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After breaking free from the constraints of Amegakure, the explosive war between Konoha and Sunagakure unfolded within a matter of days.
Under Sōsuke's precise and terrifying strategic command, all the bases of Sunagakure in Amegakure were pulled out by Konoha.
Taking advantage of the situation, Konoha pursued.
Gradually, the center of the battlefield shifted from Amegakure to the hot and desolate Wind Country.
"Hoo, hoo—"
In a desolate land where the wind roared and sands danced.
At this moment.
Several small figures were moving in this area.
They were currently walking laboriously in this scorching and desolate yellow desert.
Each step they took would leave a not too deep footprint on the sandy ground, but the gradually approaching sandstorm quickly buried them.
As if they had never existed...
From above, a vast reddish-yellow land seemed to form a distinct boundary with the lush forest.
Naturally, the forest side was the territory of the Fire Country, while the desolate and scorching yellow sandy area belonged to the Wind Country.
At this moment.
Among the few figures slowly advancing in the desert.
A ninja with a tired expression on her face, amidst the terrifying sounds of the wind and sand around, lifted her head slightly.
Tugging on the goggles on her head, she looked somewhat serious as she gazed towards the distant sand, which was gradually covering the sky. She hesitated and said in a low voice.
"Captain Sakumo! Judging from the looks of it, it seems that a terrifying sandstorm is about to form in this area... Should we continue to move deeper?"
Hearing her words, the tall figure with white hair walking at the front, lowly raised his head.
His deep-set eyes looked towards the sky, where the weather was changing rapidly.
With just a brief glance, he lowered his head again and said in a low voice.
"It's okay, Shika. Let's keep going. This level of sandstorm won't affect our actions."
Hearing Sakumo Hatake's words, the other Konoha ninjas who were somewhat worried after hearing the female ninja's words calmed down.
However, the female ninja, despite the reassurance, still frowned with a pair of charming eyes fixed on the white-haired figure. Her voice slightly hoarse, she said,
"Captain Sakumo, can you tell us about the plan for this mission? So far, you've only led us here, and you haven't explained anything about the plan."
Hearing the words of the female ninja, Shika, Sakumo paused slightly, turned his head slowly, and a serious expression appeared on his face.
"I know you are all elite ninjas from various bases..."
"And precisely because of this, I selected you to participate in this secretive operation with me."
"Now that we're here, there's no problem with me answering any doubts you may have."
With that, he paused, scanned the several Konoha ninjas present, and said in a deep voice,
"Our only goal this time is... to infiltrate Sunagakure and cause the maximum military damage!"
The surrounding ghostly howling wind seemed to be gradually strengthening. As Sakumo's heavy words slowly fell, the group of Konoha ninjas showed astonished expressions.
"In... Infiltrate... Sunagakure...!?"
"The... Maximum damage...!!"
Everyone murmured in a daze.
After a moment of bewilderment, Shika, behind them, instantly reacted. Her eyes suddenly turned cold, scolding.
"In this way, wouldn't our retreat be completely cut off!?"
"Even if we manage to infiltrate Sunagakure from this distance, after causing the damage, won't everyone be discovered!?"
Hearing Shika's words, the other ninjas all looked at Sakumo with expressions of hope, their eyes filled with anticipation for his next words.
However, much to their immense disappointment, the genius ninja known as 'Konoha White Fang' simply nodded in silence. His voice, incredibly deep, resonated with a heavy tone.
"Yes... This mission... there's a high chance it's a one-way trip."
Upon hearing his words, all the Konoha ninjas' pupils constricted, and a sense of despair washed over them.
The female ninja, Shika, asked angrily, "Why? Why would the village assign such a mission to us!?"
In response to her question, Sakumo lifted his head slightly, glanced at her, and said in a low voice, "Because we are shinobi... This mission is crucial to the village's strategic plans against Sunagakure."
"As shinobi, our duty is to obey orders and prioritize the village's grand plans. That is the fate of a shinobi!"
His words left all the Konoha ninjas speechless, including Shika, who stared at him in astonishment.
A moment of silence fell over the scene.
After a while, a male Konoha ninja turned his head slightly. Although his expression was somewhat grim, he still spoke in a deep voice.
"I... understand."
As his words fell, one after another, the others nodded.
"I... understand!"
"Me too..."
"We are willing to dedicate everything for the village, Captain Sakumo!"
...
Finally, even the female ninja, Shika, couldn't bear it any longer, turned her head aside, and in a slightly hoarse voice, said, "I... understand, Captain Sakumo."
Hearing their responses, Sakumo looked at each of them, his expression hardly changing. His shoulders, however, seemed to sag a bit, and he said in a hoarse voice,
"Now that everyone understands the mission of this journey, let's continue forward."
With that, he turned away from the group, and his voice became extremely hoarse.
"Let Sunagakure... witness the shinobi way of the Leaf Village... witness our final radiance."
Having said that, he walked slowly forward.
Behind him, several elite Konoha ninjas followed.
Unlike when they left their base, after understanding that this journey might be a one-way trip, everyone's faces showed no other thoughts, only a solemn expression.
Two days ago.
Inside the borders of the Land of Rain.
In a Konoha base adjacent to the Land of Wind.
"Sōsuke, Tsunade, Orochimaru? Why are you all here?"
Sakumo looked at the three people in front of him in confusion.
Sōsuke and the others exchanged glances, and Sōsuke took a step forward. His face showed a trace of seriousness as he looked at Sakumo and spoke with a heavy tone.
"Sak... Sakumo, do you know the current situation between Konoha and Sunagakure? Currently... Sunagakure is attempting to form an alliance with Iwagakure, and the village is in a passive position."
Hearing about the war, Sakumo's expression changed, and he said in a low voice, "Captain Sōsuke, does the village have a mission for me? Feel free to speak your mind."
Sōsuke nodded with a serious expression, saying, "Yes... I've drafted a strategic plan against Sunagakure... But it requires a special ninja team to infiltrate the heart of Sunagakure, causing enough chaos to create an opportunity for this plan."
"After discussions with the village leaders, they sent me, along with Orochimaru and Tsunade, to seek your opinion."
After Sōsuke spoke, Orochimaru and Tsunade also nodded at Sakumo.
Hearing this, Sakumo's pupils slightly contracted.
Then his face became more serious, and he said in a low voice, "Essential preparations, right!?"
To this, Sōsuke looked at him, his eyes heavy as he nodded slightly.
Seeing this scene, Sakumo pondered for a moment, then nodded gently and said seriously, "I understand."
Images of memories slowly flashed in his mind.
In the desert, the figure walking at the forefront of the group, as if carrying an immense burden, lowered his head, and his white hair covered his eyes.
Is this the village...
The sorrow of a shinobi...
He thought silently as the group soon disappeared into the vast land.
...
At the same time, in a base within the Land of Rain.
"Shinobi... aren't they a tragic existence?"
"For the so-called village... engaging in dirty and ugly meaningless actions..."
Sōsuke, with a gentle smile on his face, looked at the beautiful figure in front of him and spoke softly.