Konoha Notes

Chapter 88 Unusual Movement
Four days have passed since Shuji and Yamato were transferred to Jiraiya's command, and no battles have taken place along the Kannabi Bridge line.

Konoha's defenses were reinforced day by day, with traps and warning barriers being laid out layer by layer.

Nara Shikaku practically lived in front of the command post's sand table, while Jiraiya oversaw operations, occasionally patrolling the front lines.

On the second day of the stalemate, Xiu Si followed the barrier team at the front line. These people were experts at setting up spells, and it would always be good to observe and learn from them.

On the third day, Jiraiya noticed that this ANBU member codenamed "Mori" seemed interested in sealing techniques, so he took the initiative to give him some pointers.

With guidance from a master-level ninja, Shuji's progress in sealing techniques improved dramatically.

On the fourth day, Yamato felt like he had been dragged into something, and now he couldn't even rest properly, and he didn't know how to try.

He should practice Wood Release; after all, it needs to be kept secret as much as possible. He shouldn't learn anything else; he doesn't have the talent for that.

He needs to hone his physical strength; as a key combatant, he cannot afford to waste his stamina and chakra.

I used to admire this "Mori" senior a lot, but now I miss Kakashi a bit.

At this moment, the curtain of the secret service team's tent was lifted.

Jiraiya appeared at the doorway, his usual nonchalant expression gone.

"Pack your things and get to command post immediately," Jiraiya said solemnly. "Kakashi is back, bringing back important intelligence."

When Shuji and Yamato arrived at the command post, they found the atmosphere inside to be more tense than usual.

The Nara deer beside the sand table was growing well and showed no signs of moving. Jiraiya stood to the side with his arms crossed, while Kakashi's ANBU uniform was covered in grass clippings and dust, clearly indicating that he had been running and lying in wait for a long time.

"Tell me the specifics," Nara Shikaku asked.

Kakashi's voice was a little hoarse: "I led my team to infiltrate the Land of Grass from near the site of the Tenchi Bridge as planned, to conduct in-depth reconnaissance."

"In the first 24 hours, the frequency and density of Iwagakure's patrols were in line with the normal defense posture, and no abnormalities were found."

"But six hours ago, signs were detected that several Iwagakure squads were moving north."

Jiraiya interjected, "Retreat for rest and reorganization? Rotation?"

“It doesn’t seem like it,” Kakashi denied. “We risked getting closer to observe and found at least ten fully-strength Iwagakure units that were orderly withdrawing from their current positions and moving north.”

"Three hours ago, it was confirmed that three more teams had broken away from the battle line. Hyuga Tsukimi, who was with the team, used his Byakugan to find the Five-Tails Jinchuriki in the middle of one of the retreating teams."

"Furthermore, as of now, there is no indication that Iwagakure has added new troops to fill the defensive line."

Nara Shikaku let out a long sigh of relief: "Withdraw the troops, and even transfer the Jinchūriki who is at the core of the attack."

"Onoki wants to leave."

After news of Mitokado Homura's entry into the Land of Frost spread, he was also considering what Onoki might do, and now it seems that things are developing in a positive direction.

Jiraiya chuckled, "That old man is really decisive."

Nara Shikaku didn't reply, but directly ordered the messenger ninja standing to the side: "Immediately dispatch three elite reconnaissance squads to spread out along the line from Kannabi to Tenchi Bridge to confirm the current status of the Iwagakure position."

The ninja who gave the order immediately obeyed and left.

Shikaku looked at Kakashi: "You've worked hard. Go and rest. Be ready to be called upon at any time."

"Yes." Kakashi nodded slightly, turned and left the command post.

Jiraiya instructed Shuji and Yamato, "The same goes for you. If Iwagakure really retreats on a large scale, they might leave behind a strong rearguard or a final counterattack. Maintain readiness." "Understood," Shuji replied, and left the tent with Yamato.

Subsequent reports from the frontline reconnaissance team further confirmed the accuracy of Kakashi's intelligence.

The defensive line of the Hidden Rock Village has many obvious gaps and weak points, which have been replaced by more trigger traps and temporary warning barriers.

The assessment that Iwagakure was about to completely withdraw from the Kannabi front line was quickly relayed back to the village.

Soon after, a reply arrived from the village.

The three members of the secret service team were summoned back to the command center.

This time, the solemnity on Nara Shikaku's face did not dissipate with the enemy's retreat; on the contrary, it deepened. Even Jiraiya crossed his arms, his brows furrowed, revealing a rare look of inner turmoil.

"The latest order from the village requires us to make progress as quickly as possible along the Kaminaribi line."

Kakashi was puzzled: "Iwagakure has already shown signs of retreating. We only need to maintain pressure and wait for them to withdraw completely. Why launch an attack at this time?"

"The Raikage's demands are too high," Jiraiya said helplessly. "And his attitude is tough; if we don't agree, he'll start a war immediately."

"Once the battle begins in Kumogakure, Onoki, who was already preparing to evacuate, will probably change his mind immediately and may even launch another fierce attack."

"The old man is already on his way."

"We must take advantage of this window of opportunity, when Onoki is preparing to leave and his fighting spirit is wavering, while Advisor Mitomon can still try his best to maneuver in Kumogakure, to seize Kannabi, and even go a step further and drive the Iwagakure ninja back to the Land of Earth."

A brief silence fell inside the tent. The biggest problem in achieving this goal was obvious—Onoki himself.

Onoki only wanted to retreat. As long as he hadn't confirmed his departure, if the Konoha army pressed forward now and pushed too hard, would he then suffer a heavy defeat from Dust Release?

The issue with Dust Release isn't whether it hurts or not; it's that the person is gone before they even have a chance to utter a sound.

"Captain Kakashi previously went deep into the Land of Grass to investigate." After a moment of silence, Shuuji spoke up, "May I ask, what has been the attitude of the Hidden Grass Village throughout this conflict?"

"Kusagakure?" Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by the question. "Their survival strategy is to play both sides. With Onoki personally overseeing things here, they naturally dare not take any stance, maintaining neutrality and tacitly allowing Iwagakure to pass through and establish a presence."

Nara Shikaku added, "Mori, I know what you're thinking. But even Sunagakure, which has an alliance with us, is unwilling to directly attack Iwagakure. It's hard for us to expect Kusagakure to step up at a time like this."

“No, I’m not expecting them to take sides,” Shuji calmly corrected. “What I want to confirm is whether they have ever explicitly expressed any kind of ‘submission’ or ‘cooperation’ to Iwagakure?”

Nara Shikaku pondered for a moment, then shook his head: "Probably not. Being overly biased towards one side would offend the other."

"Complete silence is their consistent style. No matter who asks afterward, they can always explain it as being powerless to resist."

"In other words, from Iwagakure's perspective, Kusagakure's current peaceful state stems from Iwagakure's powerful military presence and the Tsuchikage's personal presence," Shuuji said slowly, his thoughts gradually becoming clearer.

"What if Iwagakure's expression of intention to retreat causes Kusagakure's attitude to 'change'?"

Shuji looked at the two commanders: "In the current situation, if some 'powerful and assertive' Kusagakure ninja suddenly appear behind the Iwagakure forces and launch harassing attacks against their logistical lines or withdrawing troops..."

"Even just by putting on this show, will the pressure of being attacked from both sides prompt Iwagakure to accelerate its retreat and more readily cede territory within the Land of Grass?"

Upon hearing this, Nara Shikaku's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

"Can try."

"However, carrying out such a mission is extremely risky. Going deep behind enemy lines, disguising oneself, and being able to pose a sufficient threat... requires an extremely elite squad."

(End of this chapter)