Outpost No. 58 stood atop a steep cliff.
From this height, anyone stationed here could observe nearly every movement in the surrounding area.
After arriving with the blond ninja who led them, Uchiha Yuan leapt onto a massive protruding rock in front of the outpost. Beneath him stretched a sheer cliff more than a hundred meters tall.
Standing with his hands behind his back, Yuan gazed into the distance.
Before him lay the endless blue ocean.
Each outpost was guarded by a ten-man ninja squad, while a platoon oversaw twenty outposts.
Konoha had divided the southern border of the Land of Fire into six patrol regions, each controlled by one platoon.
The squad leader of Outpost No. 58 was a tall, heavily built bald man.
He squinted as he read the transfer document handed to him by the blond ninja.
After folding the paper away, his hawk-like gaze swept across Yamazō Qiichi and the others.
After a long moment of scrutiny, he spoke.
"I thought the village was sending reinforcements."
"Turns out it's just a bunch of exiled criminals."
Yamazō and the others kept their expressions steady, though they clearly sensed the hostility in his tone.
"I am Yamamoto Torashi, commander of Outpost No. 58."
"From now on, you are my subordinates."
His eyes shifted and landed on Yuan.
"Heh. An Uchiha, huh?"
"Looks like my luck isn't bad."
A playful yet malicious smile spread across his face.
"Hey, brat."
"We're out of water at the outpost."
"From now on, besides regular patrol duty, you'll be responsible for fetching water for the entire outpost."
Yamazō Qiichi's expression darkened.
"Yamamoto Torashi, what do you mean by that?"
"Are you trying to provoke us?"
Yamamoto chuckled coldly.
Then he slowly walked up to Yamazō.
"You're called Yamazō Qiichi, right?"
The next moment—
SMACK!
A crisp slap rang out.
Yamamoto suddenly struck, slapping Yamazō hard across the face.
"Hmph."
"I hate it when someone interrupts while I'm talking."
"Bastard!"
The sudden slap instantly ignited Yamazō's fury.
A violent surge of chakra erupted from his body.
The surrounding air seemed to grow colder as killing intent spread.
Behind him, Nitta Taiga, Kaga Makoto, and Tazaki Fifteen quickly stepped forward.
They adopted combat stances, glaring angrily at Yamamoto.
But just as Yamazō was about to strike—
The other shinobi stationed at the outpost moved simultaneously.
In a flash—
They appeared behind the four men.
Cold steel pressed against their necks.
Each of them suddenly found two kunai held at their throats.
The situation froze instantly.
Meanwhile—
Uchiha Yuan remained standing atop the cliffside rock, unmoving.
He had not turned around once.
The sea wind rustled his hair as he stared calmly at the distant horizon.
It was as if the confrontation behind him had nothing to do with him at all.
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