Rescue (Please Follow the New Book)

Shiranui Genma was full of questions about Uchiha Sou's plans.

But he knew it was probably best not to ask.

It wasn't that he didn't want to rescue the Konoha squad. They were from his village, and he was always willing to help anyone who got into trouble.

It was just that Konoha's current situation, the mission they were carrying out, and what had happened back then all made it his duty to remind his captain to be careful.

But his captain had already made a decision, and it involved a plan. So he figured he should just follow orders.

But I need to tell Might Guy. If we don't find them, I can't let him go blabbing about this!

Shiranui Genma thought to himself. If they didn't find the squad, it was better to keep quiet about it. After all, that could be considered a failure to act in time.

As for finding them and carrying out the rescue, that wasn't his concern. How to handle it was up to Uchiha Sou, their captain.

The three of them moved quickly, making their way forward under cover of darkness. Eventually, they stopped in a wooded area.

Might Guy probably felt guilty. Their previous battle had broken out because he gave away their position, costing them the best chance to launch a surprise attack.

So he volunteered to keep watch, intending to let Uchiha Sou and Shiranui Genma get some rest.

Shiranui Genma couldn't match Might Guy's stamina, so naturally he didn't refuse. Uchiha Sou also had more important things to do.

As a member of the Uchiha Clan, it was only natural that the job of interrogation fell to him.

Looks like I need to work on my genjutsu once we make it back.

The existence of the Sharingan had given the Shinobi World a common misconception: that all members of the Uchiha Clan were skilled at genjutsu.

That was wrong, but the belief was deeply rooted. In truth, not every Uchiha was good at genjutsu, even if they had awakened the Sharingan.

It was more accurate to say that the Sharingan helped Uchiha avoid genjutsu to some extent and made it easier for them to cast it.

Fortunately, Uchiha Sou's genjutsu skills were still decent, even if most of the genjutsu he used came from the Sharingan itself.

That was more than enough for him. He wasn't trying to mesmerize people like Uchiha Itachi. All he needed was to make an enemy lose focus for a moment.

Ninja battles were often decided in an instant, with life and death hanging in the balance. There was no need for him to resort to flashy tricks.

Still, genjutsu like that wasn't especially useful for interrogating people.

Fortunately, the people he was questioning had already been beaten half to death and were dazed. And his Sharingan had reached the Three Tomoe stage. No matter how strong their will was, they couldn't hold out.

Early the next morning, after interrogating the last Mist Ninja Chunin—the one whose younger brother had been killed by a Konoha Ninja—Uchiha Sou simply pulled out a kunai and put him out of his misery.

"Captain, what did you find out?"

Shiranui Genma had naturally seen what Uchiha Sou did. Curious, he came over from a distance to ask, and Might Guy came over as well.

"I got some information. They're a three-man squad."

Uchiha Sou made no attempt to hide anything and quickly explained.

"They fled northeast. One of them is from the Hyuga Clan, and three squads are pursuing them. Each one has a Jonin leading it."

"Then what are we waiting for, Captain?" As soon as Uchiha Sou finished speaking, Might Guy chimed in. "Let's go rescue them!"

"Could you calm down for once?" Shiranui Genma gave Might Guy a helpless look. Why did this guy get so fired up so easily?

After hearing the information, Shiranui Genma already felt there was no need to rescue the squad.

It wasn't that he didn't care whether they lived or died. He just didn't think the squad was likely to run into much trouble.

There was a member of the Hyuga Clan in the group. As long as the others didn't do anything foolish, followed his lead to evade the pursuers, and stayed clear of the enemy camp ahead, they should be fine, however you looked at it.

If that was the case, why did their squad need to go rescue them?

Still, that was just his opinion. What they actually did was up to Uchiha Sou.

"Judging by the timing, that squad is about half a day ahead of us."

Uchiha Sou thought it over before speaking.

"We should be able to catch up. They'll have to evade the enemy, so they probably won't move very fast from here on. Let's go."

"Yes, Captain!" Might Guy nodded excitedly at once. Shiranui Genma hesitated for a moment, then nodded too.

With their objective settled, the three of them set off at once. They were extremely cautious, though, because they were about to enter Kirigakure-controlled territory.

Might Guy continued to lead the way, with Uchiha Sou and Shiranui Genma flanking him from behind. Shiranui Genma remained quiet throughout the journey.

At last, just before they reached enemy-controlled territory, he spoke in a low voice. "Captain, this rescue isn't really necessary. Is it part of your plan?"

"Yes."

Uchiha Sou knew Shiranui Genma was perceptive. And since they were all taking on the risk of this mission together, he saw no reason to hide his intentions.

"Our forces are too spread out on this mission, and we have no way to share information with each other. That means we can't get a clear picture of what's happening behind enemy lines."

"But the point of that is to prevent one squad from being exposed and captured, which would put all the squads in danger."

Shiranui Genma remained calm. He thought the arrangement might not be ideal, but at least it kept everyone safer.

"That's true. But have you thought about where we are right now?"

Uchiha Sou didn't disagree with Shiranui Genma. Instead, he began to guide him toward the answer.

"The Land of Whirlpools, Captain." Shiranui Genma wasn't sure what Uchiha Sou meant, but he thought it over as he answered.

"And what is the relationship between the Land of Whirlpools and Konoha? For that matter, what is its relationship with Kirigakure?"

"Konoha has always been an ally of the Land of Whirlpools, while Kirigakure has been an invader from the start."

"Then who do you think hates Kirigakure the most? And before we set out, you should have learned where Kirigakure's forces are currently deployed."

Uchiha Sou stopped there, and Shiranui Genma sank into thought.

He was a smart man. He might seem lazy at times, but when it mattered, he was absolutely reliable at analyzing intelligence.

Uchiha Sou remembered that, in the future, this guy had fought Maki during the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Sure enough, with Uchiha Sou's hints, he thought it over and gradually understood what his captain meant.

"Captain, are you planning to use the civilians to shelter us and work with us to attack Kirigakure?" Shiranui Genma asked.

"Exactly. They know the Land of Whirlpools best, and they hate Kirigakure the most."

Uchiha Sou nodded and spoke calmly.

"With their help, we can be at our most effective in enemy-controlled territory.

Never underestimate ordinary people. Give them a chance, and they can turn the tide of an entire war."