On the other side, Shimizu, the Overall Commander of Sunagakure, had not slept all night.
He had been pondering whether or not to send the entire main force to charge into the Land of Birds. This would force the Iwagakure troops to passively engage and fight them.
Yubi, who was possibly being pursued by the enemy, could then use this opportunity to escape.
A full day and night had already passed. If Yubi was fine, he should have returned long ago.
Now, with him still nowhere to be seen, Shimizu's mood inevitably sank to rock bottom, leading him to think of the worst-case scenario.
The current problem was the uncertainty of whether Yubi had been captured or had already died.
If something had already happened... although regrettable, they could only accept that outcome.
The strategy the Village had set for them on the front lines was simple: defend against Iwagakure... prevent the other side from encroaching on the Land of Wind's territory until they retreated.
Given the Village's current situation, even a war involving a few thousand people would be difficult to sustain if it dragged on.
They could not afford any greater losses.
If they requested instructions from the Village, the higher-ups probably would not approve them launching a full-scale attack.
And as the commander, if he stubbornly insisted on engaging Iwagakure in a large-scale battle... regardless of the outcome, it would not be what the Village wanted to see.
After the war, he would certainly be made the scapegoat.
He might even be despised and cursed by the people in the Village.
Once a major battle started, it would inevitably lead to more casualties... he would be responsible for everything.
The reason Shimizu was conflicted was that over the past six months, he had seen Yubi's value on the battlefield as a Medical Ninja and the changes and improvements he brought to the main force's medical conditions.
Forget about Yubi's future potential; his importance to a frontline unit alone was evident to all.
"There's no choice..."
After a long while, Shimizu covered his forehead, struggled internally several times, and then murmured with a weary expression.
If Yubi died... whether it was them or the Village, they would most likely be 'indifferent'.
Just like the many Geniuses who died young in the Ninja World... it could only be seen as a loss.
Just as he was feeling somewhat vexed, a subordinate suddenly strode into the tent with a look of joy.
"Lord Shimizu, Yubi has returned!"
The man said happily.
"What?"
Upon hearing this, Shimizu immediately stood up, his eyes lighting up.
His anxious heart finally settled.
Soon, the travel-worn Yubi, surrounded by several people, entered the tent and reported to Shimizu.
When they heard that Yubi, while evading pursuit, had managed to fend off Iwagakure's pursuers and actually killed dozens of enemies... the management personnel who had gathered upon hearing the news were all greatly astonished.
They knew Yubi's strength was not weak.
But they didn't have a precise concept of it.
Because in the unit, Yubi was just a Medical Ninja. On the battlefield, his freedom to act was not high, and the combat prowess he displayed was limited.
But to achieve this level alone, deep in enemy territory, this battle record was a bit too dazzling.
Of course, they did not suspect Yubi's mission report was fake.
Because even if he was the only one on the mission, if a forged mission record was discovered, it would be an indelible stain for a Ninja, and he would be punished.
This was not something that could be fabricated casually.
Besides, such a thing... could also be verified by the 'reaction' from the Iwagakure forces.
And by collecting some related intelligence to corroborate it.
The few of them simply marveled at Yubi's 'excellence' and didn't think much more about it.
"This is..."
But finally, when Yubi took out an item, everyone's minds were no longer on Yubi's brilliant achievements.
"A special ninja tool... While dealing with Iwagakure, I encountered a group of rogue Ninjas and took it from their leader. I'm not entirely sure of their identities because the situation was urgent at the time, I was still being pursued by the enemy, and I didn't have time to investigate their origins. So... after killing a few of them, I left quickly."
Yubi took out a completely black flute and displayed it before everyone.
Rogue Ninjas?
So-called rogue Ninjas are a group of people who do not belong to any country or Ninja Village and have no fixed abode in the Ninja World.
Most of these Ninjas are not very skilled; they may steal and learn Ninjutsu from other countries or Villages, but usually only grasp the surface.
During the Ninja World War, such rogue Ninjas were often hired by some Villages to participate in the battlefield.
More of them end up under local forces in major countries, acting as enforcers or private armed personnel.
"The effect of this ninja tool is quite special. I think... it could be of great help in our battle with Iwagakure."
Then, Yubi briefly explained the ability of the military music dream.
Of course, his wording was slightly embellished.
He pointed out that this was the effect displayed by the rogue Ninja leader.
He also activated it later when fighting Iwagakure.
"Mass hallucination?"
Shimizu and the others were somewhat surprised.
Yubi then publicly used the ninja tool again, activating the hypnotic Genjutsu.
"Hiss..."
Itō sucked in a cold breath.
He had never heard of this ninja tool before, nor did he know its origin.
If it was truly as Yubi said, and he discovered during the battle with Iwagakure that this tool could affect hostile targets on a large scale... that would be simply Heaven-Defying!
"Let's go outside."
Shimizu said seriously.
He wanted Yubi to demonstrate the level and range of the tool's hallucinatory effect.
He would use it on the entire Sunagakure force stationed at the camp.
The area and number of people in their camp fully met the 'conditions' of a battlefield.
A few minutes later, looking at the many Sunagakure Ninjas who had fallen unconscious within their field of vision... the few management personnel first looked somewhat stunned, then immediately became excited.
If this thing were used on the battlefield, even if it didn't give Sunagakure an absolute advantage, it would be enough to influence the course of the battle.
"The range of the effect still has certain limitations; it can't spread too far, but it's sufficient. Also... if the target is relatively strong and can control the flow of their Chakra in an instant, they can also resist this Genjutsu... However, on a large-scale battlefield, people with that level of skill are definitely not the majority," a captain said with a delighted expression.
"Most importantly, it's not heavily dependent on the user's own Chakra reserves... it doesn't require a massive amount of Chakra."
"Yubi, let me try it."
Shimizu extended his hand.
Yubi handed him the flute.
Shimizu put the flute to his lips and mobilized his Chakra.
However... silence.
Not to mention the previous Genjutsu effect, the flute didn't even make a sound.
"Huh?"
Shimizu was momentarily stunned.
He tried again... still nothing.
"You try."
He passed the flute to Itō.
The latter also attempted it... with the same, ineffective result.
"Only Yubi can activate it... why?"
Itō looked puzzled.
"It's actually normal. I've heard some special ninja tools choose their users..."
Shimizu stroked his chin, thinking.
Does this thing even recognize its master?
Finally, after being passed around, the flute returned to Yubi's hand.
During this, Sasori also tried it, but it had no effect.
"Regarding this ninja tool, I truly haven't heard of it and have no clues... rogue Ninjas..." Shimizu narrowed his eyes.
The origins of many rogue Ninjas remain untraceable to this day.
But it's undeniable that since they are descendants of Ninjas, their ancestors must have had intricate connections with the Ninja World in earlier years.
As for the distant historical truths of that era, people today... don't know much either.
And there's no way to investigate further.
"Yubi... although you discovered this thing, once it's reported to the Village, I'm afraid..."
Shimizu glanced at the smiling Yubi, implying something.
"I understand."
Yubi nodded with a relaxed expression.
In short, this ninja tool would become the Village's property.
If others in the Village could use it, then... ultimately, the higher-ups would decide who this ninja tool would be assigned to.
Of course, the ownership... would definitely belong to the Village.
Yubi smiled secretly to himself.
A so-called exclusive ninja tool meant... apart from him, there was no second person in this world who could use it.
Even if he handed it over to the Village, no matter how unwilling the higher-ups were, in the end... they would have to return it.