The following day, Tengen, Kushina, and their troops, having rested, began acclimating to the new battlefield.
The Konoha-nins here, upon seeing Tengen, regarded him with curious gazes. They trusted his reputed strength, fellow Konoha-nins wouldn't lie, but having not witnessed it themselves, they harbored a mix of unease and doubt.
In the central tent, the command hub for this front, Tengen and Kushina joined Hyūga Hizashi, Yūhi Kurenai, and others.
"Tengen, Kushina, since you're new to this battlefield, I'll brief you on the current situation." Kurenai said slowly, pointing to a topographic map before them.
"First, Iwagakure's forces are concentrated in this area." Kurenai indicated a region. "They're not massed in one spot but dispersed in small squads."
"Second, Iwagakure outnumbers us significantly."
"Among their leaders, a few stand out. Loess, the son of Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, wields powerful Earth Release techniques. Old Purple, the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, is a formidable threat. Han, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki, is equally dangerous. There are also numerous Iwagakure Jōnin-led teams. Fortunately, Ōnoki hasn't yet joined this battlefield, a small mercy."
Kurenai continued, "Now, I'll outline our recent engagements with Iwagakure…"
She summarized both sides' strengths and the state of the conflict, helping Tengen and Kushina grasp the dynamics of this front.
Perhaps the legendary Tengen, with his Mangekyō Sharingan, could swiftly bolster their efforts.
Some time later, Hizashi spoke up. "Tengen, Kushina, how about joining me on a reconnaissance mission?"
"Recon? Sure." Tengen nodded, seeing it as a chance to familiarize himself with the terrain.
Kushina shrugged with a smile. For them, such tasks were trivial.
Tengen and Kushina followed Hizashi and his reconnaissance team, leaving the Konoha encampment.
Dozens of Konoha-nins traversed the barren landscape, venturing far from the base in search of Iwagakure's strongholds.
"Byakugan!" Hizashi's white pupils dilated, veins bulging around his eyes as he scanned the surroundings.
"So that's the Hyūga clan's Byakugan." Tengen observed. While less potent than the Sharingan in single combat, the Byakugan's utility in large-scale warfare was unmatched.
Its telescopic and x-ray vision, capable of seeing a kilometer away, gave a critical edge in gathering intelligence.
No wonder Hizashi led the recon team, his Byakugan was perfect for the role.
Retracting his Byakugan, Hizashi smiled at Tengen. "My Byakugan may not match your Sharingan in one-on-one fights, but for battlefield awareness, it's invaluable."
"You're too modest, Jōnin Hizashi. The Byakugan, a Bloodline Limit rivaling the Sharingan, isn't to be underestimated. Who knows, it might evolve further." Tengen said, chuckling.
"That's where we differ." Hizashi said, shaking his head. "The Sharingan can evolve step by step, but the Byakugan only grows through mastery."
"Is that so?" Tengen smiled, keeping silent about the mythical Tenseigan, born from the Byakugan's potential.
"Let's move, Tengen. No enemies here." Hizashi said, leading the team in another direction.
Tengen followed closely.
Moments later, Hizashi halted. "I've spotted a team of Iwagakure ninjas, about dozens strong." he said, his Byakugan active.
"Wait." Hizashi's expression shifted. "They're heading toward us. Our movements may have been compromised."
"Coming for us?" The Konoha-nins froze. Dozens of Iwagakure ninjas thought they could take them?
In the past, that might have been plausible, but with Jōnin Tengen and Jōnin Kushina, their team was formidable, especially Tengen, who had single-handedly slaughtered hundreds of Suna-nins.
"No, there are Iwagakure ninjas behind us too." Hizashi's face darkened.
"We're surrounded." Tengen said grimly. Hizashi's Byakugan allowed early detection, but the enemy's coordinated approach meant they were targeting them deliberately, rendering the Byakugan's advantage moot.
"Correct. Two more groups, each dozens strong, are closing in from the flanks. We're encircled." Hizashi said, his expression grim.
He hadn't expected to face such a predicament while escorting Tengen and Kushina. Breaking through Iwagakure's encirclement was now uncertain.
"Still…" Hizashi recalled Tengen's exploits.
Even if exaggerated, Tengen's strength was undeniable.
Perhaps they had a chance to break free.
"Jōnin Hizashi, how much time do we have?" Tengen asked.
"With their speed, they'll reach us in a few minutes." Hizashi replied.
"Then let's fight." Tengen said, a smile spreading across his face.
"Fight? Not break out?" Hizashi asked, puzzled. Escaping was the safer option.
With Iwagakure's numbers dwarfing theirs, and their evident preparation, a direct confrontation seemed reckless.
"They may have tracked us, but they don't know Kushina and I are with you." Tengen said, grinning. "So…"
"Let's make our first battle on this front a perfect conclusion."
***
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