At the border of the Land of Fire, deep within a dense forest, the setting sun was as red as blood.
Dozens of Hidden Stone Village ninja spread out in a fan formation, surrounding Hatake Sakumo at the center.
Fierce killing intent filled their faces as Earth Release chakra surged beneath their feet, ready to unleash fatal attacks at any moment.
The Hidden Stone Village Jonin at their head sneered, his voice hoarse and grating:
"Leaf Village's White Fang—are you trying to start a war between our two nations?"
Sakumo did not move.
His right hand rested on the hilt of the short blade on his back, silver-white bangs obscuring half his face.
Only a pair of calm, water-like eyes remained visible. Facing dozens of enemies, his breathing did not falter in the slightest.
"War?"
His voice was not loud, yet it reached every ear clearly:
"Since when had Leaf Village ever feared war?"
The Hidden Stone Village Jonin's expression stiffened.
"You—"
Just then, a hoarse shout came from the distance:
"Lord Sakumo!"
Sakumo's gaze shifted slightly.
Beside a huge boulder not far away, a man covered in blood was pinned to the ground by two Hidden Stone ninja. He was a Leaf Village intelligence agent stationed at the border. His intelligence uniform had been torn open, exposing dense layers of bandages underneath.
"Lord Sakumo!" He struggled desperately, his voice ragged. "Don't worry about me! Go to the outpost! Take the intelligence back! The location—"
Before he could finish.
A Hidden Stone ninja smashed a fist into the back of his head. He groaned, went limp, and collapsed unconscious on the ground.
Sakumo's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Did you see that, White Fang?" A Hidden Stone Village Chunin grinned viciously.
"Your man is in our hands. If you know what's good