When lucky, they would come across convoys entering the Land of Rivers from the Land of Wind, burning the scarce supplies of the Hidden Sand, then using their agile mobility to create chaos with Ruri's wide-range Fire Style Jutsu, and swiftly escape to avoid being surrounded by large forces.
If there were only a few pursuers, their squad would annihilate them in reverse.
If more ninja joined the pursuit, they would use their superior mobility to lead them in circles around the Land of Rivers.
Unless the Hidden Sand dispatched more than hundreds of ninjas at once, including over twenty Jonin, they could forget about encircling them in the Land of Rivers.
If the Third Kazekage truly had such determination, allocating so much manpower, the Hidden Sand would stand no chance of winning against Konoha on the frontline battlefields, with even greater losses.
Hakushi skillfully searched the body of the deceased Hidden Sand Jonin for items.
Scrolls possibly recording ninja techniques and information, explosive tags for combat, and soldier ration pills for recovery, not leaving a single one behind, taking everything until his backpack could hold no more.
Hakushi couldn't help but sigh, following behind Sakumo on missions went so smoothly.
Last time, when the three of them faced a horde of Hidden Sand Ninja, they could only run away in all directions.
Even though they had grown stronger now, they still didn't dare to confront the main forces of the Hidden Sand head-on.
Now, with Sakumo leading, small-scale forces of less than a hundred could be fought directly.
When facing over a hundred, they adopted a maneuvering strategy, leading the Hidden Sand Ninja in circles.
To pursue or not, this choice must be very distressing for the Hidden Sand Ninja.
Pursuing them might lead to death, while not doing so would allow Sakumo's squad to continue wreaking havoc, constantly attacking the patrol units of the Hidden Sand in the Land of Rivers and assaulting their transport convoys.
With Ayane's Byakugan, there was no worry about hastily setting up formations for battle; encountering large forces meant breaking through at the weakest point.
In terms of breakout ability, with Sakumo leading the charge, they could be said to come and go freely within the Land of Rivers.
"Alright, the looting here is more or less done."
Hakushi searched the six bodies on the ground clean.
In total, there was one Jonin, three Chunin, and two Genin.
In a single encounter, without needing Sakumo to make a move, they were all wiped out by Ruri and Ayane.
Sakumo made the greatest contribution, but without the assistance of the three of them, it wouldn't have gone so smoothly; at the very least, the continuous supply issue would have been a major headache.
Sakumo nodded and began to move.
The three of Hakushi quickly followed, moving with exceptional speed.
In this way, they raced along the boundary between the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind.
They rested when tired, ate some dry food, drank some water, and then continued on their way.
Until around three o'clock in the afternoon, a four-member Hidden Sand Ninja squad appeared within Ayane's Byakugan field of vision.
Sakumo did not hesitate, carrying out annihilation operations against this Hidden Sand Ninja squad as per the usual rhythm.
"Strange."
Ayane said something.
"What's strange?"
Ruri looked at her.
"There should be a Perception Ninja in this team; he sensed our presence but didn't run away and didn't prepare for combat either..."
Hearing Ayane say this, the other three slightly furrowed their brows.
"It's as if they are deliberately waiting for us to approach."
Ayane said uncertainly.
"Are there ambushes or traps around?" Sakumo asked.
Ayane looked carefully and shook her head.
Not to mention traps, these Hidden Sand Ninja hadn't even mobilized Chakra and didn't intend to use long-range ninja techniques for an attack.
Just as they were about to get close, one of the Hidden Sand Ninja broke away from the team and rushed over.
At Ayane's signal, Sakumo stopped, and Hakushi and Ruri also halted their steps.
Before long, that Hidden Sand Ninja appeared before them with an Instant Body technique.
He made no movements, simply taking out a sealed letter from his ninja tool bag.
"Lord White Fang, this is a letter from our Kazekage, please have a look."
The other party had an official demeanor.
Ayane nodded to Sakumo, indicating that the letter was neither poisoned nor had any Chakra flow; it was just a normal letter.
Sakumo went over, took the letter from the Hidden Sand Ninja, and opened it for a quick glance, his eyes slightly narrowing.
"I understand. I will personally confirm this matter."
The Hidden Sand Ninja nodded and disappeared from Sakumo's sight.
"Sakumo-sensei, this letter is..."
Hakushi and the others gathered around, curious about the letter's content.
Sakumo did not hide it, spreading the letter open for Hakushi and the others to see.
At the top of the letter, there were only three words — "Peace Agreement."
This was a signal from the Third Kazekage of the Hidden Sand, intending to cease the war with Konoha.
"Is this letter credible?"
"I don't know, let's see what Orochimaru has to say. If he agrees, the war ends here; if not, we'll continue our mission. Until we receive formal orders, the mission is temporarily suspended, and there's no need to attack the Hidden Sand Ninja."
Sakumo said, his deep gaze looking into the distance.