At a surveillance outpost on the border where Konoha met the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain, Konoha ninja continued their usual monitoring of the surrounding area.
The war was over.
At least, in a certain sense—the conflict that had lasted more than ten years had gradually come to a halt.
For the ninja stationed along the border, this was unquestionably good news.
Because once war broke out, they would be the first to face the enemy's fierce assault.
Although the end of the war didn't necessarily mean they could return to Konoha—and the border was far from completely peaceful—it was still much safer than before.
"Captain, how much longer until your rotation ends?"
At the top of the observation tower, a young ninja held a pair of binoculars while scanning the distance, casually asking the middle-aged man beside him.
Border garrison ninja rotated shifts at regular intervals. When their turn for leave came, they could return to Konoha and reunite with their families.
The middle-aged ninja chuckled and shook his head.
"I think you just want to follow me back, don't you?"
"Captain, we're on the same squad." The young ninja smiled. "Wouldn't it be normal for us to go back together?"
"I think you're just missing Nobuko." The captain patted his shoulder. "So, when are you getting married?"
"Captain!" the young man protested, clearly embarrassed.
Their conversation drew laughter from the other Konoha ninja keeping watch nearby.
With the war over, everyone's spirits had lightened considerably.
If this were wartime, they would never have dared speak like this. Back then, they didn't even know whether they would live to see the next sunrise.
The atmosphere at the outpost was lively—
But it didn't last long.
"Captain!"
A ninja scanning the horizon through binoculars suddenly shouted.
"There are three squads approaching from the west!"
"What?" The middle-aged captain's expression changed slightly, but he kept his composure. "Can you tell which village they're from?"
"Judging by their clothing and headbands… they appear to be Iwa ninja." The Konoha ninja observed carefully before answering. "But Captain, why are they coming from that direction? That side—"
"I know what you're implying," the captain interrupted calmly. "Everyone stay on alert. But remember—we absolutely must not strike first. Understood?"
The captain was sharp enough to sense something wrong from the route the supposed Iwa ninja were taking.
But he was also cautious.
Konoha and Iwagakure had signed a ceasefire agreement. If they attacked Iwa ninja first, it would effectively tear up the treaty.
Even if he suspected these Iwa ninja might be impostors, he didn't dare gamble on it.
If they were genuine Iwa ninja and he launched the first strike, that would amount to openly breaking the peace agreement between Konoha and Iwagakure.
Even if it didn't escalate into full war, he himself would face severe punishment.
"Yes, Captain!"
"Watch out!"
Just as the Konoha ninja responded in unison, the sharp-eyed captain suddenly saw dozens of kunai flying toward them.
He immediately shouted a warning.
The Konoha ninja reacted swiftly.
Some drew their own kunai to deflect the incoming weapons.
Others, unable to draw theirs in time, instinctively raised their binoculars to block the attack.
Those "Iwa ninja" seized the opportunity to charge into the surveillance post and immediately launched their attack on the Konoha shinobi!
"What are you doing?!"
The middle-aged captain rushed forward at once. With quick reflexes, he blocked one of the attackers with his kunai and shouted angrily:
"Are you trying to destroy the peace between Konoha and Iwagakure?!"
Unfortunately, the "Iwa ninja" paid him no attention. Their attacks only grew more vicious.
At that moment, the captain realized—
These were definitely not real Iwa ninja.
Worse still, although their individual strength wasn't particularly impressive, they outnumbered the Konoha defenders several times over.
And they had launched a surprise attack, seizing the initiative. In just a short time, several Konoha shinobi were already wounded.
In the chaos of battle, the captain couldn't even send out a distress signal. There was no way to contact the main camp for reinforcements.
"If this keeps up, we're all going to die!"
He kicked away the enemy in front of him, but more attackers quickly swarmed in. Being outnumbered meant facing encirclement from all sides.
Ordinary ninja didn't possess abilities like the Sharingan.
Unless one's strength reached a considerable level—or they could completely overwhelm everyone around them—anyone facing such a situation would be forced into a passive, nearly helpless position.
Blocking another strike, the captain scanned his surroundings.
All his subordinates were still alive—but every single one of them was wounded.
The young ninja who had just asked about returning home had been stabbed in the chest by a kunai. Bright red blood kept pouring from the wound.
Fortunately, it hadn't pierced a vital point—
Otherwise, he would already be dead.
But if things continued like this, death would only be a matter of time. None of them would escape it.
Is this... where it ends?
The captain blocked a lethal blow and quickly moved to assist the young ninja—
But the next instant, searing pain erupted from his back.
A kunai had pierced straight through him.
He could feel his strength draining rapidly, and the intense pain made his consciousness blur.
Death was terrifying—
Especially for someone who still had attachments.
Gritting his teeth against the agony, the captain swung at the ninja behind him. But the act of turning only intensified the unbearable pain.
His movements slowed.
His counterattack failed to deal any real damage.
Instead, another enemy struck him again.
When an "Iwa ninja's" kunai slashed across his waist, blood gushed out.
The captain could no longer remain standing.
He collapsed to the ground.
His hand still gripped his kunai tightly—
But he couldn't rise again.
His vision grew increasingly dim. He felt that this truly might be the end.
"Naomi… I guess I won't be able to come back and see you."
He sighed inwardly.
Watching the enemy's approaching kunai draw closer and closer, he clenched his teeth.
Even if he died—
He would not make it easy for them!
Just then—
A flash of azure light tore through the air.
With a sharp whistling sound, a blue kunai shot forward and brutally pierced the chest of the enemy standing before the captain.