After the battle, Konoha's ninja had suffered more casualties than those from Kumogakure, all due to an unknown powerful figure who appeared on the battlefield.
Konoha's morale was inevitably affected.
Danzo Shimura did everything he could to uncover the identity of this mysterious individual.
A rogue ninja from Takigakure and a bounty hunter—Kakuzu.
Unfortunately, aside from details about Kakuzu's background and the ninjutsu he had used in combat,
he obtained no other useful intelligence.
In short, he found no weaknesses and could not yet devise any method to deal with Kakuzu.
This was understandable. For Kakuzu, assisting Kumo against Konoha was simply a job—no need to go all-out or reveal his hidden trump cards.
Neither Konoha nor Kumo were aware of his unique physiology—five hearts and the ability to live five separate lives.
"Will I have to seek Hiruzen's help so soon?"
Recalling how he had boldly promised Hiruzen Sarutobi victory before leaving the village, Danzo felt nothing but embarrassment now.
Inside the command tent, seeing Danzo's shifting expression, none of the jonin dared speak up first.
He looked around at them and asked, "Anyone got an idea how to handle that ninja who can use all five chakra natures?"
"Kakashi is also someone with all five natures—he might have a solution," one ninja broke the silence after a pause.
"..."
Upon hearing this, Kakashi curled his mouth under his mask, silently giving a bitter smile.
Just because I have all five doesn't mean I'm strong in every one!
If I were really that strong, I'd have taken him down on the spot instead of waiting around for now.
Danzo raised his eyebrows and looked toward Kakashi.
After thinking it over, Kakashi spoke, "Lord Danzo, considering that man's level of mastery in ninjutsu, normal techniques likely won't work against him. Genjutsu might be our best bet."
As he spoke, he glanced slightly toward Shisui Uchiha.
Danzo subtly swept his gaze across Shisui Uchiha, then ignored him outright.
Eventually, he told Kakashi, "That makes sense. If we encounter Kakuzu again, lead some genjutsu specialists and unleash your illusions together. With your Sharingan, you should be able to pull it off."
"I understand." Kakashi bowed slightly and replied respectfully.
Shisui Uchiha opened his mouth as if to say something, paused, then ultimately said nothing at all.
Then, another report came in—eight ninja sent to destroy Kumo's supply line had not returned.
Danzo didn't think much of it, assuming they had merely been held up by Kumo forces, and immediately dispatched another team for backup.
In the Kumogakure camp,
Dodai saw the four prisoners brought in by Sasori of the Red Sands and others.
"Only four people? And they're just regular ninja without any special status?"
"They're only chunin," one subordinate explained.
Dodai shook his head without elaborating further. "These four alone cannot shake Konoha. It's not enough—we need more captives. Better yet, try to capture someone with a bloodline limit or from a notable clan."
"Yes, sir." The subordinates took note.
"What do you people want from us?"
"For what Dodai said about shaking Konoha, Orochimaru couldn't help but feel curious and asked.
"Everyone will know soon enough," Dodai replied with a smile.
"Lord Dodai, since the route for transporting supplies has already been discovered by Konoha, should we change our path?" an underling continued.
"With Mr. Sasori here, is such a thing even necessary?"
Though Dodai's words carried some flattery, Sasori of the Red Sands didn't seem to care at all. He simply continued following the Kumogakure ninja toward their previously prepared ambush location.
After exiting the prisoner-of-war camp, another person approached and reported to Dodai, "Lord Dodai, a group of ninja from the Frost Village have arrived outside; they say they want to join us in fighting against Konoha."
"How many of them are there?"
"Twelve ninja total."
"Twelve?" Dodai was momentarily speechless. Waving his hand dismissively, he said, "If they don't cause trouble, assign them to logistics."
...
It took them several lazy days, but Hiroki Hyuga's team finally reached the Konoha Camp.
The ninja responsible for the rendezvous opened the register in his hand and without lifting his head, said, "You three are assigned to Squad 17. If you have objections, take them straight to Danzo-sama."
"As for Jonin Ueno, please report to the Command Tent—Danzo-sama has other arrangements for you."
Hiroki Hyuga: "What does Squad 17 do exactly?"
"They move bodies, carry the injured, and cook meals," the ninja replied bluntly.
"What?!"
Though puzzled, the three didn't refuse the assignment.
After placing their belongings into the assigned room, Itachi Uchiha immediately sought out Shisui Uchiha, a fellow clan member.
"Shisui-nii, didn't you go to the battlefield?"
Shisui Uchiha smiled bitterly. "My job is to guard the camp. And you, Itachi? How are things going with your new teammates?"
"They're all very independent people." Itachi Uchiha responded calmly.
"Independent?" Shisui echoed, then caught on. "So you mean everyone keeps their distance?"
"Hn." Itachi nodded.
"What gives?" Shisui Uchiha sighed softly.
"I've already learned that lesson—and lost because of it. I don't want to experience it again." Itachi said. Changing the subject, he added, "Anyway, how's the war going now?"
"There's an S-rank rogue ninja on the Cloud side—he's extremely strong. Lord Danzo is trying to figure something out..."
After dinner, Hana Inuzuka sat between Hiroki Hyuga and Itachi Uchiha.
"Now that Sensei Ueno has been taken away for another mission by Danzo-sama, our squad needs someone else as the leader..."
"..."
"..."
"Since you two aren't saying anything, I guess I'll just step in as captain then," Hana Inuzuka declared.
"Fine, fine!" Hiroki Hyuga agreed quickly.
"I have no objection," shrugged Itachi Uchiha indifferently.
Not fazed by their silence, Hana continued, "I did some asking around—the 17th Squad has sixteen members total and is one of the logistical units. They're mostly chunin and genin."
"Some cook, some carry the injured, and others collect the bodies."
She sighed. "Hard to swallow, but looks like we're stuck hauling corpses too."
"The bodies of the other ninjas who couldn't be recovered from the battlefield must be retrieved by us. We must make sure they are returned to Konoha for burial."
"That's actually when we're busiest—when everyone else is eating or resting, since both villages quietly pause the fighting."
"Starting tomorrow..."
"Understood," said Hiroki Hyuga.
That night, some Konoha ninja discovered two suspicious figures attempting to approach the camp.
"Who goes there?" A kunai was thrown toward them.
Dodging the kunai attack, the two strangers immediately raised their hands without resistance, saying, "Don't misunderstand. We are also ninja, and we mean no harm."
The Konoha ninja stepped forward, narrowing their eyes to see the emblem on the forehead protectors—the Frost symbol.
"Ninjas from Frost ninja village?"
"We have come to serve Konoha."
The Konoha ninja didn't respond, instead signaling two comrades from behind with a wave.
Then, all three took out kunais, cold blades pressed against the necks of the two Frost ninjas.
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