The night had deepened, and the moonlight cast mottled shadows across the forest, their shapes resembling lurking behemoths in the dense foliage.
Hatake Sakumo moved swiftly, leading his team under the cover of the trees. Beneath his feet, the faint chakra of his lightning release crackled silently, propelling him forward like an unseen current. The team followed closely behind, their faces a blend of excitement and exhaustion after the exhilarating surprise attack.
The Suna shinobi camp lay in ruins, the flames of the supply depot still dancing faintly in the distance. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burning timber and a faint, lingering trace of blood.
"Captain, where are we going next?" a team member asked quietly, his voice tinged with anticipation.
The battle they had just fought felt surreal. Following Hatake Sakumo and Furukawa Itoshiki, they had effortlessly torn through the Suna shinobi's defenses, striking their rear supply lines with devastating precision. The results were unimaginable, especially compared to their earlier struggles.
Hatake Sakumo continued forward, his sharp gaze sweeping the surrounding forest. In a deep, steady voice, he answered.
"We must relay the news of the destroyed rear camp to Lord Hokage as soon as possible. Suna's rear is now vulnerable, and that's a golden opportunity for Konoha to strike back."
"But Captain, aren't we going to continue pursuing the Suna shinobi?" another team member asked, confusion evident in his voice. "We killed quite a few of them just now. Shouldn't we press the advantage?"
Hatake Sakumo shook his head, explaining with a calm yet resolute tone.
"Pursuit is important, but the most important thing right now is to coordinate with the frontal battlefield and deliver a decisive blow to the Suna shinobi. With their supplies destroyed, their morale will waver. If the frontal forces can launch a general offensive in time, the Suna shinobi will be defeated from both within and without."
He paused for a moment, his eyes scanning the forest around them before continuing.
"Furthermore, we are too few in number. Venturing deeper into their lines is too risky. If we are surrounded by their main forces, the consequences could be disastrous. Returning with the intelligence we've gathered is the safest and most effective option."
The team members listened closely Hatake Sakumo's reasoning, nodding in agreement. Although they longed for more action, they understood that Hatake Sakumo's judgment was always grounded in the bigger picture.
On the battlefield, individual bravery had its place, but strategy—planning with a broader perspective—often determined the outcome.
"Ito, can you still manage?" Sakumo turned his attention to Furukawa Itoshiki, who was walking near the center of the group. His concern was evident.
Furukawa Itoshiki had expended a significant portion of his chakra during the previous battle, particularly when he unleashed his World of Trees technique. His face remained pale, but his demeanor suggested he was far from defeated.
Furukawa Itoshiki gave a faint smile, his tone light and confident. "Don't worry, Captain. This little fatigue is nothing to me. It's you, on the other hand—having fought continuously for so long, your chakra reserves must be running low."
Hatake Sakumo waved it off, a calm expression on his face. "I still have enough chakra to see this through. It's you who should rest now. You can leave the next task to us."
Furukawa Itoshiki appreciated Kakashi Sakumo's concern. A warm current ran through him, and he nodded. "Alright, I'll leave the next battle to you. I trust you'll lead us to victory."
Hatake Sakumo smiled slightly, the unspoken understanding passing between them. Without another word, he patted Furukawa Itoshiki on the shoulder and turned to address the rest of the team.
"We'll split into smaller teams. Two of you will escort Itoshiki back to the frontal battlefield and deliver the information to Lord Hokage. The rest will follow me as we press deeper into Suna's rear, searching for further opportunities to strike."
"Yes, Captain!" the team members responded in unison, their voices clear and full of resolve.
There were no objections to Kakashi Sakumo's orders. They trusted him implicitly, believing that as long as they followed his lead, victory was inevitable.
Hatake Sakumo quickly assigned the tasks, sending two of the team members to escort Furukawa Itoshiki back to the frontal lines. Furukawa Itoshiki did not protest. He knew his condition was not suitable for further combat, and the most crucial task at that moment was ensuring the information reached Konoha as swiftly as possible.
Before he left, Furukawa Itoshiki turned to Hatake Sakumo with a final word. "Captain, you must also be careful," he said earnestly, his gaze filled with genuine concern.
Hatake Sakumo nodded, his expression serious, as he watched Furukawa Itoshiki and his escort move off into the darkness.
He knew all too well how perilous it was to venture deep behind enemy lines. Though the Suna shinobi had been caught off guard, they would certainly retaliate. The path ahead would be fraught with dangers, and every step would need to be taken with utmost caution.
