The journey to the Land of Lightning was arduous. The team had to move swiftly to avoid unnecessary delays, as every hour counted in this high-stakes operation. After traversing dense forests and leaving the Land of Fire behind, they arrived at the border of the Land of Lightning. Despite the heightened security, a small team of seven ninjas could easily slip through undetected.
"Captain Tōka, do you know where the Iwagakure Ninja Village will meet us?" Fumori Masaki asked.
"Probably around this location," Tōka said, unfurling a map and pointing to a spot. "However, the exact location needs to be confirmed through surveillance. Is that a problem?"
Hyūga Kei nodded. "Don't worry. I'll report immediately if I spot anyone from Iwagakure."
"In my opinion, Iwagakure won't send a large force. After all, if they did, it would be easier to find them," Inuzuka Shigeru speculated.
"Even if the force is small, it will still be elite. They wouldn't be here otherwise," Yamanaka Takuma said thoughtfully. "If Iwagakure is committed to this operation, they would certainly put forth their best effort. Declaring war on the Land of Fire would be too much of a hassle."
"I understand," Tōka said. "In fact, the task of disrupting their logistics falls to you all. My illusions can incapacitate many, but they don't damage inanimate objects."
"Got it," Masaki, Shigeru, and Sarutobi Konosuke said in unison. They were the main offensive force, while Hyuga Kei, Yamanaka Takuma, and Senju Risa would provide support and handle other responsibilities.
The group, led by Tōka, continued their journey to the designated meeting point, avoiding detection by the Land of Lightning's patrols. Despite the low likelihood of the country aligning with the Land of Lightning, caution was prudent. Thanks to Tōka's illusions, they went unnoticed.
As they approached the meeting spot, Hyūga Kei's sharp eyes spotted a ten-man team from Iwagakure in a small clearing. The forehead protectors identified them clearly. Kei informed Tōka, who then led the team to the meeting area.
Before making contact, Tōka signaled to announce their presence. The signal was acknowledged, and Tōka was surprised to see that the leader of the Iwagakure team was a short man.
Fumori Masaki's eyes narrowed as he recognized the leader: it was Ōnoki, the future Third Tsuchikage. He hadn't expected Ōnoki to be in charge of this raid.
Tōka introduced herself with courtesy, and Ōnoki acknowledged her presence with a nod. Despite being a member of the Senju family, Ōnoki was known for his reserved demeanor.
"Hello, Tōka-sama. I am Ōnoki, a disciple of the Second Tsuchikage. I will be assisting you in this raid," Ohnoki said, though his tone remained somewhat formal.
Tōka smiled, not letting Ōnoki's reluctance bother her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ōnoki. We also have a disciple of the Second Hokage with us."
Fumori Masaki stepped forward and introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Fumori Masaki."
Ōnoki recalled that the Fumori clan wasn't a major clan in Konoha, but being a disciple of the Second Hokage implied that Masaki must be exceptional.
"I'm Ōnoki, Nice to meet you," Ōnoki replied, though his response was still somewhat stiff.
Masaki continued, "I want to thank you and Iwagakure for assisting us against the aggression of the Hidden Cloud. Your support is invaluable."
Ōnoki was taken aback by Masaki's words. It was unusual for a Konoha ninja to express such gratitude. The Iwagakure ninjas behind him, and even Tōka, were surprised by Masaki's unexpected diplomacy.
"The world of ninjas has been in turmoil, with constant conflicts and suffering. Twelve years ago, the Five Kage Agreement was signed to ensure peace and stability. For a decade, the world saw a period of calm. However, recent aggression by the Land of Lightning violates that agreement. We appreciate your help in resisting this unjust war. We hope that together we can restore peace and order to the ninja world," Masaki said, extending his hand to Ōnoki.
Ōnoki, though initially confused, was moved by Masaki's words. It seemed that Konoha was genuinely committed to maintaining peace, a sentiment that resonated with him.
"Well, let's work together," Ōnoki said, shaking Masaki's hand. Although his village was not as noble as Masaki described, the praise felt good. He was surprised by the sincerity and unexpected warmth from the Konoha ninja.
Tōka, observing the interaction, realized that Masaki's approach had indeed fostered a positive atmosphere. She decided to focus on their mission. "Alright, let's review the logistics of the Land of Lightning and finalize our raid plan."
"Agreed," Masaki said, leading Ōnoki to sit down.
Ōnoki, slightly bewildered but impressed, joined the discussion. The collaboration between Konoha and Iwagakure had started on a positive note, setting the stage for their joint operation against the aggressors.
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Note: im editing future Chapters at the moment. Because previously I was offline for 8 days, the editing schedule was also behind schedule. so I can't publish several chapters a day. for the time being I will publish one chapter per day. Sorry for the inconvenience. Ciao