Land of Grass, southern region.
Due to its border with the Land of Fire and its beautiful environment, the southern region of the Land of Grass is relatively developed compared to the rest of the country.
Of course, this was before the war.
After the war began, the southern region of the Land of Grass became the area most affected by the conflict throughout the country.
Residents fled, trade caravans dared not come, and battles among ninja caused destruction. Various factors deprived the south of its peacetime prosperity.
"It's really frustrating. These major nations wage war on our land, causing our economy to decline, and yet we have to assist them."
The patrolling Grass Ninja gazed at the deserted village, unable to hold back their grievances.
The Grass Village does not have the same prestige as the Five Great Ninja Villages, so few foreigners specifically come to the Grass Village with requests; they mostly rely on domestic support.
However, the conflict between Hidden Rock and Konoha in the Land of Grass has had a detrimental impact on the country, leading to economic decline and reducing the funds the Grass Village can acquire.
The leader of the Grass Ninja squad quickly scanned the surroundings and, seeing no Konoha Ninja, sighed in relief.
They were a team from Grass Village supporting the Konoha Ninja Squad, and before returning to the village, they had to follow the orders of the Konoha Ninja.
"Our leadership is to blame. That damned Yokokawa Tsutomu collaborated with Hidden Rock for personal gain, making our village hostile to Konoha." The leading Grass Ninja angrily lashed out at the deceased former Grass Village leader.
If not for Yokokawa Tsutomu's meddling, their village might still be surviving better by quietly enduring.
To make up for Yokokawa Tsutomu's mistakes, Grass Village was forced to ally with Konoha and aid them in fighting Hidden Rock.
"There's no way around it now, and following Konoha is preferable to Hidden Rock. Konoha is more powerful, and Blazing Sun Mokgetsu has helped the village solve issues before." A Grass Ninja said helplessly.
From a 'lesser evil' perspective, Hidden Rock is still worse.
"Let's rest here. If we really encounter Hidden Rock Ninja, it would be dangerous." The leading Grass Ninja leapt up high to observe the surroundings before speaking.
Technically, they were here to support Konoha, but he did not truly intend to help them, merely going through the motions.
After all, if they died at the hands of Hidden Rock, Konoha certainly wouldn't provide compensation to their families.
The other Grass Ninja immediately sat down without a moment's hesitation upon hearing this.
Fighting for their own village is one thing, but eagerly battling for Konoha raises concerns.
Thwack!
The leading Grass Ninja was about to say something when a piercing pain struck him, as a black kunai pierced through his chest into his body.
His eyes widened in disbelief, "How could it be, clearly…"
Without finishing his final words, he fell dead, his corpse on the ground still staring, puzzled.
"Captain! Those damned Hidden Rock, when did they arrive?"
Having undergone training, the Grass Ninja quickly noticed the commotion from the "Hidden Rock Ninja" executing the attack.
Their expressions mirrored the lead Grass Ninja's confusion, clearly wondering why their prior scans had failed to detect these Hidden Rock Ninja.
The unguarded Grass Ninja Squad was quickly wiped out.
Fwoosh!
A blonde figure dashed through the forest, moving swiftly.
Feeling the fading presences, Namikaze Minato furrowed his brows, fully utilizing the Instant Body Jutsu to accelerate further.
But upon arrival, he only found Grass Ninja corpses scattered around, with no trace of other ninja.
"Again, what kind of Ninjutsu is this, that even I can't sense?" Namikaze Minato's expression was grim.
He had sensed the killers' Chakra half a minute ago, but as he neared, their Chakra vanished.
While Namikaze Minato is not a dedicated Perception Ninja, his exceptional Perception Ability surpasses many in the Perception Squad.
This implies that most Konoha's perception ninjas cannot detect the Hidden Rock assassination squads using Ninjutsu to conceal themselves.
"I wonder if the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan can see through it." Namikaze Minato pondered.
Unlike regular Perception Ninjutsu, the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan sees through the eyes, theoretically unaffected by Ninjutsu concealing presence.
Searching the nearby ten kilometers meticulously, Namikaze Minato still failed to locate the Hidden Rock Ninja who killed the Grass Ninja.
Finding nothing, Namikaze Minato used the Flying Thunder God to return to camp and report his findings to Jiraiya.
"To escape even from you, Minato, Hidden Rock is serious." Jiraiya stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Previously, Jiraiya merely speculated that Hidden Rock might soon start a large-scale battle with Konoha in the Land of Grass. Now Jiraiya could almost confirm Hidden Rock's intent to attack Konoha.
"No major worries. Among the reinforcements, there are three Hyuga Clan ninjas, two of whom are Jonin." Jiraiya reported the reinforcement information he had requested to Namikaze Minato.
Considering the battlefield's situation, Jiraiya had not only called in the Perception Squad but also some Anbu for intelligence work.
In ninja battles, intelligence is critical.
A ninja like Namikaze Minato could single-handedly annihilate an opposing force of hundreds if he knew their precise location.
At night, Namikaze Minato contemplated, then picked up paper and pen to write letters to Kushina and Mokgetsu.
To Kushina, most of Namikaze Minato's letter was filled with reassurances and daily talk, refraining from mentioning the war.