Giant trees grew densely, their massive crowns completely blocking the already dim moonlight. Visibility in the forest was less than three meters.
The squad, having rushed all day, was mostly panting. After crossing the river and entering the forest, they had just encountered an Iwa-nin patrol team head-on.
It could only be said that this Iwa-nin patrol team was unlucky. In one encounter, one was killed by Kakashi, who was ready to strike. Obito threw a kunai and injured another, who was then finished off by Anko. The Jonin leading the team had just rushed up when he was caught in a pincer attack by Hiashi and Minato.
He died on the spot without even letting out a peep.
But a complete victory did not dispel the anxiety in Otonashi's heart. This raid had been full of twists and turns from the beginning. If he were leading the team, he probably would have turned back to Konoha already.
"Stop!" Minato raised his blood-stained kunai, and the entire team immediately halted.
"We've reached the dividing point. Let's start the next step of the plan. Everyone, organize your equipment."
Minato hadn't expected that the Kumo-nin (Hidden Cloud) he had casually killed would expose their location. A hunting party was heading this way, but they just proceeded according to plan.
"Minato-sensei, are we still continuing?" Otonashi couldn't help but ask. No one could guarantee that there weren't any stragglers on the road. It would be dangerous if the enemy also split their forces.
"Yes, the plan cannot change." Minato nodded gently, but his eyes were full of seriousness.
Otonashi's heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed all the words he was about to say.
'Indeed, the best battle plan is to ensure victory. How could the safety of the team members be put first?'
It was actually best if the Iwa-nin split their forces. If they defeated the main force of a thousand, it wouldn't matter whether the Kannabi Bridge was destroyed or not.
However, only he and Hiashi could think of these inside details. Unfortunately, neither of them spoke up to reveal it. The group took out the weapons from their backpacks, used Earth Release to hide the remaining items, and all entered combat readiness.
"Let's repeat the plan one more time. I will immediately go to the main battlefield. Team 17 will head north to lure the enemy. Team 7 will advance west to destroy the bridge. Is everyone clear?"
"Understood."
"Then I'll leave first. I leave everything to you." Minato smiled gently, and his body instantly disappeared into the darkness, truly elusive.
Only six people, divided into two teams, remained in the forest. Except for Otonashi, who was still stuffing explosive tags onto his body, everyone seemed silent. Hiashi Hyuga looked at the sky, then at the panting group who had rushed for a day, and turned to walk away.
"We set off after a ten-minute rest."
The Jonin personally went to stand guard. The teenagers, who had traveled hundreds of miles in one day, felt relieved and quickly found tree trunks to sit down, drink water, and eat. Otonashi, however, seemed to have consumed little stamina and was taking out some round canisters to stuff explosive tags into.
He was preparing mechanically. After another two minutes, Obito, who had eaten and drunk his fill, suddenly approached.
"Otonashi, after we go back, please help me with something."
"I still owe you a favor for that last incident. Go ahead, what do you need help with?" Otonashi raised his head, his hands not stopping, his heart calm as still water.
Obito secretly glanced at the girl in the distance, coughed lightly, and said, "I plan to confess to Rin after we get back, but I'm afraid I won't find a chance and want to ask..."
"Shut up!" Otonashi directly reached out and covered his mouth. Seeing the confusion in his eyes, he sighed, "Don't talk about these things. Right now, just think about how to survive. Trust me, this time will definitely not be easy."
Seeing his serious expression, Obito could only nod blankly, not knowing what madness had possessed this guy.
After an awkward moment, the teenager returned to his usual energetic self: "Why do you think we have to kill each other?"
"A philosophical question? That doesn't sound like you," Otonashi said with a smile.
"Hey, don't look down on me! I've fought no fewer battles than you. Speaking of which, you should call me senpai!"
"Alright, alright." Otonashi pushed down this suddenly agitated guy, thought for a moment, and then said, "Actually, Shisui and I have discussed this issue too."
"Did you reach any conclusion?"
"No. I just told him to do his job well, set a small goal first, and think about it slowly later." Otonashi shrugged, too lazy to discuss philosophy with this idiot.
War originated from desire, and human nature was something countless philosophers hadn't figured out.
"There is only relative peace, no absolute peace. The meaning of peace lies in its duration. As for this ninja world..." Otonashi shrugged again.
This was only Konoha Year 47, and three World Wars had already been fought, not to mention the daily frictions and missions. There was almost no day without fighting.
