"Yes, yes, I know, Kushina is the most understanding," Takuya said, chuckling.
"Hahaha."
"Don't laugh!"
"Hahaha..."
Pakura wandered alone through the camp, aware that ANBU members were silently trailing her. Even without Takuya's direct order, they would monitor her. Just because Takuya gave her some freedom didn't mean ANBU would simply let her roam unchecked.
She felt like a lost beast without a home, while the gazes of those around her—ranging from surprise to outright hatred—were automatically filtered out of her thoughts. With the current conflict between Konoha and Sunagakure, her presence, still marked by the Sunagakure forehead protector, inevitably drew attention in the Konoha camp.
War breeds losses, and the Konoha shinobi who had lost comrades couldn't help but harbor resentment towards her, a shinobi from the enemy village.
Kushina had originally come in brimming with hostility, intent on driving away her supposed rival. But after spending time with Takuya, her jealousy faded, replaced by a sense of sympathy towards Pakura, who seemed to be going through the same struggles Kushina herself had faced.
Finally, the counteroffensive plan began.
Orders were issued, and countless Konoha shinobi gathered as small squads were organized and deployed. With Kushina's arrival, Pakura anticipated some uneasy times ahead, but she was surprised. Besides the occasional affectionate exchange, Takuya and Kushina didn't do anything extreme or make her presence unbearably awkward.
The anticipation of battle weighed heavily on the camp. Even before dawn, well-prepared shinobi teams were swiftly moving out, including Takuya, Kushina, and Pakura.
The forces split into two groups, one led by Sakumo Hatake and the other by Takuya, both advancing toward Sunagakure's encampment. However, Takuya's side was smaller, consisting of just a few hundred shinobi, while Sakumo's division was significantly larger.
Nara Shikashige had hoped to divide their forces more evenly, but Takuya had refused. To him, it didn't make much difference whether he led hundreds or thousands. Besides, Sakumo's front would likely face heavier resistance, and the additional manpower would provide more room for maneuvering since Sunagakure's forces outnumbered them.
"Kushina, don't feel pressured. This battle will be your chance to shine, a moment to prove yourself and to secure the freedom to come and go from Konoha as you wish. You're already strong, and with the Nine-Tails aiding you, and me supporting from behind, you have nothing to fear," Takuya reassured Kushina, noticing her anxiety.
Pakura, listening in, looked perplexed. She couldn't believe Takuya was actually letting Kushina take the lead in the battle against Sunagakure's camp. What was even more astonishing was how simplistic their plan seemed: Kushina would charge in and wreak havoc, while Takuya and the rest would clean up afterward. It sounded utterly reckless.
'Is Takuya underestimating Sunagakure that much?' Pakura thought, feeling an urge to curse. Even if Kushina was a Jinchuriki, there was a limit to how arrogant one could be.
Sarutobi Shiji, who had been specifically summoned by Shikashige, was just as dumbfounded. Takuya's "battle plan" left him stunned. Who fought a war like this? It was madness. He had protested, but his objections fell on deaf ears. Takuya simply dismissed his concerns, telling him to save his comments for after the battle and just follow his lead for now.
Takuya had long grown tired of the old-fashioned thinking that many senior village members clung to. Sometimes, taking complete control wasn't such a bad thing—at least it meant there was no need to argue endlessly with people who couldn't see reason.
"Lord Takuya, we have reached the enemy's forward positions. Should we proceed further?" reported a shinobi in charge of scouting the area.
"No need. Let's rest here for now. Once the battle starts on the other side, we'll begin our assault," Takuya ordered.
They would wait for Sakumo to initiate the attack. Once Sakumo engaged Chiyo and drew out the bulk of Sunagakure's forces, it would be the perfect moment for their group to strike.
"Understood!"
Following Takuya's orders, the few hundred shinobi settled within the dense forest, resting and hiding. Though fighting on home soil was an unpleasant reality, the forests of the Land of Fire provided ample cover—something they wouldn't have had in the Wind Country, a land dominated by endless sand.
The Third Kazekage still hadn't been found, leaving Sunagakure in chaos. Even Lady Chiyo was struggling to keep her composure. Fortunately, aside from sending out scouts to locate the Third Kazekage and Sasori, she had also deployed a number of sentries to watch Konoha's camp. She was determined to prevent Konoha from exploiting their current turmoil.
The massive mobilization from Konoha did not go unnoticed. It wasn't something that could be concealed—such a large movement couldn't be hidden.
"Konoha intends to strike during this chaos. I will handle Sakumo Hatake. Ebizo, stay here and assist Rasa. Keep the camp steady. The more chaotic things become, the closer Sunagakure will be to defeat," Chiyo said. She was eager to face Sakumo—her hatred for him ran deep, ever since he had killed her son and daughter-in-law. This was her chance for revenge.
"Don't worry, Sister, I will support Rasa," Ebizo agreed, though he couldn't help adding, "But Sister, be careful. If Konoha chose this moment to attack, they must be prepared. Be wary of Takuya Yagami."
"I understand. It won't be easy for some kid to kill me," Chiyo responded confidently. She wasn't going to be taken down easily, even by someone who had killed the Third Kazekage.
"Phew..." Rasa exhaled deeply, his eyes bloodshot from lack of rest. "Elder Ebizo, do you think Sensei is really..."
'I don't know either,' Ebizo thought to himself. Since the news spread, Rasa hadn't rested at all, and neither had Ebizo. But with his age catching up to him, even his once-black beard and eyebrows were now white. Rest wasn't a luxury they could afford—not with Konoha about to attack.
"But about the battle…"
Before Rasa could finish, an ANBU shinobi hurriedly entered the command post.
"Lord Ebizo, we have detected enemy forces approaching from the southern perimeter."
"What?!"
Rasa and Ebizo were both taken aback.
"But weren't Konoha's forces advancing from the north? How could they also be—wait... this is bad," Ebizo's eyes widened in realization.
If Konoha had a large army attacking from the north, why couldn't there be another force advancing from the south?
It was clear: Konoha was splitting their forces!
"I'll..."
"Let me handle it," Rasa interrupted, getting up. Ebizo wasn't suited for direct confrontation—his skills were in intelligence and managing the camp. Rasa needed to take charge of the southern flank himself.