"Fine, then let's send soone back."
Kawakaze was unable to fully understand the nuances of the situation but opting to go along with the flow.
The original story hadn't detailed much about the Second Shinobi World War—only the appearances of key figures. Kawakaze analyzed the current scenario and saw no flaws in Orochimaru's strategy. Still, he couldn't shake the feeling that his own actions, like the flap of a butterfly's wings, might have altered the course of events.
"Ito, take soone back to the camp along with the supplies, we'll proceed slowly and catch up with you soon. Any questions?"
Orochimaru, uninterested in wasting ti, nodded in approval as the group prepared to advance toward the heart of the Land of Rain.
"No questions, Lord Orochimaru," replied Ito, a Konoha Jōnin, who then selected three Chūnin and set off toward the camp.
"Kawakaze, half the credit for this victory is yours," Orochimaru remarked, his tone lighter than usual. Two consecutive wins had clearly lifted his mood, softening the cold edge to his voice. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"You're too kind. I only made a few suggestions," Kawakaze replied humbly. He wasn't particularly interested in accolades, especially with Tsunade absent. Inwardly, he mused that if the Land of Rain fell this easily, Tsunade might need to find other battles to bolster her reputation. Without such achievents, her path to becoming Hokage would be far more challenging.
The two youngsters watched the exchange between their ntors silently, knowing how much they learned would depend on their own efforts.
"Let's continue forward," Orochimaru said.
"Yes," Kawakaze replied.
It was clear that Orochimaru now viewed Kawakaze as an equal, consulting him regularly on important matters as they pushed deeper into enemy territory.
"Gather up, let's go," he ordered, and the Konoha ninja, having finished clearing the battlefield, continued their march.
In stark contrast, Yamaru of the Land of Rain was in shambles. After fleeing the battlefield with the remnants of his forces, he imdiately regrouped at their makeshift camp.
"I underestimated Konoha's strength," Yamaru muttered, his voice filled with frustration. "Tsugijirō fell to that strange man in the tight suit with the center-parted hair. We cannot stop Konoha's main army anymore."
Faced with no other options, Yamaru made his decision. "There's only one way left—we must destroy their supplies. Without them, Konoha will have to halt their advance."
He turned to Ishikado. "Go and report to Lord Hanzō. Tell him I've done everything I could. I, Yamaru, will not let him down."
With grim determination, Yamaru gathered his remaining dozen ninjas, each carrying countless Explosive Tags strapped to their bodies. They launched themselves toward Konoha's supply camp in a final, desperate gambit, fully prepared to die.
Ishikado watched silently as his comrades charged ahead, knowing their mission was a death sentence. With one last look, he turned and left, his own task equally crucial: to deliver their report to Hanzō.
Halfway through their charge, Yamaru's group encountered Konoha ninja. There was no traditional Ninjutsu battle—only frantic screams and the deafening roar of explosions as the suicidal attackers breached the Konoha camp.
The Agakure Ninja, scattered and relentless, overwheld the defenders, breaking through the outer periter. Despite Konoha's nurical advantage, the chaotic onslaught left the defenders unable to regroup in ti.
Hundreds of Konoha ninja were killed or injured trying to hold the line. But it wasn't enough.
As Yamaru and his surviving comrades reached the supply warehouse, he scread, "Lord Hanzō, I, Yamaru, will follow you in the next life!"
A massive explosion followed, obliterating the warehouse and sending debris flying into the air.
When Ito returned to the camp with the three Chūnin, he was greeted by a scene of devastation. Shock and anger contorted his face as he rushed into the ruins of the camp.
"What happened here?" he shouted, his voice rising above the groans of the injured.
A wounded ninja staggered forward to report. "The Agakure Ninja launched a suicide attack. Our supplies... everything was destroyed. Over a hundred ninja were killed or injured in the attack."
...
At this ti, a Konoha ninja arrived to report the current situation.
"Damn Agakure ninja—they're insane."
"You all organize the camp; I'll go report to Lord Orochimaru," Itō instructed.
He barely had ti to take a sip of water before leaving. Without sparing a glance at the Chūnin accompanying him, he departed at full speed. Without supplies, advancing deep into enemy territory was impossible.
Itō felt uneasy, uncertain of how furious Lord Orochimaru would be. The thought of Orochimaru's cold expression and piercing snake-like pupils sent a shiver down his spine.
After an hour of relentless travel, Itō finally caught up with the main force. Pushing through the crowd of ninja, he spotted Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru, the camp's supplies were destroyed by the Agakure ninja. We no longer have any food. It would be unwise to press deeper into the Land of Rain now," Itō reported, barely daring to breathe.
Kawakaze, observing from the side, noticed Orochimaru's expression darken. His usual sly smile had turned icy.
"What happened? Explain yourself," Orochimaru demanded sharply, his anger barely contained. The news felt like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing his ambition.
"Take your ti," Kawakaze interjected, attempting to ease Itō's nerves. Orochimaru's killing intent was suffocating.
"A group of several dozen Agakure ninja, those who escaped earlier, launched a suicide attack on the camp. They were rigged with explosive tags and destroyed all the warehouses," Itō explained under intense pressure. "Their goal wasn't to kill; it was to eliminate our supplies. None of them survived."
Orochimaru's expression hardened. "Such ruthlessness, all to stall our advance," he muttered. The killing intent that had radiated from him subsided as he regained his composure.
"Hanzō's confidence in waging war against three nations with the power of one cos from more than just himself," Kawakaze noted, avoiding any ntion of his earlier warning about the need for supplies—it would only further irritate Orochimaru.
"Ah, Kawakaze, I should have heeded your advice," Orochimaru admitted, regret flashing in his eyes. But regret would not change the situation.
"Let's return to camp and send soone to Konoha. Request the Third Hokage to appeal to the Daimyō for more supplies. We'll resu our advance once they arrive. The Agakure ninja's sacrifice will only delay the inevitable."
Kawakaze paused to think for a mont before offering his own suggestion for Orochimaru's consideration.
"Fine, as you say, Kawakaze," Orochimaru conceded. "Pass the order—return to camp." His tone betrayed his frustration. A pri opportunity was slipping away, and by the ti reinforcents arrived, the battlefield situation could drastically change.
"Let's move," Orochimaru ordered.
Kawakaze followed the group back toward camp, two younger ninjas trailing behind. When they arrived, the sight before them was harrowing. Corpses of Konoha ninja littered the area. Despite his ntal preparation, even Kawakaze couldn't suppress a shudder.
It reminded him of the human bombs he had heard about in war-torn regions—a level of cruelty he could barely fathom. Even the Second Hokage's Impure World Reincarnation technique hadn't unleashed such horrors on the battlefield.
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