Chapter 180: ### Chapter 180
The harsh realities of conducting missions in the Wind Country were becoming clear to everyone involved. Unlike the Land of Fire, where Konoha's enemies had countless hiding places and targets, the Wind Country offered little cover and even fewer valuable targets.
For Mitokado Hamura and Utatane Koharu, this barren land turned into a trap rather than an opportunity.
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### The Challenges of the Wind Country
Mitokado Hamura stared at their map, his frustration evident. "When did being too poor become an advantage?" he muttered.
Koharu shared his sentiment but kept her focus on the task at hand. They had destroyed a few oases and villages, but each attack had only hastened the Sand Village's response. The narrow selection of targets meant their movements could be predicted, and the Sand ninja quickly caught on.
"At least we're making them chase us," Koharu said, trying to sound optimistic.
Hamura gave a weak smile. "Yes, and they're doing a fine job of it."
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### Shinki Notices a Shift
From his vantage point in the Bear Country, Shinki monitored the situation. His eagle puppet circled high above the Wind Country, relaying visuals of the ongoing chase. Koharu and Hamura had shifted north, abandoning their mission objectives and heading straight for the Bear Country.
Shinki raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Heading my way, are we? That's unexpected."
The shift in direction didn't just mean Koharu and Hamura were retreating—it meant the Sand Village's forces would follow them into the Bear Country. The thought made Shinki grimace. The Bear Country was a quiet, isolated place, and he had chosen it precisely to avoid the chaos of war.
Now, it seemed that chaos was heading straight for him.
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### Decision Time for Shinki
Shinki packed his camp, preparing to leave. "Let them have the Bear Country," he muttered. "I'm not sticking around to watch another nation become the second Rain Country."
As Koharu and Hamura continued their retreat, Shinki flew south toward the River Country, deciding to regroup at Konoha's forward camp. The scars of war were already visible as he approached the River Country's borders—craters, burned villages, and deserted fields.
The River Country had borne the brunt of the Konoha-Sand Village conflict, and Shinki had no illusions about its condition. However, it was still a safer option than the Bear Country, which was about to become the next battleground.
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### Konoha's Perspective
Back in Konoha, the Third Hokage was wrestling with the fallout from the mission. The reports from Koharu and Hamura were steady, but the lack of communication from Shinki was a thorn in his side.
"Still no word from Hyuga Shinki?" the Hokage asked, his tone sharp.
The intelligence officer standing before him shook his head. "No, Lord Hokage. We've received regular updates from the elders, but nothing from Shinki."
The Third Hokage sighed heavily, setting down the latest report. *If Shinki completed his objectives while the elders barely managed half, it will be a public embarrassment for all of us,* he thought grimly.
He knew Shinki well enough to anticipate what might happen. If given the opportunity, Shinki wouldn't hold back his thoughts, especially if the elders' performance paled in comparison to his.
"Send reinforcements to the Bear Country," the Hokage ordered. "Ensure the elders return safely. We can't afford to lose them."
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### The Sand Village Escalates
Meanwhile, in the Wind Country, the Third Kazekage was doubling down on his pursuit. Koharu and Hamura's shift toward the Bear Country had been noticed, and the Sand Village's forces adjusted accordingly.
"Push them north!" the Kazekage commanded, his iron sand platform hovering above the desert. "We'll trap them at the border if we have to."
The Kazekage's frustration was palpable. Konoha's daring attack had caught him off guard, but he now saw an opportunity to turn the situation to his advantage. If he could capture or kill the two Konoha elders, it would be a crippling blow to the enemy.
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### Koharu and Hamura's Retreat
Koharu and Hamura moved under the cover of night, their pace steady but cautious. They knew the Sand Village forces weren't far behind.
"Our sentry reported back that the Sand Village has adjusted their pursuit," Hamura said. "They're trying to box us in at the Bear Country's border."
Koharu frowned. "We'll have to lose them in the Bear Country's forests. The terrain there is more favorable to us."
Despite her confidence, both knew the risks. The Bear Country's dense forests, poisonous mists, and dangerous wildlife were as much a threat as the Sand Village's forces. But it was their best chance to escape.
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### The River Country's Devastation
As Shinki approached the River Country's forward camp, the extent of the destruction became clear. The once-thriving nation was now little more than a battlefield. The villages along the border had been abandoned, their inhabitants fleeing deeper into the country or into Konoha for safety.
Even the land itself bore the scars of war. Craters marred the fields, and the remains of battles littered the roads.
"This place is a mess," Shinki muttered, guiding his eagle puppet toward the camp. He resolved to report to Konoha's command center and assess the situation before making his next move.
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### The Bear Country in Jeopardy
As Koharu and Hamura neared the Bear Country's border, they sent an urgent message back to Konoha requesting reinforcements. The Sand Village's pursuit was relentless, and without additional support, their chances of survival were slim.
The Bear Country, unwittingly, was about to become the next staging ground for the conflict. Its dense forests and toxic environment would serve as both a refuge and a battleground.
For Shinki, Koharu, Hamura, and the Sand Village, the stakes were rising. The Wind Country's barren landscape had given way to a new challenge, and the conflict threatened to spill over into yet another nation.
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### The Third Hokage's Concern
In Konoha, the Third Hokage reviewed the elders' plea for reinforcements. "So, they're heading to the Bear Country," he muttered. "And they've drawn the Sand Village along with them."
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Dispatch the team immediately. We need to end this before it escalates further."
The line between a tactical mission and an all-out conflict was growing thin. And for the Bear Country, the consequences could be devastating.
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