The Main Force Arrives

The return trip to camp was faster than the journey out. When Kawafune appeared at the camp entrance with Nawaki on his back,

some dutiful Konoha ninja still came out to question them, though their attitude was far warmer than when they had first arrived.

After quickly confirming their identities, they let the three of them in.

Kawafune headed straight to the little earthen house, where Sakumo and Might Duy were still studying the Eight Gates Formation.

Unable to put it into practice, the two cultivation frauds had begun discussing it purely in theory.

"What happened to Nawaki?"

Seeing Kawafune carrying Nawaki on his back, Sakumo asked with concern. They would be family in the future, after all.

"He suffered a minor injury. It was his first time seeing blood. He'll be fine after he wakes up."

Kawafune laid Nawaki down on the bed.

Minato quietly sat down to the side.

"How many did you take care of this time?"

Sakumo had complete confidence in Kawafune's strength. If he encountered enemies, he was bound to make gains.

"One Jonin. The two little ones took care of three Chunin."

"In total, it was a standard squad."

Kawafune remained calm. An ordinary Jonin was hardly a challenge to him.

"Good job, little Minato."

Might Duy smiled at Minato and gave him a thumbs-up.

"Haha."

Minato scratched the back of his head, grinning brightly.

"Since you're back, stay and watch over the camp."

"One Jonin probably isn't enough to make the Rain Ninja feel any pain."

"Duy and I will make another trip."

"We'll let the Rain Ninja know what Konoha is capable of."

Sakumo could no longer hold himself back. Guarding the house had never been an assassin's job.

"That's right, Kawafune-kun. Brother Sakumo and I will go again."

It was Might Duy's first time taking part in such a war, and he wanted to prove his strength as well.

"Alright. Go ahead."

Kawafune did not even tell them to be careful. Unless Hanzō the Salamander personally appeared, he did not think any Rain Ninja extras could defeat the combination of Brother Sakumo and Might Duy.

"We're off. See you later."

Sakumo stood up, and Might Duy followed him out of the camp.

Two ninja with Jonin-level strength traveled far faster than Kawafune could while bringing along two little ones.

Sakumo also had much richer combat experience and was better than Kawafune at spotting clues and tracking.

Together, he and Might Duy found five Rain Ninja squads led by Jonin.

All twenty Rain Ninja died beneath Sakumo's blade and Might Duy's Eight Gates Formation.

They died horribly.

With Kawafune's group joining the fight, the Rain Ninja suffered severe losses.

The harassment and delay mission had originally been arranged by Hanzō the Salamander, and they had not assigned many men to it.

Losing twenty people at once was more than the commander could bear.

Miharu, the ninja leading the force, could only shrink their area of operations while sending someone to contact Hanzō the Salamander, who was still fighting Chiyo of Sunagakure.

When Hanzō received the news, he angrily tore the letter to shreds.

The Konoha ninja had arrived sooner than he expected. He had thought Konoha's main force had already arrived.

Who would have thought that only Kawafune's group had come ahead of them?

"Send Miharu more men. Tell him to remain vigilant and not engage the Konoha people for now."

"If Konoha's main force launches an attack, delay them at all costs until I return."

Hanzō issued his orders, and the ninja kneeling before him on one knee accepted them before withdrawing.

At that moment, Hanzō was within the Land of Wind. Rather than defending, he had chosen to launch a surprise attack on Sunagakure.

His courage was admirable.

After discovering Hanzō, Sunagakure had also dispatched Chiyo with a large force to fight him.

They had already fought several battles.

Both sides had suffered losses. Hanzō's poison had dealt Sunagakure a devastating blow, while Chiyo's puppets had likewise made the Rain Ninja suffer terribly.

"That damned Puppet Old Hag."

Hanzō could not help cursing. If not for Chiyo, the Sand Ninja would have been nothing more than chickens and dogs before him.

Meanwhile, in the Sunagakure camp, Chiyo was seriously studying Hanzō's poison.

But Hanzō's poison was not so easily countered, even for an outstanding poison expert like her.

"That Old Man with Breathing Tube is truly detestable."

Chiyo cursed as she continued her research. It would likely take a long time to find a cure.

Thinking of the Sand Ninja who would die at Hanzō's hands during that time, she frowned deeply.

"Mother, you have been researching for a full day and night. Please rest for a while."

The man who spoke had striking red hair and refined features. He was Sasori's Father.

"Yes, Sister. If this continues, your body won't be able to take it."

Ebizo also tried to persuade her from the side.

"If I do not break it a day sooner, my heart will not be at peace."

Chiyo sighed and rubbed her sore eyes.

She vowed inwardly that one day, she would tear Hanzō into ten thousand pieces.

Before long, a ninja came to report that Hanzō had launched another attack.

Chiyo could only bring her younger brother and son out to meet the enemy.

The Rain Ninja and Sand Ninja were fighting so fiercely within the Land of Wind that they were practically beating each other's brains out.

Yet Kawafune's group had headed north for several days without seeing so much as a hair of a Rain Ninja.

They guessed that the Rain Ninja had chosen to contract their lines, so they spent several peaceful days at camp.

A week later, Orochimaru finally arrived at the camp with a large force.

Naturally, someone notified Kawafune once the main force arrived.

He brought Sakumo and the others out to welcome Orochimaru.

Large quantities of provisions, ninja tool supplies, and medicine were moved into the camp.

Everything proceeded in an orderly manner under Orochimaru's arrangements. Before long, the camp had expanded several times over.

All the tents and houses were arranged according to strict standards, an area where Kawafune knew nothing.

Once Orochimaru had settled all the Konoha ninja,

the group gathered once more in a newly built little earthen house.

The room was bare and simple. Kawafune and the others sat on the ground around a low table.

There were some fruits on the table, all newly delivered supplies.

The two little ones obediently knelt at the side.

"Teacher."

Nawaki had recovered from his injuries and was delighted to see Orochimaru.

"I heard about it from Kawafune-kun. You performed very well."

Orochimaru patted Nawaki's head, a cool smile on his face.

Having received praise from his teacher, Nawaki grinned so widely that his eyes closed.

"Has Kawafune-kun gathered any intelligence lately?"

Orochimaru began asking questions, and everyone grew serious.

"The Rain Ninja are currently operating in small units, mainly carrying out assassinations and harassment."

"My guess is that Hanzō the Salamander's primary target is not us, Konoha."

"He is merely buying time."

"These past few days, the Rain Ninja force responsible for harassment may have been frightened by our killings."

"They haven't shown themselves for three days straight."

Kawafune described the situation over the past week and shared his speculation.

He trusted that Orochimaru's intelligence meant he did not need much prompting.

At that moment, Sakumo and Might Duy were mute men with ears. They listened without speaking.

Only Orochimaru and Kawafune's voices remained in the entire earthen house.

"I think Kawafune-kun's speculation is quite reasonable."

"Next, I will send people to continue searching for the Rain Ninja's traces."

"We will also put on the appearance of launching a major offensive and see how the Rain Ninja respond."

"Then the truth will naturally come to light."

After thinking briefly, Orochimaru came up with a complete countermeasure.

"That works."

Kawafune had never commanded troops, nor did he intend to seize authority, so naturally he did not object to Orochimaru's strategy.