Konoha's command post on the Land of Lightning front was set up in a dense forest within the Land of Fire. The camp was surrounded by towering trees, whose thick foliage even blocked out the sunlight. Sheltered by the woods and protected by a barrier, the camp was well hidden.
When Jiraiya returned to camp with his troops, the sight before him left him rooted to the spot at the entrance.
The sprawling camp was filled with wounded, while medical ninja hurried among them. The number of casualties had surged dramatically this time. Even the area set aside for the Medical Corps was full, forcing them to place some of the injured at the open camp entrance.
"What on earth happened?!"
"Aburame Shikuroo! Where is Aburame Shikuroo?!"
The sight of the wounded across the camp was appalling. Jiraiya recognized some of them and knew they belonged to Konoha's Surprise Attack Force—the elite unit that Uzumaki Kuming had led in an assault on the Land of Earth. Later, after Uzumaki Kuming received a new assignment, the force had been sent to support the Land of Lightning front under Aburame Shikuroo's command.
Although Jiraiya was the unit's highest-ranking commander, his role was limited to assigning missions. The force's former senior officer, Aburame Shikuroo, was responsible for carrying them out.
Jiraiya remembered clearly that he had assigned Aburame Shikuroo to guard the Land of Fire. He couldn't understand how such a mission could have left the Surprise Attack Force with so many wounded.
"Reporting! Deputy Captain Shikuroo is gravely injured and receiving treatment from the Medical Corps!"
A lightly wounded ninja rose to report from the clearing.
"You're with the Surprise Attack Force, aren't you? Tell me, what happened?"
"You were supposed to be carrying out a security mission. Why are there so