Konoha Notes

Chapter 75 Judgment
The howling wind crashed against the canyon walls, creating hollow echoes; they fought bravely.

However, it makes no sense.

Soon only corpses remained on the ground.

Hidden in the sand, hidden in the rocks. The smell of blood and dust filled the narrow valley.

Raido Namiya flicked the sticky blood off his black blade, and the distinctive bluish-black poison marks on the blade quickly spread to the wound on the corpse.

Genma Shiranui had another senbon dangling from his mouth, but his sharp eyes scanned the jagged shadows around him, confirming that there were no more lurking threats.

Deivashi breathed slightly, guarding the flank warily.

Red Bean slowly retracted the venomous snake into her sleeve. She pursed her lips and kicked away a pebble at her feet. Itachi silently wiped his kunai, his dark pupils sweeping over each fallen enemy, his expression calm and unwavering.

Xiu Si stood there, his brows slightly furrowed.

The opponent fought with undeniable bravery, even to the point of recklessness. But this is precisely the biggest point of suspicion.

Without reinforcements, these people's biggest advantage was the sealing traps they had set up within their base.

Combat? Just as Shuji advised, their chances of winning were slim. Shuji's side had a strong lineup. Genma Shiranui and Raido Namiashi were indeed Special Jonin, but they were only considered to have Jonin-level combat power; in other aspects, they were not yet sufficient.

As for the ninja rank of Genin on their side—Uchiha Itachi—it's not that he's not strong enough, but rather that he hasn't taken the Chunin Exams yet.

In terms of actual combat strength, it is three Jonin and three Chunin to deal with two Jonin and four Chunin.

Unless the two Jonin on the other side have special techniques, they are no match for the six Konoha members. But if they do have special techniques, they won't bother to lure them into a trap.

The question is, why?

It's not about why Sunagakure abandoned its alliance with Konoha, but rather why these people seem to be courting death.

These Sand Villagers could pretend to capture Iwagakure ninjas and leave, or they could leave the Iwagakure ninjas with Konoha, turn around and leave, and then bring people to get revenge... There are many methods.

Even if Shuji had some doubts, he would not take action against his allies.

With no reinforcements and realizing that Shuuji no longer wanted to fall into the trap, why did he release the two Iwagakure ninjas instead of continuing to feign compliance and launching an attack?

I went along with them, but not a single problem was solved; in fact, more and more problems arose.

Genma Shiranui didn't know what Shuuji was thinking, but from his perspective, the current situation was already extremely bad.

"Shuji, our ally Sunagakure has betrayed us. We should return to Konoha immediately and warn the Hokage." Genma's expression was unusually grave. He was beginning to worry that the troops on the western front might have already suffered heavy losses.

Yes, this is the safest approach.

But Xiu Si had a vague feeling that things were probably not like that.

However, Genma's concerns are valid, and this situation may need to be reported to the village.

"Xuanjian, you all go back first," Xiuji decided.

"What about Class 5?"

“Let’s continue the mission,” Shuuji said.

Genma Shiranui didn't understand that continuing the mission was pointless given the current situation.

“Because these people are throwing their lives away, throwing their lives away as Sand Village ninja.” Shuuji’s gaze swept over the corpses of Sand and Iwa Village ninja on the ground. “From the initial ambush, trying to kill us, to their later deliberate suicide, I am more inclined to believe that this is an enemy scheme.”

"Although I don't know why Iwagakure was able to react so quickly, and even anticipate..." No, it wasn't anticipated.

Shuji instantly connected the disparate clues.

The mastermind behind the kidnapping of the Cloud Village envoy may be Obito Uchiha, but he may not be the only one in control.

The numerous attacks the Cloud Village delegation encountered along the way, and this premeditated ambush by the Iwagakure village... it's likely that the Iwagakure village has been pulling the strings behind the scenes all along.

But seriously, that old geezer Ohnoki is really something.

They pulled off a clever scheme. If they died, Konoha would suspect Sunagakure; if they survived, Konoha would still suspect Sunagakure.

"I think this is a conspiracy by Iwagakure, but we can't let our guard down against Sunagakure, because the village can't afford to be misled."

He had figured out the current situation, along with the information in his memory.

Shuji leans towards the view that Sunagakure is still trustworthy, and the fact that the enemy chose to die is the best proof of that.

After hearing Shuji's assessment, Genma Shiranui was also caught in a dilemma.

Their team's mission was to ensure that the Jonin Shuji of Team 5 could safely reach Sunagakure. What kind of business would it be to leave Team 5 behind and go back now?

“Or,” Genma suggested as a compromise, “let Anko and Itachi return first. The three of us will accompany you on your journey to Sunagakure.”

Shuuji insisted on his idea: "The techniques you possess can allow you to quickly return to the village..."

“But!” Genma interrupted solemnly, “We cannot activate that technique repeatedly in a short period of time. Nor do we have the ability to instantly travel from Konoha to Sunagakure.”

Shuuji nodded slightly, understanding their predicament: "Entering Sunagakure from the First Line, we will definitely pass through Sunagakure's checkpoints. I will judge whether to continue the mission or withdraw based on the specific reactions of the Sunagakure ninjas."

"Your mission is to bring back to Konoha the exact situation here as soon as possible—including the involvement and deaths of the Sand Village ninja in the ambush, and my preliminary assessment."

"This is more important than escorting us to a village in Sunagakure that may already be a den of wolves. The stability of the western front is now more important than anything else."

Genji exchanged a glance with Raito and Deivashi, and the three of them understood what was important and what was urgent.

Genma's team ultimately chose to leave.

Shuji looked at the two team members beside him, a hint of apology rising in his heart: "I'm sorry, this decision was indeed very dangerous."

"What are you talking about, Shuuji?" Anko tossed her hair nonchalantly. "We're ninjas, isn't this our duty? As subordinates, we should just follow the captain's decisions and complete the mission!"

“Senior Red Bean is right.”

Shuji smiled and said nothing more.

The three members of Class 5 set off again.

The atmosphere was tense and silent the entire way. The exit of the canyon was in sight, and ahead suddenly opened up to the only road leading to Sunagakure—the narrow, treacherous One Line Sky with towering cliffs on both sides.

Just as the three members of Class 5 stepped onto the Gobi Desert leading to the entrance of the narrow crevice, hundreds of meters away from that treacherous gap—

A dry, hot wind carrying sand swept by without warning.

Immediately afterwards, on the seemingly empty Gobi Desert ahead, figures rose from beneath the scorching ground, instantly filling the Fifth Class's field of vision!
A Sand Village unit!
Their numbers far exceeded those of the "patrol squads" they had encountered before. They were well-organized, armed with ninja tools, and exuded a chilling aura.

Sunagakure Jonin Maki's gaze swept over the Konoha headbands of Shuji and the other two, finally settling on the face of the boy in the lead.
"Konoha ninjas? What... what brings you here?"

(End of this chapter)