Uchiha Yao's gaze swept across every captain present.
"I need to remind you of one thing."
"In war, there will be sacrifices."
"I permit casualties. That is the resolve every ninja who sets foot on the battlefield must possess."
"But I will never tolerate mission failure caused by anyone's stupidity, arrogance, or hesitation!"
"Do you understand?"
"Yes!"
Dozens of elite jonin roared in unison, their voices filled with fervor.
"Very good."
Uchiha Yao nodded.
"Go."
"Collect your mission scrolls and maps."
"Then let the yellow sands of the Land of Wind witness Konoha's fangs!"
"Yes!"
Shikaku Nara waved his hand.
"Proceed in squad order and collect your missions!"
The ANBU members, who had long been prepared, stepped forward carrying sealed scrolls.
"First Squad, Captain Hyuga Shigetoku!"
"Present!"
"Second Squad, Captain Inuzuka Gaku!"
"Present!"
"Third Squad..."
One by one, elite jonin renowned throughout Konoha stepped forward and solemnly accepted the scrolls assigned to their teams.
The captains who received their missions immediately turned and left the command room to gather their members.
The entire process was grim and efficient.
Just a few minutes later.
"Hokage-sama, all forces have departed."
Shikaku Nara walked over to Uchiha Yao's side and spoke in a low voice.
"Mm."
Uchiha Yao nodded.
Under the cover of night, twenty squads rapidly rushed toward thirty-seven targets along the Land of Wind's border.
Land of Wind, border line, Outpost No. 17.
The night wind howled, whipping up grains of sand that struck the outpost walls with rustling sounds.
On the watchtower, two sand ninja hunched their necks against the desert night's chill.
"Damn it, this godforsaken weather isn't fit for people."
One of the sand ninja, a scar-faced man, breathed warm air into his palms and grumbled.
"Hang in there, Takahashi."
The younger ninja beside him offered comfort.