Cruelty and Despair

Hatake Sakumo nodded slightly, his expression grave. "That's right. Our priority is gathering intelligence and finding any clue to the enemy command center's location."

He fell silent, his brow furrowed in thought.

"The prisoners might give us a lead. Maybe we can get something useful out of them."

Uchiha Lan's eyes flickered as he offered his suggestion.

Yūhi Aburame frowned. "Getting intelligence from prisoners won't be easy. Most of them won't talk. But we could try other methods, like psychological tactics."

Resolve flashed in Hatake Sakumo's eyes. "All right. Let's do it."

The three of them got to work at once.

After considerable effort, they obtained fragments of information from the prisoners. Careful analysis gave them a rough direction for the enemy command center.

"We have a destination, but the route will be dangerous."

Sakumo Hatake studied the map, his expression stern.

"No matter what stands in our way, we have to try. For Konoha, and for our wounded comrades."

Determination shone in Uchiha Lan's eyes.

Yūhi Aburame nodded solemnly. "If we work together, we can get through this. We have to win."

After a brief rest, the three set out quietly in the chosen direction.

They slipped like ghosts through dense forest and rugged hills, carefully avoiding enemy patrols.

Uchiha Lan used a small Sensory Ninjutsu and focused on every movement around them.

A moment later, he whispered, "There's a small enemy squad ahead. It looks like an ambush."

Hatake Sakumo and Yūhi Aburame exchanged a knowing glance, and all three quickly concealed themselves.

Sakumo Hatake's gaze sharpened. The White Fang Ninja Blade gleamed in his hand, ready to strike.

Yūhi Aburame silently summoned several Kikaichū, preparing to attack from the flank.

As the enemies drew closer, Sakumo Hatake struck like lightning. The White Fang Ninja Blade flashed, blood