"What do you think about Sakumo's request for reinforcements?"
In the meeting room inside the Hokage Building, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, mentioned Sakumo's request for reinforcements.
"With his strength, isn't it enough to deal with the lurking enemies within the Land of Fire?"
Advisor Utatane Koharu frowned, clearly expressing dissatisfaction with Sakumo's request for reinforcements.
"The opponents are two elite Jonin from the Hidden Sand Puppet Corps, along with another three Jonin, one of whom can use large-scale Earth Style techniques."
"But there is no direct evidence proving they are ninjas from the Hidden Rock Village."
Koharu said.
Hiruzen shook his pipe in his hand and said, "I don't think Onoki would do nothing at a time like this. We can't conclude this matter just because there's no obvious task movements in the Hidden Rock Village."
"According to your logic, the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Mist also have significant suspicions."
Advisor Mitokado Homura glanced at Hiruzen.
"So when the Third Kazekage set off, I stayed to guard the village to prevent other villages from intervening and making the battlefield even more chaotic."
"Then what do you plan to do? We can't trust the Uchiha Security Team, and Danzo is leading the Root on a secret mission and is not in the village. Leaving two Anbu squads to guard the village is already an extremely risky move for us."
Homura's eyes revealed an inquiring look.
"Homura is right. In past crises, we always left three Anbu squads to guard. Now with only two squads of Anbu remaining, it is already a gamble."
Koharu also lacked trust in the Uchiha.
"The Uchiha are also part of Konoha. We shouldn't be biased against them; they are Kagami's clan members."
Hiruzen exhaled a smoke ring with a solemn expression.
Assigning the management of the Security Team to the Uchiha Race was an arrangement made by his late teacher, the Second Hokage Senju Tobirama.
The reason for this is complex: partly out of apprehension and partly to limit the Uchiha's power to the Security Team.
Because only the Uchiha Race has the capability to handle the work of the Security Team.
The work done by the Uchiha Security Team has its merits. Although there are indeed some irrational individuals who enjoy causing trouble, there are also Uchiha ninjas who genuinely wish to maintain internal peace in Konoha.
Hiruzen believed he couldn't dismiss everyone with a single stroke.
Furthermore, his teacher wished to fully integrate the Uchiha Race into Konoha, instead of excluding them.
Regrettably, when the First Ninja World War broke out, his teacher sacrificed himself on the battlefield, leaving the matter of the Uchiha unresolved.
Over the years, everyone could only endure.
The relations have somewhat improved due to his efforts as Hokage, but there has been little substantial progress.
"Kagami is Kagami, and the Uchiha are the Uchiha. They are beings of different dimensions. Among the Uchiha, there are quite a few who have inherited Uchiha Madara's radical ideologies. People from this clan all have potential dangers."
Ultimately, the advisors did not trust the Uchiha, or rather, they didn't trust Uchiha ninjas who possessed Curse Power and awakened the Sharingan.
"Then let's compromise and assign two more Anbu squads. Only by eliminating the old rat within the Land of Fire can Sakumo head to the battlefield and counterattack the Hidden Sand."
"But..."
"If the Uchiha show any abnormal actions, I will personally take care of it to resolve the chaos. Then you can be at ease, right?"
A formidable aura emanated from Hiruzen, imposing unprecedented pressure even on Homura and Koharu.
This indirectly told Homura and Koharu that with him as the Hokage present, no matter what the Uchiha do, they will dutifully remain in their territory, performing their duties with the Security Team without causing any problems.
This inherent confidence was deeply engraved on Hiruzen's face.
"Since you've said so, Hiruzen, then there's no other choice."
"We must not be careless with the Uchiha matter. They are an innately evil race and must always be guarded against."
In the end, Homura and Koharu reminded Hiruzen about the Uchiha issue, then let it rest temporarily.
"Besides, the supplies sent from the village to the front line have run low. Koharu and I need to discuss with the Daimyo at the Daimyo's Mansion to gather resources from there."
