The Land of Fire, northeastern direction.
After leaving the village, the Konoha squad headed straight for the national border.
At first, Habara thought that Captain Hayasegawa's words were meant to prevent everyone from being too nervous. After all, everyone was a novice and their strength was very ordinary, so describing the difficulty and danger of the mission as simple was a way to reassure people.
However, when they gradually approached the mission location and essentially entered an area where battle could break out at any time, Habara realized that he was wrong... This captain really did believe that this mission was not dangerous.
Even when they reached the national border, the twelve-man team continued to march in a tight formation.
As a reconnaissance ninja, Daigo wanted to say something out of a sense of duty. However, Habara reached out and stopped her, because he felt that even if she reminded him, it might not be meaningful. He'd observe the situation first before saying anything.
"Captain Hayasegawa, we have reached the border. Shouldn't we deploy a search formation?"
Everyone realized the impropriety of this mode of action, so it wasn't long before someone couldn't help but make a suggestion to the captain.
"Deploy a formation?" Hayasegawa glanced at the ninja, and then shook his head with an expression full of helplessness:
"Don't just memorize those tactical regulations by rote. What's important is to analyze the specific situation. Deploying a formation is indeed the correct approach, but that's only if the team has a certain degree of average strength and expertise. In the case of a team like this, once we adopt a dispersed strategy, we will only be quickly defeated one by one. Only by sticking together can this team play a limited role."
This person's words, at first glance, seemed to make some sense. However, after listening to this passage, almost everyone determined that this guy was an idiot. Even if some kind-hearted ninjas didn't have such malicious thoughts, they would feel that this captain's EQ was negative.
Analyze the specific situation? Shouldn't disperse?
What was the first requirement of ninja combat? What was the most important requirement? It was intelligence. The higher the efficiency of intelligence gathering, the more correct the tactical choice. It was common to exchange the lives of ninjas for intelligence. Even if it was a student of the Ninja Academy, once they stepped onto the battlefield, they had to use a dispersed formation if they should use a dispersed formation. This was not something that was determined by strength at all.
Twelve ninjas, marching in a neat formation, patrolling the national border... This picture was simply too beautiful.
Realizing that this captain was unreliable, all the ninjas with battlefield experience became highly vigilant. Because no matter what, a captain's order was a captain's order, and they couldn't refuse it.
This kind of patrol mission was definitely a long-term mission, and it was torment to keep following the orders of such a captain.
Habara glanced at Daigo every few steps. After Daigo shook her head to indicate that there was no abnormality ahead, he would feel a little relieved.
It wasn't until the team was about to approach the coastline that the captain still hadn't issued any different orders to different ninjas. This made this team look like they were on an outing, not on a mission.
Although he knew it might not be effective, Habara still decided to try to say a few words. He quickly walked a few steps forward, and then said to the captain, "Captain Hayasegawa, the closer we get to the coastline, the more dangerous it is. Should we consider the issue of placing the reconnaissance ninjas in the rear? Also, given that this mission is a long-term mission, compared to putting all our effort into patrolling, shouldn't we choose a suitable location to set up a camp or outpost on this first day?"
Although Habara didn't know any tactics, he at least knew the importance of moving radar to the rear and prioritizing logistics.
"Genin, I'll say this one last time. Stay in your position, do what you're supposed to do, and don't cause trouble for the team, understand?"
The captain's reaction, it could only be said, was not beyond Habara's expectations.
Seeing Habara obediently return, this captain felt that he was being earnest and well-meaning, but in fact, he reluctantly explained, "Ninjas like you don't receive timely intelligence, so you are not sensitive to changes in the situation in the ninja world. Just a few days ago, Konoha and Sunagakure signed a ceasefire agreement. The Great Ninja War is about to end, understand? Don't be overly nervous. It only makes you look short-sighted."
It wasn't actually a ceasefire agreement, but the captain didn't bother to explain in detail.
However, in Habara's view, regardless of whether the Great Ninja War was really about to end, assuming it was true, shouldn't a ninja do their duty to the very end in this situation?
In short, Habara understood now. This captain just regarded the local patrol mission as "routine work" and didn't think there would be any danger.
To the north was the weak and powerless Land of Hot Springs, and to the east, Kirigakure hadn't crossed the sea for a long time. Wasn't this environment safe enough?
In theory, it was very safe. However, even in the safest Konoha, many ninjas died inexplicably every year.
In short, under the leisurely leadership of this ninja captain who understood the general trend of the ninja world and determined the trend of peace, the team members gradually approached the coastline with their scalps tingling.
The weather was very clear today, and the visibility was also very high. This was a fortunate thing. Around noon, the team passed a lake. In about two more hours, the team would reach the coast, and then scout along the coast. After reaching the limit of their mission, the team would start to return.
Patrol back and forth, and report to Konoha immediately once Kirigakure's traces were found. This was the content of this mission.
Everything was normal before passing this lake. However, when the team reached the lakeside, an abnormality suddenly occurred.
The calm lake surface suddenly churned with waves. In the blink of an eye, four figures emerged from underwater and came to the surface... They were Kirigakure ninjas. The people on Konoha's side quickly confirmed their headbands.
"Where are the reconnaissance ninjas? What are the reconnaissance ninjas doing!"
Captain Hayasegawa immediately started jumping up and down in a rage. However, the enemy was clearly hiding in the lake. In this case, how could a reconnaissance ninja like Daigo have discovered the other party in advance?
But when Hayasegawa clearly saw the appearance of those four enemies, he immediately calmed down, and even showed an expression of having everything under control – of the four enemies, besides one adult ninja, two of the remaining three looked only fourteen or fifteen years old, and the last one even looked only seven or eight years old.
A (probably) chunin or (a small probability) jonin leading three genin on a training exercise, this was the judgment that Hayasegawa made after seeing this scene.
"Teams one, two, and three, all units, immediately eliminate the Kirigakure enemies!"
So the captain issued such an order, because in his opinion, although the ninjas on both sides were rookies, at least our side had a numerical advantage. Losing a few people and taking out those four enemies was a worthwhile trade.
At this time, the four enemies looked at the Konoha team as if they were looking at a group of mentally handicapped people.
"Run."
Habara took a deep breath and said to Daigo beside him. At this time, he had completely disregarded the mentally handicapped captain's mentally handicapped order.
"?" Daigo was a little confused.
"Run!" This time Habara shouted loudly, so that all of his own personnel could hear his voice.
Hearing someone retreating before the battle, Hayasegawa immediately flew into a rage. Four enemies were a bit of a contribution, so why run at this time? What was there to be afraid of?
However, before the captain could speak, Habara's voice continued, "The short one is Kirigakure's Fourth Mizukage candidate! Run! One escape is one less loss!"
After saying that, Habara directly pushed Daigo backwards.
Whether he was a Mizukage candidate or not, Habara didn't know. He said this just to explain the other party's strength as quickly as possible. But green hair, short stature, carrying a club on his back... The future Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, this image was simply too iconic.
The "ordinary team leader" that Hayase thought, was named Juzo Biwa.
The two insignificant "fourteen or fifteen-year-old genin" were Yagura Karatachi and Mei Terumi.
The rookie who was less than ten years old was from Kirigakure's famous Hozuki clan, named Mangetsu.
Captain Hayasegawa was right. If he could eliminate these four enemies, it would really be a considerable contribution.