Frontline Command – Land of Rain
As the three members of Team Five pushed past the heavy waterproof tent flap, a wave of pungent tobacco and lingering blood hit them square in the face.
The atmosphere inside was even heavier than it had been half a month ago. Dozens of messengers and field ninja crowded around a massive sand table, their faces tense and their movements hurried.
"You're here."
Jiraiya stood at the head of the table, not bothering to turn around. His voice was hoarse and weary—more so than they'd ever heard it.
"Lord Jiraiya."
Uchiha Fugaku stepped forward and bowed solemnly.
After two weeks of special training, the sharp-edged youth had changed. His once-blazing aura had tempered into something deeper—a quiet pressure that pressed on the room like coiled steel.
Jiraiya turned at last, bloodshot eyes sweeping over the trio. His gaze lingered on them, reading their expressions, and for the first time in a while, he allowed himself a faint smile.
"Looks like the training wasn't wasted. You three feel different now."
There was no time for small talk. He picked up a command baton and slammed it down on a winding red line traced across the sand table.
"Let's keep this short. The situation has worsened."
His voice dropped an octave—hard, cold. "Yesterday, Sunagakure officially broke the ceasefire agreement. Their puppet corps has crossed the border, attempting to link up with Hanzo of the Rain."
"An alliance between the Sand and Rain?" Minato's brow furrowed. He immediately understood the implications.
"It's more than that."
Jiraiya dragged the pointer further down the red line, tapping a canyon deep within the Land of Rain. "Intel intercepted by the Information Division indicates Hanzo promised Sunagakure full access to Howling Gorge's transport route. Tonight, a convoy will pass through carrying supplies vital to Hanzo's full-scale counteroffensive—thousands of explosive tags, puppet poisons, and specialized chakra metal."
"If these supplies make it through, our eastern defenses here in Rain are as good as breached."
The air inside the tent grew still.
Tetsu stared at the red line, his mind racing.
Howling Gorge. Fifteen kilometers long. Narrow, with towering cliffs on both sides and raging waters below.
A fortress if defended. A perfect trap if planned right.
"Your mission is simple."
Jiraiya looked up, voice like thunder:"Cut that supply line. No matter what it takes. Blow it up. Sink it. Steal it. I don't care how. Not one scrap of cargo makes it to the front."
"Yes, sir!" all three responded in unison.
"But this mission is different."
Jiraiya looked Fugaku dead in the eye, his tone unusually grave."The escort force is large—and possibly includes Sand puppeteers. No matter how talented you three are, if you walk into a trap, you die."
He clapped his hands sharply."Enter!"
Six Konoha shinobi stepped into the tent.
Five of them wore standard Chūnin battle gear. The sixth, however, caught Tetsu's attention immediately.
A young man around twenty. His forehead protector was tied low, hiding his brow. His eyes were pure white—unblemished.
Hyūga.
"I pulled them from the rear guard for this. Manpower is stretched thin, but this is all we could spare."
Jiraiya pointed to the Hyūga ninja. His voice was serious."This is Hyūga Kō, a Jōnin from the branch family. To ensure the mission's success, I've granted him special clearance to join your team."
Fugaku's pupils tightened.
In Konoha, the Uchiha and Hyūga were both clans of dōjutsu—and they didn't get along.
But more than that, the Byakugan's 360-degree vision was a battlefield resource of strategic value. For Jiraiya to assign one to a strike unit meant this mission had top-tier priority.
This mission's importance is higher than I thought, Tetsu realized. He was already recalculating tactics in his head.
With Byakugan's all-around perception, my trap placement and threat anticipation will level up immensely.
Jiraiya tossed a fabric armband—temporary captain insignia—to Fugaku.
"Uchiha Fugaku, from this moment, you're not just Team Five's squad leader."
His voice echoed through the tent:
"I'm appointing you commander of this operation. These five shinobi—including Hyūga Kō, Namikaze Minato, and Nishikawa Tetsu—are under your command."
Fugaku's hand twitched slightly as he caught the band.
To place an Uchiha in command of a Hyūga wasn't just trust—it was a trial by fire.
"Fugaku," Jiraiya said quietly, gaze penetrating, "this is war. Not a clan rivalry."
"Every decision a commander makes carries the lives of his team. Can you handle that?"
Fugaku inhaled deeply, then tightened his grip on the armband. He slid it onto his left arm with deliberate calm.
He turned to face the seven assembled shinobi.
The Hyūga, though expressionless, furrowed his brow for the briefest moment upon seeing Fugaku as commander. But he gave a slight bow without protest.
"I am Uchiha Fugaku."
His voice was quiet—but absolute.
"This mission has two objectives: complete the task—and survive."
His gaze swept across the team. Then, he began assigning roles.
"Hyūga Kō."
"Yes," the Byakugan user stepped forward.
"You're in charge of recon and early warning. Keep us ahead of every ambush."
"Understood."
"Minato Namikaze."
"Sir!"
"You're our vanguard and eliminator. Anyone trying to breach our perimeter—stop them cold."
Then, Fugaku turned toward the corner where Tetsu stood.
A few of the new Chūnin blinked. Why was the commander singling out some average-looking Genin?
"Nishikawa Tetsu."
There was a pause. And then, the tone shifted—quiet, but filled with trust.
"You'll handle all battlefield tactics and trap deployment. You're the brain of this unit. All ninja tools and explosive tags from both squads fall under your control."
"Also—work with Hyūga Kō's intel and turn that canyon into a coffin."
A smirk tugged at Tetsu's lips."Roger that."
Fugaku swept his hand through the air. His black flak jacket flared with the gesture.
"Gear up. We leave in ten minutes."
"Target—Howling Gorge!"
Just before departure, Tetsu tossed Fugaku a glass vial.
"Special fire oil. Burns only outward."
"Uchiha don't rely on tools like this," Fugaku replied coldly.
But he still caught it.