CHAPTER 93
On the third day, the new transfer orders arrived on time.
Guy, Ebisu, and Genma gathered around.
The command scroll, stamped with the seal of the Hokage's Office, was unfurled, clearly stating:
Team 9 (Might Guy, Ebisu, Shiranui Genma) is to be transferred immediately to the Land of Waves direction on the Hidden Mist battlefield.
Report to Homura Mitokado, Supreme Commander of Konoha's frontline forces in the Land of Waves.
Incorporated into the frontline combat sequence.
"The Hidden Mist battlefield... so soon?"
Guy looked at the scroll, frowning slightly.
After the Battle of Mount Kikyo, he had a premonition that he would eventually head to that battlefield.
But he hadn't expected it to happen this quickly.
According to his memories, the incident involving the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was still at least a year and a half away.
He originally thought he would be assigned somewhere else for a period of transition, yet he was being sent directly to the Hidden Mist frontline.
Guy wasn't sure whether his actions had already changed certain future developments.
Or whether events were simply progressing in this direction naturally.
Still, since the transfer order had already been issued, there was no point in dwelling on it.
"The Land of Waves?"
Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses and leaned closer to read the scroll.
"Where exactly is that place? It doesn't sound like the Hidden Mist Village's homeland."
Shiranui Genma shifted the senbon in his mouth and spoke in his usual calm tone.
"The Land of Waves is a small island nation located southeast of the Land of Fire. It's situated on an important maritime route connecting the Land of Fire, the Land of Water, and even parts of the Land of Lightning."
"It isn't large, but its geographical position is extremely important."
"Controlling the Land of Waves is equivalent to controlling the surrounding shipping lanes."
"It allows Konoha to interfere with Kirigakure's sea supply routes while protecting the eastern coastline of the Land of Fire from Hidden Mist naval raids."
Guy nodded.
Genma's analysis matched the information in his memory.
Although the Land of Waves was only a small nation, during the maritime conflicts of the Third Shinobi World War, it was a strategic point both sides absolutely had to fight over.
"But right now, the Land of Waves has already been occupied by Kirigakure."
Ebisu finally understood.
"Our mission... is to take it back? We're the attacking side this time?"
"Looks that way."
Guy rolled up the scroll and stored it away.
"Either way, we'll know more once we get there."
The three of them had no time to waste.
The transfer order clearly stated: depart immediately.
After a simple round of preparation, Guy packed away his newly acquired alloy nunchaku, Ebisu checked and reorganized his ninja tool pouch, and Genma replenished his stock of senbon.
Then they joined the large group of shinobi being transferred to the Hidden Mist frontline and set off together.
The journey from Konoha to the eastern coast of the Land of Fire and then onward by ship toward the Land of Waves was not short.
Several days later, the group finally arrived in the waters surrounding the Land of Waves.
Standing on the deck of the transport vessel, Guy could already see the silhouette of the island in the distance.
Around it floated Konoha warships and a series of temporary offshore platforms.
That was Konoha's frontline base.
Farther away, the main island of the Land of Waves appeared through the sea mist.
However, the banners flying there and the patrol ships moving around the coastline clearly belonged to Kirigakure.
Landing procedures, identity verification, registration, inspections.
After completing the lengthy process, Guy and the others were escorted toward the largest command tent in the center of the base.
Inside the tent, a middle-aged shinobi wearing glasses was studying a large tactical map.
Hearing movement, he raised his head and looked at the three young shinobi who had entered.
It was indeed Homura Mitokado, the supreme commander of Konoha's forces in the Land of Waves.
"Might Guy, Ebisu, Shiranui Genma, reporting for duty."
Guy stepped forward and performed a standard shinobi salute.
Homura Mitokado's gaze swept across the three of them.
When his eyes landed on Guy, they lingered for an extra moment.
The events at Mount Kikyo had clearly already reached this battlefield.
A trace of scrutiny flashed through the commander's eyes before quickly returning to calm.
"The transfer orders have been received."
"You are assigned to Team 9 of the Frontline Assault Force."
Homura Mitokado's voice was steady and carried no unnecessary emotion.
"The captain is Hyuga Yukian. He is currently waiting outside."
He then looked at Guy and added:
"Hyuga Yukian is a member of the Hyuga Clan's Main House. Against Kirigakure, the Byakugan offers tremendous battlefield advantages."
"Make full use of that advantage."
"Go report to him. He will arrange your missions and accommodations."
"Yes, sir."
The three immediately responded.
Kirigakure's combat style heavily emphasized the use of Hidden Mist techniques and visual obstruction.
Against such opponents, the Byakugan was an extremely valuable asset.
