— Uh… what? — slipped out of me when, at seven in the morning, orders for assembly rang across the camp.
— They say the commander wants to launch an attack or something like that, — some chunin threw out casually, running past, armed to the teeth.
"An attack?" — the word echoed in my head as I pushed through people toward the center of the camp. Only upon reaching the square did I truly grasp the scale.
Before me stretched a flat ground, packed with shinobi. Hundreds of figures — flak jackets, headbands, weapons on their backs. I quickly estimated.
— About four hundred people… — I muttered, feeling a lump rise in my throat.
— Kotetsu! Over here — a familiar voice called to me. I spotted Gai and Genma off to the side.
— Have you learned anything? — Genma immediately asked, tense.
— Seems… there's going to be some kind of attack, — I mumbled, recalling the chunin's words.
— What? — Gai frowned, but we didn't get to continue.
The square suddenly fell silent when two elders appeared: Koharu and Fugaku Uchiha, from whom emanated such a heavy aura that many unconsciously straightened their backs.
— Greetings, shinobi, — began Koharu, her voice enhanced with chakra and carrying across everyone. — Our objective today is to destroy one of the bases recently discovered in these woods.
Something jabbed inside me.
"Is it the one we stumbled upon? No way…"
— According to our intel, — she continued, — about three hundred people are stationed at the base. With our forces, we will have a significant advantage. We will attack with an encirclement strategy to minimize skirmishes.
The words hammered at my temples. Three hundred against four hundred. I looked at the crowd and realized: this isn't a training camp, not a C-rank mission. This is war. Real war.
"Damn it… I just got here, and now the bloodbath begins!" — I screamed inside.
The bitterest part of all this was the realization: maybe we were the ones who tipped them off about that base.
— Further instructions will come from your commanders, — she continued.
— Squads have already been formed. When your group number and names are called — step forward.
From here command is transferred to Fugaku Uchiha.
I clenched my teeth. "The old hag won't go into battle herself, but we have to. Old crone, I know you'll live to see Boruto! This is how they throw the youngsters into the meat grinder while she just sits here…" — anger boiled inside me, but I held it back not to give myself away.
— Now, squad leaders, step forward! — Fugaku's voice carried across the square, empowered with chakra.
Sixteen people stepped into the front row. Eight jonin and eight chunin — I quickly counted. "All in full gear. Dead serious… Of the familiar faces, only that old chunin from the last mission. The rest I don't know."
And it began. The first commander read names and pulled people out of the crowd one by one. People responded, formed up. Everything went on measuredly, as if this was just a regular training camp and not preparation for a bloody massacre.
We weren't called. Fourth group, fifth… sixth… seventh…
And then finally:
— Number eight, — said a man in a jonin vest, unfolding the list.
— Team: Gai, Kotetsu, Genma. Step forward.
I exchanged a quick look with Gai and Genma. Gai stood with a serious face, while Genma squinted, quietly exhaled, and adjusted the senbon in his teeth.
— Strange… I don't know him, — the thought flickered as I studied our new "leader."
The man was tall, with a hard gaze and deep wrinkles on his face. His forehead was covered by a Konoha headband, and on his shoulder was a fresh scar, as if just recently stitched. His eyes skimmed over the three of us and then moved back to the list.
— You three are under my command. From this moment — you listen only to my orders.
— His voice was even, but there was something in it that instantly sent a chill through me.
After calling the last names, he closed the list and looked at us with narrowed eyes.
— Everyone has their gear with them? — his voice was dry and sharp, like a whip crack.
We stayed silent. No one stirred, no one said a word.
— Then everything's in place. Good.
He straightened, clasping his hands behind his back.
— Your main task is to listen and follow my orders. This battle is extremely important, and mistakes will cost lives. Misconduct will be punished.
I shuddered involuntarily.
— Who among you has never been on combat missions? — his gaze darted between us.
Again silence. No one raised a hand. I felt that even if someone lacked experience, none of us would dare admit it now.
— Thought so, — he said curtly. — The battle is aimed at minimal engagement, but close combat is highly likely. So be ready. No improvising.
He stepped forward, lowering his voice, but each phrase landed especially heavy:
— Your role is support and cleanup. We will be part of the outer ring of encirclement. That means: your task is to cut off escapees. Do not let anyone get away. Not a single one. Understood?
— Yes, — we answered almost in unison.
A chill ran through me. "Cut off escapees? So we're the ones who'll be finishing them off. Not sure if that's lucky… or the opposite."
— The main formation is moving out, which means we are too, — he said, glancing toward the camp exit, where people were already gathering.
The noise was palpable: dozens of voices mixed with the clatter of weapons, creak of armor, and heavy footsteps. It felt like the entire camp rose to its feet at once.
I automatically checked the straps on my vest, adjusted my pouches, and touched the hilt of my tanto — as if that could give me confidence. My heart was pounding faster than usual.
— Well then, let's go, — Genma clapped both of us on the shoulders. His smile looked forced, but in his eyes I saw readiness. Gai, on the other hand, looked completely calm — almost too calm.
We merged into the stream of shinobi leaving the camp. Ahead stretched a long column threading between the trees. Hundreds of people moving in sync gave an impression of strength, but at the same time I felt the cold under my ribs: "Four hundred people… and all marching to battle. How many will return?"