The Land of Iron.
A force of nearly a hundred shinobi marched across the seemingly endless icefield of the Land of Iron.
Unlike other forces, this one wasn't made up of shinobi from a single village. It was a joint force of elite shinobi drawn from the Five Great Shinobi Villages, as well as smaller villages like Kusagakure, Takigakure, and Yukigakure.
That was because their target wasn't some ordinary small outpost. It was an important Akatsuki Organization stronghold that Itachi Uchiha had specifically marked.
The stronghold was also located on a remote icefield in the Land of Iron. While other forces had already begun sweeping Akatsuki's strongholds—and had even destroyed quite a few—this force was still on its way to the target.
The Jonin leading the force frowned as he surveyed the vast white icefield before them. Then he turned to the Intelligence Squad shinobi beside him and asked, "How much farther?"
The Intelligence Squad shinobi was a Jonin from Yukigakure, well acquainted with the icefield. After a quick glance at the map, he replied, "Only a few dozen miles to the target!"
The Jonin considered this for a moment, then ordered, "Pass the word. From now on, we move in secret. The scouts will lead the way, and the rearguard will cover our tracks!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Intelligence Squad shinobi from Yukigakure immediately relayed the order.
At their leader's command, the well-trained force shifted into stealth formation. They pulled on thick white camouflage cloaks and spread out from their tight formation. In an instant, the entire force seemed to vanish into the snowfield.
Before long, they had crept close to the target.
Hidden in the blizzard, the Jonin leading the force studied the Snow Peak before them and asked the Intelligence Squad shinobi, "Have you found the entrance?"
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