"The village's reinforcement squad has already set off and should arrive at our location in about three days."
Inside the cave, Jiraiya held a report just delivered by a toad from Mount Myoboku and spoke while glancing around at the others.
Only Jiraiya in all of Konoha was currently capable of using Mount Myoboku for intelligence delivery.
Among all the summoned animal clans that had contracted with Konoha ninja, only Mount Myoboku had earned complete trust from Konoha's higher-ups.
"What instructions has the Third given regarding our current situation?" Kai Uchiha asked from one side. Jiraiya shook his head.
"There haven't been any yet. They probably need to consult with other high-ranking officials before making a decision," explained Orochimaru, as the next course of action couldn't be decided easily.
The battlefield situation in the Land of Rain had stabilized after the last major clash between Konoha and enemy forces. Iwa ninja suffered heavy losses, and under Konoha's balance of power, Sunagakure also found it difficult to make significant moves.
However, the Second Great Ninja War was far from over.
Konoha's policy had consistently been against launching active invasions into other nations—a stance inherited from the First Hokage.
But obviously, this wasn't the era of the First anymore, and such policies couldn't remain unchanged forever.
"What's the specific route for the reinforcements?" Hatake Sakumo asked. For Konoha forces currently, personnel reinforcements were secondary—what they needed most was supplies.
Jiraiya explained, "For security reasons, this time only the Third and a few top-level Konoha leaders know the exact route the reinforcements will take."
Everyone nodded in understanding.
After a pause, Sakumo suddenly spoke up, "I'm still not entirely at ease with this. Let me take a team to intercept them midway."
"That shouldn't be necessary," Tsunade said.
"Better safe than sorry. The way we were ambushed by three nations last time just doesn't add up." Sakumo expressed his concerns.
From beginning to end, they'd never fully figured out how enemy forces discovered Konoha's troop movements.
And then there was still the matter of the sudden fire that broke out in Konoha's camp just before Iwa's large-scale assault began.
They still had no leads on either of these mysteries.
Obviously everyone understood Sakumo's worries. Kai Uchiha said, "If that's the case, then we'll assign half of our current sensor ninjas to your team. Even if the interception fails, it can serve as an opportunity to survey the borders of the Land of Rain. We rarely get chances like this during normal times."
During times of peace, the Land of Rain remained virtually impenetrable to outsiders, so the major ninja countries knew very little about this nation.
Conducting border reconnaissance now, when the war had just ended, would be appropriate.
To avoid unnecessary conflicts, the team must include sensor ninjas.
"There's actually no need for so many people. I only require one Hyuga ninja and Junko Watanabe."
Sakumo said, as Junko Watanabe was the most outstanding among all the sensor ninjas here.
"Acceptable," none of them raised any objections.
"Also, I'd like to have Minato Namikaze join my squad," Sakumo continued.
"That kid..."
Previously, aside from Jiraiya and Sakumo, Tsunade, Kai Uchiha, and Junko Watanabe wouldn't have paid much attention to this boy.
But after the last battle, this ten-year-old had already become an elite member of their unit.
Just his feat of defeating three Jonin was enough to earn him the title of elite.
"No problem. Choose whoever you want," Jiraiya smiled.
Sakumo nodded and said, "Additionally, I'd also like Yan Uchiha to join this mission."
"Gladly," Kai Uchiwa chuckled.
"You should take Nawaki with you too," Tsunade suddenly said.
The others looked slightly surprised. After all, previously, Tsunade would never let Nawaki take on such a risky mission.
Tsunade gave them a look and said, "With Minato and Yan Uchiha around, that brat's competitive nature won't allow him to be left behind. Rather than having him stay beside me all day, it would be better for him to go with Sakumo and broaden his horizons."
"It's rare for you to come around like this," Jiraiya laughed. He knew well how much Tsunade cared about Nawaki, so he understood just how much resolve it took for her to make such a decision.
Sakumo Hatake nodded. Although he hadn't interacted much with Nawaki, he genuinely liked this straightforward young fellow.
His skills alone were more than enough to earn his place in this squad.
"Regardless of whether or not reinforcements can be contacted, you must lead the reconnaissance team back within four days," Jiraiya said.
Sakumo nodded before turning and leaving the cave.
...
Approximately one hour later.
Outside the cave now stood nearly thirty-five ninjas lined up neatly before Sakumo.
In truth, that number was well beyond what a typical recon squad would field.
Sakumo had prioritized combat strength when assembling the team, and every member was a proven powerhouse.
Besides Yan Uchiha, there was also another Uchiha Jonin in the team who was an elite from the clan, possessing the Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
There was also a ninja from the Aburame clan, a special sensor clan. While the Byakugan might rule the battlefield, the Aburame's sensing skills were better suited for stealthy scouting—and could even outmatch them in such tasks.
Unlike when they first arrived, Minato, Yan Uchiha, and Nawaki weren't stuck at the back anymore; instead, they were spread out across the formation.
Despite his frail and thin frame, Minato now stood at the very front.
Within this squad, this position meant he would shoulder the responsibility of leading reconnaissance efforts.
However, for Minato right now, this wasn't an impossible task.
Among the entire team, no one surpassed his mobility except Captain Sakumo Hatake.
What others didn't know was that he also had a sensing ability, although facing Junko Watanabe, who herself had acute perception skills, Minato couldn't afford to use his recklessly anymore.
"Everyone, thank you for your hard work."
Jiraiya had come to see them off. When his eyes met Minato, who stood at the front of the formation, he gave a slight nod.
More than thirty ninjas looked solemn.
"Alright, let's move out."
Sakumo cast a reassuring glance at Jiraiya and turned away, slipping past the side of the formation.
The members of the Reconnaissance Squad immediately changed direction, falling into step behind Sakumo.
In the falling rain, their figures gradually faded until they vanished into the darkness...
...
...(to be continued.)
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