After leaving Sunagakure, the group maintained a silent and efficient marching pace. There were no extra conversations, only the sound of clothes rustling in the wind, footsteps crunching on the sand, and the occasional safety signal delivered by ninjas on the flanks using specific bird calls.
Baki led the way, his figure appearing and disappearing among the undulating sand dunes and Gobi rock formations, like a precise navigational beacon.
Ryoma and Iwa, Jonin, stood guard on either side of the group, their eyes carefully scanning the wilderness.
Shira followed closely behind Captain Reppu, adjusting her breathing to maintain the Seven Heavens Breathing Method in a low-consumption, high-endurance state to adapt to the long-distance raid.
The ground beneath their feet grew harder, the sand thinned, and exposed brown rocks and drought-resistant thickets became more abundant. The wind also changed; the unique scent of Sunagakure, carrying minerals and dry dust, faded away, replaced by a more wild and rugged one, seemingly mixed with the smell of distant rocks and salty moisture—the scent of the border, the unique atmosphere of the land where the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth meet.
The sun overhead changed from pale to dusky yellow, then gradually sank in the west, dyeing the horizon a poignant crimson. The team continued to advance in silence, only at a slightly slower pace, sending out small squads in shifts for brief reconnaissance missions.
The atmosphere was noticeably more tense than when we first left the village; everyone was like a taut bowstring.
As dusk fell, before daylight completely disappeared, the team arrived at their first designated rendezvous point – a secluded canyon on the outskirts of the Seventh Outpost.
The canyon is flanked by steep, heavily eroded rock walls, with a dry riverbed in the middle, providing a relatively ideal shelter from the wind and defensive terrain.
The ninjas stationed at the outpost who arrived first had already set up a temporary camp here and lit a campfire, but the Kakkō was deliberately kept small and covered with rock walls and camouflage nets.
"Lord Baki!"
A Chunin with a scarred face, Chunin and quickly reported, "Currently, there are no signs of large-scale incursions by Iwagakure within the outpost and the surrounding twenty li area."
"But small-scale reconnaissance activity, especially towards the western ' Rubble Slope ' and the northern ' Ghost's Despair ' canyon, has increased at least three times more frequently than usual."
"The traces are fresh; the other party was cautious and cleared away most of the clues, but the subtle disturbances in the sand and the fresh scrapes on the rocks don't lie."
As Baki listened, he gestured for everyone to rest on the spot and replenish their food and water.
He walked to the simple sand table and gestured for the Chunin and several captains, including Ryoma, Iwa, and Reppu, to gather around. Shira, as a member of Reppu Squad, also stood on the outer edge, listening intently.
"Can the quantity be estimated?" Baki's voice was calm and even.
"It's difficult to pinpoint the exact number. But judging from the range and frequency of the traces, there are at least four to six standard reconnaissance teams active on the other side of our defenses, each with about 3 to 5 people, and they rotate frequently, as if maintaining a high-pressure, continuous reconnaissance posture."
The Chunin grave. "Furthermore, three days ago, news came from the Eleventh Outpost to the east that they had also discovered a similar situation. Moreover, a patrol team had a brief encounter with what appeared to be Iwagakure scouts. The enemy made a quick strike and left without lingering, indicating a very clear objective."
Ryoma crossed his arms and said coldly, "Typical Iwagakure tactics. They have a large number of troops, but their quality varies greatly, so they use sheer numbers to create reconnaissance density, constantly applying pressure, probing our strength, looking for weaknesses in our defenses, and wearing down the defenders. They're betting that we're short-handed and exhausted."
Yan replied in a muffled voice, "We made the right bet. Even with you guys included, our total numbers are just over fifty. If the other side really wants to cause trouble, they can send out two or three hundred cannon fodder to wear us down, and we'll be worn down and killed."
Reppu didn't speak, but silently wiped his Kunai, his eyes scanning several key locations on the sand table.
"There's a reason why the mission level was set at A."
Baki pointed his finger at the locations on the sand table representing " Rubble Slope " and " Ghost's Despair " canyon. "The enemy has numerical superiority, and their intentions are unclear. A full-scale attack? Wearing them down? Or preparing for a larger operation? All are possible."
"Our mission is to maintain a presence, conduct reconnaissance, and exert deterrence. We will not provoke any unwarranted attacks, but any transgressions or acts of clear hostility must be resolutely and swiftly dealt with to demonstrate our resolve and prevent the other side from perceiving us as weak or easily bullied."
He looked at the captains. " Ryoma, you take your company and reinforce the defense and counter-reconnaissance of the Seventh Outpost and the ' Rubble Slope ' area to the west."
"Yan, your squadron is responsible for the area connecting with the Eleventh Outpost on the east side, focusing on the ' Ghost's Despair ' Canyon. Reppu, your squadron, as the mobile force, is stationed at the canyon camp, ready to support the flanks at any time, and responsible for night patrols and long-range surveillance."
