Ken Aburame received orders. He left Kawadera's squad and was assigned to the vanguard alone.
When he arrived at the vanguard and saw so many members of his clan around him, he understood that the vanguard needed the Aburame Clan's abilities.
He was assigned to Seiei Senju's squad.
This squad's lineup was no worse than Kawadera's squad.
Seiei Senju and Mitarashi Wa were both jonin. He was a chunin, and the other member was Nawaki, the young clan head.
The commander of the vanguard was Princess Tsunade.
The command headquarters must have had its reasons for arranging things this way.
As he walked, Ken Aburame suddenly realized that everyone around him either had a strong constitution or possessed detoxification abilities.
Then... were they deliberately going to be poisoned?
Were they being sent to take in the poison like a vaccination, so they could study it and develop a countermeasure for Sunagakure's new poison?
Wasn't the price too great?
Ken Aburame did not know the higher-ups' plans and had never attended a jonin council meeting. He had guessed part of the truth, but could only continue forward in fear.
The vanguard rapidly advanced toward the capital of the Land of Waves.
Along the way, Nawaki Senju quietly asked Ken Aburame, "Brother Ken, did Senior Kawadera tell you anything about our mission?"
"No. Kawadera didn't tell me anything."
Ken Aburame had his suspicions, but he could not say anything.
Nawaki Senju spoke mysteriously, "I overheard a few fragments. They said that after the Sand Ninja discovered Konoha had dispatched a large force, they advanced toward the capital of the Land of River to force Konoha into a decisive battle.
"Looks like the Sand Ninja came fully prepared and think they can defeat us!"
Hearing this, Ken Aburame knew that Nawaki Senju knew