Even If I Die, I'll Protect You

Kakashi fell into thought.

Their primary mission in supporting Iwagakure wasn't to capture Akatsuki members, but to rescue the two Iwagakure Jinchuriki who had been abducted by the Akatsuki Organization. So if the Jinchuriki weren't in the enemy's hands, he didn't want to rush into a direct confrontation with the Akatsuki members.

Kurotsuchi, meanwhile, was at a loss.

Iwagakure's main forces were inside the encirclement, and she had no idea how Moryo and Shinnō had broken through the blockade and fought their way all the way here.

There was only a temporary camp here. Aside from the Konoha reinforcements, few Iwagakure Ninja had been left behind, and some of them belonged to the Medical Team and Intelligence Squad.

A few breaths later, Kakashi made his decision. "Since we can't rule out the possibility that the Five-Tails Jinchuriki is in their hands, we have to find out for sure."

"What do you mean?" Kurotsuchi asked.

"We attack at once!"

Kakashi's tone was firm and decisive.

After hearing his decision, the Konoha shinobi behind him stirred. They were going up against the Akatsuki Organization, after all. Even seasoned Jonin like Kurenai and Shizune couldn't help feeling uneasy.

"Huh!"

Kurotsuchi looked over the Konoha shinobi and suddenly froze, letting out a quiet exclamation in her mind.

The Konoha force led by Kakashi consisted of the Jonin squad under his direct command, the medical squad led by Shizune, a communications squad, two ANBU squads, and two trainee squads.

But when they learned that Kakashi intended to launch an attack, the Medical Ninja and communications ninja weren't the only ones affected. Even the Jonin gathered around Kakashi and the ANBU began whispering among themselves, showing varying degrees of unease.

Clearly, they were nervous and apprehensive.

Kurotsuchi had seen this reaction countless times among Iwagakure Ninja