Late at night,
Jiraiya led the remaining Konoha troops step by step toward the Garden Gate Dam.
Gazing at the Garden Gate not far ahead, he seemed to sense something, peering through the heavy darkness to spot the Konoha camp at the edge of his vision.
Jiraiya stared into the pitch-black night and thought of Kakashi, who had insisted on staying behind with his troops to hold off the Kumogakure forces. He couldn't help but murmur:
"You have to survive, my Fifth Hokage."
Just as Kakashi had said, right now, only Jiraiya and Kakashi in the Konoha camp had the ability to lead troops and stall Kumogakure.
Jiraiya, as the commander-in-chief, was essential to the entire force. Only Kakashi—and truly only Kakashi—could pull off this mission.
Might Guy was strong enough, but ten minutes with the Gate of View open wouldn't be sufficient for him to lead this unit.
As for Uchiha Shisui... it was probably impossible for him to use Susanoo in this war under any circumstances.
Once his Mangekyo Sharingan was exposed, regardless of whether his dojutsu was Kotoamatsukami or not, given the Uchiha Clan's temperament back in the village, their arrogance would likely soar even higher.
The friction between Konoha and the Uchiha was growing harder and harder to manage.
So, only he—Kakashi—could carry out this mission.
At that moment, back in the Konoha camp, Kakashi estimated the time and slowly rose from beside the bonfire.
Following Kakashi's lead, everyone else stood up from around the fire as well.
They all looked at this disciple of the Fourth Hokage, the son of Konoha's White Fang, the renowned genius of the village.
Kakashi picked up an empty bowl filled with snow from beside the bonfire, then grabbed a sake pot that had been heating over the flames and poured himself a bowl.
Seeing this, everyone followed suit, each pouring a bowl of sake for themselves.
"Everyone!"
"Drink this bowl of sake!"
"If I'm lucky enough to survive this battle, I'll take care of your wives and children!"
"If I die, I hope you'll bring me a bouquet of flowers on this day every year!"
With those words, Kakashi downed the hot sake in one gulp, then lifted the empty bowl high and smashed it to the ground!
The eight hundred ninja present felt a chill in their hearts at his words, only then remembering that this highly regarded genius of the village was still alone, without even an heir.
"Captain, should we find you a wife right now?!"
"Hahahahaha!"
Someone in the crowd shouted, sparking laughter from everyone.
"Tch, shameless."
A female ninja in the group muttered a curse at the heckler under her breath, yet her gaze burned as she looked at the white-haired man on the high platform.
Kakashi smiled faintly at this.
"Gentlemen, may your martial fortunes prosper!"
"May your martial fortunes prosper!"
The resolute words echoed, and everyone drained the sake in their bowls, casting aside thoughts of life and death.
"And so, we depart!"
... Kumogakure Camp
Main Tent
Even in the dead of night, the main tent of Kumogakure remained brightly lit.
Dodai, known as the Raikage's retainer, was currently reviewing one fruitless reconnaissance report after another.
Each report represented the loss of a scouting squad.
In the face of the Byakugan, no one could slip through.
Days of repeated reconnaissance failures had left even the usually composed Dodai feeling a bit anxious.
What exactly was Konoha up to?
Meanwhile, the Raikage was sprawled out on a makeshift bed nearby, snoring thunderously.
Ignoring the Raikage, Dodai rubbed his tired eyes, preparing to pack up and get some rest.
But at that moment, a hurried figure burst into the main tent.
"Lord Dodai!"
"Konoha's Byakugan defense line has withdrawn!"
Without even time to salute, the man quickly reported the latest scouting intel to Dodai.
"What?!"
Before Dodai could respond, the Raikage beside him suddenly jolted awake.
"Explain in detail!"
Dodai's heart sank with unease at the news, and he spoke up quickly.
Konoha had gone to such lengths to set up that Byakugan defense line, and now a sudden full retreat had to mean some kind of scheme.
"Today, we went out to scout as usual, but all the Konoha squads that had been defending without a single flaw before were gone!"
As Dodai listened to the ninja's words, his sense of foreboding deepened.
Before he could ask more, another person rushed into the main tent in a panic and, without waiting for Dodai to question him, immediately reported:
"Lord Dodai, twenty kilometers from the camp, a Konoha unit is charging straight at us!"
Before Dodai could say anything, the Raikage beside him exploded:
"Good for Konoha—I wasn't even looking for trouble, but they've come knocking on my door!"
With that, he was about to charge out, ready to handle this so-called Konoha unit himself.
"Stop!"
Dodai grabbed the Raikage's arm, speaking earnestly:
"Konoha's actions are too suspicious—there must be a trap. How can you, as the supreme commander, put yourself in danger!"
Before the Raikage could argue back, Dodai turned to the messenger:
"How many in the Konoha unit, and who's leading them?"
The man replied immediately:
"It's too dark to make out the exact numbers, but the leader should be that famous Kakashi!"
On the previous battlefield, Kakashi's effortless slash that unleashed a massive wave of sword energy had left a deep impression on the Kumogakure ninja, especially his white hair, which stood out even in the dead of night.
"Kakashi, huh..."
Dodai pondered for a moment, then issued orders:
"Have Darui lead the vanguard to intercept Kakashi."
"Hold him for three minutes—reinforcements will arrive right after."
As he watched the ninja hurry off, Dodai turned back to the Raikage, whose arm he was still gripping.
"Lord Raikage, where is Killer Bee right now?"
To forcibly hold back the Fourth Raikage—and to even dare attempt it—only Dodai in all of Hidden Cloud Village had that authority.
"He should still be holding a concert in the rear."
The Raikage replied in a deep voice.
"Tell Killer Bee to stop with that nonsense."
"Notify him immediately to rush to the battlefield."
Dodai's words made the Raikage frown slightly.
Sending Killer Bee to deal with Kakashi?
It felt like overkill.
But then, recalling the white-haired ninja who had previously harnessed natural lightning to slay the Two-Tails, the Raikage had to acknowledge Kakashi's strength.
"I understand."
The Raikage nodded solemnly... Kakashi, leading the eight hundred resolute ninja behind him, raced toward the Kumogakure camp ahead, braving the wind and snow.
They had been spotted.
Kakashi knew that, of course, but so what?
This unit of theirs was there precisely to hold back Kumogakure.
To halt Kumogakure's advance and buy time for the follow-up water attack, they had to charge straight into the heart of the Cloud Village camp, tie them down, kill anyone in their path, and cut down anyone they encountered!
To turn everything upside down!
And at that moment, in the brightly lit Kumogakure camp ahead, a force no smaller than their own was already charging toward these eight hundred Konoha ninja!
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