CHAPTER 169
Three days later.
Under Akimichi Torifu's command, Konoha's three hundred man reinforcement force finally arrived at the border of the Land of Grass.
After three consecutive days of forced marching, the long column of Shinobi stretched across the road like an endless dragon. Their footsteps were heavy, their breathing rough, and exhaustion was evident on every face.
Yet...
Not a single person complained.
Not a single person asked to rest.
The intelligence from Konoha Headquarters had made the situation perfectly clear.
Kumogakure had launched a surprise offensive against Konoha's defensive line in the Land of Grass. The enemy possessed an overwhelming numerical advantage, and every moment they delayed could mean the loss of countless comrades.
This journey was no longer a matter of endurance.
It was a race against time.
They were reinforcements.
They were the hope of everyone still fighting on that battlefield.
Every Shinobi among the three hundred understood that feeling better than anyone.
Only a few days earlier, during the desperate battle in the Land of Rice Fields, every one of them had silently prayed for reinforcements to arrive.
How much longer could they hold on?
How much longer until help came?
Then...
Konoha's White Fang had descended like a bolt of lightning from the heavens.
That overwhelming sense of relief after surviving certain death was something none of them would ever forget for the rest of their lives.
Because they understood that feeling...
None of them dared slow down now.
Even though every muscle ached.
Even though their Chakra reserves had yet to fully recover.
Even though their legs felt as heavy as iron.
They simply gritted their teeth...
And kept running.
"How much farther?"
While maintaining the relentless pace, Ebisu finally couldn't help asking.
Oddly enough, despite three days of nonstop travel, his voice carried very little exhaustion.
"We'll arrive after crossing the ridge ahead."
The Chunin guiding the route answered without slowing down.
However, after replying, he instinctively looked back.
The moment he did...
The corners of his mouth twitched.
His expression immediately became one of helpless envy.
The reason was simple.
At that very moment...
Guy was running while pulling both Ebisu and Genma by their wrists.
One on each side.
Anyone who had ever run long distances understood exactly what that meant.
When someone stronger pulled from the front, the burden on your own legs became dramatically lighter. Your speed increased while the effort required became significantly less.
That was precisely Ebisu and Genma's current situation.
What made it even more unbelievable was that the imitation Hiramekarei swords carried by Ebisu and Genma were both hanging across Guy's back together with his own equipment.
In other words...
Among the entire three hundred man reinforcement force that had marched continuously for three days and three nights...
The two people who looked the least exhausted...
Were actually two Genin.
"You still have enough energy to chat?"
A nearby Chunin glanced sideways at Ebisu while breathing heavily.
Ebisu calmly adjusted his sunglasses before answering with complete seriousness.
"It can't be helped."
"Guy runs incredibly steadily."
The Chunin immediately fell silent.
He suddenly didn't feel like talking anymore.
Fortunately, no one found the scene particularly inappropriate.
Although the reinforcement force was almost entirely composed of Chunin, with only a handful of adult Genin accompanying them, everyone already knew exactly what kind of monsters these three ten year old boys were.
During the battle in the Land of Rice Fields, many of them had personally witnessed the combined sword technique performed by Ebisu and Genma.
The destructive force created through their teamwork was enough to rival, or even surpass, ordinary Chunin fighting together.
As for Guy...
No one even needed to mention him.
That terrifying figure wrapped in swirling green and azure steam still lingered vividly in everyone's memory.
After marching continuously for three days while carrying two large swords and dragging two companions behind him...
Even now...
His breathing remained perfectly steady.
The Chunin leading the way withdrew his envious gaze before gradually becoming serious again.
The ridge ahead marked the edge of the battlefield.
Beyond it...
They would likely face Kumogakure's strongest duo.
A.
The son of the Third Raikage.
And Killer Bee.
The perfect Jinchuriki of the Eight Tails.
Neither of them was an opponent that could be underestimated.
The truly difficult battle was about to begin.
Everyone silently took a deep breath.
Finally...
As dusk descended...
The Konoha outpost in the Land of Grass gradually appeared beyond the ridge.
The camp occupied a gentle hillside surrounded by sparse woodland, providing an excellent field of vision in every direction.
Although the camp itself wasn't particularly large, its layout was meticulous.
Defensive walls, watchtowers, trenches, and numerous fortifications had been arranged with remarkable precision.
"So this is the outpost White Fang-sama was defending..."
Ebisu finally withdrew his arm from Guy's grasp before rubbing his slightly reddened wrist.
"It's smaller than I imagined."
Genma glanced toward the camp before calmly adding,
"It's never been about the size of the force."
"It's about the quality of the Shinobi stationed here."
Akimichi Torifu slowly raised his hand.
The entire reinforcement force immediately reduced its speed.
The formation shifted from forced march into a cautious tactical advance.
According to the intelligence report...
A fierce battle should still be raging here.
Yet...
The closer they approached...
The stranger everyone's expressions became.
Something wasn't right.
Very wrong.
There were no explosions.
No battle cries.
No wounded being carried through the camp.
No Medical Ninja rushing desperately between patients.
Instead...
Several Shinobi were casually gathered around a steaming hot pot.
Someone nearby was even humming a cheerful tune.
"..."
"..."
"..."
The entire reinforcement force collectively froze.
They had rushed across three days and three nights without proper rest...
Only to discover everyone here peacefully eating hot pot?
"Captain Torifu..."
"What exactly is going on?"
A Chunin stepped closer, completely bewildered.
Even Akimichi Torifu frowned deeply without immediately answering.
Guy, however, slowly observed the atmosphere throughout the camp before a knowing smile appeared on his face.
He already understood.
This peaceful atmosphere wasn't because there hadn't been a battle.
It was because...
The battle had already ended.
And it had ended overwhelmingly.
There were only two possible explanations for such calm within a frontline camp.
Either...
The enemy had been too weak.
Or...
Someone on Konoha's side had been overwhelmingly stronger.
Considering their opponents were A and Killer Bee...
The first possibility could immediately be discarded.
Which left only one answer.
Someone here had completely suppressed Kumogakure's strongest duo.
Just as that thought crossed Guy's mind...
A figure slowly walked out from the camp.
He wore Konoha's standard green flak jacket.
His golden blond hair gleamed brilliantly beneath the setting sun, making him stand out immediately among the surrounding Shinobi.
His pace was neither hurried nor slow.
A warm smile rested naturally upon his face.
It wasn't the polite smile used between strangers.
Nor was it the smile of someone celebrating victory.
It was a gentle smile that naturally put others at ease, like the warmth of a spring breeze.
"Torifu-sama."
"Everyone."
"You've all worked hard making the journey."
His voice was calm and refreshing.
His tone carried an effortless confidence.
Akimichi Torifu stopped walking.
The instant he clearly saw the young man's face...
His pupils contracted slightly.
Behind him...
The entire three hundred man reinforcement force also fell completely silent.
Many of them recognized the man standing before them.
The temporary supreme commander of Konoha's forces stationed in the Land of Grass.
Minato Namikaze.