Four days had passed since Shuji and Yamato were placed under Jiraiya's command. No combat occurred on the Kannabi Bridge line.
Konoha's defensive works were reinforced daily. Traps and warning barriers layered outward.
Nara Shikaku practically lived before command's sand table. Jiraiya held the fort, occasionally patrolling on forward positions.
On the stalemate's second day, Shuji followed behind the frontline barrier corps. These people were masters of arranging techniques. Watching more and learning more was always good.
Third day, Jiraiya discovered this Anbu codenamed "Mori" seemed interested in sealing techniques and raised his interest to instruct him a bit.
With a master-level shinobi's guidance, Shuji's progress in sealing techniques advanced considerably.
Fourth day, Yamato felt he had been swept up in competition. Now resting was not comfortable, and he did not know how to work hard.
Practice Wood Release? This should still be kept secret as much as possible. Learn something else? He had no talent in that area.
Temper his body? As key combat strength, he could not waste stamina and chakra.
Originally he greatly admired this "Mori" senpai. But now Yamato somewhat missed Kakashi.
At this moment, the Anbu squad tent flap lifted.
Jiraiya's figure appeared at the entrance. His habitual casualness vanished.
"Pack up. Go to command immediately." Jiraiya said seriously. "Kakashi's back. Brought important intelligence."
When Shuji and Yamato both reached command, they discovered the atmosphere inside was more tense than usual.
Nara Shikaku by the sand table was growing well with no signs of moving. Jiraiya stood with arms crossed to one side. As for Kakashi, his Anbu uniform was covered in grass clippings and dust. He had clearly undergone long periods of rapid travel and lurking.
"Explain the specific situation." Nara Shikaku asked.
Kakashi's voice was somewhat hoarse. "I led the squad according to plan, infiltrating Grass Country territory near the old Tenchi Bridge site for deep reconnaissance."
"First twenty-four hours, Iwa's patrol frequency and density fit regular defensive posture. No anomalies discovered."
"But six hours ago, discovered signs of multiple Iwa squads moving north."
Jiraiya interjected. "Retreating to rest? Rotation?"
"Doesn't seem like it." Kakashi negated. "We risked close observation. Discovered at least ten full-strength Iwa units orderly withdrawing from current positions, transferring north."
"Three hours ago, again confirmed three teams leaving the battle line. Hyūga Tsukimi with the squad, using Byakugan, discovered the Five-Tails jinchūriki in the center of one withdrawing force."
"And as of now, no signs discovered of Iwa reinforcements filling defensive lines."
Nara Shikaku exhaled deeply. "Withdrawing forces. Even having the offensive core jinchūriki transfer."
"Ōnoki wants to leave."
Since news of Mitokado Homura entering Frost Country spread, he had also been considering what moves Ōnoki might make. Now it seemed things were developing favorably.
Jiraiya sneered. "That old guy, really decisive."
Shikaku did not respond. He directly ordered the messenger shinobi standing by. "Immediately dispatch three elite reconnaissance teams. Spread along the Kannabi to Tenchi Bridge line. Confirm Iwa position status."
The messenger shinobi immediately received orders and left.
Shikaku looked at Kakashi. "Good work. Go rest first. Stand by."
"Yes." Kakashi bowed slightly and turned to leave command.
Jiraiya instructed Shuji and Yamato. "You too. If Iwa truly withdraws on a large scale, they may not fail to leave hard nails to hold the rear or make a final counterattack. Maintain condition."
"Understood." Shuji answered. He and Yamato left the tent together.
Subsequent frontline reconnaissance team feedback further confirmed Kakashi's intelligence accuracy.
Iwa's defensive line showed multiple obvious gaps and weak points, replaced by more trigger-type traps and temporarily arranged warning barriers.
Assessment that Iwa would soon fully withdraw from the Kannabi line was swiftly transmitted back to the village.
Soon after, the village's reply arrived.
The Anbu squad's three members were again summoned to command center.
This time, the gravity on Nara Shikaku's face had not dispersed due to enemy withdrawal. Instead it deepened. Even Jiraiya crossed his arms, brow slightly locked, revealing rare conflict.
"Latest orders. The village requires us to achieve progress on the Kannabi line as soon as possible."
Kakashi was somewhat puzzled. "Iwa has already shown retreat posture. We only need to maintain pressure and wait for them to fully withdraw. Why actively attack at this time?"
"The Raikage's asking price is too high." Jiraiya was quite helpless. "And his attitude is tough. If we don't agree, he'll immediately start war."
"Once Cloud goes to war, Ōnoki who was preparing to withdraw will probably immediately change his mind. He may even launch fierce attacks again."
"The old man is already on his way here."
"We must use this window. While Ōnoki is preparing to leave with weak fighting spirit, while Advisor Mitokado can still do his utmost to mediate at Cloud, seize Kannabi, even go further and drive Iwa shinobi back to Earth Country."
The tent fell into brief silence. The biggest problem achieving this goal was obvious: Ōnoki himself.
Ōnoki just wanted to withdraw. As long as he had not confirmed leaving, if Konoha's main force pressed up now, pushing too hard, would they take a solid Dust Release hit?
Dust Release hitting people was not a question of pain. There was no chance to even cry "ah" before vanishing.
"Kakashi previously explored deep into Grass Country." In the silence, Shuji actively spoke. "May I ask, what has been Kusagakure's attitude throughout this conflict?"
"Kusagakure?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, seemingly not expecting him to ask this. "Their survival method is playing both sides. With Ōnoki personally stationed here, they naturally dare not show any attitude. They maintained neutrality, tacitly allowing Iwa to pass through and station."
Nara Shikaku supplemented. "Mori, I know your thinking. But even Sunagakure with whom we have alliance refuses to directly attack Iwa. We can hardly expect Kusagakure to stand forth at such a time."
"No, I do not hope they take sides." Shuji calmly corrected. "What I want to confirm is whether they ever clearly expressed some 'obedience' or 'cooperation' toward Iwa."
Nara Shikaku pondered a moment and shook his head. "They shouldn't have. Excessively favoring one side would offend the other."
"Complete silence is their consistent style. Afterward whichever side asks, they can explain as powerless to resist."
"In other words, from Iwa's perspective, Kusagakure's current compliance stems from Iwa's powerful military presence and the Tsuchikage's personal arrival." Shuji said slowly, his thoughts gradually clarifying.
"Then what if Iwa's display of retreat intent caused Kusagakure's attitude to 'shift'?"
Shuji looked at the two commanders. "In the current situation, if suddenly behind Iwa forces appear some 'powerful and tough' Grass shinobi conducting harassment attacks against their supply lines or withdrawing troops..."
"Or even just adopting such a posture. Would pressure from enemies front and back prompt Iwa to accelerate withdrawal and more readily yield territory within Grass Country?"
Hearing this, Nara Shikaku's tightly locked brows eased slightly.
"Worth trying."
"However, executing such a mission is extremely high-risk. Deep behind enemy lines, disguised identity, yet needing to create sufficient threat... must be an exceptionally elite squad."
Chapters in advance there: patreon.com/Thaniel_a_goodchild