Attacking the Heart and Sacrificing a Pawn

Under Nawaki's supervision, Kusagakure's higher-ups worked with astonishing efficiency this time. Nawaki and his group had stormed into Kusagakure at six in the morning, and before seven, all thirty thousand Kusagakure ninja had assembled.

Aside from a small number of ninja left behind for defense, the vast majority of Kusagakure's forces headed straight for the Rock Ninja's rear under Nawaki's command. Most of the higher-ups, including Kusagakure's leader, joined the expedition as well. It could not be helped—this was practically all of Kusagakure's assets. They had to keep an eye on them in case Nawaki ran off with them or used them as cannon fodder.

Nawaki was also happy to have those higher-ups accompany them. Although the Kusagakure ninja did not dare disobey him due to Skywalker's fearsome reputation, the two sides were too unfamiliar with one another, and the quality of Kusagakure's Shinobi Army was not high. It would be difficult for him alone to command them effectively in battle. With those higher-ups around, he only needed to control the overall direction, while they handled the finer details.

Nawaki's main objective this time was to completely block the retreat of Iwagakure's ten-thousand-man force. As for the Kusagakure ninja, he truly did not think much of them. If he could have stopped the enemy by himself, he would never have brought them along. Besides, commanding such a ragtag Shinobi Army was beneath him. If they lost, it would be a tremendous embarrassment.

Kakashi and Rin, who had been following Nawaki like inconspicuous shadows, now admired him immensely. They had watched the entire process of Nawaki forcing all of Kusagakure to bow their heads and obey him by himself. They felt that their teacher was truly imposing; in the entire Shinobi World, only he could accomplish something so miraculous. Both of