After several days of nonstop travel, Uchiha Sogetsu's squad finally slipped into the Land of Earth.
"Half a day of rest. That's an order."
Looking at his exhausted teammates, Sogetsu spoke firmly.
Even Might Guy, the one with the strongest stamina, was struggling. Days without sleep, running at full speed through enemy territory, always on edge—it had taken its toll. His breathing was heavy, his energy close to breaking.
As for Hyuga Neji and Aburame Shino, both newly promoted jonin, the exhaustion hit them even harder.
From the start, they had been burning through their chakra and mental strength, constantly scouting Iwa's armies and hidden patrols. Reaching this point was already a miracle of pure willpower.
Once the order came, everyone collapsed into rest as quickly as they could.
Neji swallowed a few military ration pills, then deactivated his Byakugan. He turned toward Sogetsu. "Lord Fourth, we've already entered the Land of Earth. What's the next step?"
"As planned, we should strike Iwa's supply lines," Kakashi replied.
He hadn't transplanted Obito's eye in this world, so unlike in the original story, he had poured all of his focus into his father's kenjutsu. That choice left him sharper, steadier, less hollow.
"Of course," Sogetsu answered with a small smile. "But that's only part of the plan."
His tone shifted. "From here, we'll split up. One team will destroy the supply routes of Iwa's army. The other team… will follow me straight into the heart of Iwagakure, creating chaos at their main base, deep behind enemy lines."
The squad stiffened at his words. Tension filled the air.
Sogetsu's gaze swept across them, calm yet unyielding. "The second mission is far too dangerous. So I'll go alone. The rest of you will handle the first objective—destroy their supply chain."
"What?!"
Everyone froze, shocked.
Kakashi's mouth opened, then closed. He wanted to object, but no words came out.
"No, Lord Fourth!" The division commander of the ANBU squad stepped forward, voice rising with urgency. "We can't let you go alone on such a reckless mission! Please take us with you! This is what ANBU is trained for—we're the ones most suited for this kind of task!"
"No need. I've already decided. I alone will be enough."
Uchiha Sogetsu firmly pressed the division commander back into his seat and looked at the gathered crowd whose faces showed mixed emotions.
He spoke slowly, "Since I am Konoha's Fourth Hokage, then I must shoulder this responsibility. Besides, this mission is almost certain death, so I cannot allow you to follow me into danger."
In the heavy atmosphere, he forced a grin, pretending to be relaxed.
"And don't forget, I'm already dead, revived through Edo Tensei. I can't truly die—at most I'll be sealed. If using just me can make the Iwa-nin army retreat and help Konoha break through the blockade, then isn't that trade more than worth it?"
"I don't agree with your plan, Lord Fourth."
The division commander firmly rejected him, speaking in a deep voice. "The duty of the Anbu is to protect the Hokage. I absolutely will not allow you to carry out such a dangerous plan alone."
"Elephant, I know you…"
Sogetsu sighed, looking at the masked commander. "I never expected that after all these years, you've actually risen to division commander."
The masked man trembled, slowly taking off his mask to reveal a weathered, scarred face.
His eyes seemed to glisten faintly with moisture as his voice shook. "Lord Fourth… do you know? Back then, not being able to protect you was my life's greatest regret. I cannot just stand by and watch you go on a mission certain to end in death. Even if you are Edo Tensei, it's the same!"
At that moment, Kakashi and the other veterans who had lived through the Fourth Hokage's era seemed to remember the past.
That same bright and fearless Fourth Hokage, who once entered another hidden village alone just to save Konoha.
"That is exactly why you cannot forget your true mission, Elephant."
Sogetsu raised his hand and placed it on Elephant's shoulder. His gaze swept over Kakashi, Might Guy, Yamanaka Inoichi, and the other Anbu, as he spoke calmly, "What you must protect is not the Hokage. Especially a Hokage who has long since died. What you must protect is Konoha. The people of Konoha."
Elephant tried to argue again, but Sogetsu cut him off. "You know my temper, Elephant. Don't disappoint me. Understand?"
Finally, Elephant lowered his head in silence. He put the mask back on and gritted his teeth. "Yes, Lord Fourth!"
"Good."
Sogetsu nodded slightly, a satisfied smile on his face. "Before I leave, there's one last thing I need to tell you all."
"Please, Lord Fourth."
Elephant straightened his back, ready to receive his final order.
"No matter if the plan succeeds or fails, the maximum time you can remain here… is ten days."
Uchiha Sogetsu spoke in a harsh tone. "Ten days from now, no matter what happens, you must retreat from the Land of Earth immediately. Konoha still needs you."
"Lord Fourth… may I ask why?" Kakashi couldn't understand this order.
Since they had joined the infiltration squad, everyone came with the resolve to die.
If they could destroy more supply lines, they might cause the Iwagakure army to collapse without even fighting. None of them planned on making it back alive after this mission.
And yet, the Fourth Hokage was saying they could only stay for ten days?
Ten days—in such a vast country—even if they didn't sleep, how many supply routes could they actually destroy?
Once they started attacking, the enemy would surely notice, making the routes even more hidden, the guards stronger, and each attempt harder than the last.
By Kakashi's conservative estimate, in ten days they could at most sabotage three to four supply lines.
"Because after ten days, there will be no need."
Uchiha Sogetsu looked toward Iwagakure, his expression calm. "By then, whether or not you destroy the supplies, the outcome of this war will not change."
Everyone froze, confused.
What did he mean… it wouldn't matter?
It was as if the Fourth could already see ten days into the future.
That same uneasy feeling surged up in Kakashi again—like an invisible unknown was dragging him down into a pitch-black abyss.
Then, a hand suddenly pulled him back.
Kakashi escaped that eternal darkness and met Sogetsu's gaze. His eyes shimmered faintly with gold.
"Kakashi," Sogetsu said softly, "tell Sasuke this—she must have the courage to challenge the gods, and the resolve to take that step forward, even in an atmosphere of fear and obedience."
The courage to challenge gods?
An atmosphere of fear and obedience?
What step was he talking about?
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