Chapter 107 - 2: The Heavenly Stems Plan
Jinghang flipped through the personnel files in his hand, then looked up at Rasa.
"Is this all of them?" he asked.
Rasa nodded. "Yes. For this kind of operation, it's about being sharp and precise, not about numbers."
Jinghang nodded in agreement. "With the constant wars between nations these past few years, I imagine the pressure on your intelligence division has been immense."
Without even glancing at the files, Jinghang continued, "I'm sure it's been tough."
Rasa's face grew serious as he responded, "That's right. Ever since I took over the Intelligence Division, I've come to understand how heavy the burden is in this line of work. It's truly like walking on the edge of a blade. The demands on both the body and mind of a ninja are extreme. And once they're exposed, there's no chance of even leaving behind a corpse. To put it bluntly, this isn't a job for ordinary people."
His expression was somber, and there was a hint of sadness in his tone.
Jinghang let out a long sigh. He knew all too well how difficult it was for the unsung heroes of the intelligence frontlines. The battles of wits and life-or-death struggles they faced were no less intense than those on the battlefield. At least those who fell in battle could leave their names behind, but these individuals might not even have that. As the saying goes: "The peace and tranquility you enjoy is thanks to countless shadows silently guarding you in the dark."
"Have we suffered heavy losses?" Jinghang asked.
"Yes, quite heavy," Rasa admitted. "Most of the undercover agents and sleeper cells in the village were established during the time of Lord Second Kazekage Shamon, or even the First Kazekage Reto. Many of them are quite old now. With each war that breaks out, they're forced to act, delivering crucial intelligence for the village. But each time they act, the risk of exposure increases. This time..."
Rasa's voice choked up, and his face, already stern, grew even more grim.