Early that morning, the Konoha forces from Rakuyō City dispatched a full army of 1,400 ninja toward the Southwest Canyon. According to the original plan, they would arrive at the battlefield around noon and prepare to retake the defense zone that had been occupied by two Sand Village legions.
The commander of this operation, Konoha elite jōnin Fukada Yuto, who was nearly 40 years old, knew that this mission was a race against time and extremely difficult. Once the Sand Village broke through the Southwest Canyon, it meant the enemy could drive straight into the interior of the Land of Fire at any moment. Rakuyō City would be the first to bear the brunt of the attack.
They had to reclaim the Southwest Canyon as quickly as possible.
However, intelligence from Konoha's high command made him even more uneasy. The Sand Village had somehow, without anyone noticing, maneuvered two full legions of ninja around to the rear of the canyon, launching a surprise strike against the three Konoha ANBU divisions originally stationed there.
As a result, Konoha's leadership feared that the Sand Village might repeat the same tactic and break through Konoha's defensive lines one after another, leaving Konoha in a very passive position. At the same time, the gap in the southwestern defense line couldn't simply be ignored.
"Two Sand Village ninja legions have been confirmed…"
Fukada Yuto looked at the map in his hand. Here they had halted the army's advance. Going any further would mean entering the outer area of the canyon—and possibly the Sand Village's reconnaissance and defense perimeter.
He couldn't attack rashly.
He was waiting—waiting for Minato's intelligence report.
"They say two legions, but in reality the enemy only has a little over 500 people. Intelligence from ANBU Second Corps, 7th Division shows they've already eliminated at least a hundred enemies," said another ninja beside him. This was Fukada Yuto's adjutant, a somewhat younger man named Kojima Tetsuya.
"I know. That's why I said 'confirmed.'"
Fukada Yuto let out a heavy breath and slowly added,
"Who knows how many unconfirmed forces there are."
"But ANBU intelligence says the Sand Village camp size corresponds to two legions."
"That could also be a decoy—a disguise meant to interfere with our judgment."
"…That…"
Kojima Tetsuya fell into deep thought.
Otherwise, why would Konoha's leadership have sent Jiraiya's disciple, Namikaze Minato, to carry out this reconnaissance mission?
Without absolutely accurate intelligence, Fukada Yuto did not dare launch an attack.
Who knew if this was a trap?
If these 1,400 men walked straight into an ambush, Rakuyō City would certainly be lost under his command.
Because at present, Rakuyō City had almost no defensive forces left…
These 1,400 ninja were practically all the strength they had.
"I've already arranged with Minato—no matter what, we meet here first. Then we'll decide whether to proceed according to the original plan. But if he doesn't show up, the mission will be canceled immediately."
"I have a bad feeling this operation won't go smoothly. The southwestern gate is practically wide open already… I'm afraid Rakuyō City this time…"
Kojima Tetsuya said in surprise,
"Is the situation really that bad?"
"Perhaps even worse than I imagine…"
Fukada Yuto frowned and said seriously,
"Pass down the order: strengthen vigilance. Don't let the enemy sneak up on us while we remain completely unaware."
"Yes, sir!"
In fact, Fukada Yuto's caution to a certain extent saved this 1,400-man Konoha army from being wiped out immediately. After expanding their reconnaissance range, it didn't take long before Konoha's scouting ninja reported that Sand Village ninja had been spotted to the north.
"Numbers and distance?"
"About one legion, around 360 people. Distance: 5 kilometers."
Did the Sand Village already know they were coming and decide to strike first?
While Fukada Yuto was still thinking about this, the reconnaissance unit to the west also discovered traces of Sand Village ninja. Almost at the same time, Sand ninja were spotted there as well…
And their number was also about one legion.
That meant there were at least three Sand Village legions present…
The enemy had grown so bold that they were launching a proactive attack, and they seemed to know Konoha's movements like the back of their hand.
At this point, someone as experienced as Fukada Yuto—an elite jōnin who had fought in the Second Great Ninja War—could easily understand what the Southwest Canyon now meant for them.
That canyon was like a bloodthirsty beast, its jaws wide open, waiting for them to walk straight into its mouth.
"Send a report to Konoha. With just our forces, we cannot retake the Southwest Canyon. Request reinforcements as well—there are likely already large numbers of Sand Village ninja appearing in the southwest," Fukada Yuto said anxiously.
"There's no need to wait for Minato's report anymore. Leave a coded message explaining the situation… and notify the entire army to immediately withdraw back to Rakuyō City."
"Yes."
Kojima Tetsuya immediately carried out the commander's orders.
"And continue reconnaissance in all directions at all times. The Sand Village knew we were coming here in advance—I'm worried they may have other plans prepared."
"I'll pass down the orders."
Soon, after tightening their formation, the Konoha ninja began retreating.
Fukada Yuto had been extremely cautious and decisive. Once he sensed something unusual, he immediately abandoned the original plan and chose to withdraw to Rakuyō City.
But no matter how careful he was, how could he compete against the Sand Village that practically had full map awareness?
At this moment, the Sand Village's massive main force had already slipped through a secret passage in the Southwest Canyon, entering the southwestern interior of the Land of Fire and heading straight toward Rakuyō City.
This was a huge army, complete with medical ninja, sensory ninja, and even puppet masters.
Their goal was to annihilate Konoha's forces stationed at Rakuyō City. So after learning that the Konoha army had marched toward the Southwest Canyon, they decided to strike first. They dispatched three legions to attack from the front and flanks, while sending another three full legions—over a thousand Sand ninja—to circle around and cut off the Konoha army's retreat.
Thus, although Konoha's forces chose to withdraw immediately, they were still intercepted halfway by this thousand-man Sand force.
Battle was now unavoidable.
…
…
…
Two hours later, the squad led by Minato arrived at the place where the Konoha army had previously stopped. The traces here were extremely chaotic.
"What's wrong, Minato?" Yoshimaru asked.
"I arranged to meet Commander Fukada here. The timing is exactly right, but…"
It was obvious that the people who had stayed here left in a great hurry.
"There are two groups of footprints here," Shimizu suddenly pointed out.
"Did they discover Sand ninja and chase after them? Or were they attacked?" Minato wondered with a frown.
"Captain Namikaze, there's a coded mark here," Satomi's Byakugan had spotted something.
It was a signal carved into the trunk of a large tree.
"…They encountered enemies from three directions. The enemy strength is three legions. They have already retreated to Rakuyō City," Yoshimaru said after deciphering the code. "It must have been that Afei who leaked the information earlier."
"It could only be him…" Minato said seriously after gathering himself.
"I'm afraid even more enemies have already appeared on the southwestern border. A fierce battle is inevitable now…"
"Let's catch up with them."
The four-man team immediately set off toward Rakuyō City.
...
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