"Lady Tsunade, the Sand Ninja are actively infiltrating the border of the Land of Rain. Unlike their elite-squad strategy in the previous phase, this time they've clearly switched to a multi-pronged human-wave offensive."
Not long after Soji left, Inoue Reina arrived with the newly received intelligence and knocked on the Slug Princess's door.
It seemed that although the woman nominally in charge of the Communications Squad kept a low profile in her day-to-day work, her actual authority far exceeded what one would expect from someone handling communications alone.
At least, judging by the way she and Tsunade interacted, she hardly seemed to be a mere messenger.
"I understand. Notify the border troops to gradually fall back and, as planned, use the rugged terrain between Kikyo Castle and Jingu Forest to establish successive defensive lines."
"That will effectively make it easier for the Sand Ninja to infiltrate the border, Lady Tsunade."
"I know." She swept her pale-yellow hair aside and casually tied it into a short ponytail at the back of her head. "This is the decision I reached with the Hokage before I left."
"Yes. I'll relay your orders immediately."
Inoue Reina bowed her head. As usual, her voice revealed no obvious emotion.
But after receiving her orders this time, she didn't leave at once. Instead, she lifted a page with her little finger, opened the notebook in her hand, then took a quick-drying pen from the upper-left pocket of her vest.
"Is there any information about Special Envoy Yamada Soji or Chief Usami Hanbei that you'd like me to verify or report?"
"I've decided to wait until the main force reaches Jingu Forest before dealing with that. The matter is serious, and Teacher Hiruzen repeatedly warned me to proceed with caution before I left."
"Understood. I'll take my leave