The journey back to the camp was faster than the journey out. When Kawaki carried Nawaki on his back and appeared at the camp entrance,
There were still dutiful Konoha ninjas who came out to ask. However, their attitudes were much warmer than when the trio first arrived.
After quickly confirming their identities, the three were let in.
Kawaki went straight to the small earthen house. Sakumo and Dai were still inside, researching the Eight Gates.
Since they couldn't conduct practical operations, the two training fanatics started discussing the theory of Eight Gates.
"What's wrong with Nawaki?"
Sakumo saw Kawaki carrying Nawaki on his back and asked. Since they would be relatives in the future, his tone was quite concerned.
"He got a minor injury. It was his first time seeing blood. He'll be okay after a good sleep."
Kawaki placed Nawaki, who was on his back, on the bed.
Minato quietly sat down on one side.
"How many did you take out this time?"
Sakumo had full confidence in Kawaki's strength. As long as they encountered enemies, there would surely be some kills.
"One Jonin, and the two young ones took out three Chunin."
"All in all, it was a standard team."
Kawaki remained calm on the surface. An ordinary Jonin was really not much of a challenge for him.
"Good job, Minato."
Dai gave Minato a smile and gave him a thumbs - up.
"Haha."
Minato scratched the back of his head and smiled brightly.
"Since you're back, stay here to guard the camp."
"Just one Jonin. The Rain ninjas probably don't know what pain feels like."
"Dai and I will go out again."
"Let the Rain ninjas know the power of Konoha."
Sakumo couldn't hold back any longer. Guarding the camp was never what an assassin - type ninja like him should do.
"Yeah, Kawaki - kun, Dai and I will go out again."
It was Dai's first time participating in such a war, and he also wanted to show his strength.
"Okay, go ahead."
Kawaki didn't even say "be careful". He didn't think that without Hanzō of the Salamander showing up, any Rain ninja extras could beat the combination of Sakumo and Dai.
"Let's go. See you later."
Sakumo stood up, and Dai followed behind him and left the camp.
The two Jonin - level ninjas were much faster than Kawaki leading the two young ones on the way.
Sakumo also had more combat experience and was better at finding clues and tracking than Kawaki.
He and Dai found five groups of Rain ninjas led by Jonins.
None of the twenty Rain ninjas survived Sakumo's sword and Dai's activation of the Eight Gates.
They died in a really dreadful way.
With the addition of Kawaki and his group, the Rain ninjas suffered heavy losses.
It was originally a harassment and delay mission formulated by Hanzō of the Salamander, and the number of Rain ninjas assigned was limited.
Suddenly losing twenty people, the leader of the team, a ninja named Yamaru, couldn't bear the result.
Yamaru could only shrink the scope of their activities on one hand and send someone to communicate with Hanzō of the Salamander, who was still fighting with Chiyo of the Sand Hidden Village.
When Hanzō got this news, he was so furious that he tore the letter to shreds.
The Konoha ninjas had arrived earlier than he anticipated. He thought the large Konoha troop had shown up.
Little did he know that it was just Kawaki and his group who had reached there first.
"Send more reinforcements to Yamaru. Tell him to stay on high alert and avoid engaging with the Konoha ninjas for the time being."
"If Konoha's large troop starts to attack, delay them at all costs until I return."
Hanzō issued his order. The Ninja kneeling on one knee in front of him took the order and retreated.
At this time, Hanzō was within the territory of the Land of Wind. Instead of choosing to defend, he chose to make a surprise attack on the Sand Hidden Village.
One has to admire his courage.
After the Sand Hidden Village discovered Hanzō, it also sent Chiyo to lead a large troop to fight against him.
They had already fought several battles.
Both sides suffered losses. Hanzō's Poison caused heavy casualties to the Sand Hidden Village, and similarly, Chiyo's Puppets gave the rain ninjas a hard time.
"That damned old puppet woman."
Hanzō couldn't help cursing. If it weren't for Chiyo, the sand ninjas would be pushovers for him.
At this moment, in the Sand Ninja camp, Chiyo was seriously studying Hanzō's Poison.
However, Hanzō's Poison was not that easy to crack, even though she was an excellent Poison user.
"That old man with the snorkel is really hateful."
Chiyo cursed while continuing her research. It would probably take a long time to crack it.
Thinking of the sand ninjas who would die at Hanzō's hands during this period, she frowned tightly.
"Mother, you've been researching continuously for a whole day and night. Take a break."
The man who spoke had dazzling red hair and a delicate and handsome face. He was Sasori's Father.
"Yes, Onee-san, you'll wear yourself out if you go on like this."
Ebizo also dissuaded her on the side.
"I won't be at ease until I crack it."
Chiyo sighed and rubbed her sore eyes.
She thought that she would sooner or later tear Hanzō to shreds.
Before long, another Ninja reported the news that Hanzō was attacking again.
Chiyo had no choice but to take her younger brother and son to meet the enemy.
The rain ninjas and sand ninjas were engaged in a fierce and brutal battle within the territory of the Land of Wind.
Kawaki and his group had been traveling north for several days but didn't even spot a single Rain ninja.
They also guessed the rain ninjas' plan to shrink back and had a few peaceful days in the camp.
A week later, Orochimaru led a large troop to the camp.
Naturally, someone informed Kawaki when the large troop arrived.
He took Sakumo and a few others out to greet Orochimaru.
A large amount of food, ninja equipment consumables, and medicine were carried into the camp.
Everything was carried out in an orderly manner under Orochimaru's arrangement. Before long, the camp had expanded several times.
All the tents and houses were arranged according to strict requirements. This was something beyond Kawaki's knowledge.
After Orochimaru settled all the Konoha Ninjas, a few of them gathered in a newly-built small earthen house.
The interior was simple. Kawaki and a few others were sitting on the ground around a low table.
There were also some fruits on the low table, all of which were newly brought supplies.
The two young ones were kneeling obediently on the side.
"Teacher."
Nawaki's injury had already recovered. He was very happy to see Orochimaru.
"I've heard from Kawaki-kun that you performed very well."
Orochimaru stroked Nawaki's head with a cold smile on his face.
Nawaki, who got praised by his teacher, smiled with his eyes closed.
"Does Kawaki-kun have any new intelligence recently?"
Orochimaru began to ask questions, and everyone became serious.
"The Rain ninjas are currently operating in small - scale combat units, mainly using stabbing and harassment as their tactics."
"My guess is that Hanzō of the Salamander's main target isn't our Konoha at this moment."
"He's just stalling time."
"In the past few days, this Rain ninja unit in charge of harassment might have been intimidated by us."
"They haven't shown up for three consecutive days."
Kawaki shared the situation of the past week and his own speculations.
He believed that with Orochimaru's wisdom, he didn't need to offer too many hints.
Sakumo and Dai were like mute listeners at this moment, just listening and not saying a word.
In the entire earthen house, only the voices of Orochimaru and Kawaki could be heard.
"I think Kawaki - kun's speculation is quite reasonable."
"Next, I'll send people to keep looking for the Rain ninjas' tracks."
"Then we'll feign a large - scale attack and see how the Rain ninjas react."
"Everything will become clear then."
After a brief thought, Orochimaru came up with a complete countermeasure.
"Fine."
Kawaki had never commanded a troop and had no intention of seizing power, so he naturally wouldn't object to Orochimaru's strategy.
<><><><><><><><>
~ 80+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
p-atreon.com/Tansnovel
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)
~ Every 50 Powerstones = 4 Bonus Chapters on the weekend!