Konoha had also gathered the shinobi who were free in the village, assembling more than ten Jonin and over two hundred Chunin. They left some behind on standby, and Sarutobi Hiruzen ultimately decided to send eleven Jonin and one hundred Chunin.
The eleven Jonin stood in the Hokage Office. Hatake Sakumo, Tsunade, and Dan Katō were among them. After appointing Hatake Sakumo captain of the support mission, Sarutobi Hiruzen left it to him to assign the personnel to each team.
Hatake Sakumo led the other Jonin to the hall beneath the Hokage Administration Building. He had the ten Jonin besides himself form ten squads, each leading ten Chunin. Once the assignments were settled, he announced the start of the mission, and they set out from the village for the eastern coastline of the Land of Fire.
On their way to Uzushio Village after landing in the Land of Whirlpools, Jiraiya and the others, who were serving as the vanguard, were attacked more than once. Fortunately, Hyuga Shinichi spotted each attack with his Byakugan.
Their opponents weren't very strong, but there were so many of them that the group's progress toward Uzushio Village slowed.
"When is this going to end? This is basically a suicide attack!"
Hyuga Shinichi cut one man down with his sword, only for another fearless attacker to charge at him. Shinichi had no choice but to swing his sword and fight him off again.
Just then, fog began to gather around them. Jiraiya, who had plenty of combat experience, was the first to realize something was wrong and called out a warning.
"Everyone, stay alert and gather together! It's Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!"
As soon as Jiraiya finished speaking, the mist engulfed the Konoha shinobi and blocked their vision. Anyone who moved too far away from