The Meaning of a Captive

Uchiha Sou never dreamed that Anko would have a rare flash of inspiration and pull off such a massive stunt.

If he didn't know her personality, and if there weren't enough people to testify that these words actually came from her, Uchiha Sou would have suspected she was trying to set him up.

The world of Naruto, when you get down to it, is an extremely realistic place.

Having been in Konoha for so many years, the information Uchiha Sou had been exposed to was, if not exactly pessimistic, at least utterly soul-crushing.

Take, for instance, the constant wars, or the suicide of Hatake Sakumo years ago.

Although the manga and anime he watched before transmigrating were all about bonds, passion, and friendship.

In reality, those things have to be adjusted according to the reality of the situation.

What is the greatest contradiction in Konoha at present? It is the conflict between the ever-growing demands of war and the humanity inherent in ninjas!

That is why Hatake Sakumo committed suicide, and after his death, didn't the atmosphere in Konoha suddenly improve?

The performance of his son, Kakashi, was the very benchmark of a qualified ninja, which proves that this approach was effective!

The era of Naruto was different; the wars had ended, and the internal contradictions of Konoha had shifted.

Moreover, the great and strongest Hokage, the Third Hokage, was essentially on his second term, and for the sake of stability, changes naturally had to be made, which led to that "harmonious, friendly, and bond-filled" Konoha.

Honestly, if the way Naruto and his peers carried out missions in the future were applied to the current era, they might end up in prison to reflect on their ways.

Of course, it is also possible that nothing would happen.

After all, those who survive a great disaster must have a backer, and Naruto's backer was very solid indeed.

"Of course, heaven knows if there was more to the death of the White Fang of the Leaf, considering how high his reputation was."

Hatake Sakumo's reputation was so high that some even shouted that he was the next Hokage, yet he was precisely not a person within the Second Hokage's system.

The current political system of Konoha can basically be seen as a massive clique of the Second Hokage's system; the five giants of Konoha were all his disciples!

Although they didn't have the ability to directly appoint the next Hokage like the Second Hokage did, they did have the ability to provide the talent.

Lu Xun once said: If everyone in line for a promotion is one of your own, what difference does it make who is appointed?

So, if you dare to challenge my authority and dare to show the brilliance of humanity during wartime, aren't you essentially buying a plot in the Pure Land?

Regardless of how Hatake Sakumo actually died, at least nominally, he saved people, delayed the war effort, and finally committed suicide out of shame.

And the environment Uchiha Sou and his team were in now was not the era of Naruto; even with the background of the Uchiha clan, that was more like a death warrant!

Don't look at how Konoha has no time to deal with you now; once the war ends, they will absolutely come for you with something big.

Just look at how, in just a few short years, the massive Uchiha clan was wiped out without a trace, and you'll understand.

"It's a good thing it was Anko who proposed it, otherwise..."

Although Uchiha Sou still felt a lingering fear, upon closer inspection, this plan didn't seem entirely impossible.

If you have few people, you look for more; if you can't find a team, you use prisoners to make up the numbers. Isn't that perfectly reasonable?

Besides, the prisoner groups are full of talent; who knows if you might strike gold? There might be medical ninjas, or even people who are intimately familiar with the enemy's rear in the Land of Whirlpools!

"Captain, can this really work?"

Inside a dense forest in the Land of Whirlpools, Uchiha Sou's squad maintained their formation, moving rapidly through the thicket.

Shiranui Genma, on his flank, quietly glanced at Anko not far away before turning his head to ask him in a low voice.

"Whether it works or not, it was Anko's idea anyway. If you really want to argue about it, remember to testify for me!"

Uchiha Sou immediately whispered a reply, and he made sure to emphasize the point.

Actually, there was a moment he truly suspected Anko was trying to trap him. Although he was the one who trapped others first, setting aside the facts, isn't doing this to him a bit impolite?

"Captain, you're being too cautious." Shiranui Genma couldn't help but laugh at the remark. "Actually, Captain, you didn't have to agree to it."

"Caution is necessary; don't forget it was you who reminded me about the White Fang of the Leaf." Uchiha Sou shook his head. "However, this proposal is indeed not bad, and I have my own thoughts."

Although Anko was truly a troublemaker, the suggestion she put forward did indeed plunge Uchiha Sou into deep thought.

Indeed, rescuing prisoners could invite huge trouble, and the number of guards watching them was unknown, which meant there was a huge risk.

But if you think about it carefully, if they could succeed, the value of these prisoners would be immeasurable!

"They are all people who have been treated to the Great Memory Recovery Jutsu countless times; they likely harbor deep hatred for the Mist Ninja in their hearts.

Moreover, many of the captured personnel were likely captured because their missions failed, and they are probably filled with guilt, wanting to make amends just like Anko and the others.

Of course, it is also possible that they confessed and were thrown aside, waiting to be exchanged as prisoners after the war.

But if such people were rescued, wouldn't other Konoha ninjas expose them?

Besides, if these people are rescued, they will definitely be filled with anxiety.

As long as we put them in a team with those who haven't confessed, they will definitely fight even harder to ensure there is less to account for after the war."

To put it bluntly, in an environment behind enemy lines where "there are no guns, no soldiers, and no organization," these prisoners would absolutely be the most desperate and obedient reinforcements!

It was because Uchiha Sou had figured all this out that he finally agreed to Anko's incredibly risky suggestion.

After their group proactively attacked a patrol squad and interrogated them using genjutsu, they obtained some interesting information.

Not far from their location was a camp, and inside it were many prisoners who were being prepared to be sent to the rear of Kirigakure!

Upon receiving this news, they immediately began their operation, and after half a day of traveling, they approached the target area.

"Captain, we've arrived."

Hyuga Tetsu gazed ahead with his Byakugan activated, lowering his voice as he spoke to Uchiha Sou and the others.

"The intel is accurate. There is a camp eight hundred meters ahead, guarded by approximately twenty ninja.

There are also twenty ninja being held in the cells, though all of their chakra has been sealed.

The nearest patrol squad is about a kilometer away, and I cannot see any further than that.

Therefore, we must act quickly; at the very least, we cannot let the patrol squad discover us, so that we may leave safely."

"Is that so? I understand."

Uchiha Sou nodded slightly upon hearing this, then cleared his mind of all distracting thoughts before speaking with utmost seriousness.

"Everyone, we have arrived. Anko, you stay behind to look after Uchiha Shizuka. Everyone else, prepare for battle!"

"Yes, Captain!"