Hiding in the sand, splitting into many places, starting with Arkham

"Captain Ishido?"

Shimizu looked at one of the newcomers with surprise.

"Teacher Kurokawa?"

Maki also looked delighted.

This Jonin Kurokawa was Maki's instructor when he was a Genin; Maki's wind release and swordsmanship were originally taught by him.

Ishido was seriously injured in the previous White Fang incident, which directly led to the temporary disbandment of the Third Squad of the Sixth Puppet Troop.

After several months of recuperation, he finally recovered.

The other Jonin, Shimizu, had also met Kurokawa before. At that time, when the Sand Village ninjas returned to the Land of Rain, they were attacked by a joint force of Rain and Leaf ninjas. Kurokawa and several elite Jonin, including Kazakami Chitose, stalled Orochimaru for a while until Rasa and Karura arrived to support them.

In that battle, Kurokawa was seriously injured. It could be said that he was severely wounded within two days of arriving in the Land of Rain and had to return to the village to recuperate for three months.

These two had not been on the front lines for a long time. In fact, to mislead others in this operation, not only did the Sand Village leave people behind using transformation techniques as decoys, but they also did not enter the camp after arriving in the Land of Rain, fearing that they would be discovered by spies from other ninja villages.

"Haha, you little brat, I heard from Elder Chiyo that you already have the strength of a near-Jonin. It seems my judgment was pretty good back then!"

Shimizu smiled at Ishido.

For Shimizu, Ishido could be considered a patron.

After all, he was the one who discovered him first, which led to him joining the Puppet Troop and later coming into contact with Sasori, Ebizo, and Chiyo.

Maki also reminisced with Kurokawa for a while before everyone got down to business.

"This time, it's a top-secret S-rank mission, aimed at doing everything possible to destroy Konoha's logistical storage base and reduce Konoha's war potential for sustained combat."

Before the official operation, Ishido reiterated.

Since Konoha wanted to transfer Orochimaru away, then with its strength weakened in the Land of Rain, if Konoha still wanted to win, there was only one way—to drag it out.

Hanzo's Rain Village had the advantage of fighting on its home turf, while Konoha had a rich foundation, abundant manpower, and ample supplies, making them unafraid of prolonged warfare.

Of course, Hanzo might not be happy because the longer the fighting lasted, the greater the damage to the Land of Rain.

However, the strength of small countries was inherently inferior to that of large countries. If they could not win head-on, the most likely way to win was to rely on their home-field advantage and strategic depth to fight a war of attrition.

The Land of Rain was not large, and it lacked strategic depth, but fortunately, it had Hanzo, whose strength could hold off Konoha for a long time.

If they could destroy a large amount of Konoha's logistical supplies this time, it would have a significant impact.

Even if it was not enough to make Konoha give up the idea of fighting a war of attrition, it would still force Konoha ninjas to shorten their battle lines due to the shortage of supplies.

Not to mention that once Konoha ninjas learned that their logistics were under attack, their morale would also be affected.

"This is our route for this operation. More than speed, we need secrecy. Therefore, when rushing in the early stages, do not use transformation techniques throughout the entire process to avoid Konoha people sensing the fluctuations in chakra. Just use conventional disguise methods."

Kurokawa then took out several photos.

"These are the targets we will disguise ourselves as this time. They are members of a small noble family in the Land of Rain. Everyone's face shape is very similar to our own, which is convenient for disguise."

Shimizu picked up the photos and found that they did indeed resemble them somewhat.

Kurokawa had even created a copy of the specific identity information and related documents.

"In this great war, both sides will need at least a day to prepare, from probing to formal engagement and then to the end, it will take at least three days. Our mission is to reach the border of the Land of Fire within three days and destroy Konoha's storage base.

With the mission briefing complete, start disguising immediately and prepare to depart!"

Kurokawa issued the order to the group.

Kurokawa issued most of the orders, and Ishido only supplemented them when necessary. It seemed that the two had discussed who would be in command on the road.

… …

… …

One day later.

Dressed in luxurious and flamboyant clothes, Shimizu, disguised as a young master, waved a fan and walked into a casino in Kora City, a border town of Konoha.

This was the largest city on the border of the Land of Fire. Even though the war had diminished its past prosperity, it was only in comparison to the past.

The casino was still overcrowded.

Here, it was normal to be bumped into accidentally.

Shimizu's shoulder was bumped by a staggering drunk.

"Hey! Brat, don't block my way next time!"

One mistake, one hand, one inner, one appearance, all in one look!

The drunk hiccuped and staggered away.

Feeling the slip of paper that had suddenly appeared in his palm, Shimizu looked at the drunk with a look of disgust, then went inside, played a couple of rounds at the gambling table, and then went to the toilet and opened the slip of paper.

The person was a hidden agent of the Sand Village stationed in Kora City.

"As expected, the fighting has already begun. Orochimaru, Shimura Danzo, and Jiraiya have joined forces with Hanzo, and Tsunade Hime's whereabouts are unknown… I see, so the Kora City logistics warehouse is located behind the restaurant in the west of the city. People often go out to buy ingredients there, so even frequent movements of large quantities of supplies will not arouse too much suspicion."

After reading the information, Shimizu tore the slip of paper into pieces and swallowed it.

Burning it would produce smoke, and flushing it down the drain could be discovered—even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance, he couldn't gamble.

Tearing it up and eating it was the safest option.

"Tsunade Hime's whereabouts, perhaps she is here."

Shimizu came out of the toilet and immediately saw a blonde girl sitting at a gambling table.

Although blonde girls gambling in casinos were rare, it wasn't certain that she was Tsunade.

But someone who had lost over a million Ryo after gambling sixty-four times without winning once must be Tsunade.

Tsunade had obviously undergone some disguise. Her appearance was different from the information he had on her.

More importantly, Tsunade wasn't as large at this time, but the Tsunade here had at least a D-cup bust.

Having obtained the information from the contact, Shimizu had no intention of staying here any longer.

Nor did he intend to contact Tsunade Hime.

Although she was quite beautiful and would be very big in the future, they were enemies.

Tsunade was one of the Sannin after all, and a person of great experience. Staying here any longer, it was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't be discovered. He should leave immediately while she was gambling… losing money and having a good time.

Leaving the casino, Shimizu walked along the road, turned a few corners, and after making sure that no one was following him, he walked into an inn.

This was their meeting point.

Thank you Heizi Wu Xiang and Book Juj for rewarding 100 starting coins!

I will try my best to write the next chapter before twelve o'clock.