After a night of rest, Orochimaru began deploying his troops early the next morning. He assembled all the Hyūga Clan mbers and sensor-type ninjas, forming specialized teams consisting of one Jōnin and three Chūnin each. Orochimaru himself led a sizable group of Konoha ninja to search the northern periter of the camp.
Kawakaze, however, volunteered to stay behind and guard the camp. He reasoned that the large-scale search would not be an effective training opportunity for the two young ninja, Nawaki and Minato. Their inexperience and lack of advanced sensory abilities might end up hindering the operation rather than contributing to it.
At the camp gate, Orochimaru expressed an interest in taking Nawaki along. "Nawaki, do you want to co with Sensei?"
Before Nawaki could answer, Kawakaze quickly interjected, stepping in front of Nawaki protectively. "No, I'd like to work with Nawaki a little more. He still has so areas that need improvent," Kawakaze insisted, his voice tinged with urgency.
He shielded Nawaki behind his back, looking almost panicked. The thought of Nawaki being put in danger under Orochimaru's watch seed unbearable to Kawakaze. If sothing happened to Nawaki again, Kawakaze could face the consequences himself—but explaining it to Tsunade was another matter entirely.
Nawaki, puzzled by his brother-in-law's sudden shift, glanced up at him. Kawakaze had praised him the previous night, but now he was saying Nawaki wasn't ready. Though curious, Nawaki didn't dare to question him aloud. The mory of being scolded last ti was still fresh in his mind.
"Very well," Orochimaru said, showing no resistance. He seed almost relieved to leave Nawaki behind. After saying goodbye to Kawakaze, Orochimaru set off with his team.
Back at camp, Kawakaze took the two younger ninjas with him. Naturally, Sakumo, eager for action, had joined Orochimaru's group, requesting the assistance of a Hyūga Clan Chūnin before departing.
"Sensei," Minato asked, following Kawakaze obediently, "do you think they'll find the Agakure ninja this ti?"
"I think they'll find them," Kawakaze replied thoughtfully, "but it's hard to say how many they'll be able to eliminate."
Agakure ninja can be incredibly elusive, especially when they're determined to stay hidden. This is their land, after all.
He paused to pat the heads of Nawaki and Minato. "Go practice. I'll take a walk around the camp."
The two obediently went off to train while Kawakaze began patrolling the camp. Though the atmosphere was calm, Kawakaze remained vigilant, ensuring everything was secure as he fulfilled his responsibilities.
...
Deep within the forest at the border of the Land of Rain, an Agakure ninja staggered forward, his mask lost and his clothes in tatters. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, evidence of a recent, intense battle. Reaching a large tree, the ninja seed to dissolve into a puddle of water, which seeped into the ground.
Beneath the forest floor lay a massive underground cave, spacious enough to accommodate nearly a thousand Agakure ninja—almost a third of the total ninja population of the Land of Rain. The existence of such a facility revealed that Hanzō's decision to wage war against two nations had been anything but impulsive. The cave could not have been built overnight, proving that Hanzō had planned the conflict while feigning negotiations to buy ti. Once his preparations were complete, he declared war without hesitation.
The injured ninja erged within the underground cave, where others imdiately rushed to assist him.
"Shino, weren't you on patrol?" one asked, helping the injured man, now identified as Shino, to his feet.
"I have an important report for Lord Yamaru," Shino replied, his voice strained.
Supported by his comrade, Shino approached Yamaru, who sat in a commanding chair, his face obscured by a gas mask. Kneeling on one knee, Shino began his report.
"Lord Yamaru, the large Konoha army has entered the forest and is conducting a widespread search," he said, coughing up blood mid-sentence. "The leader of the ninja is believed to be Orochimaru, the Third Hokage's disciple. Their numbers are overwhelming, and our forces are dwindling."
Yamaru's gloved fists clenched in fury. Slamming his chair's armrest, he rose abruptly, shattering the wooden seat beneath him.
"Damn Konoha!" he spat. After a mont of thought, he gave his orders.
