Inside the underground command center, four Jonin—Gento, Shisui, Hizashi Hyuga, and Shinku Yuhi—were stationed.
The Uchiha brothers Inabi and Tekka stood at the side, responsible for relaying intelligence and maintaining communication.
After listening to the reconnaissance captain's report, the few of them fell into simultaneous contemplation.
At that moment, a system notification sounded in Gento's mind:
[Ding! Host has triggered a main quest.]
[Main Quest Issued: Kill at least five hundred Hidden Sand Shinobi on the battlefield.]
[Progress: 0/500]
[Mission Reward: Draw Chance ×1]
At least five hundred Shinobi?
Looking at the newly triggered mission, Gento questioned the reconnaissance captain:
"How many Hidden Sand Shinobi are heading this way?"
"Approximately a little over one hundred Shinobi."
Hearing the answer, Gento showed a thoughtful expression.
"The Hidden Sand is quite cautious. Even after their reconnaissance squad has scouted, they still aren't at ease and have actually dispatched an advance unit."
Hearing that the enemy was so cautious, Inabi felt somewhat uneasy.
"Our ambush… could it have been detected?"
Gento shook his head at these words.
"Other than Earth Release, conventional Ninjutsu cannot detect the Shinobi we have hidden or the Explosive Tags buried underground.
"And Sand specializes in Wind Release. Even if a few among them know Earth Release, they would not use such a conspicuous Ninjutsu while attempting a secret strike into the Land of Fire.
"As for Bloodline Limits… not every village possesses something like the Byakugan, and Sand has very few Bloodline advantages in total, so there's no need to worry."
Hearing this, Hizashi could not help but glance at Gento.
The other Jonin, hearing Gento's clear and methodical analysis, also nodded inwardly.
"Then how should we deal with this advance unit? They are about to enter the designated trap zone… should we detonate the Explosive Tags?"
Gento shook his head again.
"I have prepared such a grand feast. Just a few hundred Shinobi won't be enough to enjoy it.
"Let them pass."
Those present showed varying expressions upon hearing this.
Hizashi was the first to question it:
"But… allowing such a Shinobi unit to enter the Land of Fire… wouldn't that be somewhat problematic?"
To this, Gento had only one response:
"I am the Commander-in-Chief!"
"…Understood."
So, this Hidden Sand advance unit was not intercepted and successfully passed through the trap zone, entering the Land of Fire.
They advanced deeper and quickly reached the first town.
…
Sazabuchi Town¹ was located at the border of the Land of Fire, with a resident population of about one thousand.
The town lay at the edge of a sand erosion zone and was known for rough mineral processing and as a relay station for camel caravans.
Despite Ninjas being also hired as guards, most of the defense consisted of ordinary soldiers.
That night, two soldiers on watch were chatting.
"Sigh… standing night watch is so boring. Say, wouldn't it be great if I were one of those Ninja lords? Every night, the town chief arranges beauties to serve me."
"Hmph, you wish. If anyone were to become a Ninja, it'd be a handsome man like me."
Suddenly, a gust of night wind passed by.
The bodies of the two sentries were bizarrely severed at the waist.
Blood splattered across the ground.
Until their deaths, these two sentries never knew that it was precisely the Ninja they admired who had killed them.
Before anyone noticed, one hundred Hidden Sand Shinobi swiftly entered the town under the cover of night.
Experienced as they were, they headed straight toward the most luxurious buildings in the town.
As expected, within the most lavish rooms, they discovered Shinobi indulging themselves with several women.
These were also the only three Shinobi stationed in the town.
The Hidden Sand Shinobi did not waste a word and attacked at once.
In no time, the three Hidden Leaf Shinobi had their bodies cut through by wind blades and died on the spot.
One Shinobi laughed excitedly to his companion:
"Captain, this is great! The Hidden Leaf really has no defenses at all!"
The leading Shinobi revealed a cruel smile:
"In that case, proceed according to the plan!"
Hearing the captain's command, the surrounding Shinobi all showed expressions of wild joy.
They scattered in all directions, rushing straight toward the homes of the townspeople.
Their mission had only one word: loot!
The sounds of doors being smashed open rang out one after another.
Sand Shinobi kicked open doors violently, their gleaming ninja blades pressed against the throats of the residents.
"Quick! Hand over everything valuable!"
Some trembled in fear, hastily pulling out the valuables they had hidden.
Others hesitated for even a moment and were cut down with a single slash.
The Hidden Sand Shinobi ransacked chests and cabinets, tore up floorboards, smashed pottery jars, leaving no place that might conceal money untouched.
Gradually, cries and screams blended into one.
Residents who woke and attempted to resist were easily slaughtered.
The cries of children were quickly silenced.
The elderly knelt and begged for mercy, yet still had their last bit of savings taken.
In the eyes of Sand Shinobi, there was only greed.
They tore down decorations from the walls, pried open warehouse locks, carried away grain stores, and stripped jewelry from the dead.
All valuables—jewelry, cash, antiques, medicinal materials, ninja tools, cloth—were gathered one by one and stuffed into the Sealing Scrolls they had brought.
Two hours later, the town had been entirely looted.
Whether it was the town treasury, noble estates, or ordinary households, none were spared.
"As expected of the Land of Fire. So rich… even such a small place yielded nearly three hundred million ryo in total!"
The captain weighed the scroll in his hand and smiled with satisfaction.
Beside him, a lewd-looking Sand Shinobi leaned in.
"Captain, the brothers have been pent up at the border for too long… the women of the Land of Fire are much more delicate than those of the Land of Wind, so…"
The captain immediately saw through his subordinate's thoughts.
"Look at you, no ambition at all!"
He casually pointed to one person.
"You, go back and report the situation to Lord Satetsu. As for the rest…"
He glanced at his eager subordinates and waved his hand.
"You have thirty minutes. During that time, indulge yourselves as much as you like!"
After speaking, he himself headed toward the town chief's residence.
While looting earlier, he had noticed that the town chief's concubines looked quite enticing.
The Shinobi who was selected looked hesitant but dared not disobey, turning and leaving.
As for the others, after hearing the captain's words, they let out a cheer and rushed into the town to find the women they had taken a liking to.
Very soon, the screams of women rang out throughout the town once more.
…
Meanwhile, that Shinobi returned and reported the situation encountered by the advance unit to the commander of this invasion into the Land of Fire, Satetsu.
After hearing the report, Satetsu extended his tongue and licked his dry lips, a trace of greed flashing in his eyes.
"Pass down my order. All Shinobi! Advance at full speed and invade the Land of Fire!"
The command spread throughout the forces.
Over a thousand Hidden Sand Shinobi, upon learning that the border of the Land of Fire was undefended and receiving the order to launch a full assault, became greatly excited.
They knew well the wealth of the Land of Fire.
Now, before Leaf could react, this was the perfect opportunity for large-scale plunder.
According to regulations, as much as half of the wealth obtained could go into their own pockets!
Driven by greed, Sand Shinobi all infused Chakra into their legs and surged wildly toward the interior of the Land of Fire.
Very soon, more than a thousand Hidden Sand Shinobi had unknowingly entered the trap set by Gento.
…..
¹ A town not mentioned in the anime, canon, or official sources that I could find (perhaps, a creative, secondary interpretation).
...
If you want to support, please consider Patreon, and read advanced chapters! Your support keeps this series going! [Patreon.com/RedZTL]