Konoha Main Camp, Central Plaza.
Bonfires were set up on all four sides of the platform, burning fiercely with the crackle of exploding charcoal. The flickering light illuminated the grave face of Shikaku Nara on the stage and the varied expressions of the ninjas below—some fearful, some calm, others burning with battle intent.
Ren Uchiha stood in the very first row, in the sixteenth position.
The first row consisted entirely of Jonin-level ninjas in flak jackets—fifteen of them. Ren, a Chunin in a high-collared black Uchiha robe tucked at the end of the line, looked noticeably out of place. But at this moment, no one cared. Every eye was fixed on the platform, waiting for Shikaku's briefing.
Shinichi Uchiha stood beside Ren. Directly behind him in the second row, Shisui Uchiha's face was solemn, his eyes flickering with a two-tomoe Sharingan.
Ren noticed that another Uchiha who had arrived with Shisui and Shinichi—Special Jonin Tasuke Uchiha—was nowhere to be seen. Glancing at Shisui's newly evolved two-tomoe eyes, Ren fell silent and let out a soft, knowing sigh. The answer was obvious.
After a moment of silence, Shikaku Nara raised his hand, checked his pocket watch, and synced the time. He stepped forward and scanned the crowd with a cool gaze.
"Everyone," he began. "Due to unexpected circumstances, I am delivering the mission briefing in place of Lord Jiraiya. Our surprise attack will be launched ahead of schedule tonight."
"The operation is divided into three parts:"
"First, the Close-Combat Battalion and the Mid-Range Combat Unit will provide a frontal diversion to lure the enemy away, clearing a path for the strike teams."
"Second, the Surprise Attack Force will pierce through the Land of Rain to strike deep behind enemy lines."
"Third, to prevent information leaks, all units will remain on standby upon reaching their objectives until ordered otherwise by liaison officers."
"The specific details have been handed to each squad leader. That is all. Your leaders will explain your roles en route. There is no time to lose. Move out immediately!"
The fifteen Jonins in the first row turned simultaneously, signaled their subordinates, and vanished into the night.
The briefing had been exceptionally vague. Usually, before a major battle, there would be detailed maps of defensive positions and offensive vectors. This felt more like a small-scale secret mission. However, these ninjas were used to this pace. Shinichi tapped Ren's shoulder and signaled him to follow.
Ren moved quickly, followed by the rest of the Surprise Attack Force—a ninety-man unit divided into three-man cells. Shinichi was the overall commander.
Under the cover of darkness and the noise of the main army's advance, the unit moved like ghosts. In two hours, they navigated through a canyon, crossed a pre-dug tunnel, climbed a mountain, and rappelled down a cliff. To Ren's utter shock, they had easily bypassed the Sand's defenses and arrived at the desolate rocky area behind their lines.
Behind them lay the glowing lights of a Sand camp, with guards visibly yawning. Ahead lay the endless desert of the Land of Wind, where the wind cut like knives.
"Surprised?" Shinichi whispered, leaning against a rock. "I was too. But I've finally figured out what's going on."
Ren's brow twitched. "Senpai, stop teasing. What happened? Why was it so easy to get behind them?"
Shinichi gestured for Shisui and the two other mid-level captains to huddle. He spread out a mission scroll.
"Listen carefully," Shinichi said gravely. "Understand this one point: We are not the real 'Surprise Attack' force."
"Our role is that of a decoy! Shikaku Nara is using the main army to pull the enemy's attention, while the actual strike team uses our name to confuse the Sand's judgment. We took a secret path discovered by Lord Jiraiya."
Shisui looked stunned. "But... why?"
"It's complicated," Shinichi frowned. "Originally, our goal was to coordinate with ANBU to destroy supply lines. But an unexpected arrival forced an upgrade to the entire operation."
Ren's heart skipped a beat as a possibility crossed his mind. Shinichi spoke the name:
"The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa!"
"What?!" The two captains gasped. "The Fourth just took office! Why would he be on the front lines so soon?"
"Don't ask me," Shinichi grumbled.
Ren's heart sank. Because of him, Pakura was alive. Rasa's position was currently unstable; he desperately needed military achievements to solidify his rule as the Fourth Kazekage. He had rushed to the front to 'farm' merit.
With the sudden intelligence of Rasa's location, Konoha's top brass—Jiraiya and Orochimaru—weren't about to pass up the chance to assassinate him, especially since he wasn't yet in the more dangerous Land of Earth.
"The strategy is three-fold," Shinichi explained. "First, our original mission to destroy supplies continues. We will pin down the Sand ninjas in this border camp to buy time for the ANBU elites. Second, the main army provides the diversion. Third, the real surprise attack force strikes."
"And who is doing the assassination?" Ren asked urgently, feeling like a job he had been promised was being snatched away.
Shinichi laughed, glancing at Ren's face. "You think it's you? Of course it's Lord Orochimaru, Lord Jiraiya, and his student, Minato Namikaze. Their special squad is the real strike team!"
Ren felt a sudden sense of loss. A team consisting of Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Minato? That was terrifying. Did Rasa even have a chance to survive?
Shinichi's smile vanished. "Our mission is equally dangerous. There are three hundred Sand ninjas in that camp. We have ninety men and only three Jonin."
"If we can't hold them, or if the ANBU fail... we all die."
Shinichi signaled the other captains to leave, leaving only Shisui and Ren. He gripped Ren's shoulder, a look of internal struggle in his eyes.
"Ren," Shinichi said solemnly. "Stay behind me. You are the bridge between our clan and the village. I'll be blunt: I don't care if the others die—they aren't our blood. But not you."
"As long as you live, the clan and the village can reconcile one day. You are the hope of our faction. You have strength, but you aren't fully grown. Leave the dangerous work to your seniors."
Shisui nodded firmly, his young face full of resolve. "Don't worry, Ren! Brother Shinichi and I will protect you! Even if it costs us our lives!"
Ren looked at the two of them in horror.
What the hell is going on?
In one night, two of his 'jobs' were stolen, and now two more 'unstable' Uchihas were vowing to die for him?
Am I in the Land of Rain, or am I back in that bizarre Land of Hot Springs?