Hatake Sakumo gave Furukawa Itoshiki a reassuring glance and nodded. "Don't worry, Itoshiki," he said, his voice steady. "I'll be careful. We will meet again on the frontal battlefield once the mission is complete."
Furukawa Itoshiki said nothing more. He knew Hatake Sakumo well enough to understand that once he made up his mind, nothing would change it. With a brief nod, Itoshiki led two of the team members and turned back, retracing their steps into the forest. Sakumo watched them until their figures disappeared into the darkness, then shifted his focus to the remaining members of the team.
"Let's go. It's time to move out,"Sakumo said, his voice now deep with resolve. His eyes gleamed like an unsheathed sword, sharp and cold with determination.
He strode forward, leading the way into the depths of the Suna shinobi's rear. The team fell in line behind him, their forms soon swallowed by the shadowy forest, vanishing into the night.
Meanwhile, on the Konoha frontal battlefield, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, stood high on a lookout, his gaze fixed on the distant Suna shinobi camp. His brows were furrowed, and a sense of unease clouded his expression.
During the day, both sides had exchanged offensives and defenses, but Konoha had failed to gain a clear advantage. The Suna shinobi's defenses were far more solid than expected, and their ranged attack puppets had caused significant trouble for the Konoha forces.
"Lord Hokage," a ninja approached, his voice laced with concern, "the Suna shinobi's defensive positions are tougher than anticipated. A frontal assault would lead to too many casualties."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded grimly. He was well aware of the heavy toll frontal assaults had taken. They had already attempted several, only to be repelled by Suna's defenses. Casualties continued to rise, and the mood among the Konoha forces had grown heavy with each failed attempt.
"Has there been any word from the rear camp?" Sarutobi Hiruzen asked, his voice more urgent now. This was the question that weighed most heavily on his mind.
"I'm afraid not, Lord Hokage," the intelligence officer replied, unease evident in his expression. "It's been quite a while now. We should have received some kind of report by now."
A shadow passed over Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart. The longer the silence stretched, the more variables emerged. He couldn't help but worry that Sakumo's team might have encountered trouble.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed in the distance. A ninja came running toward him, breathless with excitement.
"Lord Hokage! News from the rear camp!" the ninja shouted, his voice trembling with eagerness.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's spirits lifted. "What is it? Did Sakumo and his team succeed?"
The ninja nodded eagerly, his excitement palpable. "They succeeded, Lord Hokage! Sakumo and his team destroyed the Suna shinobi's rear camp and set fire to their supply depot! The Suna shinobi's rear is now a sea of flames!"
A surge of relief washed over Sarutobi Hiruzen. He couldn't help but let out a low shout of triumph. The furrow in his brow relaxed, and for the first time in what felt like ages, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"Excellent!" he said, his voice a mix of pride and satisfaction. "This is the news we've been waiting for. With their rear destroyed, no matter how strong their front-line defenses are, they won't be able to hold out for long."
He paused, then asked, "Is there any more information? What else did Sakumo report?"
The ninja, still catching his breath, composed himself before continuing, " Hatake Sakumo also mentioned that he will press deeper into the Suna shinobi's rear, seeking an opportunity to coordinate with the frontal forces for a decisive strike. He aims to sandwich the Suna shinobi between two fronts."
"Sandwich?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes gleamed with approval, the corners of his mouth lifting into a slight smile. "That boy Sakumo... He never fails to impress. Excellent. Very well."
He turned to face the gathered Konoha forces, his expression becoming one of quiet determination. "It's time for us to act as well."
With a sweeping gesture, he commanded, "Pass the order—prepare for a full-scale offensive against the Suna shinobi's defenses!"
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" the Konoha ninja responded in unison, their voices a powerful chorus filled with renewed energy and resolve.
The tide was beginning to turn. With the Suna shinobi's rear in flames, the timing for a decisive strike had arrived. Sarutobi Hiruzen took a deep breath, his gaze sharp as he fixed it on the distant Suna camp. The coming battle would be pivotal, and he knew that Konoha's fate rested on the outcome.
Under the night sky, the atmosphere on the battlefield grew taut with anticipation. War drums rumbled, horns blared, and the Konoha ninja surged forward like a relentless tide, preparing to strike. The battle that would determine the course of the war—and the fate of Konoha—was about to begin.
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