Not to mention that the captain came directly from the Hyuga Main House.
The three left the command tent.
Sure enough, a young shinobi was already standing outside.
He wore standard Konoha combat gear and a Leaf forehead protector.
The most eye-catching feature was his pair of pure white eyes.
The unmistakable symbol of the Hyuga Clan's Kekkei Genkai.
The Byakugan.
The man appeared to be in his early twenties.
His build was balanced, his posture straight, and his expression calm.
Yet there was also a faint sense of coldness in his gaze.
When he looked at Guy and the others, he merely gave a small nod.
"Hyuga Yukian. Captain of Team 9."
His introduction was brief and concise.
"Follow me. I'll familiarize you with the base, terrain, and current mission objectives."
Guy and the others exchanged glances before quietly following behind him.
Hyuga Yukian led them around the frontline base.
He pointed out important facilities such as the supply distribution center, medical station, communications section, and tactical briefing area.
Eventually, he brought them to a higher vantage point near the edge of the base.
From there, the Land of Waves could be seen clearly through the sea fog.
"There."
Hyuga Yukian pointed toward the distant island.
"The Land of Waves is currently under complete Kirigakure occupation."
His tone was as calm as ever.
Not cold, yet certainly not warm.
Simply factual.
"Kirigakure has established defensive fortifications across the island."
"Estimated garrison strength exceeds five hundred personnel."
"This includes regular shinobi units, specialized Water Release teams, and naval patrol fleets operating around the coastline."
After a brief pause, he continued.
"Our objective, under the command of Lord Homura Mitokado, is to retake the Land of Waves."
"Drive Kirigakure's forces from the island and regain control over both the territory and surrounding waters."
Ebisu couldn't help muttering quietly.
"Five hundred people... then how many do we have?"
Hyuga Yukian clearly heard him.
However, he offered no direct answer.
"The balance of forces is not something you need to concern yourselves with."
"Your responsibility is to carry out your assigned missions."
Afterward, Hyuga Yukian led them toward a relatively isolated section at the edge of the base.
"This is Team 9's designated area."
He pointed toward a medium-sized tent.
"You three will stay here."
"I live next door."
"The remaining members of the team are currently carrying out reconnaissance assignments and will return later."
The interior of the tent was similar to the one at Mount Kikyo.
Four cots.
A low wooden table.
Several storage crates.
Simple but adequate.
Hyuga Yukian remained standing at the entrance rather than leaving immediately.
For several moments, silence filled the tent.
His pale eyes settled on Guy before shifting toward Ebisu and Genma.
"No matter what accomplishments you achieved at Mount Kikyo."
"No matter what talents or special qualities you possess."
His voice remained calm, but his words slowed slightly.
"In my team, the mission comes first."
"I am not interested in individual performance."
"I care only about whether the team successfully completes its assigned objectives."
His gaze finally returned to Guy.
A meaningful look flashed through his eyes.
The moment their gazes met, Guy immediately understood.
He understood why the captain's attitude felt the way it did.
It stemmed from the matter involving Konoha's White Fang.
Guy's actions regarding Sakumo Hatake had earned him admiration from many people.
Yet there were also many who disagreed.
The belief that missions stood above everything else had long been deeply rooted within Konoha.
Hyuga Yukian clearly belonged to that camp.
As a result, his attitude toward Guy was one of reserved disapproval.
Not hostility.
Simply a purely professional superior-subordinate relationship.
Neither particularly good nor particularly bad.
"Finish unpacking."
"Tactical briefing begins in thirty minutes."
After saying that, Hyuga Yukian turned and left.
Silence filled the tent once more.
Ebisu curled his lips.
"This captain... feels pretty difficult to get along with."
Genma removed the senbon from his mouth and replied calmly:
"A member of the Hyuga Main House and captain of an assault unit."
"At the very least, his strength won't be weak."
Guy nodded and looked at the two of them.
"Don't worry."
"He doesn't seem like the type who would deliberately make things difficult for us."
"As long as we do our jobs properly, there shouldn't be any problems."
Ebisu and Genma both nodded.
They quickly arranged their belongings.
Since they carried very little luggage, the process was finished in only a few minutes.
The three stepped outside the tent together.
In the distance, the silhouette of the Land of Waves drifted in and out of view through the rolling sea mist.
The Hidden Mist battlefield.
They had finally arrived.
This time, they were no longer defenders holding a line.
They were the attacking force.
Their mission would almost certainly be no easier than Mount Kikyo.
What awaited them ahead would undoubtedly be another brutal struggle.
Fortunately, after everything they had experienced together, the three of them were already fully prepared.
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