Chapter 57: Lion
Seventy kilometers northeast of the border between the Land of Frost and the Land of Hot Water.
A convoy wound its way forward. It was not moving quickly, but the formation was tight and highly disciplined.
This was a transport unit under the Hidden Cloud Village, carrying supplies essential to the front lines: ninja tools, food and water, medical equipment, and more.
Although the main transport personnel were genin and ordinary civilians, Hidden Cloud Village had dispatched two jonin for protection. There were also five chunin squads accompanying them. Ordinarily, this force could have marched unhindered across the Land of Frost, yet the atmosphere within the Hidden Cloud transport convoy was grave. Few spoke along the way.
"What a bunch of cowards. Ordinary people are one thing, but shinobi clutching kunai like timid fools—can they even call themselves ninja?" One of the Hidden Cloud Village jonin suddenly spoke. His skin was the bronze color common in the Land of Lightning, and his temperament was equally fiery and blunt. "We haven't even reached the front lines, and they're already this scared. If they really have to fight those bastards from Hidden Leaf Village..."
"Enough, Jujiro." The jonin beside him gave him a light shove. "Chakra gives us strength, but that doesn't mean we should lose all sense of awe."
"Save the empty talk." Uda Jujiro shrugged impatiently. "This is a battlefield of life and death, not a place for your sentimental rambling. If we don't even have the courage to wield a blade, how is the Land of Lightning supposed to win this war?"
"Under Lord Raikage's leadership, victory will ultimately belong to us. Hidden Leaf Village is strong, but that's already in the past." Something called fanaticism filled his companion's eyes. "Lord A is invincible."
"Of course!"