After completing the execution of the several Nara ninja, just like in his previous life, Yagami received the mission to rescue Nara Umeka.
Yagami set out with White Sheep Squad. He feigned a disorganized search but headed straight for the lumber mill he had visited in the previous timeline.
Outside the mill, several timber merchants were lined up, waiting to enter and load wood. Nara Umeka had crafted a merchant identity for herself; she sat inside a covered carriage, followed by a caravan of ten camels.
She frowned, pondering the things she had seen and heard over the past few days. Her heart was a mix of worry over whether the Nara clan scandal would be exposed and fear for her own safety. Originally sent to investigate the Sand's replication of the paragliders, she had been discovered and hunted. Her teammates had sacrificed themselves, and she had been forced deep into the Land of Wind. There, she had discovered the anomalies in the Yellow Ironwood market and, for the sake of the Leaf, felt compelled to launch a new investigation.
Just as she lost herself in thought, the area beside her suddenly darkened. Someone had blocked the curtain of the carriage!
Umeka whipped out a kunai, thrusting it toward the intruder.
Clang!
Following the crisp ring, she saw the snapped tip of her kunai flying away. The webbing of her thumb throbbed with pain from the recoil. Looking closer, she saw that the person beside her had taken the kunai strike directly with his throat—and had immediately raised a hand to catch the broken shard of the blade mid-air.
The skin at his throat possessed a dull, reddish-bronze sheen.
'This ability...' Umeka thought to herself. 'Isn't this the rising star of the Anbu who just made a name for himself, Copper Fox?'
"Don't get excited. Relax. I'm one of yours."
Umeka let out a long sigh of relief. Copper Fox was indeed powerful to have found her so quickly. Because he had the advantage of prior knowledge in this life, Yagami had found her three days earlier than last time, making the mission far more efficient.
After briefly listening to the intelligence Umeka had gathered, Yagami began to weave his narrative:
"The price of Yellow Ironwood is built upon the demand of the Sand's puppeteers. If someone is buying it in bulk as you say, the Hidden Sand is likely preparing a major move. There's no need to waste time here. Come with me."
Umeka stepped down from the carriage, abandoning the caravan. The effort she had spent setting up the merchant disguise was wasted, but she didn't care.
Yagami led White Sheep Squad and Nara Umeka straight toward the essential path used by the Sand to reach Shapo Port. Soon, they spotted a massive force. Like a parade of the dead, the puppeteers marched through the golden sands, accompanied by puppets of all shapes and sizes.
Yagami lowered his telescope and said:
"On the Land of Rivers border, we hold the advantage; Commander-in-Chief Nara Shikaku's layout is airtight. If they want to make a move, they must take a risk—they have no other choice. Shapo Port was just destroyed by the Leaf, so our defensive investment in that direction has decreased. If the Sand wants to counterattack, they will likely utilize the port."
Listening to Copper Fox's analysis, Umeka gazed at him in shock. He was not only powerful in combat but possessed a clear mind; his deductive reasoning was far faster than her own.
Yagami turned to look at her, hoping she would accept his judgment quickly so they could return. Being deep in the Land of Wind was too dangerous.
Instead, he met a pair of elegant, sparkling eyes filled with worship.
Yagami paused, then immediately understood. The smarter a woman was, the more she admired strength. Finding her three days early had provided her with an immense sense of security. More importantly, he had "discovered" the Sand's movements ahead of time.
As an elite of the Nara clan, Umeka had never been so surprised by a man. Within her clan, aside from the elders, she looked upon everyone with a critical eye; no man had ever truly commanded her respect. Only now did she realize that the truly exceptional men were those handed over to the service of the village. If not for this mission, she wouldn't have known someone this strong existed in the village. Whether it was his strength or his analytical ability, he was someone to be admired.
Yagami said, "Let's go! We need to return to camp as quickly as possible to notify the commanders and prepare."
In the previous life, they had been caught by Sand sensory ninja, but this time, after convincing Umeka, Yagami led them away immediately.
Once night fell, the three paragliders took off, soaring above the low clouds toward the Land of Rivers. On the return trip, they encountered Sand gliders again. Umeka watched anxiously, noting that the Sand's craftsmanship was becoming more standardized. She looked at the clouds below, searching for shadows she could use for her secret technique.
However, her anxiety was unnecessary.
Ahead and to the side, Copper Fox unleashed a jutsu. A high-speed water line shot out, slicing through a Sand glider, the two ninja beneath it, and even the clouds below.
Umeka was stunned. She had assumed Copper Fox focused on absolute defense; she hadn't expected his offensive ninjutsu to be so devastating. The sight of the clouds being sliced apart was visually staggering.
'Is the Leaf Anbu really this strong?'
She knew a Nara Jonin served as a Battalion Commander in the Anbu. No wonder the Clan Head wanted the family's second-best expert to enter the Anbu—it was a place where dragons and tigers hid, and its intelligence could never be ignored.
After clearing the gliders, the group continued toward the Land of Rivers. Umeka estimated the distance; they couldn't make it back in a single night. Before dawn, the Anbu landed in the desert.
While the squad members packed the gliders, Yagami said:
"Jonin Umeka, you were too deep in the Land of Wind. We can't make it back in one night. We'll find an oasis town nearby to rest, then take off again at nightfall to fly the rest of the way in one go."
"I apologize. What was supposed to be a passive escape turned into active reconnaissance once I saw the Ironwood anomaly, which is why I went so deep."
They found an inn and entered in shifts. Umeka and Copper Fox were the last to enter; she glanced at his room number as they passed.
At noon, Umeka knocked on his door.
"Captain Copper Fox, regarding the movements of the Sand's puppeteer units, I still have some questions I'd like to ask."
Umeka brought a map, and the two quickly confirmed the Sand's likely surprise attack routes. Departing from Shapo Port and sailing upstream—most likely via the White Field River—to strike at the Leaf's rear.
Umeka's admiration for Yagami grew; even in strategic thinking, Copper Fox was her equal. It is said that powerful men never lack for women, but as Yagami saw the look in her eyes, he chose to maintain his distance. If a simple-minded woman threw herself at him, he might indulge her, but Umeka was too clever; he didn't want any deep entanglements with her.
When night came, the group left the town and took off from the surrounding desert. After flying all night, they finally crossed back through the combat zones.
Upon entering the camp, Yagami led Umeka to the Anbu tents.
"Commander, mission complete. Jonin Nara Umeka has been successfully rescued."
Yellow Dog looked behind Fox; not only was Umeka back, but the squad Fox had taken out was entirely unharmed.
***
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