As soon as Hizashi Hyuga arrived at the front line, he was assigned to the medical and logistics unit by Jiraiya and Tsunade, and was even specially assigned to Shinichi's side.
In recent days, Konoha has figured out some details about the Red-Eyes. Although that kind of Kekkei Genkai is strange, very few people possess it.
In other words, they can interfere with some of the Byakugan users, but they cannot cover the entire battle line.
Even when Hizashi Hyuga's Byakugan is interfered with, it remains one of the most reliable means of perception on the battlefield.
With him by Shinichi's side, he can detect danger in advance, ensuring Shinichi's safety to the greatest extent.
…..
Half an hour later, fifty miles away from Konoha's camp, at Kikyo Pass.
Eight thousand of the Village Hidden in the Sand's main force were arrayed on the plain in front of the mountain. In the distance, the mountains rose and fell, with Kikyo Pass standing majestically.
From the foot of the mountain to its midsection, six thousand Konoha ninjas were deployed in layers, occupying a commanding position, clearly awaiting the arrival of the Village Hidden in the Sand for a long time.
Eight thousand versus six thousand.
In terms of troop strength, the Village Hidden in the Sand holds a clear advantage.
However, with one side attacking and the other defending, the advantage of terrain was enough to make up for the difference in numbers.
The Village Hidden in the Sand's left and right wings, each a thousand men, were currently maneuvering from the flanks.
Konoha had also dispatched eight hundred troops in each direction to intercept those two forces, not seeking victory, only to delay and block the enemy.
On the main battlefield at Kikyo Pass, only these eight thousand and these six thousand-plus forces remained as the primary combatants.
Before the Village Hidden in the Sand camp, the fourth Kazekage, Rasa, raised his head, gazing at the towering mountain range in the distance. He glanced at the enemies, some visible and some hidden, on and below the mountain, and after a long silence, slowly spoke while sighing: "This Kikyo Pass truly deserves its reputation as the formidable fortress of the Land of Fire!"
At this moment, a short and thin figure slowly stepped out from Rasa's side.
It's Chiyo.
She narrowed her eyes while looking toward the Konoha formation in front of her. Her gaze swept across those faces standing in strict readiness, and finally fixed on the two figures at the very front. She let out a cold laugh and mocked: "Heh."
"Konoha's legendary Sannin, why are there only two here today?"
Chiyo's gaze swept across the Konoha camp.
"Where's that brat that loves playing with snakes? Or is he hiding in some ditch, too scared to come out?"
As soon as she finished speaking, a low chuckle rippled through the Village Hidden in the Sand formation.
At the front of the Konoha formation, Jiraiya didn't speak, but just looked at Tsunade beside him. He thought it best to leave arguing with women to Tsunade, who was also a woman.
Tsunade stepped forward, arms crossed, the corner of her lips curving into a faint smile.
"I was wondering who it was, so it's Elder Chiyo of the Village Hidden in the Sand. That reminds me of something."
Tsunade's gaze swept over Chiyo's face, then she deliberately glanced at Rasa beside her from time to time.
"The puppet of the third Kazekage is still sitting in your house, isn't it? Oh, not satisfied with just looking at it every day, so you've brought the new Kazekage out for a stroll again?"
Chiyo's expression stiffened slightly, and the laughter from the Village Hidden in the Sand camp abruptly stopped.
Tsunade, however, had no intention of stopping. Her gaze shifted to Rasa, a meaningful smile appearing on her face: "Is this the newly appointed fourth Kazekage, Rasa? Rasa-sama, you'd better watch out."
"Since Chiyo could turn the third Kazekage into a human puppet and keep him in a secluded room, treating him like a plaything..."
At this point, Tsunade tilted her head, her smile becoming even more playful as she kindly reminded him: "It's not impossible that one day she might get a sudden whim and turn you into a human puppet, sending you to keep the third Kazekage company, hehe..."
The Village Hidden in the Sand camp was deathly silent, and Chiyo's smile vanished completely, replaced by a gloomy expression.
Although Rasa's expression remained unchanged, his eyes darkened, and a ripple of emotion stirred within him.
After the war began, Konoha immediately released the news that the third Kazekage was dead and that the murderer was Sasori.
Rasa didn't believe it at first, but later, as time went by and as he repeatedly flipped through those files, those overlooked details began to surface little by little.
The third Kazekage last appeared on the border of the Land of Rivers. He went there to recruit the small Hinokawa Clan that possesses the Red-Eyes.
Among those accompanying him were Sasaro and several other members of the Kage Guard Platoon.
Those people later all disappeared, neither seen alive nor found dead.
With the strength of the third Kazekage and his Kage Guard Platoon, even if he were surrounded, he would be able to fight back. There is simply no one in the entire Shinobi World who could make him disappear without a trace.
Unless!
Those who took action were their own people.
Once the thought arises, it can no longer be suppressed.
Sasori, Chiyo's grandson, the Village Hidden in the Sand's youngest puppet prodigy, inherited Chiyo's poison techniques and was proficient in all kinds of assassination methods. If he had acted when the third Kazekage was completely off guard or if he had secretly poisoned him… there's a high probability that he could defeat the third Kazekage and his Kage Guard Platoon.
Therefore, there is a high probability that what Konoha said is true.
The third Kazekage truly died at the hands of his own people.
Rasa suppressed the turbulent thoughts in his heart, and his face remained calm.
"Rasa, the matter of the third Kazekage is definitely not like what that…"
Chiyo's voice came from beside him, as if she wanted to say something, but before she could finish speaking, Rasa raised his hand to interrupt her.
"Elder Chiyo."
Rasa didn't look at her; his gaze remained fixed on the Konoha camp opposite them.
"This is Konoha's attempt to sow discord."
It doesn't matter who killed the third Kazekage now.
Once war begins, there is only one common enemy.
Regardless of the truth behind the third Kazekage's death, the blame can only be placed on Konoha, and only on Konoha.
Now, not a single word that could affect the army can be said, and not a single thing that could affect unity can be done.
Rasa took a deep breath and slowly raised his hand.
"My fellow villagers of the Village Hidden in the Sand!"
His voice suddenly rose, drowning out all the noise on the battlefield: "Prepare for attack!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a flurry of shouts suddenly rang out from within the Village Hidden in the Sand formation.
The hundreds of ninjas at the forefront formed hand seals almost simultaneously and slammed their palms into the ground.
"Earth Style: Great Mud River!"
"Earth Style: Great Mud River!"
"Earth Style..."
Rumble!
The earth trembled violently, and the ground at the foot of Kikyo Pass shook violently. Cracks spread across the mountain like giant snakes, the hard rocks began to loosen, and soil cascaded down.