In the Land of Grass, on Iwagakure's front lines.
Higashi Shibito, the commander, looked at the food that had finally arrived, but the creases in his brow did not ease.
Why did this food carry a faint, familiar stench?
Higashi Shibito did not think along those lines. He merely felt that this shipment of food had probably spoiled.
Besides Higashi Shibito, the logistics personnel receiving the food were also frowning deeply.
"Lord Higashi Shibito, something's wrong.
This shipment of food seems to have gone bad.
It looks fine at first glance, but when you open it, there's a faint... well, unusual fragrance.
I think it smells like rot and disinfectant."
Another logistics officer also walked over.
"Lord Higashi Shibito, we have enough food for half a month for now.
But there aren't any weapons at all.
Not a single shuriken, not a single kunai, and not a single explosive tag."
Higashi Shibito pondered for a long while before speaking.
"Cook the food first. Let everyone have a full meal.
As for the weapons, I'll write to the rear right away. They probably forgot."
Over on Bieshu Feifan's side, he had just seen off the jōnin Ōnoki had sent with rewards.
The group posing as Stone Ninja were happily counting their supplies.
Just then, Kakashi came over from his patrol.
"Feifan, we have another messenger. It's a hawk."
Hearing this, Bieshu Feifan left the money-counting to Number Three and Number Four and hurried after Kakashi.
Sure enough, there was a hawk in the sky.
From Bieshu Feifan's perspective, he could clearly see a letter tied to the hawk's leg.
Kakashi was a little anxious.
"I can't reach it."
Bieshu Feifan shoved Kakashi aside.
"Kazi Di, watch closely.
I can be Hokage not just because of my strength, but also because I'm