The fading glow of sunset bathed the Red Armor Army's camp in warm orange light.
As Ren and Shisui approached the perimeter—having already passed Uchiha Yashiro—a figure stepped forward from within the camp.
Uchiha Fugaku.
His crimson Sharingan glimmered faintly in the dusk, his gaze sharp as a blade as it swept over the two.
"General."
For a brief moment, two pairs of Sharingan met in the air—identity confirmed instantly.
Only the Uchiha could freely activate and deactivate their eyes. Impersonation was impossible.
"Fugaku, are night patrols arranged?"
"Fully deployed."
Seeing that neither of them was injured, Fugaku's lingering concern eased.
"Yashiro and Yakumi are covering the daytime rotation. After midnight, Shisui and Tekka will take over."
Ren nodded, then turned slightly toward Shisui.
"Eat something, then rest. Stay sharp tonight."
Kirigakure was still one of the Five Great Villages—masters of assassination.
He might look down on them strategically—
But tactically, they demanded respect.
"Yes, General."
Shisui bowed, nodded to Fugaku, and headed into the camp.
—
Ren's gaze swept across the camp.
Fortifications were laid out with precision. Barrier seals shimmered faintly. Tents stood in orderly rows. Smoke rose steadily from designated cooking areas.
After a few brief exchanges with Fugaku, Ren headed straight for the central command tent.
As he lifted the flap—
A familiar figure greeted him.
A-Yan crouched atop the table, one fluffy paw pressing down on a stack of scrolls.
Its emerald eyes glowed softly under candlelight, tail flicking lazily.
Mikoto sat before the table, several scrolls already opened.
"You're just in time," she said, looking up with a gentle smile. "A-Yan just brought the latest intelligence."
"Inabi and Hizashi… have earned first merit."
The scrolls still carried the faint scent of fresh ink.
A-Yan flicked its tail, nudging a red-tied scroll toward Ren.
"First merit? Let me guess… they ran into a Mist vanguard and killed one of their commanders?"
"Are they alright?"
Mikoto smiled.
"As expected of you. Almost exactly right."
"They encountered one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen en route to the eastern force."
"And… wiped them out completely."
Ren skimmed the report.
The name meant nothing.
He closed the scroll.
"Send the head to Konoha."
"Let the Hokage see that the Red Armor Army is bleeding for them."
"Exaggerate our losses a bit. It was one of the Seven Swordsmen, after all."
"Then we rest here—and watch the eastern army clash with the Mist."
Mikoto's eyes curved slightly.
"And when the eastern army suffers heavy losses… and the Hokage orders us to move?"
"Do we delay—citing insufficient supplies and manpower?"
"And perhaps… request reinforcements?"
Ren paused—then took her hand.
"Mikoto… you've learned."
"I like it."
She shot him a sideways glance.
"If I didn't learn… you'd probably say something like 'not impressive' and walk away."
Ren laughed.
A-Yan immediately leapt off the table and slipped out of the tent, wisely avoiding becoming a third wheel.
—
The mood softened briefly—
Then returned to business.
"When we formed the army, we took nothing from Konoha," Ren said.
"Not because we couldn't."
"Because what we want… they won't give."
Weak shinobi.
Limited supplies.
Strings attached.
None of it was worth it.
Two hundred elite troops—
Their equipment alone exceeded two hundred million ryo.
They didn't need scraps.
Mikoto leaned lightly against him, thinking.
"Konoha is stretched thin. Even if they wanted to help, they can't."
"And our plans… can't involve outsiders."
"No wonder you sent the Hyuga away."
Ren smirked coldly.
"And if we did ask?"
Mikoto shook her head.
"They'd send academy students," Ren said flatly.
"Children."
"As for funding… they'd squeeze it from civilians."
"Claim support. Shift blame. Build reputation."
"Three birds with one stone."
Mikoto fell silent.
Her lashes trembled slightly in the candlelight.
"So… we can't expect anything from Konoha."
"Not entirely."
She looked up, startled.
Ren's expression was calm.
"We don't need to ask."
"But the eastern army does."
"Let them beg. Let them struggle."
"We act… when it matters."
—
Elsewhere—
At the border of the Land of Fire, inside the Cloud's newly established war camp—
A report landed before the Third Raikage.
"Stone ninja?"
A hot-tempered jonin slammed the table.
"They dare stab us in the back?! We demand answers from Onoki!"
"Not necessarily," another countered.
"This could be a setup."
"Danzo is capable of it."
"Or Konoha trying to buy time."
Arguments erupted.
But the Raikage remained silent.
His massive frame sat like a mountain.
His fingers tapped slowly—
Like war drums.
Finally—
A low chuckle.
"Whether it's a fox… or a weakling…"
"They all reveal themselves."
"And the weak…"
"Always get hit."
He rose slightly.
"If someone hands us a blade… we use it."
"Test Onoki's bones."
"See if they're still strong."
To him—
It didn't matter.
Konoha.
Iwa.
All targets.
"Send out the two-tailed jinchūriki. And Killer B."
"Pressure both sides."
"If there's a chance…"
"Take the Seven-Tails."
Electric arcs crackled along his clenched fist.
"Strength is truth."
"The strong decide everything."
"Rats in the dark… don't belong on the battlefield."
—
Meanwhile—
At the Sand's frontline—
The air was heavy.
Scorched earth.
Lingering blood.
No victory.
Only strain.
Inside the command tent—
Rasa sat in silence.
"Their forces are regrouping," Pakura reported.
"They're preparing a larger offensive."
"We can't keep trading losses," a jonin growled.
"Their summons are a problem."
Silence fell.
Everyone understood.
Konoha could endure attrition.
Sunagakure could not.
Rasa exhaled slowly.
"No more hesitation."
"Send messages."
"To Iwa. To Kumo. To Mist."
Pakura's expression tightened—but she said nothing.
"Tell them—we're holding Konoha's main force."
"If they don't act…"
"We withdraw."
He glanced at the sealed One-Tail vessel beside him.
"And inform the village…"
"The One-Tail may be deployed."
Faces changed.
That was a last resort.
A dangerous one.
But there was no choice.
As dusk deepened—
Messenger hawks took flight.
Carrying desperation into the darkening sky.
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