At dusk, the sun slanted like an old man, casting a dim orange light across the forest.
Four shadows on the trees were stretched long by the setting sun. Even in late July, the air retained a trace of dryness.
The wind swept through the mountains, rustling the leaves. The orange dusk was calm and serene.
As feet landed on branches and leaves swayed, the sunlight flickered with the movement.
A team of four ninjas in sand-colored flak jackets moved swiftly through the forest canopy—three men and one woman.
Leading them was a shinobi with black-rimmed glasses, a head turban, and a mole under his left eye.
The other three were clearly younger—genin by appearance—and none wore forehead protectors.
Sakata, a jōnin of Sunagakure, was the team leader.
Their team had been stationed on the border for a week, assigned to monitor activity between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire.
Rumors of war had been circulating. Though the higher-ups in Sunagakure hadn't confirmed it, tension between the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass was escalating.
War only needed a spark. Many Suna shinobi, long confined to poor soil and dwindling resources, were eager for expansion.
A few days ago, Sakata's squad had received an A-rank mission—escort and surveillance related.
Their orders: enter the Land of Fire from the Land of Rivers and locate a specific Konoha shinobi squad.
In this tense political climate, even a single misstep could spark a full-scale war. So, the team wore generic gear, stripped of all Sunagakure insignia, and slipped into the Land of Fire covertly.
After several days of travel, the genin were clearly fatigued.
The black-haired boy on the far left asked, "Sakata-sensei, the intel says the enemy has two jōnin. Can we handle that?"
Sakata glanced over, then smiled calmly. "Don't worry. Our team isn't acting alone. Another unit was dispatched ahead of us. Once we locate the target, we'll signal for support. This area is remote—Konoha's patrols are scarce here."
"And—" He adjusted his glasses. "Kimura, remember this: If the enemy has two jōnin, I can handle them. That's not arrogance. That's survival instinct."
Kimura's eyes sparkled with admiration. "Sakata-sensei, why are you always so confident?"
Sakata looked ahead. "As a ninja, the road we walk is narrow and uncertain. If you hesitate or lose faith in yourself, death is guaranteed."
He smiled, a glint in his eye. "Besides... I'm Sakata."
Kimura became a fanboy on the spot.
Sakata noticed the boy to his right—Watanabe—looked uncomfortable. "Watanabe, something wrong?"
"It's nothing, sensei. Just feels humid in here. I'm soaked, even though it's sunny." Watanabe grumbled. "I hate water."
"Try living in Amegakure," Kimura joked. "It rains every day there."
"I'm telling you," Watanabe said seriously, "Suna weather is the best. Dry, clean, no baths. I hate water!"
The others nodded in agreement. Not bathing had never sounded so noble.
"Sensei, have you ever been to Konoha?" Watanabe asked curiously.
Sakata was about to answer, but Kimura beat him to it.
"Of course he has! There's nowhere in the Five Great Nations Sakata-sensei hasn't been!"
Watanabe's eyes sparkled. "Wow! Even the Hokage's office?"
Kimura nodded. "He probably walked in like he owned the place."
"Ahem." Sakata cleared his throat. "Alright, enough."
"You two better focus. This mission is serious."
"The intel we received was hard-earned. This gold mine operation could shift the balance. The Daimyō has been cutting our funding—if we secure this site, we can relieve pressure on the village."
Just then, the silent girl in the group—Mase, the sensory-type—raised her hand.
"What is it, Mase?" Sakata asked.
"There's chakra ahead. Ninja," she said succinctly.
The team instantly split formation, surrounding Mase and preparing for battle.
"Looks like we found the Fire Country ninjas first. Easier than expected," Sakata grinned. "Prepare for combat."
---
Meanwhile, Uchiha Tatsumi was returning to camp near the border.
"Mikoto, how's it looking?" he asked.
"No movement. Traps are untouched. Not even the snakes reported anything."
"Good. Then I'm calling it a day," Tatsumi clapped his hands. "We're just waiting on Orochimaru-sama's word now."
Kushina and Mikoto began tidying up the tents.
"I'll scout ahead," Tatsumi said, planning to patrol further along the highway.
"Be careful," Nawaki (Rope Tree) nodded.
Just then, Dabai, Tatsumi's snake summon, slithered up and buzzed a warning in his ear.
Tatsumi's expression darkened.
"What is it?" Mikoto asked.
"Dabai sensed chakra nearby," Tatsumi replied.
"Rain Country?" Nawaki asked.
"No... from the Land of Rivers."
"Eh?!"
Everyone froze.
Their mission was to monitor Rain ninja activity between the Land of Rain and Fire. If Rain shinobi showed up, that would be expected.
But no Rain shinobi had appeared.
Now, chakra was approaching—from the Land of Rivers.
Given the geography—the Land of Rivers lies between Fire and Wind countries—this made things clear.
If ninjas were approaching from Kawa no Kuni...
...they could only be from Sunagakure.
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