Naruto: The Teaching System - 247

Chapter 247: It's Snowing

Inside Konoha's command tent, the same people were still gathered. Kakashi frowned, studying the intelligence reports before him.

The intelligence division would send updates periodically. The two border commanders and Kakashi reviewed the continuous stream of reports, their expressions growing increasingly grave.

Sawada sat to the side, picking up reports they'd already reviewed. The current situation was difficult—although they'd brought back three Sunagakure jōnin corpses, they still hadn't extracted any useful intelligence.

He only knew that Sunagakure was waiting for an opportunity, but what was that opportunity? They'd found almost no clues.

Sunagakure's leadership had done decent work on operational security, but news from other areas wasn't so optimistic. Recently, people had indeed borrowed routes through Bird Country, but the numbers were too small, and they'd return the same way within two days.

Sawada shook his head. This kind of trick could only fool idiots.

Moreover, when Asuma was investigating supply storage locations, he'd clearly spotted some people different from Sunagakure forces.

The tent flap was pulled open, and Asuma walked in, exhaustion written across his face.

"Kakashi, I can't investigate any further."

Hearing this, Kakashi's brow furrowed slightly. "What happened?"

"The spies inside Sunagakure have completely lost contact. I estimate they've already—been killed." Asuma lit a cigarette and spoke calmly.

The tent immediately fell silent.

"I understand. The intelligence we have is sufficient. As for those spies—I'll report this to the village." After a long pause, Kakashi finally nodded.

It wasn't that he was cold-blooded—this was simply the reality of war. For all he knew, next time it might be someone in this tent who dies.

Asuma nodded. He was no longer the man he used to be. The "King" wasn't just the piece in shogi that needed protection. These comrades had sacrificed their lives to buy intelligence that allowed Konoha to catch its breath.

Weren't they "Kings" too? Just because each "King" had different choices and methods didn't make their sacrifices less meaningful.

The click of a lighter interrupted Asuma's thoughts. He looked at it, then turned his head to see Sawada smile slightly, signaling him to hurry and light up.

Oh, ninja world, when will there be peace?

Sawada saw Asuma enter with a cigarette in his mouth but hadn't lit it for a long time, so he naturally knew what he was thinking about. Contemplation was good, but one shouldn't fall into dead ends. Once trapped, they could never escape.

"You little brat, aren't you opposed to me smoking?" Asuma chuckled and used Sawada's lighter to ignite his cigarette.

"Uncle, I'm not opposed to you smoking, but don't smoke like there's no tomorrow." Sawada rolled his eyes. This guy practically ate cigarettes as meals.

"Scram!" Asuma rolled his eyes and snatched the lighter from Sawada's hand.

Seeing this scene, Kakashi couldn't help but show a trace of envy. He also wanted to be this relaxed and carefree.

On a mountain peak in Bird Country, a middle-aged man wearing purple chest armor, his hair tied in a ponytail behind his head, and sporting a full beard, frowned as he studied the note in his hand.

After a long while, he slowly exhaled. "Alright, let's end it here. From now on, I'll never deal with village matters again."

After speaking, the man took out a scroll and began writing, then tied it to a messenger hawk that had been waiting.

Watching the hawk fly away, the man looked toward the Land of Wind. His figure flashed and instantly vanished.

Night.

Sawada was sitting in the main tent, helping Kakashi handle some matters. Suddenly, exclamations came from outside.

Sawada and Kakashi exchanged glances, both seeing the confusion in each other's eyes. They quickly put down the scrolls and walked out.

As soon as Sawada pulled open the tent flap, an icy feeling hit his face.

"This is... snow?"

Outside the main tent, snow was falling everywhere. Although the amount wasn't large, it still brought a biting cold.

Not far away, Asuma's figure hurried over. "Kakashi, Sawada!"

Sawada looked over and saw Asuma's anxious expression, then looked at the snowflakes falling from the sky. Their expressions immediately became serious.

"I'll go notify people!" Sawada walked out of the main tent and quickly disappeared.

"Good!" Kakashi brought Asuma into the main tent, his expression urgent.

The Land of Rivers border adjacent to the Land of Wind had never snowed before. But now at this time, such snow was falling. If human factors were excluded, it meant this year's weather was abnormally extreme.

Before long, the entire main tent was packed with jōnin and their respective squad captains. Everyone wore serious expressions. Kakashi tapped the table and spoke slowly.

"I just sent a message to the village. The monitoring department's feedback says this year's weather will be abnormally extreme. Reports say even Grass Country adjacent to the Land of Earth is already snowing."

Inside the tent, everyone exchanged glances.

"The urgent concern is monitoring Sunagakure's movements. Their supplies were inadequate to begin with. Now with the snow, their troops will be even more uncomfortable. I'm worried Sunagakure will throw caution to the wind and launch a direct attack."

Sawada spoke from the side. This was what he and Kakashi were worried about. Sunagakure's current deployment simply didn't allow them to maintain this stalemate much longer. Moreover, now even the weather was turning against them.

"Indeed, we need to act quickly." Kakashi nodded.

"I'll go," Asuma said from the side.

As the Third Hokage's son, he had to set an example in these matters.

Kakashi showed a troubled expression. For this mission—in terms of both strength and stamina—Asuma was the most suitable. And his previous experience scouting Sunagakure's rear also greatly increased the mission's success rate.

However, Asuma was the Third's only living son. If anything happened to him...

The two border commanders exchanged glances and also objected. The Third's son didn't need to take on such a dangerous mission. Attacking the enemy's food supplies meant penetrating deep into enemy territory. A single mistake could be fatal.

The previous reconnaissance mission had been different—they'd had spies inside Sunagakure, so the danger had been far less.

Sawada didn't speak. His mind was elsewhere.

"Sawada, what do you think?" Kakashi asked, watching Sawada rub his brow.

At once, the entire tent fell quiet, everyone looking at Sawada. After all, he had defeated the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki and was also the Third's final disciple.