One nation, one village, all on our Uchiha shoulders

Shimura Ganfū left with the Assault Battalion. Those who remained squatted in a circle, exchanging looks as the mood abruptly grew grim.

The Defense Squad led by Suzuri had eight ninja and five sectors to hold.

Forget the Explosion Corps—even an ordinary Stone Ninja Squad could easily break through any one of those sectors.

"Suzuri, you don't need to worry," Uchiha Ling said. "Just hang on for another day and a half. Hold out against the Explosion Corps' raids for that long, and the Rotation Squad will arrive."

Suzuri gave a bitter smile. How was that any different from waiting to die?

"Unlike our Support Squadron," Uchiha Ling continued. "We have to hold this place for over ten days. We'll be dying some pretty gruesome deaths by then."

"Even Shimura Ganfū's Assault Battalion was no match for the Explosion Corps. How much better could we possibly fare?

"Let's all die for the Hidden Leaf Village together. Think of it that way, and you can relax a little and enjoy your last few days alive."

Dule Jiong and the others looked increasingly ill.

He was right. Even the Second Assault Battalion was no match for the Explosion Corps. Weren't they just waiting to die?

Everyone turned to Squadron Commander Yuma.

Yuma's face was ashen. A wretched laugh escaped. "Wait to die, then. Let's all just wait to die."

Mitaraishi Anko shot Uchiha Ling a reproachful look. This was all his fault. He had mocked Squadron Commander Yuma so mercilessly that their commander had simply given up.

Uchiha Ling stood and clapped his hands. "Looks like I'll have to step in after all.

"Well, our Uchiha Clan is one of the two great ninja clans that founded the village, after all.

"The Hidden Leaf Village ran the Senju Clan into the ground.