Obito fell into deep thought. It sounded like the fundamental problem lay with the ninjas themselves. But this silence only lasted for a moment, and he replied proudly:
"If I become Hokage, I will definitely maintain peace! At least bring peace to Konoha!"
"Then good luck with that." Otonashi had nothing to say, but sneered inwardly.
Even if you don't offend others, others will offend you. In the end, Obito's thoughts were the same as Shisui's – protect those around them first.
It wasn't a long-term vision, but it was understandable.
"Alright, prepare to move out!"
At this moment, Hiashi Hyuga walked out from the shadows, his expression serious as he scanned the group. "Team 17 goes first. Team 7 departs five minutes later."
He was clearly preparing to reduce the pressure on Kakashi and the others. Otonashi didn't object, but just before departure, Anko poked her head over.
"Senpai, what did Obito say to you just now?"
"Stopping him from courting death." Otonashi glanced at the girl, wanting to give Kakashi a few instructions, but heard the teacher in front shout "Disperse!". He couldn't help but squat down and instantly jump onto a tree branch.
Right now, I can barely protect myself, how can I have time to worry about others!
Team 17 departed first. Jumping through the forest, visibility immediately improved. With the silvery moonlight, they could at least see a dozen meters ahead. With whooshing sounds, the leaves were rapidly left behind.
The three formed a cone formation. Hiashi Hyuga at the front had activated his Byakugan and was constantly scanning the surroundings. Suddenly, his eyes widened abruptly.
"Halt!"
"Teacher, is there an enemy?" Otonashi immediately jumped to his side and squatted down.
Hiashi was speechless. His Byakugan, known as the human radar, had already detected the situation ahead through the boundless forest. Even though he was battle-hardened, he sucked in a breath of cold air.
One kilometer away, densely packed ninjas were searching forward in a skirmish line. In a place like this, they could only be enemies!
"We've been exposed. Sixty enemies are heading this way." Hiashi's hand trembled slightly, but his voice was still calm.
"What? Sixty enemies?" Anko blurted out, then quickly covered her mouth, realizing her voice was too loud.
Sixty enemies, who knew how many Jonin were among them? Even if they had three heads and six arms, they couldn't beat them.
"L-Lord Hiashi, maybe we should retreat quickly? The plan has already failed anyway."
"We can't retreat. If we leave, Kakashi and the others are doomed, and the bridge destruction plan will completely fail!" Hiashi replied decisively, looking at his two subordinates with furrowed brows:
"Team 17's original mission was to lure the enemy."
...
The luring mission didn't say we had to face sixty people.
Anko's breathing became rapid. This was war. Hiashi was determined to continue the mission. If she deserted, forget the moral condemnation of selling out teammates, she would probably be executed upon return, and would also implicate Orochimaru.
Ignoring the conflicted girl, Hiashi looked directly at his most favored student: "Otonashi, what are your thoughts?"
"We can't escape. There are definitely tracking experts among this group." Otonashi, who had been silent, finally spoke. He licked his dry lips and directly took out explosive tags to start setting traps.
"Let's trick them once first, then we also split up!"
"Split up?"
Otonashi nodded just as decisively, voicing the plan he had been considering since crossing the river: "Yes, sticking together makes it even harder to win. Teacher, you and Anko lead them towards the main battlefield. I'll go west!"
Splitting into two groups would reduce the enemy's forces, thus reducing the chance of being tracked. Logically, the enemy would likely split into three teams.
One team would continue searching south, one team would chase Hiashi, and one team would chase him. The team chasing him would inevitably be smaller, making it safer in comparison.
Hiashi paused for a moment and found that it coincided with his own thoughts.
Moreover, in the short time it took to speak, the approaching enemy had closed to within five hundred meters. There was no time to think about the plan now.
"Okay, let's do as you say! Anko, come with me!" With battle imminent, there was no time for sentimentality. He dragged the girl away, but unexpectedly, Anko suddenly broke free and ran towards Otonashi.
Before Hiashi could scold her, the girl ran back again, smiled at Otonashi who was holding the cloth bag, and left without looking back.
"Be careful, Otonashi. I will try my best to draw more enemies away." Hiashi said seriously, then also turned and disappeared into the forest.
All was quiet, except for a faint scream heard half a minute later, followed by numerous warning shouts of 'enemy attack'. It was unknown how many hearts Hiashi Hyuga had crushed.
Otonashi opened the cloth bag and looked down. Inside was just a stack of explosive tags and a skewer of dango.
He chuckled in spite of himself, then heard the faint sound of footsteps ahead. His expression sharpened, and he gently stroked his long sword.
Come!