At a surveillance post on the border where Konoha, the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Rain met, the Konoha Ninja continued monitoring their surroundings as usual.
The war had ended. At least in some sense, this conflict that had lasted more than ten years had gradually died down.
For the ninja stationed along the border, this was wonderful news.
Because once war broke out, they would inevitably be the first to face the enemy's frenzied attacks!
Although the end of the war did not necessarily mean they could return to Konoha, and Konoha's borders were hardly peaceful, things were at least much safer than before.
"Captain, how much longer until your rotation?"
Atop the surveillance post's tower, a young ninja observed the distance through binoculars as he asked the middle-aged man beside him with some curiosity.
The ninja stationed at the border took leave on a rotating schedule, and those on leave could return to Konoha to reunite with their families.
Hearing this, the middle-aged ninja shook his head with a smile, then scolded him jokingly, "I think you just want to go back with me, don't you?"
"Captain, we're on the same squad." A smile tugged at the young ninja's lips. "Isn't it only natural for us to go back together?"
"I think you're missing Nobuko, aren't you?" The middle-aged ninja patted the young man's shoulder. "Well? When are you two getting married?"
"Captain!" the young ninja protested, looking a little embarrassed.
Their conversation made the other Konoha Ninja monitoring the surroundings laugh. The end of the war had put all the ninja much more at ease.
Had it been wartime, they probably would never have said such things, because back then, they had no idea whether they would survive until sunrise the next day.
The entire surveillance post was lively, but that lively atmosphere did not last long.
"Captain!" Just then, a Konoha Ninja inspecting the surroundings through binoculars suddenly shouted, "Three squads of ninja are approaching from the west!"
"What?" The middle-aged ninja's expression shifted slightly, but he still asked calmly, "Can you tell which village they're from?"
"Judging by their clothes and forehead protectors, they seem to be Stone Ninja," the Konoha Ninja said after a careful look. "But Captain, why are they coming from that direction? Over there..."
"I understand what you mean." The middle-aged ninja cut him off before he could finish. "Everyone, stay alert, but remember, we absolutely must not strike first. Understood?"
The captain remained calm. The route these "Stone Ninja" had taken had already alerted him that something was wrong.
But he was also cautious. Konoha and Iwagakure had signed a ceasefire agreement. Attacking the Stone Ninja first would be no different from tearing up the treaty.
Even though he knew these Stone Ninja might very well be impostors, he did not dare take that gamble.
If these Stone Ninja were real and he attacked first, it would be tantamount to outright tearing up the peace agreement between Konoha and the Stone Ninja!
Even if war did not break out, he himself would probably face severe punishment.
"Yes, Captain!"
"Watch out!"
Just as the Konoha Ninja loudly answered, the sharp-eyed captain suddenly spotted dozens of kunai flying toward them, prompting him to shout a warning.
The Konoha Ninja reacted quickly as well. Some immediately drew their kunai to block the incoming blades, while those who had no time to draw theirs simply used their binoculars instead.
The "Stone Ninja" seized this opportunity to rush into the surveillance post, then launched straight into attacking the Konoha Ninja!
"What are you doing?"
The middle-aged ninja immediately charged forward, swiftly blocking a Stone Ninja with his kunai before shouting sternly.
"Are you trying to destroy the peace between Konoha and Iwagakure?"
Unfortunately, the "Stone Ninja" before him paid him no heed at all. Their attacks even grew increasingly vicious, making the captain realize that these were definitely not genuine Stone Ninja!
Worst of all, although these Stone Ninja were not particularly powerful, they outnumbered Konoha's Guard Ninja several times over.
And their surprise attack had given them the initiative. Within moments, quite a few of the defenders had already been wounded.
In a battle like this, the captain could not even send out a distress signal. There was no way to contact the main force at camp for help.
If this keeps up, we're all done for!
He kicked the enemy before him away, but other enemies quickly lunged at him. Fighting outnumbered meant facing encirclement from every direction.
Ordinary ninja had nothing like the Sharingan, unless their strength had reached a respectable level or overwhelmingly surpassed that of the ninja around them.
Otherwise, anyone facing such a situation would be forced onto the defensive, or could even be called helpless!
Blocking the Stone Ninja's assault before him, the captain swept his gaze around. He found that his squad members were all still alive, but every one of them was now wounded.
The young ninja who had asked when he could return had even been stabbed in the chest with a kunai. Bright red blood kept spilling from his wound.
Fortunately, it had not pierced a vital spot, or he would already have been dead!
But if this continued, death was only a matter of time. None of them would escape.
Is this as far as I go?
The captain blocked a fatal blow, then hurried to support the young ninja, but the next moment, a wrenching pain shot through his back.
A kunai had pierced his back!
Feeling the strength steadily draining from his body, and the intense pain beginning to cloud his awareness, he could not help thinking to himself.
Death was certainly terrifying, especially for someone with loved ones on his mind.
Enduring the intense pain, the captain attacked the ninja behind him, but turning so quickly brought him even more indescribable agony.
His speed naturally slowed considerably. A counterattack like his could not possibly do any harm, and his movement even caused him to be struck by another enemy.
When a "Stone Ninja's" kunai sliced open his waist, blood gushed out. Unable to hold himself up any longer, the captain collapsed to the ground.
His hand still gripped his kunai tightly, but he could no longer get up. His vision was beginning to blur as well, and he felt that this might be the end for him.
What a shame... Naomi, it looks like I won't be able to come back to see you...
The captain thought this to himself, then let out a deep sigh.
Watching the enemy's kunai draw ever closer before him, he suddenly clenched his teeth.
Even if he died, he would never let the enemy off easily!
Yet just then, an azure kunai suddenly tore through the air.
With a fierce whistle, it plunged hard into the chest of the enemy before the captain...