"The next mission for your squads is to search for people and property. You must bring both back. Property will be handed over uniformly—do not keep any for yourselves. Once the war is over and we return to the Village, you will be rewarded accordingly."
A Jonin stood before a group of squad leaders, repeating Uchiha Su's orders. His voice was firm, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
The Jonin understood the practicality of seizing property—taking supplies, tools, and valuables to strengthen their own forces—but he struggled to grasp the point of forcibly relocating civilians. Yet, as a Ninja, questioning orders was unnecessary. His role was to follow commands, not to question the reasoning behind them. The mission came first, the reasoning second.
Sakanaka Ryosuke, newly promoted from Genin to Chunin, nodded firmly and prepared to depart immediately. This was his first real leadership opportunity, and he knew that hesitation could be dangerous—not just for him, but for his squad.
He glanced at his three squad members, all young recruits inexperienced in real combat, their eyes wide with a mixture of fear and excitement. None had seen a battlefield before, and the weight of the mission would rest heavily on Sakanaka Ryosuke's shoulders. Yet, he was determined to guide them effectively.
"Listen carefully," he said in a stern tone, echoing the style of his previous captain. "If you have questions, ask them now. Once we move out, hesitation could cost lives."
The recruits remained silent, perhaps intimidated by his authoritative voice, perhaps sensing the gravity of the mission. Sakanaka Ryosuke allowed himself a brief moment of relief before leading them out of the tent.
The squad moved swiftly, taking the most direct route toward the nearest Village to the Hidden Mist's main camp. From the moment they received their orders to the moment they departed, less than ten minutes had passed. Speed, precision, and decisiveness were critical, and Sakanaka Ryosuke understood this implicitly.
The reason for his efficiency lay in his personal history. Unlike many Ninjas from prominent clans, he was ordinary, with no influential background. His father had been a Genin, living a modest life and earning just enough to scrape by. Before Uchiha Su's reforms, their family's situation had been difficult; mission rewards were low, and the meager income had to be divided among squad members.
But the Hidden Mist had changed under Uchiha Su's leadership. The Engineering Department had recruited Sakanaka Ryosuke's father, providing him with a steady monthly salary and occasional private contracts—helping neighbors with construction, repairs, or engineering work. Such opportunities were unheard of before Su's reforms. The Sakanaka family's living conditions gradually improved, instilling in Ryosuke a sense of gratitude and a desire to repay the Hidden Mist leadership's trust.
This personal motivation fueled his determination. He was not merely obeying orders; he was proving himself capable, earning honor for his family, and embracing the responsibility of leadership.
Upon arriving at the Village, Sakanaka Ryosuke positioned himself at the entrance, alert and vigilant. The other three squad members moved inside to gather property and herd villagers toward the main gate. Their approach was methodical, minimizing resistance while asserting authority.
Within minutes, the villagers—men, women, and children—were gathered at the Village gate. Fear etched every face. To these civilians, the presence of armed Ninjas represented an overwhelming and inescapable force. They had no choice but to comply.
"Follow me and leave this place immediately," Sakanaka Ryosuke instructed coldly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Attempt any tricks, and my blade will show no mercy."
Despite his commanding demeanor, a small knot of anxiety tightened in his chest. This was his first mission leading a squad, and the weight of responsibility pressed heavily upon him. The safety of his team and the successful completion of the mission depended on his decisions.
An elderly villager stepped forward, voice trembling. "Lord Ninja… must we really leave our homes?"
"No," Ryosuke replied firmly, showing no hesitation. He had already counted the villagers—about thirty souls—and now he led them onward, toward the main camp where they would be processed and sent to the Hidden Mist for resettlement.
The Hidden Mist's control of the eastern Land of Fire had turned the region into their domain. With the Eastern Army of the Land of Fire effectively neutralized, resistance was fragmented and ineffective. The Hidden Mist Ninjas could operate freely, enforcing their orders with impunity.
