Chapter 197: Air Raid.

"But in that case... aren't you afraid of the village's punishment, Captain?"

Indeed, as Shisui mentioned, an ordinary ninja would face dire consequences if they delayed a mission. The best-case scenario would be being assigned to the most dangerous positions, with survival chances being slim. But what meaning do these punishments have for them?

Are there tasks more dangerous than the ones they already undertake at the front-line camp? Even if there were, the clan would shield them from it! Why else would Toshiro cling so eagerly to the clan's coattails? Whether it's arranging for summoning beasts or submitting jutsus, it's all for this very day!

This is the difference between having a backing and not having one! Although their current predicament was also caused by their backing, they had no choice. In certain people's eyes, from the moment they were born, people like them were marked as unstable, dangerous, or even evil. They had no say in it...

However, he also prepared a Plan B. If things really came to it, he didn't mind defecting directly. With his current strength, evading Konoha's pursuit wouldn't be too difficult. Then, joining the Akatsuki to get a uniform shouldn't be a problem. But taking such a path would inevitably implicate his relatives within the clan. He wouldn't consider it unless absolutely necessary.

"Shisui! Remember this!"

"Sometimes, your life and that of your comrades are more important than temporary victories or failures! Do not easily give up your life over trivial matters!"

This child, in the future, would end his own life because he couldn't use Kotoamatsukami to stop the clan's coup. He did it to delay the coup, giving Itachi the chance to awaken his eye...

"Only by staying alive can one have infinite possibilities! Only then can one create miracles!"

"Don't die easily ~"

Casually giving Shisui some motivating words without caring about his reaction, Toshiro pulled out the original map and began comparing it with the information gathered from several reconnaissance missions to check for any discrepancies.

As for the so-called trivial matters he mentioned, it wasn't really to dismiss Shisui. In his view, this mission to attack the outposts was indeed somewhat inconsequential. Even if they managed to completely destroy this Iwa-nin outpost, the enemy could easily build an identical fort soon after. The newly built one would be sturdier and easier to defend...

Unless Konoha could seize an absolute advantage on the main battlefield, bringing the entire area under its control, any actions taken here would be meaningless... But such a thing was evidently impossible. The Land of Lightning, the Land of Water, and the Land of Wind—all these countries were consuming too much of Konoha's attention and resources. Thus, achieving a breakthrough in the Grass Country battlefield was almost an impossible task. Not to mention, with the addition of the Cloud-nin, Konoha's pressure increased exponentially...

...

That night, around four in the morning. In a forest about ten kilometers from the outpost.

"Check your weapons one last time!"

"En! Zhe! Longhua! Chaoxia! Any questions about your squad's respective missions?"

Receiving the desired answers, Toshiro continued, "In that case, let's begin our mission. I hope everyone here can complete it safely!"

"Yes!!!"

A unified response echoed through the dense primeval forest. Each response was filled with killing intent and cold determination. At that moment, Toshiro unfurled a massive scroll, and with the infusion of his chakra, five gigantic birds with wingspans of around fourteen or fifteen meters emerged from the white parchment spread on the ground.

"Move out!"

With Toshiro's command, fifteen members of the Uchiha clan, divided into groups of three, leaped onto the backs of these birds. The birds then soared into the sky, heading towards their mission target.

Covering ten kilometers would cost the ninja some time and energy on foot. However, from the sky, the distance was nearly negligible. As they gradually closed in, the birds created with super-animal imitation began descending rapidly. Using gravity, their own kinetic energy, and the momentum from the dive, their speed reached its extreme limits. Each member sitting on the bird, equipped with goggles, increased their chakra output, fearing that a sudden gust might blow them off. Falling from this height would mean relying solely on their own abilities for a slim chance at survival. Their captain wouldn't turn back to save them due to their mistakes—only self-reliance would help.

As they drew closer to the ground, the birds, under Toshiro's control, adjusted from a steep dive to flying parallel to the ground. With the night as their cover, Toshiro's squad stayed out of Iwa-nin's lookout range. It wasn't until they were within 300 meters that the whistling sounds from their high-speed flight alerted the lookouts.

"Is that...?"

"Enemy attack!!"

"Quick! Sound the alarm!!"

The two lookouts on night duty stared at the indistinct large silhouettes in the darkness, momentarily stunned. However, being assigned to such a crucial post, their psychological resilience was quite strong. After a brief daze, the leading Iwa-nin snapped back and began shouting urgently!

But 300 meters was too close for the diving birds. Before the Iwa-nin lookout could raise the alarm, the birds had already breached the outpost.

(End of chapter)