章 141: Chapter 141 : Konoha Camp
Examining the lifeless body of the sand ninja along with a handful of Konoha shinobi on the ground, Tsushima let out a sigh and fell silent.
Konoha had been established, and the Five Great Ninja Villages had risen. Yet, the cycle of conflict continued.
It seemed that with alliances of ninja clans forming, establishing a village, the scale of the war was amplified.
"Hey, not too shabby!"
As Takeshi approached, holding a head in his hand, Tsushima slapped his shoulder and stood up.
"Captain is something else!" Nightingale and Tiger chimed in with laughs.
After tending to wounds, disposing of the bodies, and taking stock of supplies, the losses turned out to be minimal. There was no time to mourn, and the group quickly headed towards the Konoha Camp.
"Who goes there!"
The team came to an abrupt halt as a group of ninjas emerged from the rustling ahead, fully equipped. Tsushima gazed at them, a sense of relief washing over him.
"It's the supply team from Konoha, huh? Were you ambushed? We arrived a bit late!"
It appeared that the sensory ninjas on Konoha's side were quite sharp. Although Takeshi was tempted to comment, "Why does it seem like the police always arrive after the crime?", their responsiveness was evident.
The Konoha ninjas who just arrived exchanged glances with Daichi, and then exchanged a few hushed words amongst themselves.
"Tsushima, the situation's on your shoulders this time."
In the preceding battle, he had single-handedly taken down over a dozen sand ninjas, including an upper-level ninja, sustaining only minor injuries. Even a group of rookie ninjas under his command could sense that something was amiss.
Tsushima looked slightly concerned, and the group proceeded back to their camp.
"Sister, based on Shagull's feedback, the ambush units of Ryutai and Zanku encountered Konoha's supply team and were completely wiped out."
Within the fortress-like headquarters of the Sand Ninja, built from sand and gravel with ninjutsu, a seemingly unassuming ninja spoke indifferently.
"Boom—!"
Chiyo slammed her fist onto the wooden meeting table, causing the teapot to jump three times.
"Incompetents! These two couldn't even pull off an ambush on a supply team. Is it so easy for us to cultivate sand ninjas in the Land of Wind? The next time I see him, I'll teach him a lesson...!!"
At this moment, Chiyo's anger blazed, despite her stature being petite. Yet her fury emanated a powerful aura that caused everyone in the room, except for Ebizō, to flinch.
"Sister..." Ebizō remained rather composed, as if he were accustomed to such outbursts.
"Um?"
Chiyo, in the midst of her rage, suddenly halted her tirade. "Are you telling me that even Ryutai, the puppet master, didn't manage to escape?"
"Yes, they were all wiped out."
Chiyo, who had been prepared to launch another verbal onslaught, seated herself with an air of contemplation. After a moment's thought, she remarked, "I know Ryutai's abilities... It seems Konoha is already aware of our strategic intentions and has dispatched powerful figures to end this conflict as swiftly as possible."
She sneered immediately after, "Hokage Tobirama is so naive. He thinks he can amass more troops—can't we? Besides, you've never acted before!"
Chiyo seemed to possess the aura of control over everything. Naturally, her power matched her demeanour. She was a quasi-kage level ninja and the leader of the Sand Ninja puppet masters unit.
"As long as Konoha is at its weakest, we Sand Shinobi won't miss the opportunity to gain an advantage. Furthermore, the messenger from the Land of Thunder has pledged their support, leaving Konoha with limited resources to invest here!"
Once upon a time, Konoha had been formidable, and their domineering actions in claiming tailed beasts were still etched in people's minds. However, a gentle leader like Hashirama was not as suitable as Tobirama, a shrewd ruler, to hold the position of Hokage.
Wasn't that the case? When both he and Madara Uchiha were present, no one would dare challenge his benevolence.
"Sister, the crux of the matter is that this group of Konoha elites might have infiltrated the supply team. They likely aren't numerous. We just happened to encounter them by chance."
Ebizō remained steadfast in steering the conversation back to its point.
"Um?"
Chiyo was taken aback for a moment, then grew more contemplative.
"I've heard that Konoha has a specialized elite unit loyal to the Hokage. Though they're few in number, they excel in covert operations like infiltration, assassination, espionage, and defense."
"So, what's your point? Are you implying that Tobirama may have sent an Anbu squad to sneak in—"
"Exactly, Tobirama probably aims to eliminate you directly. Without leadership, we'd descend into chaos, allowing Konoha to exploit the situation by sending more troops, thereby gaining a significant advantage."
Ebizō presented his perspective calmly, evoking a frozen response from the others in the room.
"I speculate that Tobirama, to swiftly conclude our conflict and free up resources for potential future crises, will employ drastic measures to demonstrate his strength, ultimately forcing us to withdraw from the battle."
