After a pleasant lunch, the personnel for the expedition were finalized.
Sakumo led the vanguard composed of members from various families on their journey.
Kawaki and Tsunade saw them off along the way.
At the entrance of the town, there was no more habitation beyond the Land of Fire.
"Big bro, have a safe journey," Tsunade said, sending her blessings. Sakumo always took the lead in any dangerous missions.
"Don't worry. Big bro can run away even if he can't win," Kawaki showed no sign of worry. Sakumo, who could use the Flying Thunder God[b]Flying Thunder God[/b] technique, was indeed as he said.
After he said that, Tsunade gave him a glare. This guy's words were really inauspicious.
"Stop seeing me off. I'm leaving," Sakumo ignored Kawaki as if he didn't exist. This younger brother always said something unpleasant.
"Wait for your good news," Tsunade said. After Tsunade said that, Sakumo nodded at her and led the team towards the Land of Rain.
As Sakumo's figure disappeared from sight, Kawaki motioned for Tsunade to leave and said, "Let's go back."
"Okay. We should also make preparations early," Tsunade turned and walked ahead. Once Sakumo established a foothold in the Land of Rain, they would launch a large - scale offensive.
In any case, they couldn't let the war break out within the territory of the Land of Fire. This was the bottom line.
Sakumo led the troops on a forced march into the territory of the Land of Rain.
The Land of Rain, which was in the middle of a civil war, was in a state of disrepair. It was a country that one could enter and leave at will.
If it weren't for its special geographical location, it would have been annexed by other countries long ago.
It was still raining. Sakumo slowed down in the deep forest.
He detected chakra fluctuations ahead.
"Lord Sakumo, they are from Iwagakure," a Hyuga clan member had already identified the situation ahead, even though the Iwagakure ninja was well - hidden.
"I want them alive," Sakumo whispered the order and continued moving forward. Several Konoha ninjas quietly left the team.
"Ah～"
A moment later, three Iwagakure ninjas were brought in front of Sakumo.
"Has your troop entered the Land of Rain?" Sakumo stared coldly at the Iwagakure ninjas, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"These three Iwagakure ninjas are still tough nuts," Sakumo didn't want to waste any more time after hearing this.
"Hayato, it's up to you," Hayato Yamanaka had also come with Sakumo this time to obtain more detailed intelligence.
"Sure, Lord Sakumo," Hayato stepped out from behind Sakumo and led the Iwagakure ninjas into the shadows.
Then, loud screams came. Sakumo's face remained unchanged.
After a long time, the screams grew weaker and finally disappeared.
Hayato came back alone from the shadows, looking delighted. He had obtained the intelligence.
"Lord Sakumo, Iwagakure hasn't reached the Land of Rain yet," Hayato reported. "ōnoki has returned to the village in the Land of Birds for rest and recuperation. For now, they've only sent out spies. Sunagakure has already set up camp at the border of the Land of Wind."
Getting intelligence on two villages by interrogating ninjas from one village, no wonder Hayato was overjoyed.
"These are just the ones we caught. There must be more that haven't been discovered," Sakumo said. "Our whereabouts probably won't stay hidden for long. Find a good place to set up camp and inform Tsunade to come as soon as possible."
Sakumo thought clearly about the current situation. As long as they arrived before Iwagakure and Sunagakure, they could gain a certain advantage.
"Yes, Lord Sakumo."
Hayato nodded and waved over an intelligence agent. After whispering a few words, the agent quickly left.
"Let's go."
After this little episode, Sakumo led the group forward.
Two days later, they found a suitable location that was defensible and had offensive potential.
Sakumo settled down there and waited quietly for Tsunade to arrive.
"Damn! This shithole probably rains 300 days a year!"
Kawaki walked in the rain wearing a raincoat, looking a bit helpless.
"My sister annoyed you. Why are you blaming the rain?"
Nawaki said quietly beside him.
Just now, Kawaki had been punched by Tsunade for being a jerk and was looking for someone to vent his anger on.
"You've been talking a lot lately, kid!"
Kawaki stared menacingly at Nawaki, making him a bit scared.
"Sis, my brother-in-law is bullying me."
Nawaki had learned his lesson and knew that when in trouble, he should find someone powerful to rely on.
"Come here. Don't take his crap."
Tsunade, walking in front, motioned for Nawaki to come over and gave Kawaki a look for him to figure out.
Is that all you can do? Picking on a child. Aren't you embarrassed?
"Teacher, you're really being unreasonable."
After saying that, Minato used the Flying Thunder God[b]Flying Thunder God[/b] technique and appeared beside Nawaki before Kawaki even had time to pick a fight with him.
"Little brat, you're really pissing me off."
As the saying goes, what goes around comes around. Kawaki finally understood how Sakumo felt when he was angered.
The large Konoha troop was on their way to reunite with Sakumo.
They didn't spot a single spy along the way. No one dared to provoke them.
"Lord Kawaki's disciple is quite interesting."
The Uchiha clan leader, following behind Kawaki, chimed in with a smile.
"Kids. They're spoiled."
Although Kawaki said so, he was smiling and didn't seem angry at all.
"Damn, the weather in the Land of Rain is really a pain in the ass."
The Uchiha clan was proficient in Fire Release[b]Fire Release[/b], so they were inevitably affected in such an environment.
Ninjas like Nawaki, on the other hand, would have their Water Release[b]Water Release[/b] abilities enhanced.
"You won't have to get wet once we reach the camp."
"Let's hope it's sunny when the battle starts."
Kawaki knew what the Uchiha clan leader was worried about. Sometimes, a small difference could mean life or death.
"Let's hope so."
After saying that, the Uchiha clan leader didn't say anything else.
Iwagakure had also received intelligence that the large Konoha troop had entered the Land of Rain.
ōnoki led Rōshi and the troops to the Land of Rain without stopping.
Han could barely use his tailed - beast cloak, and his strength was greatly affected, so he was left in the village to guard it.
"The Third Lord, why do we have to start a war?"
"Our Iwagakure can stay out of it."
Rōshi was wearing purple clothes and a breastplate. His hair at the back was tied up in a small ponytail, and he had a big beard.
As soon as he opened his mouth, he asked a question that gave Third Tsuchikage a headache.
No wonder ōnoki didn't like to take him on expeditions. This time, he had no choice.
"You're a ninja. Just follow orders. Got it?"
ōnoki was too lazy to explain. It was impossible to reason with this man who was as stubborn as he was.
"Do you know how many people will die in the war?"
"These are all your people."
"Our village is doing fine now."
Rōshi still adhered to his own opinion. In his eyes, war was the most malicious thing.
Becoming a Jinchūriki was to prevent the village from being threatened, not to be used as a tool of war on the battlefield.
"Alright, shut up and mind your own business."
Ōnoki didn't want to talk to him anymore and flew higher.
Rōshi looked up at his figure, full of dissatisfaction. No wonder in the original plot, he left Iwagakure and became a traveling monk.
"Lord Rōshi, the Third Lord has his own difficulties."
An Iwagakure Ninja stepped forward, attempting to play the peacemaker.
"What difficulties? He's just overly ambitious, plain and simple."
"Isn't Iwagakure doing well now?"
Rōshi flew into a rage when he heard that. His stubbornness was truly exasperating.
"You're right."
This Iwagakure Ninja covered his forehead helplessly and stepped back. He would never meddle in other people's business again.
Mainly, he couldn't afford to offend this stubborn guy, Rōshi.
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