Chapter 154: Rumors
Kiiroinu thought that the Fox was becoming increasingly reliable.
In this recent period, the Fox Squad had the lowest attrition rate among the three squads under Kiiroinu.
A low attrition rate meant that the strength of these Anbu Ninjas was growing.
Age was also part of strength.
If a Ninja could live to 30 years old, they could become an exceptionally excellent squad commander just based on experience alone.
Yoru continued, “Captain, in the Land of Wind, I saw a large gathering of Puppet Masters. Their movements were suspicious. I suspect they will set out from Suna Harbor, take the sea route, and go around to the rear of the Konoha battle lines.”
“Hm?” The Kiiroinu Captain glanced at the map hanging on the side and said:
“If they take the sea route… it’s very likely they’ll go upstream from the White Wild River in the western part of the Land of Rivers.
Fox, first write a detailed mission report, then go to the headquarters tent.”
Once Yoru entered the headquarters tent, he found that Nara Shikaku and Sakumo Hatake both had very grim expressions. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say their faces were ashen.
The Kiiroinu Captain said, “Fox, come report.”
“We were in the Land of Wind…”
Yoru had just opened his mouth when he was interrupted by the Kiiroinu Captain.
Kiiroinu said, “Don’t report the intelligence from the Land of Wind first. Report something else first.”
Yoru was somewhat confused. Was there anything more important than the elite Puppet Masters from Hidden Sand Village going around to the rear for a sneak attack?
Nara Shikaku waved his hand at the others in the headquarters tent, telling them all to leave.
In the headquarters tent, soon only Nara Shikaku, Sakumo Hatake, Kiiroinu, Yoru, and Nara Baika remained—the five of them.
Kiiroinu said, “Fox, report on the cleanse mission for the Nara Clan traitor Ninjas.”
Yoru didn’t understand but honestly recounted that mission.
He was responsible for one, each of three squads was responsible for one, a total of four people, disguised as Mist Ninjas to carry out the cleanse.
Nara Shikaku asked, “Copper Fox Captain, after your squad cleansed the traitor Ninjas, did any other situations arise?”
Yoru said:
“No, there were no situations at all. After my squad cleansed the traitor Ninjas, we immediately received the order to rescue Nara Baika Jonin.
I didn’t delay. I turned in the traitor Ninja cleanse mission, picked up the rescue mission, and left the camp right away.”
Nara Shikaku nodded, but his expression showed no relaxation at all. He said:
“Some bad rumors have appeared in the camp, saying that every Leaf Ninja should be careful of Nara Ninjas. Nara Ninjas will use Shadow Secret Jutsu to manipulate teammates to their deaths.
These rumors weren’t spread by your squad?”
“Absolutely not me! Definitely not my squad.”
Although Yoru’s tone was urgent, he wasn’t panicked inside.
The storm wasn’t aimed at attacking Yoru. Yoru, an Anbu captain who was completely unknown in the camp, wasn’t worth framing with rumors.
The title Copper Fox had some fame, but ordinary Ninjas didn’t even know which Anbu he was.
Yoru glanced at Sakumo Hatake, whose expression was grim.
This rumor was more targeted at Sakumo Hatake than at the Nara Clan.
Sakumo Hatake’s extremely high moral standards did not allow Leaf Ninjas to kill each other.
He had led the initial investigation into the Nara Clan traitor Ninjas, and it was he who brought the matter to light, forcing the Nara Clan to cleanse their own house.
Originally, after the cleanse, the matter was settled.
Now rumors had emerged again, putting the Nara Clan in a very awkward position.
Which Ninja Clan didn’t have traitor Ninjas?
Uchiha Clan’s traitor Ninja Uchiha Madara caused enormous damage to the village.
The Senju Clan also had traitor Ninjas, just fewer in number.
When Ninjas encountered injustice, they were more inclined to solve it with kunai, leading to disaster and having no choice but to become traitor Ninjas.