"Reduce the scope of our patrols. Avoid direct confrontation with the Konoha forces at all costs. Tsugijirō, take a squad and set more traps. Kill as many as you can. We need their movents monitored, so don't die out there."
A wiry ninja stepped forward, bowing sharply before leading a group out of the cave to carry out Yamaru's orders.
"When Lord Hanzō returns, we'll show these Konoha ninja what we're made of," Yamaru muttered to himself, his voice brimming with confidence in Hanzō's leadership.
Not long after, another group of elite Agakure ninja, led by Tsugijirō, exited the underground cave, prepared to reinforce their defenses.
anwhile, the Konoha army pressed on, thodically sweeping the surrounding forest. They had already encountered a squad of 80 Agakure ninja, annihilating all but one who managed to escape to warn his comrades.
"Orochimaru, it's been a while since we've co across any Agakure ninja," Sakumo remarked as he approached Orochimaru, initiating a conversation.
"They must have a central gathering place," Orochimaru replied thoughtfully. "Unfortunately, we lost track of the ninja we let escape. Otherwise, we might have discovered their nest."
"Now that they've had ti to report back, the odds of finding them have dropped significantly," Sakumo noted.
"If there's no movent after a while, we'll withdraw to camp," Orochimaru decided. "We'll rest for a few days, make so noise, and stage a fake large-scale attack to draw them out."
Orochimaru's instincts on the battlefield were sharp, but even he had to concede that the escapee, Shino, was an expert at evasion, making it nearly impossible to track him down.
"Alright, I'll check out the front again," Sakumo said, preparing to head out.
"Sakumo, be careful," Orochimaru cautioned.
Sakumo and Duy separated from the group to scout ahead. Orochimaru didn't stop them, knowing full well the capabilities of both n. He had personally witnessed the raw power of Duy's Eight Inner Gates and had developed a grudging respect for him, despite Duy's unassuming appearance and unusual outfit.
Before eting Duy, Orochimaru had never even heard his na—a testant to how underrated the man was. Orochimaru also trusted Sakumo's judgnt and skill; if they couldn't handle a situation, then the entire Konoha force might as well prepare for disaster.
"Sakumo, what are you thinking about?" Duy asked as the two patrolled. Despite the reduced imdiate danger, they were still on high alert in enemy territory.
"I miss my wife," Sakumo admitted, the thought slipping out before he could stop himself. In this harsh environnt, his thoughts naturally turned to Nayuki and the child she carried.
"Haha, I miss my wife too!" Duy replied with a hearty laugh. Both n, far from ho and family, found solace in their shared longing.
"When the baby's born, let's have them train together," Sakumo said, a new sense of clarity lighting up his expression. "The sooner this war ends, the sooner we can go ho."
Duy grinned. "Yes, let's hope this war ends soon."
Sakumo, unknowingly, was setting the stage for Kakashi to befriend and rival Duy's son, Guy. If only Kakashi knew the youth that awaited him!
Their conversation was cut short when their sharp senses alerted them to movent ahead. An Agakure ninja, busy arranging explosive tags, hadn't noticed them yet. With lightning speed, Sakumo closed the distance, his short sword slicing the enemy's throat. The ninja fell, clutching his neck with a sickening gurgle.
"It seems the Agakure ninja have received the news. They're setting up traps," Sakumo observed, carefully gathering the explosive tags. "We need to warn the main force."
"Agreed. Let's head back," Duy said, kicking the lifeless body aside as they quickly cleaned up the scene.
Returning to Orochimaru's group, they reported their findings. Orochimaru imdiately pieced together the implications.
"Retreat to camp," he ordered decisively. "No need to risk unnecessary losses. If these traps catch even one of us off guard, the consequences could be severe."
"Retreat in formation!" ca the call, and the scattered Konoha ninjas began regrouping and pulling back in an orderly fashion.
The Agakure ninja's carefully laid traps would ultimately go unused, as the Konoha forces avoided them entirely. This was precisely the outco Orochimaru wanted—a tactical withdrawal without falling into the enemy's hands, leaving the Agakure ninja frustrated but their scouts intact for future observation.
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