Back in Konoha, the situation was far from secure. Letters of inquiry, complaints, and frantic requests had begun piling up on Senju Tobirama's desk, delivered by messengers from the eastern provinces. The sheer volume was overwhelming, and each letter carried urgency and tension.
Tobirama rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of leadership pressing down on him. The letters were full of inquiries, protests, and pleas from officials. Among them was one especially serious letter, sent directly by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. Though phrased politely, the tone was unmistakably accusatory.
"Big Brother… perhaps you made a grave error," Tobirama read aloud in frustration. "You should have dealt decisively with the Uchiha traitors. Eliminating them entirely might have prevented this disaster…"
He set the letter down with a sigh. His older brother was gone, and there was no one to undo the past. Decisions now rested with him, and the immediate crisis demanded action.
Konoha could mobilize a maximum force of twelve thousand Ninjas—a formidable army—but spreading them across multiple fronts was a complex logistical challenge. The Western Army had been deployed against Sunagakure, numbering eight thousand Ninjas, exceeding the total of the Sand Village's forces. The Eastern Army, initially a thousand-strong contingent, had been tasked with monitoring and defending against Hidden Mist maneuvers, a relatively light deployment by comparison.
Reports from the Western Army commander indicated that, within three days, Konoha could potentially push back the Sand forces and even extend the conflict into neighboring lands—the Land of Rain, the Land of Rivers, or possibly the Land of Wind. After accounting for the Western forces, Konoha still had over three thousand Ninjas in reserve, primarily to maintain Village operations and defend against opportunistic attacks.
Tobirama weighed his options carefully. He could have delayed reinforcements, letting the Eastern Army regroup slowly, but time was a luxury he did not have. The Hidden Mist's sudden incursion demanded an immediate response. Delaying even a single day could allow Su to consolidate his control, making recovery far more difficult.
He glanced at Sarutobi Sasuke, who stood before him with a serious, disciplined expression, awaiting orders. The young commander had fought bravely and skillfully, yet the overwhelming power of Uchiha Setsuna and the Hidden Mist forces had led to disaster. Tobirama did not fault him; even the most experienced Ninja would struggle against a Susanoo in full form.
"Sasuke," Tobirama began, forcing a small, reassuring smile, "Hiruzen has performed admirably in the west. His actions have stabilized that front and will be invaluable in the days ahead. Your defeat in the east… it is not a failure of skill, only circumstance."
Sasuke nodded solemnly, accepting the weight of command without complaint. Tobirama continued, carefully choosing his next words.
"I am giving you three thousand men to reorganize the Eastern Army. Additionally, members of the Uzumaki Clan, masters of Sealing Techniques, will be assigned to your command. With their skills, we may be able to neutralize the threat of that Uchiha capable of manifesting Susanoo. Timing and surprise will be essential."
Sasuke's jaw tightened as he absorbed the magnitude of the responsibility. These forces were all that remained to him, and the success of the Eastern front now rested entirely on his leadership and strategy.
Tobirama's gaze hardened. He knew the young Sasuke had the talent and courage to succeed, but he also knew that even the most talented Ninja could falter under pressure. Lives, resources, and the future stability of Konoha were all at stake.
Steeling himself, Tobirama gestured toward the war map. "Sasuke, plan carefully. Every decision, every deployment… it must be precise. The Hidden Mist has proven they will strike ruthlessly. We cannot afford hesitation."
Sasuke straightened, determination burning in his eyes. "Understood, Hokage-sama. I will not fail."
Tobirama nodded, allowing himself a brief moment of hope. Despite the devastation in the east, the resolve of Konoha's Ninjas remained unbroken. With leadership, strategy, and unwavering courage, perhaps the tide could still be turned.
But even as he watched Sasuke leave to marshal his new forces, Tobirama could not deny the truth gnawing at the back of his mind: the Hidden Mist's strength under Uchiha Su was unlike anything Konoha had faced before. The coming battles would be ruthless, and the Eastern Land of Fire was already slipping further from their grasp.
The question remained—could Konoha recover in time, or would the Hidden Mist establish a permanent foothold, rewriting the balance of power in the Ninja World?
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)