“Do not enter forests casually, and do not pursue cornered foes.” Ryosuke said.
“So, we go back?” Nawaki still couldn’t help but look at Akimichi Torifu.
Seeing the three new recruits so awkward and hesitant, Akimichi Torifu had no choice but to end this unstarted training.
He said, “Hesitation and indecision are major taboos in combat.
Decisions must be quick, whether good or bad.
You followed halfway and then didn’t know whether to pursue, you actually missed the opportunity.
At a time like this, there’s no other way but to quickly return.
However, this awkward result was also due to your lack of reconnaissance methods.” “Wait for me here for a moment.” Akimichi Torifu sped up, disappearing into the jungle.
He returned in less than ten minutes and said, “The enemy has fled.
The female insect was following a clone.
This operation failed.” Ryosuke and the others couldn’t help but feel dejected.
The sense of accomplishment from just eliminating three enemies was completely gone.
Akimichi Torifu saw their crestfallen expressions and laughed heartily.
He extended his broad hand to pat their heads and chuckled.
“You don’t need to be discouraged.
For your first mission outside the village, without even a Jonin leading you, to eliminate three enemies is already a very good achievement.
Moreover, the failure of this pursuit mission was to be expected.” “Torifu-san, do you mean that the true purpose of Sunagakure’s invasion this time wasn’t to invade, which is why they were prepared to retreat so early?” Ryosuke had a vague guess in his heart, so he asked.
“Whether these people are Sunagakure ninjas is another matter.
Alright, let’s go back.
We still have a lot to do.” …
Back at the camp, although it was a bit messy, fortunately, Konoha had no casualties.
The invading Sunagakure ninjas were quickly annihilated as soon as they appeared, and it was a complete wipeout.
Akimichi Torifu directed a group of ninjas to reorganize the camp and simultaneously held a meeting to discuss and analyze the enemy’s invasion.
Ryosuke and the other two helped clean up the camp, and incidentally gathered to review the recent battle, checking their respective weaknesses and mistakes.
“Don’t you think those Sunagakure ninjas were a bit too weak?” Nawaki voiced his doubts.
“Even if they were Genin, they were Genin in their twenties, their strength shouldn’t be so weak.
I think they might not be Sunagakure ninjas.” Ryosuke said.
“Indeed, they don’t seem like Sunagakure ninjas.
Could they be from the Land of Rain, aiming to provoke a war between Sunagakure and Konoha?” Nawaki further expressed his suspicion.
“Very likely.” Shibi asked, “But wouldn’t that be too clumsy and obvious?” Ryosuke said, “Perhaps the Land of Rain is just helping Sunagakure or Konoha create an excuse.” Nawaki stiffened, his expression serious.
“If that’s truly the case, then the real great war is about to begin.” Ryosuke nodded.
“I think so too.
Neither we nor Sunagakure will miss this excuse, we will definitely take action.
War is unavoidable.” “We are the front line.” Shibi said.
“Yeah, it’s pretty amazing when you think about it.
A month ago, we were still in school, and now we’re on the front line.” Ryosuke looked at the moon, expressing this sentiment.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Hmm?
The three of them instinctively drew their Kunai and crouched low, staring intently at the forest from which the sounds came.
Enemy?
Whoosh!
A person flew out of the forest, his long white hair fluttering in the air.
He crashed onto the grass behind Ryosuke and the others, and collapsed, not getting up.
“This is…
Hatake Sakumo!” Nawaki recognized him, rushing over in a panic.
He helped the unconscious Sakumo up, only to find him covered in blood and his face purple, clearly poisoned.
“Quick, back to camp for treatment.” Ryosuke panicked, quickly helping to support Sakumo’s other arm.
He and Nawaki hurried back to camp, carrying Sakumo on their backs.
…
The moment Ryosuke and his companions returned, carrying a heavily injured and unconscious Sakumo, chaos erupted.
Everyone knew Sakumo’s prowess, so his current severe injuries brought immense shock to them.
Torifu was horrified and quickly sent Sakumo for treatment.
Fortunately, the camp had a Medical Ninja who could provide timely care.
Ryosuke and the two gathered outside the tent, worried and restless.
Torifu squatted by the door, his face grim.
The situation had spiraled beyond his expectations, becoming quite dire.
“He’ll be alright, won’t he?” Nawaki was too anxious to sit still.
“What kind of enemy did the renowned Sakumo-san encounter to suffer such heavy injuries?” Shibi asked.
“Either he was ambushed and surrounded by a large number of enemies, or he ran into a powerful foe, like a Kage from another village.
Either way, it’s extremely dangerous.” Ryosuke analyzed.
Could it be Hanzo, known as the “Demigod”?
Sakumo was clearly poisoned and severely injured.
The possibility of Hanzo being the enemy was extremely high.
So, was he on a secret mission, accidentally exposed and pursued, or did he encounter Amegakure’s vanguard troops?
The more he thought, the worse it seemed, and the more he wanted to quickly escape back to Konoha.
What battlefield training, what Will of Fire—all fake.
Living well was the only truth.
Soon, the tent flap was pulled open.
As the Medical Ninja, Aoba, emerged, Torifu immediately cornered him, and Ryosuke and the two also gathered around, anxiously asking about Sakumo’s condition.
However, Aoba’s answer was grim.
After surgery, Sakumo’s wounds were treated and bleeding stopped, but the poison in his system could not be cured.
He had to be rushed back to Konoha to see Tsunade.
This wasn’t even the worst part.
The truly terrible news was that during the surgery, Sakumo semi-consciously awoke for a few seconds and stated that Amegakure had decided to launch a full-scale war against Konoha, and that the vanguard troops led by Hanzo were already marching towards the border.
Currently, only a few ninjas led by Orochimaru were still desperately resisting, harassing, and tying up Hanzo.
“How much longer can Sakumo hold on?” Torifu asked.
Aoba replied, “Six hours at most.
He must be returned to the village before dawn.” “Six hours, huh…
Alright, I understand.” Torifu went to the center of the camp, shouting for assembly.
Twenty-odd ninjas quickly gathered before him, including Ryosuke and the two others.
Torifu did not hide anything, loudly announcing, “The Amegakure army is not far away and is marching towards us.
The situation is urgent, there’s no time to ask Hokage-sama for instructions.
I now announce the mission: Ryosuke, Shibi, Nawaki, and Aoba—the four of you will escort Hatake Sakumo back to the village.
The rest of you will stay and intercept the invading Amegakure ninjas with me.
Is that clear?” “Understood!” “Good, act immediately!” Torifu then found a communication ninja, instructing him to send news of Amegakure’s invasion back to Konoha, and simultaneously send a message to Danzo at the other camp, requesting coordinated action.
After that, he gave Ryosuke and the two others a few instructions, then set off with the other ninjas to the forest to set traps and ambush the Amegakure army.