After Shintaro and the others left, Sato immediately became anxious. While sending people to count and treat the wounded, he also dispatched someone to report the situation and request support.
Two hours later, Sato awaited the reinforcements.
"How many are injured?" A woman walked in briskly, her voice firm and steady.
Sato stepped forward and responded, "A total of thirty-seven are injured, twenty-five with minor injuries, and twelve seriously injured... Two of the critically injured have died from their wounds."
The woman immediately turned to the Sunagakure Ninja behind her and commanded, "Have the medical ninjas start treating the injured immediately, prioritizing those who are critically injured. No more lives can be lost."
"Yes, Pakura-sama." A female medical ninja replied respectfully.
Sato was extremely nervous now. After all, he was facing his direct superior, Pakura. Her reputation in the village was nearly second only to Elder Chiyo and the current Kazekage Rasa.
Her strength was even more impressive, possessing the ability to roast people alive into mummies.
Pakura frowned and reprimanded Sato, "A bunch of trash! Being beaten like this by a few Chunin and Genin from Konoha, how do you expect me to explain this to the village?"
Sato immediately defended himself, saying, "Pakura-sama, the strength of those Konoha ninjas is extraordinary."
"One is adept at wind element swordsmanship, another is proficient with ninja tools and has excellent sword skills, and there is an unusually powerful taijutsu ninja. None of these people are less powerful than I am."
"Their captain is from the Uchiha Clan. His name is Uchiha Shintaro. He is even stronger, using fire ninjutsu with the power of a Jonin. I am not his match. I'm afraid only you can deal with him."
Pakura felt Sato was trying to evade responsibility and still looked displeased, continuing to ask, "Uchiha Shintaro... Why haven't I heard of this name? Is he a new powerful Uchiha?"
Sato hesitantly replied, "He is an eleven or twelve-year-old boy."
"What?!" Pakura felt both angry and shocked.
She knew something about Sato's strength. He was primarily a Jonin. However, he was saying that a pre-teen Uchiha boy was better than him.
Pakura's first reaction was to think Sato was making excuses to avoid blame, but after seeing the large charred marks inside the fort and the numerous burn wounds, she slowly began to believe the facts she had to admit.
"Konoha... Uchiha... Truly talented." Pakura could only sigh.
"Pakura-sama, something has happened at the base!" A ninja rushed into the fort and reported the situation breathlessly.
Pakura was startled by the news, "What?!"
❀❀❀
One hour earlier, in the Land of Rivers, Akaishi Mountain.
A stone fortress stood on the red desert on the western side of the mountain.
Inside and outside the fort, hundreds of Sunagakure Ninjas were orderly building the stronghold.
At this moment, behind a ridge, four figures lay on the ground, hiding their presence.
"Captain Shintaro, did you really see the two rogue ninjas inside?"
Hayama couldn't believe Shintaro had seen the two rogue ninjas from such a distance.
"So what should we do? Should we negotiate or attack forcefully?" Kosuke, experienced in missions, immediately proposed two plans.
Duy also looked at Shintaro blankly. He didn't know what to do; he only knew to follow orders.
Shintaro thought for a moment and then said, "Our primary task is to gather information on Sunagakure."
"If we just negotiate, regardless of whether Sunagakure is friendly or not, we won't be able to gather detailed information inside, and attacking forcefully will not end well. If this triggers a war, we will be the sinners of Konoha."
"So, my plan is to divide our forces into two groups. I will send a shadow clone to lead you, pretend to attack the fort, and take the opportunity to kill the two rogue ninjas. This way, we will have a reason to retreat. Sunagakure Ninjas will think we have achieved our goal, and we won't be held accountable."
"My main body will take advantage of the chaos to sneak into the fort and gather detailed information."
"You don't need to worry about me after you retreat. Take the bodies of the two rogue ninjas to Tanigakure Village."
Shintaro explained his plan.
Kosuke worried about Shintaro's safety and said, "Captain Shintaro, you are Konoha's genius, and I am just an old Genin. Leave this dangerous task to me."
Hayama and Duy also voiced their concerns.
Shintaro waved his hand and said, "Trust me, nothing will happen. This way, if I haven't returned by then, you will ask Tanigakure Village to send troops to mediate."
"Sunagakure Village's preparations for war are not complete. They won't kill me easily and let the war break out first."
Shintaro proposed a solution, making Kosuke and the others feel a bit relieved. He then used his shadow clone, which led them down the mountain. The main body still lay in place, waiting for the opportunity.
"The main targets of this ruse are the two rogue ninjas from Tanigakure Village, Hayakawa Okora and Moritani Shinya."
Shintaro's shadow clone passed on the photos, allowing Kosuke and the others to remember the targets' appearances.
"After entering the fort, head straight for the targets, distract the Sunagakure Ninjas from the fort, and create opportunities for the main body."
"Yes, Captain Shintaro."
Hayama was the first to respond to Shintaro, fully recognizing the younger captain.
"Pay attention to your safety. If it's not possible, retreat. There's no point in losing your life here." Shintaro's shadow clone continued to instruct.
Although the shadow clone and the main body had two consciousnesses, they thought the same way.
Kosuke looked at him and admired Shintaro in his heart.
'If I had this character when I was young, maybe they wouldn't have had an accident...'
When Kosuke was young, he killed two teammates because of his desire for success. Therefore, he knelt in front of the Second Hokage and repented, vowing to be only a Genin in his life.
In fact, Kosuke's water element ninjutsu was obtained from the true heritage of the Second Hokage. In a mission, to protect Sarutobi Hiruzen's injured left eye, he received the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique from the Third Hokage as a gift.
Kosuke's strength was not inferior to Konoha's Jonin.
Duy agreed with what Shintaro said. He was willing to sacrifice himself for Konoha, but that didn't mean he underestimated his own life.
Otherwise, he wouldn't consider the Gate of Death [Hachimon] as a last resort.
"Duy, is your injury okay?" Shintaro asked.
The side effects of opening [Hachimon] slightly overwhelmed his body, and Shintaro could see clearly with his Six Eyes.
Duy was deeply moved and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Captain. I'm fine; I can return to the village to recover for a while."
Shintaro nodded and said no more.
The four of them rushed towards the fort. This time, someone was guarding the fort, and Shintaro and the others were already spotted.
"Who goes there!" The man shouted.
Shintaro and the others ignored him and directly ran towards the wall of the fort.