"Everyone, I understand your concerns! The border garrison has sacrificed a great deal for the village, and your lives matter just as much. But what is the Land of Rivers? It's a buffer between the Land of Wind and the Land of Fire."
"Akasuna Arashi led more than two hundred elite ninja into the Land of Rivers. This could not only cause a misunderstanding between the two countries, but even give the Land of Fire an excuse to attack Sunagakure."
"When that happens, the border garrison's position will only become more dangerous. You could even become casualties of war. Is that what you want to see?"
Hoshino's words struck the heart of every border garrison ninja like a heavy hammer.
Although the war had ended, those scenes of lives treated like blades of grass still hung over their hearts, refusing to fade.
The border garrison ninja exchanged glances, their discontent with the Anbu gradually giving way to worry and fear.
Many of them had experienced the cruelty of war firsthand and knew full well that if the two countries went to war again, the border garrison would bear the brunt of it.
Only now did they realize that Akasuna Arashi's defection was not merely a simple internal matter, but a fuse that could ignite a conflict between the two countries.
Seeing the crowd's emotions begin to shift, Hoshino continued.
"Akasuna Arashi's defection isn't just his personal affair. His actions could set off a chain reaction and even drag all of Sunagakure into the abyss of war."
He then looked up at the three commanders before him and said sternly, "The three of you are the border garrison's leaders. Have you never considered what consequences Akasuna Arashi's defection might bring?"
"Or do you simply not care about the village's safety, only your own interests?"
His icy voice was like a blade aimed straight at the three commanders' hearts.
The first commander turned pale, and a fine layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
He opened his mouth to defend himself, only to find that his words seemed utterly feeble under Hoshino's questioning.
The second commander lowered his head, avoiding Hoshino's gaze. He clearly hadn't expected the other man to be so good at pinning such serious accusations on others.
He's even talking about war. Isn't that just alarmism?
The third commander gritted his teeth and tried to argue back, but in the end, he only muttered, "We... we had no other choice."
"No other choice?" Hoshino sneered. "You let a missing-nin go and put the village in danger, and that's what you call having no other choice?"
"If that's what your loyalty to the village amounts to, I'm afraid Lord Kazekage will have to reassess the border garrison."
At those words, the three commanders went deathly pale.
If the Kazekage truly believed they were no longer loyal, dismissal would not be the only thing awaiting them. They might face even harsher punishment.
Hoshino gave them no chance to make further excuses. He turned to the border garrison ninja around him and said, "Everyone, I know you have many doubts and grievances, but this is no time for infighting."
"Right now, we need your cooperation. Please provide detailed intelligence on Akasuna Arashi's withdrawal immediately, including his route, possible hiding places, and his contacts with the outside."
The border garrison ninja looked at one another, then nodded their agreement.
Many of them were still dissatisfied with the Anbu, but in the face of the village's safety, their personal feelings seemed insignificant.
Seeing this, the first commander knew that any further attempt to shirk responsibility would only land him in deeper trouble.
He forced a faint smile and said, "We'll cooperate fully with your investigation. We'll compile Akasuna Arashi's withdrawal route and possible hiding places and hand them over to you as soon as possible."
Hoshino nodded, his tone softening slightly. "I hope you keep your word. Now, please act immediately. Time waits for no one."
The three commanders dared not delay any longer. They immediately turned and returned to the tent to begin compiling the intelligence.
Hoshino ordered the Anbu members behind him, "Search the camp immediately, especially Akasuna Arashi's tent. At the same time, seal off the camp's entrances and exits. No one is to leave without permission."
"Yes!"
Temari and the others answered in unison and swiftly sprang into action.
Time slipped quietly by. By the afternoon, the sun was gradually sinking westward.
Hoshino sat inside a makeshift command tent, detailed records on Akasuna Arashi and his forces spread out before him.
His gaze swept quickly over every line.
Akasuna Arashi's background, his past mission records, his possible destinations after leaving... Hoshino already knew all this information by heart.
Just then, Temari hurried into the tent and said, "Team One has found traces of Akasuna Arashi. They're notifying the other two teams to head in that direction."
Hoshino sprang to his feet and handed her the papers he had organized.
"This is the general intelligence I compiled on Akasuna Arashi and the ninja under his command, including their abilities, favored tactics, and possible patterns of action."
"Pass this information to Team One, Team Three, and Team Six, then wait for me to get there."
Temari took the papers, quickly flipped through a few pages, and nodded. "Understood. I'll do it right away."
A moment later, Hoshino walked out of the tent and said to the members of Team Eleven, "Move out!"
"Yes, captain!" the members of Team Eleven answered in unison.
The sky gradually darkened.
In a dense forest deep within the Land of Rivers.
Akasuna Arashi stood beneath a tall tree, several trusted ninja at his side reporting the situation in low voices.
"Elder, most of the clan's businesses have been divided up by Rasa, Ebizo, and a few minor players. Many of our clansmen who held out to the bitter end died at their hands."
"We've received word from the clansmen at the oasis. Some nobles are willing to help us put pressure on the village, but we haven't been able to find any connections with the daimyo, so we don't know how it will turn out."
"The clansmen stationed with the border forces in the Land of Bears are withdrawing too. They plan to seek refuge in the Land of Snow first. If they really can't return, they'll establish a new ninja village there. They want us to join them."
"..."
As bad news arrived.
Akasuna Arashi's expression grew darker, and the rage in his heart burned like a blazing flame, impossible to extinguish.
Rasa, Ebizo... how dare you treat the Red Sand Clan like this!
Kazekage Rasa's indifferent face appeared in Akasuna Arashi's mind, followed by Ebizo's crafty, calculating look.
His heart was filled with hatred and indignation.
The Red Sand Clan had once earned glorious battle honors for Sunagakure, yet had now met such a fate. What bitter irony!
Since you've shown no mercy, don't blame me for showing none!
Akasuna Arashi's gaze gradually turned cold. "The Land of Snow. The third elder wants to swallow up my branch of the clan. He's really made a clever calculation."
Once they went to the Land of Snow, the clansmen of his branch would completely lose their independence and become pieces in the third elder's hands.
He would never allow that to happen.
Akasuna Arashi recalled the map of the area around the Land of Wind.