took a step towards the depths of hell.

"Ugh—"

At the entrance to the sealed room.

A young boy who looked only twelve or thirteen years old yawned long and sleepily, muttering with a hint of complaint, "Teacher, isn't it time for the shift change yet?"

"Quiet."

Leading this Genin team was a Jonin in his thirties, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, leaning against the wall by the sealed room's main door.

However, seeing the boy's still somewhat childish face, about the same age as his own son, he couldn't help but add,

"It'll be soon."

"Seriously," the young Genin propped his chin in boredom, gazing at the night outside. "This kind of mission is only C-rank. Are we going to have to do boring stuff like this from now on?"

"Alright, Shuichi!" the girl beside him spoke up, scolding him. "Don't say such childish things while on a mission."

"Yes~"

The young boy, his back to the newly repaired exterior window, drew out the sound.

However, almost at the exact moment this sound appeared,

A kunai extended from the darkness, suddenly piercing the Genin's neck.

"Ch—"

The kunai was pulled out.

Scarlet blood splattered.

"Shuichi!"

The bewildered girl instinctively cried out.

The experienced middle-aged Jonin, however, had already rushed out first, grabbing the hand reaching from the darkness and pulling it back forcefully.

"Pop."

With a sound like a cork being pulled, he held the 'arm' with the lit fuse in his hand.

The Jonin's reaction speed was astonishingly fast. He threw the explosive device out the window with lightning speed, while simultaneously forming hand signs rapidly.

"Water Release: Water Wall!"

Constructing a wall of water around three people with a single, simplified hand sign in a waterless environment perfectly demonstrated the identity of this middle-aged man as a Ninjutsu-type Jonin.

The sudden thunderclap exploding outside caused the staff throughout the Hokage Building to snap to attention, looking out at the cracked window.

Under the dark night sky, flames flickered menacingly.

Almost the instant that sound rang out, four figures completely shrouded in black clothing rushed towards the three people enveloped in water with astonishing speed – behind them was the door to the sealed room.

However, the moment they appeared.

"Bang bang bang—"

Over a dozen figures, some in Anbu uniforms, others wearing Uchiha Police Force vests, burst through the outer windows, surrounding the small team.

Uchiha Yayoi stood at the very front, her pair of crimson Two-Tomoe Sharingan fixed on the four people before her with a chilling gaze.

As early as when she examined the bodies during the day, she realized the big fish hadn't taken the bait yet.

She had thought they'd need to stake out for a few more days, but she didn't expect them to show up so quickly.

However, facing the heavy encirclement of over a dozen ninja, the suicide squad in the center seemed completely oblivious.

The leader, in particular, sneered and tore open his black upper garment.

Revealing a vest covered in Explosive Tag Seals.

Uchiha Yayoi's pupils constricted instantly.

The next moment.

"Boom!"

A violent explosion, like thunder, roared out.

But it wasn't on this floor.

Not just Uchiha Yayoi, but many people present unconsciously looked up, towards the floor above them.

The fourth floor housed the Hokage's Office.

Luring the tiger away from the mountain!

Could it be that their target was the Hokage's Office from the very beginning?!

This thought flashed through almost everyone's mind.

"Quick!"

"Catch these few first!"

Uchiha Yayoi didn't have time to think further and immediately issued orders to her companions beside her.

At the same time, she was already a step ahead, charging towards the suicide ninja at the very front.

The Genjutsu she had prepared in her Sharingan burst forth instantly.

Demonic Illusion: Sharingan

The Stone Village Ninja suicide ninja who had just torn open his Explosive Tag Vest paused for a moment, a hint of confusion appearing in his eyes.

But his companions behind him closed their eyes and ruthlessly shoved him forward, simultaneously channeling Chakra into his Explosive Tag Vest.

"Boom!"

Another explosion rang out.

The suicide ninja's entire body instantly ripped apart, the exploding blood mist carrying scattered limbs outward in all directions. Even the tiny bone fragments were as sharp as Shuriken, hitting the walls with crackling sounds. A huge gap was blown open in the corridor floor and the outer wall of the building.

Uchiha Yayoi, who was charging at the front, was engulfed in the explosion's dust and smoke, tumbling to one side to dissipate the force, half her body stained with thick, dark blood.

Damn it.

The tomoe in the girl's eyes seemed to spin even faster with her agitated emotions.

The three Stone Village Ninja suicide ninja, who were prepared, used the force of the explosion's aftermath, enduring minor injuries, and charged towards the other end with extreme speed.

The blades in their hands pointed directly at several obviously young and inexperienced ninja, attempting to use them as a breakthrough point.

They knew they were destined to die before the operation began.

But even in death, they had to take out a few enemies who might appear on the battlefield for their village.

Meanwhile.

On the fourth floor.

Two true elite teams, led by Ash Soil, poured into the Hokage's Office through the gap created by the explosion with the fastest possible speed.