Ninja Army Marches Out, Leaving Not a Blade of Grass

At that moment, the command tent was brightly lit, and the atmosphere was even more solemn than outside.

At the head of the table, Orochimaru's golden snake eyes swept over the people arriving one after another.

Shikaku Nara stood beside him, his brows tightly furrowed as his fingers unconsciously tapped against the table.

Representatives of the major clans and unit commanders had also taken their places.

"Is everyone here?"

Orochimaru's voice was hoarse and direct, without the slightest pleasantry.

"We just received urgent intelligence from Mount Kikyo via a summoned beast."

"Hidden Sand's main force, numbering over three thousand, launched an all-out offensive at dusk under the personal command of Chiyo and Ebizo!"

"The front lines are in critical condition. The first, second, and third defensive lines have been breached, with heavy casualties! The Mount Kikyo fortress has urgently requested aid from Konoha!"

A chorus of sharp intakes of breath rose within the tent.

Mount Kikyo was an important barrier guarding the northwestern gateway to the Land of Fire. Once it fell, Hidden Sand's army would be able to drive straight into the heartland of the Land of Fire.

"How could it have happened so quickly?"

A Jonin from the Hyuga Clan could not help asking, "Wasn't Hidden Sand still regrouping in Kikyo City?"

"Exactly, and isn't the timing of the battle strange? Why launch the attack at dusk?"

"Intelligence indicates that after plundering Kikyo City's wealth and strategic supplies, they employed some new poison mist and puppet coordination tactics. Combined with Rasa's Magnet Release, which altered the terrain across a wide area, they caught us completely off guard."

"The explosive tags and various traps our defenders had laid beforehand were nearly all rendered ineffective."

"As for why they moved so suddenly, they probably wanted to use the cover of darkness to make their surprise attack easier."

Shikaku Nara took over in a grave voice. His usual calm remained, but it could not conceal his deep concern.

"Frontline commander Shinku Yuhi believes Chiyo is going all out, intending to win everything in a single battle and take Mount Kikyo completely!"

"Although Mount Kikyo has gathered all of Konoha's ninja forces in the northern Land of Rivers, they were likely badly crippled by this surprise assault. Even Jonin Shinku was seriously injured by that Gold Dust ninja, Rasa."

"Fortunately, we have already sent Inoichi to lead a thousand-man advance force to the battlefield. As long as they can hold Hidden Sand back for three days, our main army will be able to arrive in time to support them."

A cold glint flashed through Orochimaru's golden vertical pupils.

"There is no time to hesitate. The Mount Kikyo defensive line could be breached at any moment. What condition are the five thousand main-force ninja, who rested during the day, in?"

The Jonin in charge of preparations immediately answered, "Reporting to Lord Orochimaru, they have finished resting, supplies are sufficient, and they can enter combat at any time!"

"Good."

Orochimaru abruptly rose to his feet, a powerful presence radiating from him.

"Pass down the order: the entire army breaks camp immediately! Destination—Mount Kikyo! Forced march! We must reach the battlefield before noon on the fourth day!"

"Marching at night?" someone cried softly.

Night marches were extremely risky, especially when the enemy situation was unclear.

"There is no time to wait until dawn. Besides, they have rested long enough!"

Orochimaru's voice was resolute.

"The sooner the main army arrives, the greater our chances of victory!"

"Nara, arrange the marching route and formation. The Hyuga Clan will handle reconnaissance and vigilance throughout the journey. The Aburame Clan will clear any traps that may be present. If anything blocks the ninja army's path, pull it out—even if it is a single blade of grass!"

"The Inuzuka Clan will be responsible for tracking and countertracking any disruptive ambush units! As for the Uchiha..."

"Uchiha Lan's squad will be led by Baiyun Zaojian. Cooperate with the thousand-man garrison force to resist and wipe out Hidden Sand's southern army."

"Yes!"

All the commanders responded in unison, with no further objections. Once the war machine began to move, its efficiency was astonishing.

Of course, this had nothing to do with Uchiha Lan and his group. Orochimaru had considered that his future disciple was injured, so he simply decided to let him settle his score here first.

In his view, every Uchiha was proud and arrogant. Uchiha Lan, who had nearly been killed by a Hidden Sand puppeteer, would definitely not let go of the chance for revenge.

And he would cleverly grasp Orochimaru's intentions, become sincerely grateful to him, and gradually take on his shape.

But Orochimaru had clearly miscalculated this time. When Uchiha Tetsuka rushed in to tell the recently awakened Uchiha Lan about it—

Uchiha Lan on the surface: he hammered the wooden bed with all his might, filled with indignation that his injuries had kept him from taking the battlefield and winning glory.

Uchiha Lan in reality: he used his little fist to hide the upturned corners of his mouth, while inwardly he was already overjoyed!

"What?! Staying behind?!"

"Cough, cough..." Uchiha Lan abruptly sat up from the crude wooden bed, the large movement tugging at his wound. (Though it had actually healed for the most part, he still had to keep up the act.)

He slammed his fist hard against the bedboard, producing a dull bang, and his face instantly filled with unwillingness and fury.

"Outrageous! Just because of this little injury... this little injury! With the great battle at Mount Kikyo imminent, I, Uchiha Lan, can... can only stay here and watch?!"

"Lord Orochimaru has underestimated the resolve of the Uchiha Clan!"

His voice trembled just enough, proof that he was forcibly suppressing his anger.

His dark eyes shone with the light of "humiliation," his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, as though he had suffered an immense injustice.

His acting was so exquisite that even he nearly believed it.

Uchiha Daosui, who knew him well, seemed to see through something. He hurried forward to support him, afraid that too much movement would tear open his wound.

"Captain Lan! Calm down! Your injuries haven't fully healed yet! That was a puppeteer's deadly poison—it nearly took your life! Lord Orochimaru asked you to stay behind because he was considering your physical condition too!"

The simple-minded Uchiha Inada nodded repeatedly, concern written across his face.

"That's right, Captain. Mount Kikyo is likely where the main forces will clash. It will be incredibly dangerous."

"If you go now and your injuries flare up, or residual poison affects your performance, that would be truly dangerous! Staying here to recover your strength is the wise choice."

Tetsuka looked at his "agitated" captain with both consolation and shared hostility toward the enemy.

"Daotian and Inasui are right. Besides, Captain Lan, who says staying behind means you cannot achieve anything?"

A sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. "Lord Orochimaru's order is for us to cooperate with Jonin Baiyun Zaojian and lead a thousand garrison troops to resist and eliminate Hidden Sand's southern army!"

Inasui immediately caught on, his eyes lighting up.

"That's right! That sinister puppeteer who ambushed you with poisoned needles and poisonous smoke! He could very well be among that southern army!"

Daotian eagerly chimed in as well.

"Exactly! Captain Lan, you nearly died at his hands. Shouldn't that blood debt be repaid? Rather than fighting alongside the main army at Mount Kikyo, why not stay here and drag that bastard out yourself? With our Sharingan, let him taste the fury of the Uchiha Clan!"

The three of them spoke over one another, their core idea remarkably unified.

Recovering from his injuries was important, but revenge was even more important! Staying behind was not a punishment—it was the perfect opportunity to personally settle a private grudge!