After that little incident, the conversation naturally turned to the threat from Kumogakure.
"Kumogakure probably won't let this go after their failure," Shikaku reasoned. "They've coveted the Nine-Tails' power for a long time. The village will definitely tighten security around Kushina now."
Inoichi added gently, "And this may also mean Kumogakure will make moves on other fronts. We need to stay alert."
After discussing Kumogakure and the Land of Rain front, Shinji turned to the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio. "Shikaku, Choza, Inoichi, what about you? I heard you graduated early too. Which front are you on now?"
Shikaku Nara put down his chopsticks and rubbed his shoulders, still looking rather languid. "We were assigned to the Land of Earth front, fighting those rockheads from Iwagakure."
Choza Akimichi grumbled through a mouthful of meat, "The Stone Ninja's Earth Release defenses are too tough. Fighting them is hard work! And they're relentless. They just keep coming in waves, like the tide."
Inoichi Yamanaka nodded. His tone remained calm, but his words were anything but reassuring. "Iwagakure's ninja are highly disciplined and coordinate well. They have a strong advantage in large-scale battles. We're mainly holding defensive positions and carrying out small-scale infiltration and harassment missions over there. The pressure is considerable. Lately, Iwagakure seems to be sending in reinforcements. I'm afraid a larger conflict is coming."
Shinji listened closely. The Iwagakure front was completely different from Kirigakure's treacherous dangers and the Land of Rain's tangled chaos. It was difficult in another way entirely.
Though the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio were young, their clans' secret techniques gave them enormous advantages in teamwork and tactics. Graduating early and entering the battlefield was both a burden and a trial by fire.
"Looks like none of us has it easy," Shinji said with a sigh. "It's the same with Kirigakure. The