Medical ninjas had to carry a large amount of medical equipment, which made them slower than combat ninjas. Although Yamanaka Tohru and Jiraiya had set out together, after several days on the road, Tohru had fallen far behind Jiraiya.
"Captain, we've just left the safe zone. The battlefield is not far ahead," one of the medical team's ninjas said.
"Mei, use your Byakugan to scout ahead and check for hidden enemies. We're about to enter the battlefield, so stay alert," Yamanaka Tohru said to Hyuga Mei beside him.
Hyuga Mei activated his Byakugan and surveyed the surroundings. Yamanaka Tohru also carefully sensed for movement nearby.
"Captain, there are no enemies within one kilometer ahead." Hyuga Mei's words came as a relief to Yamanaka Tohru.
"Mei, use your Byakugan to check the area every kilometer. Don't let us walk into an ambush!" Yamanaka Tohru knew this medical unit was especially important to the Konoha ninjas on the Land of Wind battlefield. They had to be careful at every turn.
The medical unit continued onward, with Hyuga Mei checking their surroundings every kilometer to make sure the route was clear. After they had traveled five kilometers, Hyuga Mei spotted Sand Shinobi lying in wait ahead.
"Captain! I've spotted Sand Shinobi ahead. There are twenty-seven of them!"
"Stop. Mitsuru, go take a look and assess their formation." Yamanaka Tohru halted the group and sent Uchiha Mitsuru to find out what the Sand Shinobi were capable of.
Yamanaka Tohru knew something of Uchiha Mitsuru's strength, since they had fought before. During their days on the road, Tohru had learned in casual conversation that Mitsuru had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
When Yamanaka Tohru learned that Uchiha Mitsuru had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, he felt both envious and helpless. His own Sharingan hadn't changed in nearly