"Each team immediately assigns sentries, sets up warning barriers and traps. Form groups of three, no one may be separated. Understood?"
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
The order was issued swiftly. The troops moved again, but the haste of marching was gone, replaced by a professional pre-battle preparation.
Ryoma and Iwa, each with their own men, silently blended into the night under the guidance of the outpost ninjas, heading towards their respective defense zones.
Reppu then began assigning tasks: the Sada Sasori brothers, skilled in puppetry and traps, were responsible for setting up early warning mechanisms along key paths around the camp;
The Asuka was agile and had excellent eyesight, so it was assigned to a high rock face for lookout.
Reppu Feng and Shira were responsible for the first round of night patrols around the camp.
Shira checked her equipment: Kunai, Shuriken, wire, smoke bombs, Military Rations Pill, canteen...
His fingers touched the hard, sand-made dumbbell inside the ninja tool pouch, and his gaze briefly met Gaara's. He then touched the small, hard lump wrapped in coarse cloth in another pocket—the "rations" given to him by Uzumaki Kei.
He has never opened it, but its heavy weight and the solemn Uzumaki Kei Hui's face at the time told him that it could very well be a lifesaver in a critical moment.
He placed these two items, along with the antidote given to him by Chiyo, in the most convenient and secure location.
Night completely enveloped the border. The sky here seemed deeper than that of Sunagakure, and the stars were colder and brighter, but their light was suppressed by an invisible aura of death.
The wind howled through the canyon, making a strange, mournful sound, like the wailing of countless wronged souls.
The air was thick with the scent of rocks, dust, and a subtle, rusty tension.
Shira followed Captain Reppu, the two of them several meters apart, moving silently along the shadowy area on the outskirts of the camp with light and alert steps.
Shira maximized his senses, and the Seven Heavens Breathing Method with minimal activity made his hearing and vision, especially his perception of airflow and subtle vibrations in the environment, even more acute.
He could hear the rustling of gerbils in the crevices of the distant rock face, the rustling sound of the seemingly endless wind polishing the rocks from afar, and the suppressed yet steady breathing and heartbeats of himself and his captain.
Suddenly, he paused slightly, his gaze sweeping carefully over a pile of rocks to his left. The air there... had an extremely unnatural stagnation, though it quickly returned to normal.
"Captain," he whispered to the nearby Reppu, "At ten o'clock, behind the pile of rocks, there was an unusual airflow, about three seconds ago."
Reppu didn't turn around immediately, but his muscles tensed up noticeably. He maintained his original rhythm, only subtly adjusting his orientation and glancing in that direction out of the corner of his eye, while his right hand gently pressed on the hilt of his sword.
The two walked forward a dozen steps as if nothing had happened, then suddenly turned at the same time, like hunting lizards, swiftly and silently pouncing on the pile of rocks!
"Who goes there!" Reppu shouted in a low voice, his sword already half an inch from its sheath.
Behind the pile of rocks, a dark figure suddenly darted out, moving with incredible speed, and fled towards the edge of the canyon! Judging from its figure and movements, it was definitely not Sunagakure.
"Chase!" Reppu without hesitation, with Shira close behind.
But the dark figure was extremely familiar with the terrain, and disappeared into the shadows of the jagged rocks in a few leaps. After chasing for a while, Reppu suddenly stopped and raised his hand to stop Shira from continuing the pursuit.
"It's a scout. They deliberately left their tracks to test our reaction and speed." Reppu sheathed his sword, his eyes icy. "It seems they already know we've reinforced our troops, and they're eagerly beginning their 'welcome'."
Shira felt a chill run Genin her spine. The speed and stealth skills of that dark figure were far beyond those of an ordinary Iwagakure.
This is only the first night, and the testing has already begun. In the days to come, I'm afraid I'll have to be on edge every single moment.
The two returned to camp and gave a brief report of the situation. Baki simply nodded, showing no surprise. "Strengthen vigilance and take turns resting. The real battle may be yet to come."
Shira returned to her assigned simple bunk and sat down against the cold rock wall. The dumbbell and special Military Rations Pill tucked in her arms felt slightly hard through her clothes.
The wind howled in my ears, and in the distance I could faintly hear the sounds of my companions setting traps. Further away, there was an endless expanse of darkness, as if it were hiding countless eyes.
He closed his eyes, but did not fall asleep immediately. The image of the black shadow fleeing earlier replayed in his mind, along with Baki's deployment and the massive troop strength of Iwagakure.
A-Rank Mission indeed. The wind on the border is far colder and sharper than that in Sunagakure.
He slowly adjusted his breathing, allowing the First Activation to flow smoothly through his body, dispelling the night chill and calming the ripples in his heart.
Unconsciously, his fingertips lightly brushed against the cool metal clasp of his ninja tool pouch.
The cold moon, hanging high above the border cliffs, silently cast its cool light upon this land that was about to be stained red with blood.