- I thought Shenesu-ji-san was going to appoint Nanase-san to this position, not you," the kunoichi hummed and sat down next to her, leaning tiredly on her shoulder.
Not possessing Yamanaka's technique of filtering memories, the younger Uzumaki felt all the negative qualities of the technique, even though the biju's chakra leveled out the serious effects, but the fatigue of using hundreds of clones did not go anywhere.
- I think my uncle decided to give me a chance to gain experience in a leadership position while there is a temporary lull after the failed offensive," he shrugged, hugging the girl around the waist, "I may teach the theory to all Nara, but I didn't manage to hone my skills in the last war.
I was more likely to hone my iryonin skills by interspersing infirmary work with battle than by learning to command subordinates, and training to be a clan leader is a different matter, though so is managing an army.
After all, the Nara are the best strategists on the Leaf and work hard to stay on top, passing on experience to the next generations.
- And that's why you appointed Nanase-san as your deputy right away, dumping all the workload on the poor jonin while you're stuck here," the red-haired beauty rolled her eyes.
- If my uncle entrusted her to lead the reinforcements, she'll be able to handle the camp while I'm busy here.
***
Somewhere in the Water Country.
A team of three men in closed cloaks with hoods that protected them from the moisture and concealed most of their appearance, moved cautiously through the liquid forest, carefully covering their tracks.
The reason for such caution from apparent ninja who did not belong to Kirigakure or the local clans, to an outside observer, if there was one nearby, could be determined at a glance - the motionless bodies of women in bloodstained ninja clothing with the insignia of the Yuki clan slung over the shoulders of two strangers.
Following a route known only to them and clearly avoiding traps for uninvited guests, the team reached a small hill and the shinobi without burden whistled quietly.
An equally quiet whistle sounded in response, and then the trio stepped straight through the dense thickets and rising ground without hesitation, disappearing from sight inside a well executed genjutsu on the terrain.
On the other side of the illusion was not wilderness, but a rather large clearing in the middle of the forest, on which sat a real fortified camp with thick stone walls and boxes of buildings that could easily hold half a hundred people.
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