On the battlefield, no one is truly safe; only by embracing a willingness to die can one survive.
This was what Nawaki told Uchiha Tatsumi.
Of course, with Nawaki's intelligence, he couldn't have come up with such a philosophical insight on his own. So, obviously, he shamelessly plagiarized his sister's words.
However, Tatsumi found this statement completely unreasonable. He would never agree with it.
Because he wasn't prepared to die. And clearly, this was just Tsunade trying to scare them. After all, they were all talented at courting danger—what if they caused some big news again?
Tatsumi also believed that Orochimaru and Hatake Sakumo shared the same mindset.
That much was evident from how cautious they had been since entering the Land of Rain.
The slow pace of the entire team had a reason—partly due to transporting supplies and partly for safety considerations.
At this moment, the sky was dim, and a steady drizzle of rain continued to fall, showing no signs of stopping.
The Land of Rain, situated between the three major ninja nations—Fire, Wind, and Earth—seemed as if it were perpetually mourning.
Tatsumi, Mikoto, and Nawaki moved within the crowd.
"The rain is so heavy it's ridiculous," Tatsumi muttered. He had never been fond of rainy days.
In his previous life, he had seen the rainy season, but never a country like the Land of Rain, where it rained nearly all year round.
If this country had a weather forecast, it would probably go something like this:
"Good evening, ninjas! We have some exciting news! The Land of Rain Meteorological Observatory has just issued an orange rain warning. Under the leadership of our great Lord Hanzo, this heavy rain will only last for one year."
But this rain was absurdly heavy. How heavy?
For example: If you were sleeping soundly in bed, everything outside of it would be a lake, and everything out of reach, an ocean. Getting out of bed to go to the toilet would require showing off your dog paddle.
That was the Land of Rain for you.
Suddenly, Tatsumi looked up. Mikoto and Nawaki, familiar with his habits, instantly became alert.
"Dabai just said that chakra is approaching," Tatsumi murmured.
In truth, the team had plenty of sensory ninjas, so even without his warning, they would have noticed.
Sure enough, Hatake Sakumo raised his hand, signaling for the entire team to halt.
"Be alert!" Orochimaru's hoarse voice came from beside Sakumo.
"In the sky!"
The ninjas immediately looked up and spotted a large bird flying high overhead.
At that altitude, ordinary ninjutsu wouldn't be able to reach it. The enemy was clearly relying on this advantage for reconnaissance.
"Swish, swish!"
Kunai rained down from the sky, each one attached to explosive tags.
"Wind Release!"
Hatake Sakumo commanded.
Their team included several Jonin and Chunin, assigned to escort the supplies and Genin. They quickly coordinated.
The kunai, along with the explosive tags, were swept away by a gust of Wind Release.
At the same time, Earth Release was deployed, shielding the team from the explosion's aftermath.
The enemy likely didn't have many people—just reconnaissance ninjas from the Land of Earth. Having stumbled upon Konoha's team, they lacked the numbers for a large-scale attack.
High in the sky, the few enemy ninjas scowled as their explosives failed to hit.
A Chunin named Iwao spoke up. "Captain, this is Konoha's supply unit. If we destroy their provisions, it will cause them huge losses. We'll be making a great contribution!"
The captain shook his head. "We don't have enough people! And at this altitude, they have plenty of time to react."
Iwao insisted, "What if we fly lower, drop the explosive tags at close range, then immediately ascend? They can't hit us from the ground."
The captain hesitated. "Our mission was only to scout."
"Captain, this is an opportunity for a great achievement! If we succeed, we might get promoted to Jonin!"
The captain deliberated for a moment, then nodded.
The order was given, and the large bird began a rapid descent.
As they got closer, Iwao caught sight of several young Genin among the Konoha forces.
"Has Konoha fallen this far?" He sneered.
They remained at what they believed to be a safe height—until the next moment, when a figure suddenly leaped into the air.
A flash of cold light streaked across the sky.
A blade crackling with lightning chakra shot upwards, and for an instant, the relentless rain seemed to halt midair.
A wave of fear surged through the enemy ninjas.
"Zzt—!"
In an instant, the lightning-infused blade slashed through the massive bird.
The paralyzing effect of the lightning chakra robbed the ninjas of all motor function, sending them plummeting from the sky.
Hatake Sakumo landed gracefully, sheathing his White Fang short sword. His expression remained impassive as his white ponytail swayed in the wind.
Tatsumi clicked his tongue in admiration. Damn, that was cool.
The fallen enemy ninjas twitched slightly, terror flickering in their eyes—only to fade as their last breaths left them.
As soon as the battle ended, a few Konoha ninjas moved in to recover the bodies. Even in death, an enemy ninja could provide valuable intelligence.
Sakumo signaled to a Hyuga clan ninja. After a few seconds of scanning the surroundings, the Hyuga confirmed, "No additional enemies detected."
Sakumo nodded. With their supplies and Genin in tow, it was best to remain cautious.
"How far are we from Konoha's camp?" he asked.
A Konoha ninja retrieved a small map from a handbook. After examining it, he pointed northwest and said, "Once we pass through the forest ahead, we should be there."
"Understood," Sakumo replied.
The rain, which had briefly lessened, intensified once more.
Standing in the downpour, Sakumo surveyed the landscape, rain dripping from his forehead protector, sliding down his Jonin vest, and falling to the muddy ground.
"Let's move."
With that, he leaped toward the northwest.
Hundreds of Konoha ninjas followed his lead.
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