"Border garrisons, continue retreating. No one is to return fire."
As Sasuke's order reached the northern border through Inoichi's mental channel, the third outpost had already been split apart by Lightning Release. The Image Recording Array Disc captured the Kumogakure mark left on its stone wall in full.
Frontline captain Morita Takuya crouched behind cover. Hearing the order, he immediately restrained a subordinate who was about to form hand seals.
"The commander's orders: defend only, do not attack. Get the wounded out first."
The young ninja stared at the shattered Konoha flagpole, his teeth clenched.
"They've already crossed the border. How much longer do we have to put up with this?"
"Until every stone can be taken to Kumogakure to demand compensation."
Morita Takuya pointed toward the Array Disc hidden in the woods.
"As long as the Array Disc survives, the evidence keeps coming. Retreat!"
Killer B stood in the middle of the trade route, a Ninja Blade shaped like Samehada resting on his shoulder. Overturned empty cargo crates lay scattered at his feet.
He kicked a crate lid aside. Inside were nothing but numbered stones.
"Empty crates for freight, guards running away. Konoha brat, hiding's your only play."
Kumogakure's sensory ninja C knelt beside the road, his fingertips pressed to the ground.
"Lord B, there are no civilians nearby. Konoha evacuated the trading town ahead of time, but there are numerous observation posts in the mountains."
"Let them watch."
Killer B drew a short blade and carved a lightning pattern into Konoha's boundary marker.
"Sasuke crippled my big brother's arm, so I'm smashing his trade routes. If he won't come, this blockade is a joke."
C looked up toward a glint of reflected light in the woods.
"Lord Raikage ordered us to open the road, not stay here and