Chapter 55
The extensive search conducted by Iwa shinobi was difficult to conceal. It was unclear if aerial reconnaissance was possible amidst the multitude of shinobi summoned by Sumo. Fugaku had already suffered a setback when the enemy's summoned beast discovered him from the air, allowing them to set up an ambush.
Birds and insects were viable methods for enemy detection, not only for the summoned beasts but also for sensor-type shinobi. There was a risk of the team being discovered.
Fugaku took out a map and examined it while hurrying along.
"Fugaku, is something wrong?" Hyūga Tazumo asked.
Fugaku nodded and pondered for a moment. "We need to pick up the pace. If Iwagakure wants to search the entire Land of Stone, they can only deploy troops from their own village. Although we have the upper hand in terms of distance between us and Iwagakure, the enemy is formidable."
"If we don't speed up and escape the Land of Stone quickly, they might trap us at the border, like a turtle in a jar. After all, the major nations and hidden villages possess formidable detection capabilities. You're well aware of that," Fugaku explained.
Both Iwagakure and Konoha were among the top five hidden villages. While they may not be as skilled at investigations as Konoha, they had their own unique methods that differed from those used in the Land of Rain conflict.
The Land of Rain's four-country melee had no allies. Anyone who wasn't their own shinobi was considered an enemy. The Land of Stone, on the other hand, required finding only one of their teams.
The four individuals nodded in agreement. Without Uchiha Fugaku's steadfast resolve, they would have likely perished yesterday. Naturally, there were no objections to Fugaku's plan.
On the first day, the team maintained a calm and composed demeanor, but Fugaku knew it was just the calm before the storm. In the morning, as they hid inside a cave, Fugaku stood at the entrance, surveying his surroundings.
His attention was drawn to a hovering swallow in the sky. The swallows continued to chirp, leaving Fugaku uncertain whether they were being used by Iwagakure for surveillance.
It was only when the swallows flew away that Fugaku realized he needed to disrupt the enemy's investigative plans and train of thought.
"What's on your mind?" Hayate Shūichi approached and asked.
"We've been retreating quite easily to attract their attention, but now we need to confuse their investigative efforts," Fugaku pondered and replied. "I'll use Shadow Clones to form a five-person squad heading in the direction of the Land of Rain. We'll divert their attention. I'll create two Shadow Clones that resemble Yamaki Aoga."
"Yamaki Aoga will head to the Land of Grass with the Shadow Clones. Your crow summoning has been exposed to Iwa shinobi, so you can use their familiarity against them," Fugaku explained.
Three teams, consisting of men and women, exited the cave one after another, heading in different directions. Numerous crows took flight and dispersed towards the Land of Stone.
With their increased pace, the five of them, led by Fugaku, created two Shadow Clones, depleting their chakra reserves.
Hyūga Tazumo utilized his Byakugan to conduct surveillance while the five of them moved stealthily. Since the Shadow Clones were responsible for engaging the pursuing enemies, they had the freedom to choose their path, making it less likely for the enemy to discover their main group.
After another day of calm progress, the team received a message that the Shadow Clones had been killed. However, Fugaku had achieved his primary objective, as the exposure of the Shadow Clones had led the enemy to misdirect their investigation.
They were now very close to the Land of Birds, and it would only take half a day to reach the border and leave the Land of Stone. The enemy would need to readjust their reconnaissance direction for at least a day to search that area.
Although the Land of Birds was a small country without a hidden village, it was situated between the Land of Stone and the Land of Wind. If Iwa shinobi were to invade on a large scale, there was a high chance that Sunagakure would retaliate.
Fugaku didn't believe that the top executives of Iwagakure would overlook this fact.
Standing on a low mountain and surveying the area, Fugaku gazed at the lush green forest in the distance.
"Never expected to have the opportunity to return to Konoha alive," Hayate Shūichi remarked. "When we first set out, I was prepared to be buried in the Land of Stone."
Hyūga Tazumo activated his Byakugan and looked into the distance, his expression solemn. "The situation doesn't look good. Iwagakure likely stationed numerous forces along the border to prevent an attack from Sunagakure. It won't be easy for us to proceed."
"How strong is the opposition?" Fugaku inquired, observing Hyūga Tazumo. "Can we break through, considering that the reconnaissance team from behind could appear at any moment?"
Hyūga Tazumo shook his head. "Their strength shouldn't be underestimated. There are 50 shinobi, with 5 of them being jōnin. These shinobi were deployed to prevent Sunagakure from invading. I believe there are numerous stations along the entire border, much like this one."
Fugaku nodded, acknowledging Hyūga Tazumo's objective analysis. Wind and Earth had always been at odds, so it wasn't difficult to surmise that shinobi were stationed at various points along the border.
"Let's start by diverting their attention using Shadow Clones and luring away some of the shinobi," Fugaku proposed. "With the strength of the five of us, we should be able to break through the Land of Stone."
Once again, five Shadow Clones materialized next to them, and they swiftly headed towards the Iwa shinobi camp, blatantly exposing themselves to the enemy's sight.
The presence of the five Fugaku figures caught the attention of the Iwagakure camp. After all, Tsuchikage had just disseminated information about Uchiha Fugaku to all Iwa shinobi, emphasizing that he was a severely injured elite jōnin named Ōgan.
"Assemble all shinobi at the camp," one of the Iwa shinobi commanded. "Now that we've found their tracks, we can't let them escape the border. Otherwise, we'll have no face left to explain to Tsuchikage-sama."
"Yes!"
The Iwa shinobi swiftly gathered, including both genin and chūnin, all trained warriors.
A team of two individuals remained behind to guard the camp, while the others went directly towards the five Shadow Clones of Fugaku.
As the figures of both sides blurred, the physical forms of Fugaku and his group emerged from their hiding place. Fugaku took the lead and swiftly made his way towards the Iwa shinobi camp.
Using the Body Flicker Jutsu, Fugaku's hands became cloaked in a dark aura. His left hand slashed horizontally, while his right hand thrust forward, killing two Iwa shinobi chūnin in quick succession.
Two messages appeared in Fugaku's mind: "Enemy" and a distress signal that took off from a nearby Iwa shinobi and exploded in the sky.
The jōnin in charge of the camp instantly realized that the more than thirty shinobi he had been pursuing had been a decoy, and the enemy had successfully lured them away from their base.
"Hold them off somehow. The team will return soon," the jōnin instructed.
"No chance," Fugaku replied, casting a glance at the jōnin. His eyes launched a genjutsu, swiftly puncturing the jōnin's heart with deadly precision. Fugaku then formed hand seals.
"Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
Four fire dragons spewed forth from Fugaku's mouth, incinerating the remaining Iwa shinobi in their path. Without hesitation, the entire team swiftly activated the Body Flicker Jutsu and disappeared.
The explosion caused by the fierce fire dragons generated a thick cloud of smoke and dust. Five silhouettes darted through the smoke at incredible speed, crossing the border and vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.
Within a mere moment, the entire Iwa shinobi squad had been wiped out three consecutive times, leaving the remaining Iwa shinobi in a state of shock. Many stood frozen, watching as Fugaku and his two companions disappeared from view.