Homura and Koharu exchanged glances, with Homura speaking up.
"The supplies are insufficient again?"
Hiruzen paused in his smoking motion.
"Yes, medical supplies are the most lacking. Soldier Rations Pills and ninja tools are still sufficient."
"Go and return quickly."
Any ninja leaving the village needs the Hokage's written permission. Even advisors need the Hokage's written approval to leave the village; otherwise, it would be deemed as breaking the rules, potentially seen as renegade ninja behavior in serious cases.
Homura and Koharu received the permits to leave the village from Hiruzen and departed from the meeting room.
◎
At an outpost in the northern part of Konoha, around twenty Konoha ninjas were stationed, serving as a temporary supply point for Sakumo's team.
Fortunately, this outpost had a simple medical room.
Hakushi carried the severely wounded Konoha ninja they found at a previous outpost into the medical room to rest.
Although still unconscious, they had passed through the critical stage—a small fortune in misfortune.
Ruri and Ayane negotiated with the Konoha ninjas at the outpost, securing supplies—food, water, and medical items being of utmost importance.
Before long, Hakushi and the others were prepared.
Sakumo rolled up the scroll in his hand and said, "There's good news. The Hokage has agreed to send reinforcements, specialists in reconnaissance. But here we must remain vigilant; now that we're resupplied, we shall set off immediately."
"Yes!"
The three of them responded in unison, following Sakumo to action once more.
They were currently in the southern central part of the Land of Fire and had to proceed eastward according to their route.
Bordering on the Land of Hot Water, it was a country famous for its hot springs.
If it weren't wartime, it would have been an excellent place for relaxation; but now, the mission was their priority.
After patrolling for two consecutive days, they detected nothing amiss—not even a shadow of Hidden Sand ninjas.
But considering this was deep within the Land of Fire, the Hidden Sand ninjas wouldn't be foolish enough to cause trouble here. Nevertheless, Sakumo wouldn't leave any area unchecked out of an abundance of caution.
On the third day, when their backpack supplies ran low, they went to the nearest Konoha outpost for resupplies.
"Being so young and already undertaking such dangerous tasks with Jonin Sakumo—it's quite impressive."
The captain at this outpost was a well-known, mature Konoha Jonin in his thirties. Seeing the youthful faces of the three, he couldn't help but commend them.
"Actually, our help is trivial. Many times, we rely on Sakumo-sensei's guidance."
Hakushi maintained a humble demeanor.
"I know Sakumo Jonin's character. If he didn't recognize you, he would never go against his principles to have you partake in such dangerous missions. In other words, your abilities have earned his approval. He cherishes his comrades greatly."
The Konoha Jonin seemed to reminisce about something.
"Did you know Jonin Sakumo from before, senpai?"
"We executed missions together before. Back then, he appeared cold, but was actually very gentle and easily embarrassed. To enemies, he was the cold, merciless Konoha White Fang. To his own, he was a comrade you could entrust with your back."
"So Sakumo-sensei used to be that kind of person, huh, doesn't seem like it."
Perhaps over the years, he matured a lot, and thus the shy side of Sakumo wasn't apparent anymore.
The three could only conjecture this.
"Tenchiku, what strange things are you instilling in my students now?"
Sakumo walked over at this moment.
"Just sharing some ninja insights as a senior," said Jonin Tenchiku.
"By the way, this guy is a pervert."
Sakumo unexpectedly added.
Ruri and Ayane immediately looked at Jonin Tenchiku warily, taking a step back.
"Hey!"
Jonin Tenchiku blushed fully crimson.
"—Especially concerning men."
Hakushi noticed Jonin Tenchiku was the closest to him and his smile froze.
Ruri and Ayane breathed a sigh of relief. Then there was no problem.
At this moment, from a dense thicket at the outpost, suddenly a Konoha ninja, covered in blood, staggered out and collapsed a few steps later due to severe injuries.
"Careful, there's... an enemy..."