Before nightfall, the four of them finally made it out of Red Rock Gorge.
Ahead lay a relatively open stretch of rolling hills. The border outpost for the Land of Grass had been established on the nearest high ground.
"We'll rest at the outpost tonight and continue toward the Land of Grass front first thing tomorrow morning," Kakashi said from atop a slope.
"Finally, we can rest." Obito adjusted his backpack. "My legs don't even feel like mine anymore."
"You're already complaining after only half a day of walking?" Guy strode up beside him. "That's proof your youthful training is insufficient. Once this mission is over and we return to the village, you're joining me for morning training. Five hundred squats a day to start."
"No."
"Then six hundred."
"I'm not bargaining with you."
Rin walked behind the two of them, listening to their bickering with a faint smile on her lips.
Half an hour later, the border outpost of the Land of Fire came into view.
The ninja guarding the post recognized Kakashi from a distance and waved them through.
The person in charge was a heavily bearded chūnin.
"Good work. Leave the supplies with us. You can rest here tonight and set out again tomorrow morning."
"Finally."
Obito dropped his backpack onto the ground and sprawled across a bench beside the training yard.
Kakashi quietly spoke with the outpost commander.
Obito's ears unconsciously perked up.
"Two more reconnaissance squads encountered Iwagakure ninja yesterday. Both sides took casualties in the fighting. You were lucky—the group you ran into wasn't one of their surprise-attack units," the commander said in a low voice.
"Have you confirmed the movements of the surprise-attack unit?"
"Yes. The Iwagakure unit that moved north along the Kusa River three days ago has already bypassed Konoha's main defensive line. Their target may be the supply routes in the rear."
Kakashi was silent for a moment before nodding.
The next morning, Kakashi's team continued toward the front lines in the Land of Grass.
The deeper they traveled into the country, the more obvious the traces of war became.
Rin unconsciously tightened her grip on the shoulder strap of her medical bag.
"Keep moving. We have to reach Outpost Three before nightfall."
Outpost Three was located in the central hills of the Land of Grass and was one of Konoha's most important supply transfer points on the battlefield.
When they arrived, the officer in charge was counting newly delivered supplies.
"Chakra armor."
Relief appeared on the man's face.
"This batch came at exactly the right time. Quite a few from the previous shipment were destroyed in an encounter three days ago. Several frontline squads have been waiting for replacements."
"How effective is it?" Kakashi asked, unusually taking the initiative.
"You mean the chakra armor?"
"Mm."
"It's good equipment," the officer said without hesitation. "Once equipped, ninjutsu of the same level becomes at least thirty percent more powerful."
He spread a map of the front lines across the table and pointed at several areas marked with red arrows.
"Konoha has clearly gained the upper hand lately. Iwagakure has already started pulling back its defensive lines."
Obito leaned over to look at the map.
He could barely understand the dense markings, but he clearly understood the words gained the upper hand.
"Doesn't that mean chakra armor is basically unbeatable?"
"No." Kakashi shook his head. "The armor only amplifies chakra. It doesn't improve the wearer's skill. Someone who can't throw a shuriken accurately still won't be able to throw one accurately just because they're wearing armor."
Obito had the distinct feeling that remark was aimed at him.
"He's right," the officer added. "Chakra armor is only a tool. But in this war, it can help keep a lot of us alive."
Meanwhile, at the very front of the Land of Grass battlefield...
Hatake Sakumo stood atop a temporary observation platform, with several squad leaders waiting behind him for orders.
"Lord Sakumo, the reconnaissance unit has returned."
Sakumo turned and saw a mud-covered chūnin kneeling on one knee below the platform.
"Report."
"Iwagakure's main defensive line has completely withdrawn. They are currently rebuilding fortifications on the northern bank of the Kusa River, but their rear guard planted large numbers of traps and explosive tags during the retreat."
"Understood." Sakumo stepped down from the observation platform. "Suspend pursuit for now. Clear the traps first and stabilize our current positions."
"Yes, sir."
After the chūnin withdrew, Sakumo returned to the command tent and wrote several lines on the battle report.
The chakra armor had indeed given Konoha the advantage in direct combat.
Iwagakure's Earth Style defensive formations had originally been the toughest obstacle on the Land of Grass battlefield, but in recent engagements, Konoha squads had been able to break through them with increasing consistency.
However, no war was ever decided by a single weapon.
"Lord Sakumo." His aide appeared at the entrance to the tent. "The third batch of chakra armor has been completely distributed. The squad leaders who received armor would like to report to you personally."
"Send them in."
The war was still going on.
But at least today, a few fewer Konoha ninja might die.
That was probably the greatest value of the chakra armor.
After leaving Outpost Three, Kakashi's team continued along their original route.
Obito walked in the middle of the formation, in a somewhat better mood than when they had first set out.
"Kakashi, what's our next mission?"
"The escort mission is complete," Kakashi said from the front. "Next, we return to Konoha and await further orders."
"Await orders?" Obito's voice rose. "That's it? We drove back an Iwagakure reconnaissance squad, delivered the newest chakra armor, and now we just wait?"
"You think that isn't enough?"
"Of course it isn't! We should stay at the front and fight Iwagakure head-on so they know how strong Konoha is."
"Obito, are you sure you could even hold your ground against Iwagakure?"
"Of course I could. I already tested my Great Fireball on that reconnaissance squad. The power is definitely enough."
Guy could no longer contain himself and accelerated from the rear of the formation, throwing an arm around Obito's shoulders.
"Well said, Obito! Once we return to the village, I'll help you train. We'll add one hundred push-ups every day!"
"I already told you I don't want to."
"Then two hundred."
"..."
"You two."
Kakashi stopped and turned to look at them.
"The return journey is just as important as the trip here. If we're ambushed on the way back, can you still fight properly in your current condition?"
Obito opened his mouth but said nothing.
"Awaiting orders doesn't mean doing nothing." Kakashi resumed walking. "Once we return to the village, I'll report the mission results to the Hokage and arrange our next training plan."
"What training plan?"
"Just basic training."
The four continued through the hills of the Land of Grass.
"It probably happened this morning. Most likely a clash between squads from both sides."
Rin crouched beside the edge of a crater and examined the marks before standing and scanning the surrounding vegetation.
"There's blood here."
The others looked in the direction she indicated.
"Fresh blood. Less than half a day old." Kakashi glanced over the pattern and direction of the stains. "One wounded person. Probably retreating that way with help from a teammate."
"Should we follow them?"
"No." Kakashi immediately rejected the suggestion. "We don't know their identity or numbers. Pursuing recklessly could easily lead us into an ambush. Our current priority is returning to Konoha."