The Wind Shadow and Tsuchikage Meet Again

Cold sweat mingled with rain as it ran down Fugaku's body. He retreated once more, focusing on Ōnoki, who hovered low above the ground.

Ōnoki's Dust Release was too dangerous. Fugaku had to give him his full attention. It had been a long time since he had felt so close to death.

The edge of life and death could bring out a ninja's potential, but Fugaku disliked having his life beyond his control.

It was time to consider the Uchiha's ultimate genjutsu, Izanagi. At the cost of blinding a Sharingan with at least three tomoe, it could turn any misfortune, even death, into a dream.

Behind him, Ōnoki gave no order to pursue recklessly. Zebon's death had put him on guard.

As a ninja who had lived since the Warring States era, Ōnoki had seen too many schemes. Konoha had surely laid a great many traps ahead.

Sending ninja after the enemy without caution might mean playing right into their hands.

Ōnoki descended slowly. "Stop the pursuit. Expand the patrol area and install lighting around the open ground outside the camp. Patrols must be able to spot infiltrating ninja from a distance."

"Yes, sir."

The Stone shinobi grew busy again. Iwagakure would not sleep that night. By the time they had cleared everything away and installed the lights, dawn had come.

At Konoha's ambush site, Fugaku and Hatake Sakumo led their team back toward Konoha Camp.

Fugaku and Hatake Sakumo entered the command tent. Orochimaru and Jiraiya had already returned.

"Lord Hokage."

The Third Hokage nodded. "Thank you for your efforts. How did it go?"

"Iwagakure didn't pursue us in force, but Sakumo and I killed Zebon, one of their senior officers," Fugaku said.

"Good. Ordinary ninja can be trained in numbers. Once they graduate from the Ninja Academy, they