The atmosphere inside the cave was tighter than the bandages on the wounded, heavier than congealed blood.
The shadows of death and serious injury have not yet dissipated, but another emotion, like magma flowing underground, is silently accumulating and surging—it is the anger of being repeatedly hammered, on the verge of breaking but unwilling to break, and the ruthlessness of seeking survival in desperate circumstances.
At Baki Station, a makeshift sand table made of stones is displayed, roughly outlining the surrounding terrain and known areas of Iwagakure activity.
His finger didn't linger on the icon representing the Seventh Outpost, but instead pressed heavily on the area outside the sand table, deep within the " Rubble Slope " where the Iwagakure frequently appeared.
"It's impossible to defend it."
Baki's voice wasn't loud, but it was like Iron Sand filings, scraping against everyone's eardrums. "They can afford to wait, but we can't. The next attack might be our death."
He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over everyone still standing in the cave. Ryoma's face was pale, but his eyes were frighteningly cold, and the wound on his arm was only hastily bandaged.
Yan's bald head was wrapped with blood-soaked strips of cloth, he was baring his teeth, and his fists were clenched so tightly they cracked.
Reppu lay on the felt, trying to prop himself up, but this triggered a violent coughing fit, and blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.
"Captain!" Shira exclaimed urgently. He was being supported by Asuka, his right arm in a sling across his chest. His face was pale, but his eyes burned with a dark fire. "You can't move!"
" Reppu, stay here. The seriously wounded, stay here. This place needs to be guarded, and more importantly, it needs time to recover." Baki's tone left no room for argument. "Those who can still move, those who can still wield a knife, come with me."
" Jonin Baki, you mean..." Ryoma narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Attack." Baki uttered two words, then sharply gestured with his finger across several locations on " Rubble Slope " that resembled potential gathering points for the Hidden Iwagakure.
"They think we're only good for cowering. Let them see! Even on their last breath, the Sunagakure ninjas can tear a piece of flesh from their teeth!"
Taking the initiative! After such heavy casualties, this decision was crazy and bold, but it was also like a shot in the arm, piercing through the numbness of despair.
A fierce glint rekindled in the eyes of the few Chunin and Genin who were still capable of fighting.
"But our condition..." A Chunin an injured arm hesitated.
Therefore, it's not a direct assault.
Baki's calm analysis sounded more like a final order, " Ryoma, you take those who can still use Wind Release and high-speed movement, form a 'Wedge,' and cut in from the west. Use the rocky terrain to launch a high-speed harassment, create chaos, draw the main force's attention, strike and leave immediately, and don't linger."
"Iwa, take your strongest, power-type ninja and secretly approach from the gentle slope on the east side. Wait for my signal, then strike directly at their possible command post or temporary supply camp."
"Remember, the objective is to create maximum chaos, burn supplies, snipe the commander, and then immediately retreat to the designated location. Do not linger in battle!"
"Where are my team and Shira's?" Asuka couldn't help but ask, Sasori also looked up.
Baki looked at Shira: "You, along with two other Genin teams in relatively good condition, will follow me as the 'anvil'."
"After Ryoma and Yan create enough chaos, we will attack head-on with the strongest possible force, crushing them directly! This will buy everyone time to evacuate and inflict maximum damage and psychological shock on the enemy."
"What we need to fight is not a positional war, but a counter-offensive, a punitive attack!"
He stared at Shira: "Can you still move after your injury?"
Shira pushed away Asuka's helping hand, took a deep breath, which aggravated her chest and abdominal injuries, causing her to wince in pain, but she stood ramrod straight. "I can."
Where is your sword?
Shira's gaze drifted outside the cave. The longsword, which had been knocked away earlier, had already been retrieved by her companions and now rested quietly against the rock wall, white marks from scraping against the rock armor still visible on its blade. "Here."
"Very good." Baki said no more. "After an incense stick's time, prepare, take emergency Military Rations Pill, treat your wounds, and then, depart."
The command was like a mountain. The oppressive cave instantly came alive, bustling with an almost tragic busyness. Shira walked to the wall and slowly gripped the hilt of her sword with her uninjured left hand.
A familiar touch came through, cold and solid.
He gently brushed the white marks on the sword; they were not just scars, but also lessons learned, hurdles that had to be overcome.
He sheathed the sword on his left side so that he could quickly draw it with his left hand. The pain in his right arm was still sharp, but he tried, very slightly, to circulate the Seven Heavens Breathing Method, not to activate it, but as he had sensed in his dream, to carefully guide a wisp of warm "qi" to the wound on his right arm.
It was very faint, and I immediately felt exhausted, but the burning pain in the wound seemed to be relieved a little by that faint warmth.
It is indeed effective, but it consumes a lot of energy and cannot be used as a treatment; it can only provide temporary pain relief.
He then inspected the ninja tool pouch: Kunai, Shuriken, smoke bombs... His fingers touched the small, coarse cloth bag, and he paused.
It was something that Uzumaki Kei had secretly given him.
Shira took it out and carefully peeled back a layer. Inside were several dark red, inconspicuous, and even somewhat shriveled pills. They showed no Chakra fluctuations and looked no different from the lowest-grade Military Rations Pill.
But Shira knew this was no ordinary item. He wrapped it up again and placed it in the innermost pocket of his chest. Then, there was the heavy, sand-made dumbbell.
He squeezed it, feeling its hardness and coldness, and then put it in another pocket.
" Shira," came Reppu's weak voice.
Shira quickly went over and squatted down.
