Chapter 31: Ch- 31 : The uneasy command Room
After Haruto, Inuzuka Retsu, and Aburame Nami eliminated two Amegakure chuunin, they rejoined the battlefield, demonstrating their strength as an impressive team. Haruto's abilities had grown substantially, placing him among the stronger chuunin. Together with Retsu and Nami, they were more than a match for individual chuunin, and in short order, they eliminated yet another Amegakure opponent.
However, their bold performance soon drew the attention of additional Amegakure chuunin, who were tasked with containing them. With three new chuunin assigned to intercept, Haruto and his teammates found themselves unable to advance further.
Despite this, Haruto remained unbothered, aware that the field had tipped in favor of Konoha. Although some supplies had been destroyed, they successfully held Yugakure forces at bay, preventing them from reaching the essential provisions. Observing this shift, Takeda Hiro, who was evenly matched with Konoha's Baiyun Tokishin but slightly stronger, quickly assessed the situation. Recognizing that Yugakure's objective had become unattainable, Hiro retreated from the battlefield to avoid unnecessary losses.
"Amegakure forces, fall back!" he commanded, making no plans for further engagement as he moved to withdraw. Hiro knew that Konoha's focus on securing supplies meant they wouldn't pursue too far, whether the Amegakure forces lingered or left.
As they began retreating, Haruto, Retsu, and Nami seized the opportunity to eliminate a fleeing genin but halted when Tokishin ordered them to end the pursuit. Their priority, he reminded them, was safeguarding and delivering the supplies to the front lines.
"Everyone, take a twenty-minute rest, restore your chakra, then check over the supplies and prepare to depart. Our location and the supplies have been compromised, so we must move swiftly," Tokishin ordered, his face calm but his tone decisive.
Taking advantage of the downtime, Haruto instructed Nami to have her parasitic insects inspect the fallen Amegakure chuunin on the ground to ensure there were no hidden threats. Satisfied that the corpses posed no danger, they searched for anything valuable. Unfortunately, they found little, as the Amegakure forces seemed to have limited supplies themselves.
Thanks to Tokishin's swift relocation orders, Konoha's supply transport unit encountered no further attacks along the way and successfully delivered the bulk of their supplies to the front line.
Upon reaching Konoha's camp in the Land of Rain, they found it situated on elevated, relatively flat terrain to aid in drainage. Nearby, a slope and a river ensured that even during heavy rain, floodwaters had an outlet, making the location both defensible and practical.
"Finally, I can get some proper rest," sighed Retsu, slumping onto a mat as soon as they entered the tent. His ninken, Tetsumaru, stood at the entrance, shaking water off his fur.
"I spoke with one of the jonin overseeing the supplies," Haruto reported. "Furukawa-sensei is out on a mission and likely won't return for several days. We may not see him while we're here."
Tossing some damp firewood on the ground, Haruto prepared to use a fire jutsu to dry it out and start a fire. The warmth would help dispel the chill from the rain, and they could use it to boil water and make a warm meal.
"We're only staying here for the night, so it's unlikely we'll meet Furukawa-sensei or the others," Nami added, adjusting her sunglasses. Her waterproof coat had kept her dry, in contrast to her soaked teammates.
After igniting the firewood with a small burst of Fire Release, Haruto remarked, "Let's cook something hot first. I've been surviving on soldier pills these past few days, and my tongue feels like it's going numb."
Although soldier pills provided chakra and a sense of fullness, the taste was notoriously bland.
"Wait—do we even have anything to cook?" Retsu asked, realizing the potential problem. However, Haruto produced a can of beef and some wild vegetable roots he'd collected along the journey.
"I packed a few things before we set out. The ninja academy taught us to identify edible plants, so I gathered some good ones on the way back. If I mix them with the canned beef, it'll turn into something decent," Haruto replied.
"Awesome!" Retsu's face lit up, while Tetsumaru excitedly approached, his tail wagging as he sniffed the can of beef.
Once the firewood had dried enough, Haruto placed the opened can of beef on a makeshift stone rack over the fire. "The only problem is, I don't have a pot. We'll have to cook the vegetables in the can with the beef and eat them as they're ready."
Cutting wooden sticks into skewers with his wakizashi, Haruto tossed the wild vegetables into the can. As the broth boiled, the three took turns eating, savoring the warm food amidst the rainy atmosphere.
The canned beef, heavily salted and packed with butter to prolong its shelf life, tasted flavorful even without added spices. Although the meal was modest and barely enough for the three of them plus Tetsumaru, it provided a sense of comfort after their long journey.
This simple yet satisfying meal marked the start of their first night at the front line in the Land of Rain.
Meanwhile, in the Konoha command room, the atmosphere was far from calm. "Lord En, the newly delivered supplies have been accounted for," a ninja reported to Mitomon En, who was seated at the head of the room.
"Good. Have these supplies distributed immediately, along with our previous stock," En instructed, rubbing his temples as he sent the ninja away. The command room, now left with only four individuals, was occupied by Konoha's top brass: Mitomon En, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade—the highest-ranking members of the camp.
With the responsibility of leading Konoha's forces in the Land of Rain, these four were burdened with the critical task of strategy and allocation of resources. Though they had managed to secure the recent supplies, they knew that maintaining this advantage would require careful planning.
As they discussed logistics and strategy, En's mind was troubled by the broader implications of their ongoing skirmishes with Amegakure and Yugakure forces. It was clear that their opponents would not easily abandon their own goals. While the current battle had turned in Konoha's favor, he recognized that the enemy would likely regroup and launch further offensives, especially if their supply routes could be identified and targeted.
Orochimaru, his gaze sharp and calculating, voiced his own concerns. "We've dealt with their immediate advance, but Amegakure won't be deterred for long. This is their home territory—they'll try to counterattack soon enough."
Jiraiya, in his usual straightforward manner, added, "We should keep our defense tight but stay ready to strike back. If we can catch their next wave of forces by surprise, it might throw them off balance."
Tsunade, frowning thoughtfully, interjected, "But we need to ensure our forces are well-rested. With the constant rain, fatigue and injury rates are already higher than usual. If we push too hard, we could lose more people to the conditions than to the enemy."
Mitomon En nodded, acknowledging their points. "True. We'll split our forces to cover the most critical supply lines. And if necessary, we can relocate the camp to throw off the enemy's focus."
This strategic discussion was crucial, as the stakes were high. The rain-soaked terrain, the challenging supply chain, and the morale of their troops all posed challenges. The decisions made in this room would determine the success or failure of Konoha's campaign in the Land of Rain.
After finalizing their strategy, the commanders dispersed to relay orders to the different divisions. Outside the command room, the camp bustled with activity as ninja prepared for the battles yet to come, sharpening weapons, replenishing supplies, and attending to wounds.
Back in their tent, Haruto, Retsu, and Nami finished their meal, finding a moment of solace despite the ongoing storm. For tonight, at least, they could rest, knowing they had contributed to securing Konoha's advantage in this challenging landscape.
----------------------------------------------------
Visit our Patreon for more:
patreon.com/Samurai492
Extra Content Already Available