While Ebizō's conjecture remained speculative, if Takeshi were present, he'd undoubtedly be amazed by this poised Sand Shinobi.
"Huh! Hahaha! A jest!"
Chiyo's reaction was overly dramatic, her laughter laced with disdain. "They think a group of Konoha elites can threaten me? I'm a master of immortal puppets! Hahaha~"
Chiyo had transformed into an inFumiotile giant of a boss, her behaviour bordering on the absurd. This spectacle left her audience bewildered, and Ebizō wiped his brow helplessly.
"Sister, do be mindful of your demeanour."
"Humph! Whether your speculation holds water or not, I'll make the necessary arrangements to handle them!"
Chiyo waved her hand and exited the meeting room first, her confidence in her astute younger brother unwavering.
"Everyone, disperse. Stay vigilant."
Ebizō also rose and followed his towering, "inFumiotile" sister.
"Konoha comrades, your efforts are appreciated!"
Within Konoha's encampment, ninjas of diverse clans executed their respective tasks while their construction endeavours unfolded in an organized fashion. Many had survived through the Warring States Period, making them veterans.
Leading the troops was a representative from the Senju Clan, and Nightingale approached him with a greeting. His deputy hailed from the Hyuga Clan—a familiar face to Takeshi—Hyuga Masaru, an elite branch elder.
Additionally, the Ino–Shika–Chō team, as well as the Inuzuka and Aburame clans, contributed their strengths. The coalition showcased a versatile amalgamation of abilities from various families, which, if unified, could harness incredible strength.
To an extent, the more diverse a village's clans, the more comprehensive the coalition's capabilities became—provided they worked together harmoniously.
The supplies were promptly accepted, and most of the supply teams made their way back. Tsushima received medical attention once more from a specialized medical-ninja, and engaged in conversation with the commander.
As Anbu, Takeshi and his team were granted the privilege to observe.
"Sand Ninja's strength pales in comparison to ours. Their skill sets largely revolve around two categories—ninjutsu masters proficient in wind-style techniques and puppet masters. Once we stabilize our position, we can capitalize on our diverse and potent fighting styles, making them no match for us."
The commander, Senju Fumio, observed, "However, they're avoiding direct confrontation and focusing on harassment tactics, primarily utilizing puppet masters, particularly those employing poison."
Initially, Senju Fumio grumbled about these nuisances.
"By the way, how's the kid you brought along? Is he reliable?"
"I have faith in them. With a meticulous plan, we're quite confident."
Tsushima reassured him with a smile, but memories of the sand ninja ambush unit they'd accidentally encountered and subsequently eliminated lingered, casting a shadow over his confidence.
"But even the most foolproof plan can encounter setbacks. Although it will never fail."
"Really? You sound less certain."
Senju Fumio patted Tsushima on the shoulder.
"Hey, look who's here... Little Orochimaru?"
Takeshi was taken aback, feeling unexpectedly recognized.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Tobirama's disciple—most likely the true commander here—Homura Mitokado.
Homura Mitokado likely held strength surpassing that of a Jōnin. His outward aura seemed somewhat boastful, and Takeshi found him rather vexing.
"Haha, quite the promising young talent. Achieving Jōnin level at such a young age." Homura Mitokado appeared to admire the younger generation, but his eyes betrayed no trace of enthusiasm.
Takeshi managed a feigned expression of flattery, offering a few polite words, all the while harbouring a sense of disdain.
"I hope this old geezer doesn't become a thorn in my side!"
Subsequently, the two engaged in a prolonged discussion without determining when to address the issue with Chiyo.
"Chiyo, who saved Gaara, The Fifth Kazekage..."
After exiting, Takeshi found himself somewhat bewildered. What if she were to perish? Would that be alright?
Yet, as he pondered, he realized the storyline could shift at any point. The ultimate outcome remained uncertain.
Moreover, as long as the endeavour yielded benefits within an acceptable range and did not disrupt the overarching plot, it would be worthwhile.
Surveying Konoha's encampment, it had been nearly two months since the war began. The population had swelled to approximately 3,500. Tents stretched as far as the eye could see. Countless ninjas bustled with grave expressions, contributing to an air of somberness.
Fortunately, the vast numbers of ninjas present ensured that water resources weren't an issue in this desert region. Despite the harsh conditions, the ninjas overlooked various hardships.
Of course, the circumstances remained less than optimal, with many individuals lying on makeshift cots for treatment. Some suffered from poisoning or extensive burns. Given the conditions, they could only await their fate.
"I was part of the medical team after all. Even if the primary focus isn't curing illnesses and saving lives, making a cameo now and then to acquire useful cells couldn't hurt."
Takeshi's lips curved into a "gentle" smile. He was truly on the verge of seeking out a medical ninja for conversation when he was momentarily struck by the sight before him.
"Huh? Tsunade? You're here too!"
**********
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