"We have movement!"
Hinata Iruha, who was responsible for scouting ahead, suddenly lowered his voice to give a warning.
The relaxed atmosphere in the forest vanished instantly without a trace!
All the Ninja, whether sitting or lying down, immediately sprang up and silently moved into combat positions.
Leaning against tree trunks, Kunai and Shuriken gripped in hand, their eyes scanned the direction Iroha had indicated.
"Wait!" Aokawa whispered, holding up a hand.
He had also activated his Byakugan, scanning the front: "Based on their current direction of movement, they should exit our area in four minutes."
Uchiha Hachidai immediately reacted, commanding in a low voice: "Everyone, stop channeling Chakra, suppress your presence."
Time passed slowly.
Aokawa kept his eyes fixed ahead; everyone was still, quiet as death.
A dozen pairs of eyes quietly watched Aokawa, waiting for his next observation.
Finally!
Aokawa lowered the hand he used to signal silence: "They're gone!"
Hearing this, everyone collectively let out a sigh of relief.
"It seems the Kumogakure Army has started moving. We need to send this intelligence back," Uchiha Hachidai said with a serious expression.
After releasing the Ninja Hawk, he waved his hand: "Everyone, advance quickly! Head straight for Yunagi Pass!"
"Understood." Everyone responded in unison... Half a day later, they all arrived beneath Yunagi Pass.
After Uchiha Hachidai submitted their identification, everyone was allowed into the fortress.
"We're saved!" The remaining soldiers in the squad shouted sounds of relief.
They had been on edge these past few days.
The enemy forces were powerful and numerous, and they even possessed a Tailed Beast.
The people in the squad either had a Kekkei Genkai or were master swordsmen, possessing multiple ways to save their lives.
By all accounts, those whose lives were most precarious were the ordinary Ninja like them.
Now, at last, a fortress provided them with some reliance.
After Uchiha Hachidai communicated with the Yunagi Pass logistics officer, he began arranging accommodation for everyone inside the fortress.
"Aokawa, what are you doing here?" While Aokawa was waiting for the arrangements, a voice suddenly came from beside him.
"Squad Leader!" He turned his head and saw that it was Hattori Kako, his squad leader from the Hospital.
She was currently dressed in a white lab coat, smiling as she looked at Aokawa.
"Squad Leader, why are you here? Didn't you go to the Land of Rain?" Aokawa was surprised.
"Ah, I heard the situation in the Land of Rain eased up a bit, so I was reassigned halfway here to help establish a Medical Camp."
After Hattori Kako finished speaking, she asked again: "What about you? Why did you come running to the Front Lines?"
"To execute a mission!"
"Executing a mission?" Hattori Kako's face tightened when she heard this, and she quickly pulled Aokawa aside.
"Aokawa, your big sister heard that Kumogakure has already attacked, and executing missions now is very dangerous."
She looked around, and seeing that no one was paying attention to her, she cautiously continued: "Aokawa, war is different from peacetime; it's not a joke. If you are willing, your big sister can find a way to transfer you to the Medical Camp. It might be tiring, but it's much better than going to the front to fight and lose your life."
"Wouldn't that be too much trouble for the Squad Leader?" Aokawa shook his head.
"It's not trouble. With your medical skills, I'm confident I can request your transfer."
Aokawa was silent for a moment, then still shook his head: "Thank you, Squad Leader, but I still feel that fighting on the Front Lines will help me grow faster."
"Sigh, why won't you listen, kid?" Hattori Kako looked helpless.
Just as she was about to continue persuading him, she saw Uchiha Hachidai walking over.
She quickly said: "If you figure it out, come find your big sister at the camp."
After speaking, she turned and left.
Aokawa watched Hattori Kako's retreating back, feeling warmth in his heart.
Setting everything else aside, his Squad Leader genuinely cared about him.
If he were just an ordinary Ninja, he would definitely stick to the medical path until the end.
But with the existence of the Stone Gate, staying at the Hospital was simply too inefficient.
"What's wrong?" Uchiha Hachidai asked as he walked over.
"Nothing!" Aokawa shook his head. "I ran into a colleague from the Hospital."
"Oh." Uchiha Hachidai acknowledged this without asking further, then said: "The Commander-in-Chief asked me to bring you to meet him."
"Commander-in-Chief? Which esteemed person is it?" Aokawa asked.
"I'm not entirely sure; I heard it changed. They specifically requested you. I also need to hand over my report, so let's go together," Uchiha Hachidai replied.
The two passed through layers of guards and arrived at the Command Center, the core of the fortress.
The Command Center was slightly dim. A tall, pale figure stood with his back to them, gazing intently at a massive military map on the wall.
Looking at the figure's waist-length black hair and the cold, dangerous aura emanating from him.
Aokawa instantly tensed up: "It's Orochimaru!"
Uchiha Hachidai was equally surprised.
But immediately, some doubts in his mind were resolved.
After the Forward Operating Base was breached, the rear command didn't even send anyone to assist, as if they had been abandoned.
Regardless, they had held off the enemy long enough and gathered sufficient intelligence.
Originally, he thought it was because he, the captain, was an Uchiha. But upon seeing Orochimaru today, he realized it wasn't actually directed against the Uchiha clan.
Because Orochimaru treated everyone the same way.
Hearing footsteps, Orochimaru slowly turned around, his golden snake eyes gleaming with curiosity in the dim light.
"Lord Orochimaru!" Uchiha Hachidai bowed slightly: "Uchiha Hachidai, Captain of the Forward Operating Base, reporting."
He then stepped aside and introduced Aokawa: "This is Aokawa. The fact that the Forward Operating Base held out for so long is largely thanks to him!"
"Hehehe..."
Orochimaru let out a low, hoarse laugh. He paced forward, licking his lips with his long tongue, carefully scrutinizing Aokawa.
"Aokawa-kun, I have studied you! You are a very special person."
Aokawa's heart immediately seized up.
Studied me?
The research Orochimaru spoke of definitely wasn't just checking his past records.
He probably even got his hands on his DNA.
In an instant, he realized that Danzo had already set his sights on him.
However, this was within his expectations. Given Danzo's personality, he probably entered his watch list the moment he displayed his unique Kekkei Genkai.
This was why he had suppressed his abilities early on, only showing his true worth after Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared.
At least with that connection, Danzo wouldn't act too recklessly.
Ultimately, though, he still had to rely on his own strength to speak for him.
He suppressed the emotional turmoil in his heart and chuckled: "Having failed to graduate after being held back for three years—I didn't expect that news to reach Lord Orochimaru's ears. Please forgive my embarrassment."
"Aokawa-kun is truly interesting!" A hint of surprise flashed in Orochimaru's golden snake eyes. He then continued: "You performed excellently in the Forward Operating Base defense battle. There are some Ninjutsu Scrolls in the warehouse; you may select two as a reward."
"That's wonderful." A look of excitement appeared on Aokawa's face, but he immediately changed the subject: "However, I recently wanted to forge some Ninja Tools. Would it be possible for me to exchange this opportunity for selecting some crafting Materials instead?"
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