Then, whether it was because they couldn’t eat, or the food was too awful, quite a few ninjas started to vomit, pounding their chests and gulping down water.
Passing by the medical area, one could still hear the cries of agony like evil demons continuously coming from the tents.
Everyone’s nerves were stretched to the limit, just one trigger away from detonating the long-suppressed negative emotions inside, collapsing on the spot.
This is war.
Sakumo and Jiraiya needed to meet with Commander Orochimaru, leaving Hakushi and his team, along with Minato, waiting outside the camp.
The wait wasn’t long, about a few minutes later, Sakumo came out of the tent, holding a scroll in his hand that detailed the mission for Sakumo’s squad.
"Let’s go."
"Yes."
Time was of the essence, and Sakumo was prepared to explain the mission details to Hakushi and his team while on the way.
"So, until next time, Minato."
"Alright, goodbye. Please be careful."
In the face of Hakushi’s kind farewell, Minato also smiled slightly, watching as Sakumo’s squad of four left the camp.
◎
"Next, we will split into two groups, the mission is to cut off the Hidden Sand’s supply line."
Wasting no time, about a few kilometers outside the Konoha Camp, Sakumo stopped in a valley area and concisely explained the mission details.
"Just our squad?"
Hakushi and his team were slightly taken aback.
"Anbu will assist us along the way. Additionally, this mission is of great importance, and no trace of us can be revealed. Therefore, if you encounter anyone who isn’t on our side... eliminate them all!"
Sakumo’s expression was cold, and Hakushi and his team were mentally shaken.
The Hidden Sand Village’s supply line couldn’t possibly be within the Land of Fire; they had to enter the Land of Rivers to cut off the Hidden Sand’s supply line.
Which means... even if they encountered ordinary civilians from the Land of Rivers, they had to be eliminated without leaving a trace to prevent their whereabouts from being exposed.
"From this direction, about fifteen kilometers away, there’s an Anbu team to meet us."
Sakumo pointed towards the southwest direction.
Hakushi’s team looked in the direction Sakumo pointed, beyond that was the territory of the Land of Rivers, not under the jurisdiction of the Land of Fire.
"If you understand, let’s start the action."
After Sakumo finished speaking, he disappeared in another direction.
Hakushi’s team exchanged glances and could see the seriousness in each other’s eyes.
Not only had they been given a ruthless order to eliminate all witnesses, but the mission objective was also to cut off the Hidden Sand’s supply, which was undoubtedly an incredibly difficult S-Class Mission.
Even with the Anbu’s assistance, this mission was filled with danger.
Hakushi exhaled and said, "No need to worry too much, since we’ve been assigned this mission, it means there is a possibility of completing it. The most important thing now is to rendezvous with the Anbu members."
Indeed, although Sakumo had given them the mission, the specific steps were not provided.
It was understood that Sakumo had his task, and he knew only this much.
Hakushi’s team needed to rendezvous with the Anbu members to know how to proceed with the mission and collaborate with the Anbu.
Ruri and Ayane had no objections, so they immediately took action.
A distance of fifteen kilometers southwest was covered in just over ten minutes.
As Sakumo said, there was indeed an Anbu team from Konoha lying in wait, totaling four members.
However, there was something unusual—the masks worn by these Anbu were slightly different from the Anbu masks Hakushi had seen before.
The patterns on these Anbu ninja masks gave off an oppressive and chilling feeling.
Especially their eyes behind the masks, cold and unfeeling, devoid of emotional fluctuation, like a group of machines.
"You are..."
"We are Anbu ’Root’ ninjas, here to collaborate on cutting the Hidden Sand’s supply line."
The leading figure stepped forward, speaking indifferently to Hakushi’s team.
"Root?"
The lead ninja did not explain Hakushi’s team’s confusion, continuing in a detached tone, "You three will be responsible for the feint, drawing the enemy’s attention. We will handle the sabotage."
Saying this, the lead ninja lifted his shirt, revealing a body covered in paper tags inscribed with ’Explode.’"
The three ninjas behind him did the same, lifting their shirts to reveal skins densely covered with explosive tags.
"..."
"So, once the feint plan succeeds, you must find a way to quickly exit the battlefield and escape. Because the explosive tags on us are specially made and extremely powerful. If you accidentally die, don’t say we didn’t warn you."
"..."
It seems that for this mission, the real threat is not the Hidden Sand Ninjas, but our own people.
Who in their right mind would strap themselves with explosive tags that could detonate at any moment.
A bunch of lunatics! Hakushi’s team felt a headache coming on.
They had a sudden impulse to immediately distance themselves from these madmen, fearing a careless move would lead to an impromptu display of explosive art, sending everyone sky high.