Four jonin-Xuandou, Shisui, Hizashi Hyuga, and Shinku Yuhi-held command in the underground headquarters.
The brothers Uchiha Inabi and Tekka stood quietly to one side, responsible for relaying intelligence and maintaining communications.
After hearing the reconnaissance captain's report, they all fell into thought.
Just then, a system notification sounded in Xuandou's mind:
[Ding! The host has triggered a main quest.] [Main quest issued: Kill at least five hundred Sunagakure ninja on the battlefield against Sunagakure.] [Current progress: 0/500] [Quest reward: Draw attempts ×1]
At least five hundred ninja?
Looking at the newly triggered quest, Xuandou asked the reconnaissance captain:
"How many Sunagakure ninja are heading this way?"
"About a hundred or so."
At the answer, Xuandou looked thoughtful.
"The Sunagakure ninja are certainly cautious. Even after their reconnaissance squads checked the area, they still weren't reassured and sent an advance force."
Hearing how cautious the enemy was, Inabi grew a little uneasy.
"Will they... discover our ambush?"
Xuandou shook his head.
"Aside from Earth Release, conventional ninjutsu can't detect our hidden ninja or the Explosive Tags buried underground."
"And Sunagakure specializes in Wind Release. Even if a few of their ninja know Earth Release, they won't use ninjutsu that causes such a commotion while launching a surprise attack on the Land of Fire."
"As for Kekkei Genkai... not every ninja village has a Kekkei Genkai like the Byakugan. Besides, Sunagakure only has a handful of Kekkei Genkai in total, so don't worry."
Hizashi Hyuga couldn't help giving Xuandou another look.
The other jonin also nodded inwardly at Xuandou's clear, methodical analysis.
"Then how should we handle this advance force? They're about to enter the designated trap area. Should we detonate the Explosive Tags?"
Xuandou shook his head.
"I've prepared such a lavish feast. A mere few hundred ninja couldn't possibly finish it."
"Let them through."
Everyone beside him reacted differently.
Hizashi Hyuga was the first to question him.
"But... isn't it inappropriate to let a force of ninja like this enter the Land of Fire?"
Xuandou had only one sentence in response:
"I am the commander-in-chief!"
"...Yes."
And so, the Sunagakure advance force met no resistance, passed safely through the trap area, and entered the Land of Fire.
They pushed deeper into the country and soon reached the first town.
Sunasō Town lay on the border of the Land of Fire, with a permanent population of roughly one thousand.
Situated at the edge of an area eroded by windblown sand, the town was known for its preliminary mineral processing and its camel caravan waystation.
Although it hired ninja guards, ordinary soldiers made up most of its garrison.
That night, two soldiers on night watch were chatting.
"Man, standing watch at night is so boring. Wouldn't it be great if I were one of those big-shot ninja? I'd have beautiful women arranged by the mayor waiting on me every night."
"Hmph, keep dreaming. A handsome man like me has a better chance of becoming a ninja."
Suddenly, a gust of night wind blew past.
The two sentries' bodies were eerily severed at the waist.
Blood splashed across the ground.
Even as they died, neither sentry knew that the very big-shot ninja they longed to become had killed them.
Immediately afterward, a hundred Sunagakure ninja entered the town swiftly under cover of darkness without pausing.
Experienced as they were, they headed straight for the most luxurious rooms in town.
Sure enough, in the most luxurious rooms, they found ninja enjoying themselves with several women.
They were also the town's only three ninja.
The Sunagakure ninja attacked without a word.
In moments, Wind Blades sliced through the three Konoha ninja, killing them.
One ninja laughed excitedly toward the captain beside him.
"Captain, this is great! Konoha really hasn't made any preparations!"
The ninja in charge gave a cruel smile.
"In that case, carry out the mission as planned!"
At their captain's order, the surrounding ninja broke into expressions of wild delight.
They scattered at once, rushing toward the townspeople's homes.
Their mission could be summed up in one word: plunder!
The sounds of doors breaking rang out one after another.
Sunagakure ninja brutally kicked down doors and pressed gleaming Ninja Blades against the residents' necks.
"Quick! Hand over everything valuable!"
Some trembled in terror and hurriedly dug out their hidden valuables.
Anyone who hesitated even slightly was cut down.
The Sunagakure ninja rummaged through chests and cupboards, tore up floorboards, and smashed clay jars, overlooking no place where money might be hidden.
Gradually, sobs and screams mingled together.
Residents awakened by the commotion tried to resist, only to be easily slaughtered.
Children's cries were soon cut short.
Elderly people knelt and begged for mercy, yet still had the last of their savings taken.
There was nothing but greed in the Sunagakure ninja's eyes.
They ripped decorations from walls, pried open warehouse locks, carried off grain jars, and stripped jewelry from the dead.
Everything valuable-jewels, cash, antiques, medicinal herbs, ninja tools, and cloth-was looted piece by piece and stuffed into the sealing scrolls they had brought.
Two hours later, the town had been stripped bare.
Neither the town treasury, the nobles' mansions, nor ordinary households were spared.
"As expected of the Land of Fire. It really is rich... We looted nearly three hundred million ryo from this tiny place!"
The captain hefted the scroll in his hand and smiled in satisfaction.
A sleazy-looking Sunagakure ninja sidled up to him.
"Captain, the boys have been pent up at the border for too long... The women in the Land of Fire are much prettier than those in the Land of Wind. What do you think...?"
The captain saw through his subordinate's intentions at a glance.
"Look at you. No ambition at all!"
He casually pointed to one man.
"You, go back and report the situation to Iron Sand-sama. As for everyone else..."
He glanced at his expectant subordinates and waved a hand.
"You have thirty minutes. During that time, indulge yourselves as much as you like!"
With that, he was the first to head for the mayor's residence.
While plundering the money earlier, he had noticed that several of the mayor's concubines looked very alluring.
The ninja he had selected looked reluctant, but dared not disobey and could only turn to leave.
The other ninja cheered as soon as their captain finished speaking, then rushed straight into town to find the women they had their eyes on.
Soon, women's screams rang out throughout the town once more.
Meanwhile, the ninja quickly returned and reported what the advance force had encountered to Iron Sand, the commander of this invasion of the Land of Fire.
After hearing the report, Iron Sand stuck out his tongue and licked his dry lips, a trace of greed flashing in his eyes.
"Pass on my orders. All ninja, advance at full speed and invade the Land of Fire!"
The order quickly spread throughout the force.
When the thousand-plus Sunagakure ninja learned that the Land of Fire's border was actually undefended and received orders to launch an all-out attack, excitement swept through their ranks.
They knew full well how wealthy the Land of Fire was.
With Konoha yet to react, this was the perfect opportunity to plunder on a massive scale.
According to the rules, they could pocket a full half of the wealth they obtained!
Driven by greed, the Sunagakure ninja channeled chakra into their feet and surged madly into the Land of Fire.
Before long, more than a thousand Sunagakure ninja had unknowingly entered the trap Xuandou had laid.