Yubi and Sasori followed the Village's dispatched team to the front lines, heading to the border.
This mission was different from previous border patrols; it was a long-term garrison. They would only be able to return when Iwagakure completely settled down and there were no more skirmishes or disputes between the two sides.
The Kazekage sent them to fight Iwagakure because, with the war over, even if there were still exchanges of fire between the two Villages, the pressure was significantly reduced.
Compared to missions involving Konoha, the hidden dangers were smaller.
It's worth mentioning that the border conflict between the Village and Iwagakure was initiated by Iwagakure.
Iwagakure saw that Sunagakure was 'lacking stamina' and, unable to do anything about Konoha and Kumogakure, could only exert pressure on Sunagakure.
Due to their geographical location, the two Villages that most frequently clashed with Sunagakure were Iwagakure and Konoha.
They were also the Villages that understood Sunagakure the best.
From Iwagakure's perspective, even if they didn't launch a large-scale war, gaining even a small piece of the Land of Wind's territory would be very worthwhile.
It would also provide an explanation to the Daimyo of the Land of Earth.
Iwagakure had been eyeing the territory of the Land of Wind for more than just a day or two.
The Land of Wind has a vast territory, slightly larger than the Land of Earth. Although its land is barren and full of Gobi deserts, if they could invade a small part of the Land of Wind's territory, they could deploy in advance for the next Ninja World War.
To prevent problems before they arise.
It was also a very valuable strategic point.
The Tsuchikage believed that Sunagakure no longer had the glory it enjoyed during the Second Kazekage's reign. With Sunagakure's remaining military strength, trying to protect such a large territory was merely a façade. Since it wasn't a vital resource area, it might as well be given to their Land of Earth. This way, both sides could cease hostilities and live in peace.
Yes, the Land of Earth wanted Sunagakure to cede some territory.
Sunagakure naturally could not agree to such an unreasonable demand.
The Village's performance in this Ninja World War had already displeased the Daimyo. If they were to lose more territory, it would be impossible to explain to either the Daimyo or the citizens.
The consequences would be unusually severe.
And the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki's demand was not unfounded. Konoha currently had no spare energy to deal with Sunagakure and was bound to begin reconstruction without delay.
Although Iwagakure's consumption in this Ninja World War was also significant, compared to Sunagakure and Konoha, they still had reserves and were not in such a hurry.
Iwagakure also understood Sunagakure well, guessing that Sunagakure's current combat power and economy were mostly in a period of weakness.
So they thought of taking advantage of their misfortune, making exorbitant demands, and making a profit.
However, under Rasa's command, Sunagakure had always stood its ground against Iwagakure, refusing to give an inch, and the stalemate continued to this day.
Currently, Iwagakure's movements are not as aggressive as before, but they have no intention of stopping their harassment.
Just dragging it out... These were not Yubi's guesses or imaginings.
Instead, on the front lines, Iwagakure had representatives convey the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki's ideas, personally negotiating with Sunagakure's troops. From Iwagakure's perspective, the Land of Wind would only lose a small piece of territory, which was a drop in the ocean compared to the entire country's map.
There was no need to fight so desperately.
It would be better to conserve strength and prepare for the next major conflict.
Sacrifice fewer people... or focus on economic recovery.
On the way to the border, the old man leading the team personally told him and Sasori some things about the battlefield.
Many pieces of information were public knowledge for those on the front lines, not secrets.
"That old man... he's really malicious..."
Yubi thought to himself after hearing this.
Ōnoki's appearance came to mind.
This old man was even older than Hiruzen Sarutobi.
He had also lived long enough.
Apart from participating in the Fourth Ninja World War in the future storyline, Yubi's deepest impression of him came from a memory in the original work.
When Ōnoki was young, he had personally encountered Uchiha Madara.
But he was kicked away by Madara, looking very disheveled. At that time, Ōnoki was just a kid in front of Madara. "According to the Village's intelligence, Iwagakure's troop losses in this Ninja World War were not from us or Konoha, but from their front line with Kumogakure... that's where it was most severe." A group of people swiftly traversed the desert, and the captain continued to add.
"According to the Village's intelligence, Iwagakure's troop losses in this Ninja World War were not from us or Konoha, but from their front line with Kumogakure... that's where it was most severe." A group of people swiftly traversed the desert, and the captain continued to add.
"Kumogakure's retreat from Konoha was largely due to heavy casualties sustained while fighting Iwagakure."
Yubi was also aware of these things.
"Yubi... your previous missions, you weren't on the front lines of the battlefield, were you?" captain Kenji asked.
"No."
Yubi nodded.
Counting his current mission record, apart from some low-difficulty solo missions, almost all the others were carried out by the three-person squad he formed with Arai and Sasori.
"When we get to the front, if you have any questions, you can always ask me."
"Okay."
Yubi responded with a smile.
Their squad had less than twenty people in total, and they would be integrated into a larger unit once they reached the border.
He recalled how, when he and the other two went to the Land of Rain border, they were outright 'disliked' by their seniors because they were complete rookies.
He still remembered the Chunin named Endo, who jokingly told them, a bunch of kids, to experience the tempering of blood and fire.
Now, the attitude of these 'veterans' towards him and Sasori was completely different.
It was understandable.
For 'veterans,' having a new face join the team, requiring personal guidance, experience building, and extra care, was indeed troublesome.
But now, he and Sasori were both immediate combatants, and their strength was not weak.
No matter which unit they were assigned to, it would be a good thing for the leader.
They would be delighted.
"It's already been two years... time flies so fast."
At this thought, Yubi sighed with emotion.
"Talents like Yubi, I bet the various captains are all eager to have him... his medical skills are famous in our Village."
A team member joked.
"Yubi... I hope we can be in the same squad then. With a Medical Ninja like you around, I feel... our safety is guaranteed."
Another person said.
"Dream on, you..."
Everyone chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
Only Sasori... still seemed a bit out of place.
Although young, his cold demeanor made it difficult for others to strike up a conversation.
Listening to them, the front-line units were divided into several categories. After they arrived, they would be assigned to teams according to their duties, and several units would have sub-teams.
The leaders would be Squad Leaders, captains, and Commanders.
Yubi felt that he would most likely be assigned to the Medical Squad.
Sasori, without a doubt, would be in the Puppeteer unit.
The previous overall Commander was Rasa.
Aside from making battlefield decisions and deployments, he primarily led the Puppeteer unit that fought against Iwagakure.
The current Commander is a Jonin named Shimizu, who is also a Puppeteer.
He is Rasa's subordinate.
It must be said that Rasa, from the beginning of the Ninja World War, led his troops to resist Iwagakure and stabilize the border situation. Especially in the later stages of the war, when the Village began to'struggle financially,' he still didn't let Iwagakure gain any advantage. Regardless of his personality, he certainly had a knack for leading troops in battle.
Along the way, Yubi also heard a hint of admiration and respect for Rasa in the words of Kenji and the others.
For Ninja in the Village, to establish authority or gain trust, it really required going to the battlefield and demonstrating their performance there.
Before, for solo squads like him, Arai, and Sasori, even if they accomplished some things and did well, only they themselves knew what they had experienced.
Outsiders wouldn't know.
"And for me, joining the front lines now also means... truly embarking on an official career path that can accelerate my advancement in the Village."
Yubi thought to himself.
He was about to officially embark on the 'official road' to promotion.
Very good...