Baiyun Zaojian's Resolve

He pointed to the southwest of the sand table:

"According to the Hyuga Clan's reconnaissance, Hidden Sand's southern forces now probably have only a little over three hundred men left."

"And to counter our strategy of concentrating superior forces to encircle and annihilate them, they have basically abandoned their scattered harassment tactics and built a solid defensive line around Broken-Spine Valley and the high ground on both sides."

"Who their commander is no longer matters. What matters is that we smash them!"

Baki: Am I really that insignificant?!

"So I will personally lead three hundred ninjas from the main camp's forces in a frontal assault on the entrance to Broken-Spine Valley!"

He pointed to the southern side of Broken-Spine Valley:

"Additionally, organize two elite companies of two hundred men each to launch feints and harassment attacks from the high ground on both sides! Divide Hidden Sand's defensive strength and create an opening for the main force's assault!"

"Also, intelligence indicates that Hidden Sand's elite puppeteer, Chahachiro, is leading a force composed of remaining puppeteers in the area of Gale-Splitting Gorge, northwest of Broken-Spine Valley. Their number is around thirty."

"These puppeteers are highly mobile and skilled at remote control and poison techniques. If we let them operate on our flank, they could launch harassment attacks against our main force at any time, or even use the terrain to ambush our supply lines or medical stations."

The command tent fell silent as everyone absorbed this new intelligence. The veteran ninjas present all knew perfectly well how troublesome puppeteers could be on the battlefield.

Baiyun Zaojian swept his gaze over the crowd.

"So, I hope someone can lead a squad to wipe them out and completely eliminate those bastards."

Before anyone else could take on the task, a calm voice carrying unquestionable resolve rang out.

"Lord Baiyun."

Everyone's eyes instantly focused on Uchiha Lan, who had spoken.

He still wore that unruffled expression, his black eyes as deep as the night.

"So?"

Baiyun Zaojian stared sharply at Uchiha Lan. He already had a guess in mind.

"Leave it to me."

Uchiha Lan's tone was calm, yet filled with absolute confidence.

"My squad excels at high-speed raids and precise strikes. The terrain of Gale-Splitting Gorge is also favorable for us."

"While the main force assaults Broken-Spine Valley, I'll lead my team to deal with Chahachiro and his puppeteer force, pulling out this thorn from our flank."

Baiyun Zaojian made his decision after less than three seconds of thought.

"Good!"

"Captain Uchiha Lan is Konoha Spark, the nemesis of Hidden Sand's puppeteers. With you handling Chahachiro and his puppeteer force, I can rest easy!"

"Haha!"

"I agree. They say Captain Uchiha Lan's swordsmanship carries the bearing of the White Fang of Konoha. Taking care of those puppeteers will surely be easy for him."

A wave of good-natured laughter rose through the main camp.

Though he was from the Uchiha Clan, he did not have that attitude of acting as if heaven was first and he was second. He was powerful without being arrogant, and he was a dependable comrade on the battlefield.

Besides, capturing over a hundred Hidden Sand ninjas with a single squad was more than enough to prove his strength.

"To ensure nothing goes wrong, Captain Uchiha Lan, aside from your own squad, I'll assign you two Chunin squads as well. That's twenty experienced Chunin in total, all under your command!"

Baiyun Zaojian looked at Uchiha Lan and emphasized,

"Your objective is to annihilate or severely cripple Chahachiro's puppeteer force and eliminate the threat they pose to the main battlefield! Once the mission is complete, decide based on the situation whether to immediately return and support the main battlefield!"

"Understood." Uchiha Lan accepted decisively, without the slightest hesitation.

He already knew that Chahachiro was the puppeteer who had released poison that night. Taking this mission was also a chance to settle both old and new grudges at once!

That had been the first time he had truly felt the threat of death. How could he not hate the man?

Baiyun Zaojian looked over everyone again, his tone resolute.

"All units, return and prepare immediately. At dawn, the general assault begins! In this battle, victory is our only option!"

"Yes!!!"

Their thunderous response rang out once more, filled with grim fighting spirit.

Uchiha Lan said no more. He turned and strode out of the command tent.

"Tekka, Inasui, Daotian!"

When Lan returned to the squad's station, he briefly explained their mission before stressing,

"Make sure all ninja tools are ready for battle. As for the money we earned, take out ten million ryo and exchange it for the finest Explosive Tags and medical supplies, especially antidotes. Get the best and newest ones."

"Buy the Explosive Tags from Cat Granny. If we can't obtain antidotes from the medical camp, buy any extras other ninjas have. Tell them we need them because we're going after Hidden Sand's puppeteers, who are the best at using poison."

"Understood!"

The three answered in unison.

"Oh, right. Remember, be polite. Don't make it seem like we're doing them a favor. Be generous with the money—anything under one hundred thousand ryo is fine!"

"Don't worry, Captain Lan. This time, we'll protect you. We definitely won't let those rats find a chance to poison you."

"Exactly!"

Uchiha Lan: Give me a break. Once we're on the battlefield, isn't it obvious who's protecting whom? My poison resistance is poor, but it's not like you're any better!

Seeing the excitement gleaming in their eyes, Uchiha Lan could not bring himself to dampen their enthusiasm.

Hunting puppeteers? That was one of the Uchiha squad's greatest specialties. With old and new grudges combined, this was the perfect chance to settle everything.

As for those twenty Chunin? In their eyes, they were merely support forces meant to seal off the battlefield and prevent any fish from slipping through the net.

The real hunt still had to be carried out by the Uchiha.

But in the past, these had always been battles of many against few, and he had been able to keep an eye on them.

This time, it might be positional warfare or a hard-fought assault. If he did not use Susanoo, he really might not be able to protect these three idiots.

It had to be said that perhaps because he had lived two lives, despite being the youngest, he was the most mature member of the entire squad.

As dawn rose, the darkness before daybreak gradually faded.

The mountains in southern Land of Rivers lay dormant in deathly silence. Only the biting wind slipped through the jagged rocks of Broken-Spine Valley, letting out a mournful howl.

Suddenly, a signal flare shot into the sky.

Bang!

"Kill—!"

Thunderous battle cries tore through the predawn silence like a clap of thunder!

Fierce fighting immediately erupted on the high ground on both sides of Broken-Spine Valley as Konoha's two elite feint forces launched their attacks without hesitation.

The flashes of Wind Release and Fire Release intertwined across the ridges, firmly drawing Hidden Sand's attention.

The cold gleam of kunai and the blaze of Explosive Tags lit up the valley in an instant, while the roar of clashing ninjutsu echoed through the heavens.

As the Hidden Sand ninjas hurried to support both flanks,

the main force personally led by Baiyun Zaojian struck the valley entrance like a massive iron hammer.

Countless ninjas wearing Konoha forehead protectors surged forth beneath the faint light of dawn, charging directly at Hidden Sand's central position in Broken-Spine Valley with overwhelming force.

"Not good! Communications unit, quickly inform Lord Baki! Konoha's main force is at the central valley entrance!"

"These Konoha ninjas are crafty, very crafty!"