Wartime Mission

The front-line command post in the Land of Rain.

When the three members of Team Five lifted the heavy waterproof curtain and stepped into the tent, a thick mix of tobacco smoke and lingering blood stench hit them head-on.

Compared to when they had first arrived half a month ago, the atmosphere here was even more oppressive. The massive sand table was surrounded by hurried messenger ninjas.

"You're here."

Jiraiya stood at the front of the sand table without turning around. His voice sounded hoarser and more exhausted than ever before.

"Jiraiya-sama."

Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward and greeted him in a low voice.

After half a month of special training, the sharpness of this young Uchiha clan leader had tempered considerably, replaced by a more composed and oppressive presence.

Jiraiya turned around. His bloodshot eyes swept over the three of them, lingering briefly on their equally sharp gazes before a hint of satisfaction appeared on his face.

"It seems the training wasn't wasted. The way you feel has changed."

Without further pleasantries, he picked up a command stick and struck it heavily against a winding red line on the sand table.

"I'll make it brief. The situation has worsened."

Jiraiya's tone turned icy and serious: "Yesterday, Sunagakure tore up the temporary ceasefire agreement. Their Puppet Force has already crossed the border, attempting to rendezvous with Hanzo of the Salamander of Amegakure."

"Sunagakure and Amegakure are joining forces?" Namikaze Minato frowned slightly, realizing the gravity of the problem.

"It's not just joining forces."

Jiraiya's command stick traced the red line toward a canyon deep in the Land of Rain: "The intelligence division intercepted a message. In exchange for Sunagakure's support, Hanzo has opened up transport rights through the Howling Valley. Tonight, a shipment of supplies—enough to fuel Hanzo's full-scale counteroffensive—including thousands of Explosive Tags, large quantities of puppet poison, and special Chakra Conductive Metal, will be moved to the front lines through this route."

"Once those supplies arrive, our defenses on the eastern front in the Land of Rain will be in serious trouble."

The air inside the tent seemed to freeze.

Nishikawa Tetsu stared at the red line, his mind racing.

The Howling Valley: fifteen kilometers long, narrow terrain, flanked by towering cliffs, with swift currents. It was an impenetrable stronghold and the perfect ambush point.

"There's only one mission."

Jiraiya lifted his head sharply: "Cut off this supply line at all costs. Whether by blowing it up, sinking it in the river, or seizing it—no supplies are to reach the front lines!"

"Yes!" the three replied in unison.

"But this mission is different from before."

Jiraiya looked at Uchiha Fugaku, his expression unusually solemn: "The enemy's escort force is large, and there's a high chance Sunagakure's puppet masters are mixed in. Relying on just the three of you on Team Five—no matter how talented you are—if you fall into a trap, you'll die for sure."

He clapped his hands.

"Come in!"

As his voice fell, six ninjas in Konoha uniforms walked into the tent.

Five were heavily armed elite Chunin, but the last one caught Nishikawa Tetsu's attention.

He was a young man around twenty years old, his forehead protector tied low, covering his brow. His eyes were pure white, without any impurity.

The Hyuga Clan.

"They're the support squad I just pulled from the rear. With manpower tight, this is all I could muster."

Jiraiya pointed at the Hyuga ninja, his tone serious: "This is Hyuga Hiroshi, a Jonin from the Hyuga Branch Family. To ensure the success of this interception mission, I've specially approved his addition to your team."

Uchiha Fugaku's pupils contracted slightly.

In Konoha, the Uchiha and Hyuga, though both prestigious dojutsu clans, had always had a delicate relationship—to put it simply, they didn't get along.

More importantly, the Byakugan's reconnaissance ability was a strategic asset on the battlefield. Jiraiya had actually assigned one to a strike team.

"It seems this mission's priority is even higher than I thought," Nishikawa Tetsu mused inwardly, quickly calculating.

"With the Byakugan's 360-degree x-ray vision, my trap placement and enemy prediction will leap in quality."

Jiraiya tossed an armband representing the temporary squad leader to Uchiha Fugaku.

"Uchiha Fugaku, from now on, you're no longer just the captain of Team Five."

Jiraiya's voice echoed through the tent:

"I appoint you as the commander of this operation. These five ninjas, 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 a proud Uchiha command another dojutsu powerhouse, the Hyuga, was not just a sign of trust—it was a heavy trial.

"Fugaku, this is war, not a clan struggle."

Jiraiya stared into his eyes, as if seeing through the faint resentment within him: "Every decision a commander makes carries the lives of his subordinates. Can you handle it?"

Uchiha Fugaku took a deep breath, clenched the armband tightly in his hand, and then solemnly fastened it onto his left arm.

He turned to face the other seven ninjas in the tent.

The Hyuga Branch Family ninja remained expressionless, but when he saw the commander was an Uchiha, his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. He quickly recovered his professional composure as a ninja, lowering his head slightly in acknowledgment.

"I am Uchiha Fugaku."

His voice was not loud, yet it carried an undeniable authority:

"For this mission, I ask only two things: complete the mission, and survive."

With that, his gaze swept across the group as he began assigning tasks.

"Hyuga Hiroshi."

"Here." The Hyuga ninja stepped forward.

Uchiha Fugaku looked at those Byakugan and said in a low voice, "You are responsible for the squad's reconnaissance and alert."

"Understood." Hyuga Hiroshi acknowledged.

"Namikaze Minato."

"Here!"

"You are in charge of harassment and finishing blows. Stop any enemy who tries to break through the squad's defensive line."

Then, Uchiha Fugaku turned his gaze to Nishikawa Tetsu in the corner.

The few newly arrived Chunin glanced in surprise at this unremarkable Genin, as if wondering why the commander would fix his attention on a child.

"Nishikawa Tetsu."

Uchiha Fugaku paused, his tone carrying a trust only an old acquaintance would recognize. "You are responsible for tactical planning and trap placement. You are the brain of the team. The ninja tools and Explosive Tags of both squads are entirely at your disposal."

"Also, coordinate with Hyuga Hiroshi's intelligence. Turn that valley into a coffin they enter but never leave."

A smirk tugged at the corner of Nishikawa Tetsu's mouth. "Understood."

Uchiha Fugaku suddenly swept his hand through the air, his black combat vest rustling in the wind.

"All personnel, prepare. Full speed departure in ten minutes."

"Destination: Howling Valley!"

Before setting out, Nishikawa Tetsu tossed a bottle to Uchiha Fugaku.

"Special Fire Oil. Burns outward only."

"The Uchiha never rely on such external tools." Fugaku said this, but he still caught it.