Madness

Four jonin-Gentō, Shisui, Hizashi Hyuga, and Shinku Yuhi-were stationed in the underground command center.

The brothers Uchiha Inabi and Tekka stood quietly to one side, responsible for relaying intelligence and maintaining communications.

After hearing the reconnaissance captain's report, they all fell into thought.

Just then, a system notification sounded in Gentō's mind:

[Ding! The host has triggered a main quest.]

[Main quest issued: Kill at least five hundred Sunagakure ninja on the battlefield against Sunagakure.]

[Current progress: 0/500]

[Quest reward: Lottery draw ×1]

At least five hundred ninja?

Looking at the newly triggered quest, Gentō asked the reconnaissance captain:

"How many Sunagakure ninja are heading this way?"

"A little over a hundred."

At that answer, Gentō looked thoughtful.

"The Sunagakure ninja are certainly cautious. Even after their reconnaissance squads scouted the area, they still weren't satisfied and sent in an advance force."

The enemy's caution made Inabi uneasy.

"Could they... discover our ambush?"

Gentō shook his head.

"Other than Earth Release, conventional ninjutsu can't detect our concealed ninja or the Explosive Tags buried underground."

"And Sunagakure specializes in Wind Release. Even if a few of their ninja know Earth Release, they wouldn't use such conspicuous ninjutsu while sneaking into the Land of Fire."

"As for kekkei genkai... not every village has something like the Byakugan. Sunagakure only has a handful of kekkei genkai to begin with, so rest easy."

Hizashi Hyuga gave Gentō another look at that.

The other jonin also nodded inwardly at Gentō's clear, orderly analysis.

"Then how should we handle this advance force? They're about to enter the designated trap zone. Should we detonate the Explosive Tags?"

Gentō shook his head.

"I've prepared such a lavish feast. A mere few hundred ninja couldn't possibly finish it."

"Let them through."

Those around him reacted with varying expressions.

Hizashi Hyuga was the first to question him.

"But... isn't it unwise to let an entire force of ninja enter the Land of Fire?"

Gentō had only one response:

"I am the commander-in-chief!"

"...Yes, sir."

And so, the Sunagakure advance force met no resistance, passed safely through the trap zone, and entered the Land of Fire.

They pressed deeper into the country and soon reached the first town.

Sunasō Town lay on the border of the Land of Fire, with a permanent population of roughly a thousand.

Located on the edge of an area eroded by windblown sand, the town was known for basic mineral processing and its way station for camel caravans.

Although it employed ninja as guards, most of its defenders were ordinary soldiers.

That night, two soldiers on watch were chatting.

"Man, night watch is so boring. Wouldn't it be great if we were big-shot ninja? The mayor would send beautiful women to take care of me every night."

"Hmph, dream on. If anyone's got a chance of becoming a ninja, it's a handsome man like me."

Suddenly, a night breeze swept past.

Both soldiers were eerily sliced in half at the waist.

Blood splattered across the ground.

Even as they died, the two sentries never realized that their killers were the very big-shot ninja they longed to become.

Without pausing, a hundred Sunagakure ninja slipped swiftly into the town under cover of darkness.

Seasoned and experienced, they headed straight for the town's most luxurious rooms.

Sure enough, in several of the finest rooms, they found ninja enjoying themselves with multiple women.

These were also the town's only three ninja.

The Sunagakure ninja attacked without a word.

Within moments, Wind Blades sliced through the three Konoha ninja, killing them.

One ninja laughed excitedly to the man beside him.

"Captain, this is great! Konoha really hasn't prepared any defenses!"

The ninja leading them gave a cruel smile.

"In that case, carry out the mission as planned!"

At their captain's order, the surrounding ninja broke into ecstatic grins.

They scattered at once, rushing toward the townspeople's homes.

Their mission could be summed up in a single word: plunder!

The sound of doors being smashed open rang out one after another.

The Sunagakure ninja brutally kicked down doors and pressed gleaming Ninja Blades against the residents' throats.

"Hurry! Hand over everything valuable!"

Some trembled in terror and hastily dug out their hidden valuables.

Others hesitated for a moment and were cut down.

The Sunagakure ninja ransacked chests and cabinets, tore up floorboards, and smashed clay pots, leaving no possible hiding place for money untouched.

Gradually, sobbing and screams mingled into one continuous din.

Residents jolted awake tried to fight back, only to be effortlessly slain.

Children's cries were soon cut short.

Elderly people knelt and begged for mercy, yet still had their last meager savings taken.

There was nothing but greed in the Sunagakure ninja's eyes.

They ripped decorations from walls, pried open warehouse locks, hauled away grain jars, and stripped jewelry from the dead.

Everything of value-jewels, cash, antiques, medicinal herbs, ninja tools, and cloth-was plundered piece by piece and stuffed into the Sealing Scrolls they had brought.

Two hours later, the town had been stripped bare.

Neither the town treasury, the nobles' residences, nor ordinary homes had been spared.

"As expected of the Land of Fire. It really is rich... We looted nearly three hundred million ryo from this tiny place alone!"

The captain hefted the scroll in his hand and smiled in satisfaction.

A sleazy-looking Sunagakure ninja sidled up to him.

"Captain, the boys have been stuck at the border for far too long... The women in the Land of Fire are much prettier than the ones back in the Land of Wind. What do you think...?"

The captain immediately saw what his subordinate was after.

"Look at you. Is that all you can think about?"

He casually pointed at one man.

"You, go back and report the situation to Lord Satetsu. As for the rest of you..."

He glanced over his expectant subordinates and waved a hand.

"You have thirty minutes. Indulge yourselves as much as you like!"

With that, he headed for the mayor's residence before anyone else.

While looting earlier, he had noticed how alluring several of the mayor's concubines looked.

The ninja singled out looked reluctant, but he dared not disobey and could only turn and leave.

The other ninja cheered as soon as the captain finished speaking, then rushed into the town to find the women they had taken a fancy to.

Soon, women's screams echoed throughout the town once again.

Meanwhile, the messenger hurried back and reported the advance force's findings to Satetsu, the commander of this invasion of the Land of Fire.

After hearing the report, Satetsu ran his tongue over his dry lips, a gleam of greed flashing in his eyes.

"Relay my orders. All ninja are to advance at full speed and invade the Land of Fire!"

The order spread rapidly through the force.

When the thousand-plus Sunagakure ninja learned that the Land of Fire's border was undefended and received orders for an all-out attack, excitement surged through their ranks.

They knew full well how wealthy the Land of Fire was.

With Konoha yet to react, this was the perfect opportunity to plunder to their hearts' content.

Under the rules, they could pocket a full half of whatever wealth they seized!

Driven by greed, the Sunagakure ninja channeled chakra into their feet and surged madly into the Land of Fire.

Soon, more than a thousand Sunagakure ninja had unknowingly entered the trap Gentō had laid.