The trio from Team Five lifted the heavy waterproof flap and entered the tent. A strong smell of tobacco, mixed with the lingering stench of blood, hit them.
Compared to when they had arrived half a month ago, the atmosphere here was even more oppressive. Rushed messenger ninja crowded around the massive sand table.
"You're here."
Jiraiya stood at the front of the sand table without turning around. His voice sounded raspier and more exhausted than ever.
"Lord Jiraiya."
Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward and greeted him in a low voice.
After half a month of intensive training, the edge had softened in the young Uchiha Clan Leader. In its place was a steadier, more imposing presence.
Jiraiya turned around. His bloodshot eyes swept over the three of them, lingering for a moment on their equally sharp gazes, then his expression showed a hint of satisfaction.
"Looks like the intensive training paid off. You feel different."
He skipped the pleasantries, picked up a pointer, and rapped it hard against a winding red line on the sand table.
"I'll get straight to the point. The situation has worsened."
Jiraiya's tone turned cold and grave. "Yesterday, Sunagakure tore up the temporary ceasefire agreement. Their Puppet Force has crossed the border and is trying to join forces with Hanzo of the Salamander from Amegakure."
"Sunagakure and Amegakure have allied?" Namikaze Minato furrowed his brow, realizing how serious the situation was.
"It's more than an alliance."
Jiraiya traced the red line with his pointer toward a canyon in the heart of the Land of Rain. "The Intelligence Unit intercepted a message. In exchange for Sunagakure's support, Hanzō has opened the Howling Valley transport route to them. Tonight, a shipment of supplies sufficient to support Hanzō's full-scale counteroffensive—including thousands of Explosive Tags, a large quantity of puppet poison, and special Chakra Conductive Metal—will be sent to the front along this route."
"If that shipment gets through, holding our eastern line in the Land of Rain will become much harder."
The air in the tent seemed to freeze.
Nishikawa Tetsu stared at the red line, his mind racing.
Howling Valley was fifteen kilometers long, with narrow terrain, towering cliffs on both sides, and a swift current.
It was a perfect stronghold, difficult to attack—and an ideal place for an ambush.
"There's only one objective."
Jiraiya abruptly raised his head. "Cut off this supply line at any cost. Blow up the cargo, sink it in the river, seize it—whatever it takes. Not a single supply can reach the front!"
"Yes!" all three answered in unison.
"But this mission is different from the others."
Jiraiya looked at Uchiha Fugaku, his expression unusually grave. "The enemy escort force is large, and there's a good chance Sunagakure puppeteers are among them. The three members of Team Five alone—no matter how talented you are—would be doomed if you fell into a trap."
He clapped his hands.
"Come in!"
At his words, six ninja in Konoha uniforms entered the tent.
Five were elite Chunin, fully armed. The last one, walking behind them, caught Nishikawa Tetsu's attention.
He was a young man of about twenty. His Forehead Protector was tied low over his brow, and his eyes were a pure, unblemished white.
The Hyuga Clan.
"They're a support team I just brought in from the rear. We're short on personnel, so this is all I could spare."
Jiraiya pointed to the Hyuga ninja, his tone serious. "This is Hyuga Hiroshi, a Jonin from the Hyuga Branch Family. To improve the odds of this mission succeeding, I've specially assigned him to your team."
Uchiha Fugaku's pupils contracted slightly.
In Konoha, the Uchiha and Hyuga were both prestigious clans known for their ocular powers, but their relationship had always been delicate. Put simply, they didn't get along.
More importantly, the Byakugan's scouting ability was a strategic asset on the battlefield. Jiraiya had actually assigned one to a strike team.
This mission must be even higher priority than I thought. Nishikawa Tetsu quickly began calculating. With the Byakugan's 360-degree vision, my trap placement and ability to predict enemy movements will improve dramatically.
Jiraiya tossed Uchiha Fugaku an armband marking him as the temporary captain.
"Uchiha Fugaku, from this moment on, you're no longer just the captain of Team Five."
Jiraiya's voice echoed through the tent.
"I'm appointing you commander of this operation. These five ninja, including Hyuga Hiroshi, as well as Namikaze Minato and Nishikawa Tetsu, are all under your command."
Uchiha Fugaku's hand stiffened slightly as he caught the armband.
Having the proud Uchiha command a member of the other great ocular clan, the Hyuga, was more than a show of trust. It was a heavy test.
"Fugaku, this is war, not a clan feud."
Jiraiya stared into his eyes, as if he could see the trace of unease within him. "A commander's every decision carries the lives of his subordinates. Can you do it?"
Uchiha Fugaku took a deep breath and gripped the armband tightly, then solemnly strapped it to his left arm.
He turned to face the other seven ninja in the tent.
The Hyuga Branch Family ninja remained expressionless, but when he saw that the commander was an Uchiha, his brow twitched almost imperceptibly. He quickly regained his professional composure and gave a slight nod.
"I'm Uchiha Fugaku."
His voice was quiet, but carried unquestionable authority.
"For this mission, I ask only two things: complete the objective, then stay alive."
He finished speaking, swept his gaze over the others, and began assigning their roles.
"Hyuga Hiroshi."
"Here." The Hyuga ninja stepped forward.
Uchiha Fugaku looked at his white eyes and said in a low voice, "You're responsible for tracking enemies and keeping watch for the whole team."
"Yes," Hyuga Hiroshi replied.
"Namikaze Minato."
"Here!"
"You're responsible for skirmishing and finishing off enemies. Stop anyone who tries to break through the team's defenses."
Then Uchiha Fugaku looked toward Nishikawa Tetsu in the corner.
The newly arrived Chunin glanced with some surprise at the unremarkable Genin, seemingly unsure why the commander had focused on a child.
"Nishikawa Tetsu."
Uchiha Fugaku paused. His tone held a trust that only those who knew him well could recognize. "You're in charge of tactics and trap placement. You're the brains of the team. You'll manage all the ninja tools and Explosive Tags for both squads."
"Also, use Hyuga Hiroshi's intel to turn that canyon into a coffin no one can escape."
Nishikawa Tetsu's lips curled into a smile. "Understood."
Uchiha Fugaku swept his arm outward, his black combat vest fluttering in the wind.
"Everyone gear up. We leave at full speed in ten minutes."
"Destination: Howling Valley!"
Before they left, Nishikawa Tetsu tossed Uchiha Fugaku a bottle.
"Special Fire Oil. It only burns outward."
"The Uchiha don't use things like this." Though Fugaku said so, he still caught it.
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