Karma really did work fast.
Not long ago, Hayashi had casually mentioned the Third Kazekage, and now fate seemed eager to prove him right.
Even though he had adopted a crow, he never intended to become some kind of bad omen.
The Third Kazekage should have been guarding Sunagakure, not wandering the battlefield.
No wonder Sasori eventually killed him.
If he had stayed put, things might have turned out differently.
Although Hayashi silently cursed him for inviting trouble, he also admitted that Orochimaru's reasoning made sense.
The Third Kazekage had been lingering in the Land of Rivers for weeks.
Yet he never stepped onto the battlefield nor returned to Sunagakure's main camp—he simply disappeared.
Everyone wondered what he was plotting.
What could possibly demand the personal involvement of a Kage?
Konoha was especially concerned.
A Kage's presence could tilt the balance of war instantly.
And now that the supply convoy had arrived, what would the Third Kazekage do?
If Hayashi were in his position, he would definitely target the supplies.
Konoha's shinobi needed food and resources to keep fighting—no matter the era or place, people had to eat.
Sunagakure's ninjas needed supplies even more desperately.
Konoha had farmland and stable agriculture, allowing the Land of Fire to maintain wartime consumption without collapsing.
But Sunagakure?
After their defeat in the Land of Rain and with the Land of Wind's Daimyo already reducing support, their situation was dire.
Their own territory was barren, producing almost nothing.
With their main army weakened and resources dwindling, even abandoning the primary battlefield temporarily and having the Third Kazekage lead a supply raid made twisted sense.
This explained his strange movements.
Which meant the convoy was likely about to become a new battlefield.
Orochimaru had deduced this clearly.
For days, he instructed the jonin under him to quickly finish training the genin and restore full readiness.
He did not reveal the details, especially not the possibility of the Third Kazekage appearing.
Such information could cause panic.
A commander needed to understand war, but also the psychology of his troops.
He had to instill tension without instilling fear.
This was something Hayashi learned simply by watching.
As the convoy accelerated, Konoha's shinobi shifted into combat readiness.
At this pace, they would reach Akihabara in about three days.
"How's the situation?" Tsunade called out as the march shifted from walking to running.
Because they were transporting supplies, they traveled like ordinary troops instead of moving through the treetops.
"We should cross the gravel plain in about two hours," the scout reported.
"No signs of Sunagakure forces yet."
"Keep scouting," Tsunade ordered.
"Yes!"
The shinobi vanished with a Body Flicker Technique.
Thin rain misted over the plains, a quiet drizzle that seemed endless.
Tsunade stared into the distance, lost in thought.
"Tsunade-sama," Hayashi approached her.
"What is it?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
She was fully aware that he had been glancing at her often lately.
Anyone else would've had their eyes gouged out already.
She prayed he wouldn't grow up to be another Jiraiya.
And since Kushina was like her little sister, Tsunade's imagination made her worry even more.
If Hayashi knew her thoughts, he'd cry innocence on the spot.
He was only watching because he promised Nawaki to keep an eye on her.
"It's nothing major," Hayashi said calmly.
"I wanted to ask about the poisons Sunagakure uses."
"I have an idea, but I need to confirm something first."
Tsunade folded her arms.
"Sand shinobi usually follow a few fighting styles."
"Some specialize in Wind Release with Fire Release as secondary support."
"Others rely on taijutsu with Wind Release enhancements."
"Because of this, puppeteers often hide strong poisons inside their puppets and release poison mist at the start of battle."
"Can you neutralize it?" Hayashi asked.
"Depends," Tsunade replied.
"Most of their poison mists are neurotoxins."
"Inhaling them causes severe symptoms almost immediately."
"Contact on the skin leads to ulceration, and long exposure results in necrosis."
"I've prepared antidotes, but a new type of poison can only be suppressed temporarily."
Chiyo's poison mastery was infamous throughout the ninja world.
Even Hanzo had acknowledged her skills.
Tsunade could create antidotes, but each encounter with a new poison gave her a headache.
"So, the food is wrapped so tightly to prevent contamination from poison mist?" Hayashi asked.
"Yes."
"If the poison mist seeps into the food, it becomes inedible."
"To prevent Sunagakure from poisoning our supplies, everything was sealed carefully."
Hayashi nodded.
"Then we can use that."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed.
"You're suggesting…?"
"If Sunagakure wants these supplies badly enough—and they definitely do—then we can use that to our advantage."
"We can open the sealed supplies openly."
"Since they want the food, they won't risk contaminating it with poison mist."
Tsunade fell silent, considering.
"This doesn't guarantee success," Hayashi continued.
"but it limits their attack methods."
"By preventing them from using poison mist, we reduce the risk to our genin and increase our chances in battle."
"Since they need the supplies intact, the food becomes a shield."
After a long moment, Tsunade slammed her hand lightly on the table.
"Someone!"
A nearby ninja knelt.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama?"
"Tell Orochimaru I need to speak with him."
The shinobi nodded, glanced curiously at Hayashi, and vanished.
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