After several days of steady travel, the entire unit finally reached the border of the Land of Rain. Whatever excitement the Konoha shinobi had felt earlier had long settled into the calm discipline expected on the battlefield. Their joy came only from the knowledge that the long war was finally drawing to a close, yet their instincts remained sharp and alert.
The Hyuga clan handled much of the reconnaissance. Their Byakugan allowed them to secure the perimeter while Hyuga Tenku led several members ahead to scout the path. Ninja hawks circled the sky, ensuring that no threat approached unseen.
With such a combination of scouting capability and combat strength, only an enemy acting recklessly would attempt an ambush.
Realizing this, Hayashi gradually relaxed. He walked with the team at an easy pace while instructing Minato and Mikoto in various forms of ninjutsu. Since Orochimaru had completely entrusted Team One to him, he took responsibility for improving his squadmates' strength.
Nawaki, being Nawaki, refused to be outdone. He had climbed on top of a supply cart, striking a dramatic pose as he looked out toward the horizon.
"We'll be entering the Land of Fire soon," Nawaki said with excitement. From his vantage point, he could see Orochimaru and Tsunade leading the formation.
"Very good, Nawaki. Hold that position. Standing up there, all tall and noticeable, you'll attract every enemy's attention." Hayashi flicked a kunai casually in the air.
Nawaki immediately touched his neck and jumped down from the cart without another word.
Not long after, the long line of shinobi finally crossed the border. The sky above them changed abruptly. The constant drizzle of the Land of Rain vanished, almost as if someone had shut off a faucet.
"This is what proper weather feels like," Hayashi said, narrowing his eyes at the sunlight. After spending months in constant rain, he felt as though his bones had grown damp.
When he thought about it, the weather across the nations was strange. The Land of Rain never stopped raining, while the Land of Wind rarely saw a single drop. If someone could manage a giant water-transfer project here, it would probably make them rich. Hayashi let his mind wander for a moment before regrouping.
The terrain soon shifted. The team left the flatlands behind, gradually ascending a long man-made stone path through a valley. Their pace slowed even further due to the climb.
"Stay alert," Hayashi reminded Minato, Mikoto, and Nawaki.
The incline restricted visibility. Since they were escorting supply wagons, they needed to be even more cautious.
Other Konoha units also adjusted their formation and increased their guard.
At the very front, Tsunade noticed Orochimaru come to a sudden stop. Though she was nowhere near as skilled as him in reconnaissance, her years as his teammate told her instantly that he had sensed something.
"Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Just a few traps left behind by amateurs." Orochimaru smiled faintly, formed a hand seal, then placed his palm against the ground. A deep rumble echoed from beneath the rocky path before fading back into silence.
"Tell the teams behind that the traps are cleared. Also, have the shinobi help the civilians with the supply carts move faster."
He didn't say there would be no more danger. The meaning was obvious. If someone had left traps, more trouble could come next.
Hayashi stepped forward to help a struggling middle-aged man pushing a supply cart.
"Let me help you, sir."
"Thank you," the man said gratefully, stepping aside. With chakra-enhanced strength, Hayashi easily pushed the cart forward. As more shinobi assisted, the convoy sped up, eventually reaching the top of the slope.
The terrain ahead was uneven but largely flat.
Far ahead, something appeared at the horizon.
"There are people in the distance," Tsunade murmured. Her ordinary vision couldn't make out details.
Within minutes, information from the Hyuga scouts arrived. The figures were not Sand shinobi. Instead, it was a damaged village and a gathering of civilians in tattered clothing.
"I remember this place," Tsunade said. "We passed it two years ago. I'm surprised it still exists."
"Keep moving," Orochimaru ordered.
Ten minutes later, the distant shapes became clearly visible. The village had been devastated by the war. Refugees filled the area, their clothes ragged, their faces exhausted and covered in dust. The children looked especially frail.
A man who appeared to be the village chief knelt before Orochimaru.
"Please, shinobi-sama, give us some food."
The entire convoy stirred. The civilians looked truly pitiful.
A Konoha shinobi finally stepped forward to request permission to bring food from the supply carts.
Orochimaru's gaze sharpened.
"I do not understand," he said quietly. "What gave you the courage to approach us in this condition?"
Before anyone could react, he moved. His kunai pierced the old man's chest in an instant.
The man dissolved into smoke.
A clone.
The next moment, dozens of kunai rained down on the Konoha formation from all directions.
_______
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