Reppu looked at his young subordinate with a complex expression—a mixture of relief, worry, and above all, resolve.
"Remember, there's no room for luck on the battlefield. Your sword must be faster, your eyes sharper. But most importantly... come back alive. Bring them back alive."
His gaze swept over the Asuka and Sada Sasori.
"Yes, Captain!" Shira nodded emphatically.
"Let's go, don't die out there."
Reppu closed his eyes and waved his hand, as if he had used up all his strength.
After an incense stick's time, they reached the exit of the canyon. The twenty-odd Sunagakure who were still able to move split into three groups. Ryoma led five figures into the darkness on the west side, while Iwa led four people and silently glided eastward.
The remaining eleven, including Baki and Shira's team, stood silently in the rising morning breeze, like eleven broken swords drawn from their sheaths.
Baki gave no pre-battle pep talk; he simply checked his gloves one last time, then uttered two words:
"Set off."
Eleven people, like a pack of wolves skimming the ground, silently and swiftly pounced into the rugged, rocky wasteland of the north. The wind howled in their ears, and their wounds tore open as they ran, but no one uttered a sound, only heavy breathing and the crunching of their footsteps on the gravel.
Shira followed closely behind Baki, her left hand on the hilt of her sword. The Seven Heavens Breathing Method was not activated, but only maintained at the most basic rhythm. Her perception was raised to the limit, filtering the sound of the wind and capturing any abnormalities.
They quickly approached the outer edge of " Rubble Slope ". The area was full of jagged rocks and had a complex terrain, making it a favorite ambush and sniping spot for the Iwagakure.
The earthy, lingering Chakra scent in the air was even more pronounced.
"Stop." Baki suddenly raised his hand. Everyone instantly ducked down, blending into the shadows of the rocks.
Not far ahead, near a natural stone cave, flickering Kakkō and human voices could be faintly heard. It was a temporary outpost of the Iwagakure, with about six or seven people resting and eating, seemingly unaware of the impending danger.
Baki looked at Shira, then at the outpost, made a throat-slitting gesture, his eyes icy.
Shira understood.
This is the first strike of the "anvil," and it must be swift as lightning and ruthless as a scorpion, completely destroying the enemy before they can react or sound the alarm!
He licked his chapped lips, his heart pounding heavily in his chest. Not from fear, but from an almost boiling fighting spirit.
The pain in his right arm and the tightness in his chest were forcibly suppressed by this fighting spirit.
He nodded to the Asuka and the Sasori, who understood and silently circled around to the side.
Baki then slowly drew out a specially made Kunai that gleamed with a bluish light.
Shira closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, only coldness remained in them.
He gently adjusted his breathing, the First Activation of the Seven Heavens Breathing Method!
A gentle yet lasting warmth spread throughout the body, dispelling some of the fatigue and enhancing perception and basic physical abilities.
He didn't activate the more ferocious Second Activation; that would consume too much energy and be unsuitable for a prolonged battle and his subsequent plans. But the First Activation was sufficient.
He slowly drew his sword, holding it awkwardly in his left hand, but with a steady grip. The blade reflected his serene face in the dim morning light.
action!
Without a signal, three figures sprang out like venomous snakes that had been lying in wait!
Baki's Kunai struck first, transforming into a streak of blue light that silently pierced the throat of a rock ninja sentry at the cave entrance!
The sentry only had time to cover his neck before collapsing with two gasps.
At the same time, Shira, along with Asuka and Sasori who pounced from the side, stormed into the stone cave!
Shira's target was the nearest Iwagakure who had just woken up and stood Chunin.
The opponent reacted extremely quickly, roaring as he swung his fist at the opponent with fierce force, a standard Rock Fist Technique as the opening move.
But Shira was faster! The speed under the First Activation allowed him to easily dodge the fist, while his left-hand longsword transformed into a cold arc of light, not a thrust, nor a slash, but a cut!
The sword's edge grazed past the opponent's arm as he swung it, precisely "grazing" a pressure point on his upper arm! At the same time, he continued walking, spinning his body, and his left leg lashed out like a whip, the resulting gust of wind disrupting the vision of another Iwa ninja who was about to throw Shuriken.
"Ah!"
The Iwa ninja whose arm was grazed by the sword felt his entire arm go numb and powerless instantly, and he turned pale with horror. Shira's sword had already spun around and pierced into his ribs, which were exposed due to his arm losing control.
Asuka's Kunai pierced the eye socket of another Iwa ninja, while Sasori's Puppet Strings silently snapped the neck of another.
The battle ended in seconds. All six Iwa ninja inside the cave were wiped out without emitting a single effective alarm.
The air was thick with the stench of blood. Shira breathed heavily, watching the blood dripping from the tip of her sword.
The combination of "pressure point" under the First Activation and rapid sword strikes was quite effective. But this was not what he wanted.
"Clean up the traces and move on," Baki said in a low voice, glancing at Shira and nodding slightly.
The team continued its journey through the rocks, like death lurking in the shadows, silently eliminating two more small patrol points.
The Sunagakure demonstrated their ruthless efficiency as the elite of the frontier. But everyone knew this was just the appetizer. The main force of the Iwagakure, their command post, their logistics, were still deep inside.
The sky was turning a pale white, and the morning light pierced through the thin clouds, casting cold shadows on the desolate, Rubble Slope.
Suddenly, from the distant west, came the faint sound of an explosion and the shrill whistling of wind blades tearing through the air! Immediately afterward, from the east, came the deafening roar of rocks shattering!
Ryoma and Yan have made their move!