Among Konoha’s Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru became a traitor Ninja, yet no one held the Third Hokage accountable.
The Nara Clan had produced scum, and as clan head, Nara Shikaku accepted defeat, commissioning the Anbu for a quick cleanse—there was no problem with that at all.
But spreading rumors to continue attacking the Nara Clan was a bit like relentlessly pursuing and striking hard.
Which Ninja Clan didn’t produce a few scum?
Yoru’s gaze switched between Sakumo Hatake and Nara Shikaku, not knowing how these two would ultimately resolve things.
Sakumo Hatake spoke up: “Lord Shikaku, your handling was very timely. Several traitor Ninjas have already been executed. I’m very surprised by the rumors in the camp.”
Nara Shikaku’s eyes shifted slightly, then he said:
“Deputy Commander Sakumo, with the great war imminent, these minor rumors are not worth mentioning. Let’s still listen to the intelligence that Copper Fox brought back from the Land of Wind.”
Kiiroinu said to the Fox, “Then you speak about it, Fox.”
Yoru thought to himself, this is bad. Sakumo Hatake wants to become Hokage, and the Nara Clan, the Ino-Shika-Cho Clans won’t support him now, at least not in the short term.
Yoru quickly changed the subject, saying:
“Commander Lord, Deputy Commander Lord, Captain, in the Land of Wind, we discovered unusual activity in the Yellow Hardwood market.
Large quantities of Yellow Hardwood were being bought up and sent toward Hidden Sand Village.
On the road from Hidden Sand Village to Suna Harbor, we saw elite Puppet Master troops being transferred.
At least 200 Puppet Masters, carrying a large number of Puppets, heading toward Suna Harbor.
From the skyrocketing price of Yellow Hardwood, the 200 Puppet Masters we saw might just be one of the assembled batches.
The final number of Sand Ninjas assembling at Suna Harbor is certainly more than 200 people.”
Nara Shikaku looked at the map on the table and said:
“Our Konoha is fighting on three fronts. Whether it’s Genin reinforcements or supply logistics, it’s all like a bowstring stretched to its limit.
But Hidden Sand Village’s situation is even worse.
Sand Ninjas have suffered repeated setbacks on the front battlefield and took a major hit at Suna Harbor, losing a large amount of rear logistics supplies.
They can’t wait any longer. They’re making the last desperate struggle of a cornered beast.”
After pondering for several seconds, Nara Shikaku said:
“Let’s settle Hidden Sand Village once and for all with a decisive battle.
Deputy Commander Sakumo, I’ll handle commanding the front battlefield. You handle commanding the response to Hidden Sand Village’s raiding elites.
This might be the final battle of the Land of Rivers war.
Deputy Commander Sakumo, with you and I coordinating, Konoha Ninjas united as one, we will surely win the war for Konoha.”
In an instant, Sakumo Hatake’s killing intent overflowed. Yoru’s scalp went numb, and Absolute Defense Copper Light nearly appeared on his body.
The rumors targeting the Nara Clan weren’t spread by Sakumo Hatake, but in the end, they were pinned on him.
A simple rumor had pushed Nara Shikaku and Sakumo Hatake to opposite sides. Sakumo Hatake was holding back a breath.
The Sand Ninjas were about to become Sakumo Hatake’s punching bag.
After Sakumo Hatake and the Anbu all left, Nara Baika stepped forward and said:
“Clan Head, the rumors absolutely weren’t spread by Copper Fox Squad, but they also couldn’t have been spread by Sakumo Hatake. Should I organize an investigation to find the source of the rumors?”
Nara Shikaku’s eyes were clear, completely unlike the angry appearance from the rumors just now. He said:
“I know. The source of the rumors isn’t Copper Fox Squad, nor Sakumo Hatake.
However, someone wants us to be at odds with Sakumo Hatake. We just need to act according to the script.
Next time it targets Sakumo Hatake a few more times, others won’t be able to say we’re making trouble without reason.”
Nara Baika was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood the trick behind it.
