The Next Morning
Sakura was summoned to the central command tent at the crack of dawn.
When she arrived in haste, she found that besides herself, the others present were Sasuke, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame. And unlike his usual laid-back demeanor, Jiraiya now wore a grave expression as he looked at the group.
"Sakura, just in time."
Jiraiya handed a scroll to her, the seal of command affixed on its surface.
Sakura unrolled it and read the contents quickly. As she absorbed the mission details, her expression turned increasingly serious.
"According to intelligence," Jiraiya said, "the location of the Hidden Cloud's supply depot has been confirmed."
"It's in the northern region of the Land of Frost."
"This intel came at the cost of a spy embedded in the Cloud Village—a transmission sent with his dying breath."
Jiraiya's voice was calm, but the weight of his words sank heavily in Sakura's chest.
Too convenient, she thought.
Just yesterday they had discussed targeting the enemy's logistics. And now, all of a sudden, a breakthrough?
Sakura pursed her lips, tempted to voice her doubt, but found no solid grounds to challenge the report.
"And we're the ones being sent on this mission?" she asked, brows furrowing as she faced Jiraiya directly.
Destroying an enemy's supply line was no small matter—it easily warranted an S-rank classification. Missions like these typically involved elite shinobi squads, not young teams barely into their prime.
Of those assembled, Sasuke was at least a special jonin. Kiba and Shino were capable, but still only considered chunin. Sakura herself was powerful, yes—but if the operation went south, even she couldn't guarantee everyone's safety.
If the situation grew truly dire, there was no question what she would do—grab Sasuke and retreat. Anyone could die.
Except Sasuke.
"What's with that look, Sakura?" Kiba grumbled, sensing her doubt. "You don't believe in me or something?"
Sakura ignored him, keeping her gaze fixed on Jiraiya, waiting for an explanation.
Jiraiya remained seated at the head of the tent, his voice steady.
"Last night, there were unusual movements within the Cloud's ranks. Their previously quiet front is now stirring on a large scale."
"Additionally, we've identified their current commander."
"It's someone known as Dōdai—once the right hand of the Third Raikage. A man considered the 'Chancellor of Lightning.'"
"His combat prowess may not be legendary, but his tactical mind is not to be underestimated."
Sakura's expression darkened.
She knew of Dōdai. In the original timeline, he was the one who protected Naruto's shadow clone with his life when facing Madara's Heavenly Subjugation Star technique. A calm, calculating leader who knew exactly when and where to sacrifice his men for the greater good.
Jiraiya continued, "Reports estimate Cloud's active force at around seven thousand shinobi. And all of them moved—at the same time."
"That kind of mobilization doesn't suggest a standard maneuver. It suggests that they are ready to force a decisive battle."
Sakura's frown deepened. The implications were dire.
"I understand," she said quietly, her voice laced with grim acceptance.
There was no point in questioning Jiraiya further. Challenging the mission would imply doubting the credibility of central command—a move that would damage morale and insult the trust of leadership.
Seeing her take the scroll without protest, Jiraiya addressed the team.
"For this mission, Sakura will act as team captain."
"Everyone will follow her commands without exception."
His gaze landed on Kiba, sharp as a blade.
"Especially you, from the Inuzuka clan."
Kiba muttered his agreement, cowed by the rare seriousness in Jiraiya's tone.
As they exited the command tent, Sakura's mind was already racing. She turned to the others and issued quick instructions.
"Gather all your ninja tools and gear for battle. We meet at the main gate in ten minutes."
Without waiting for acknowledgment, she departed.
Kiba scowled at her back, muttering, "Tch. What's with her attitude…"
Sasuke, who had started to walk away, stopped suddenly. He turned, eyes sharp as kunai, and looked at Kiba.
"I don't care what your problem is," he said coldly.
"But if your recklessness puts Sakura in danger…"
"I'll be the first to make you pay."
And with that, he walked off.
"Wha—! That bastard Sasuke!" Kiba stomped his foot.
Shino, adjusting his sunglasses calmly, added in his usual reserved tone:
"Kiba, this isn't the village. This is war."
"Your whims don't belong on the battlefield."
"If you want a reason… then know this: war is cruel."
Kiba bit his lip and sighed, "Yeah, yeah… You're all right. I get it."
"I'll behave."
---
The Weather Turns
Snow had begun to fall again without warning. Dark clouds loomed above, casting long shadows over the silent pine forests.
Through the frost-laden trees, four figures moved swiftly like ghosts, blending into the snowy landscape.
Sakura led the group, clad in a white cloak that shielded her from the biting wind. Her eyes were protected by snow goggles, and her signature pink hair was hidden beneath the hood—a measure both for warmth and to avoid drawing attention.
Sasuke, Kiba, and Shino wore similar garb. Their movements were measured, disciplined.
To avoid detection by Cloud Village sentries, Sakura had chosen a long, roundabout route—nearly hugging the border of the Land of Frost.
Her four years in the ANBU had taught her well: it was better to succeed cautiously than fail recklessly.
One wrong move could tip off the enemy that their logistics had been exposed. That would not only waste this rare intel—it would disrespect the sacrifice of the spy who'd died delivering it.
After two grueling days, the squad had finally entered territory under Cloud control.
Now, the risk of exposure was at its peak.
One misstep could doom them all.
Sakura glanced back at her teammates and signaled with hand gestures:
"Find cover. Rest for 30 minutes."
She herself climbed a nearby slope and took position on a hidden perch that offered good visibility. She'd keep watch while the others rested.
So far, they'd encountered several Cloud scouts, but Shino's insects had a longer sensory range than even Sakura's detection technique, Sky Veil Array.
Each time, they had avoided conflict, slipping past unnoticed.
Sasuke quietly chewed on a ration bar, his gaze drifting toward Sakura before returning to the snow-covered forest.
Sakura, eyes scanning the quiet trees, couldn't shake the gnawing unease that had followed her since their departure.
It was too coincidental. Too perfect.
She couldn't ignore the possibility that Konoha's own base had been compromised—perhaps by Zetsu, or even an inside agent from the Akatsuki.
It wouldn't be beneath them to leak information for chaos's sake, selling out the Cloud's position just to stir the flames of war.
If that were true…
Then this mission was a trap.
Sakura had no proof. It was only a theory. But it made sense. If the Akatsuki truly aimed to wear down all five great nations, then feeding them just enough information to turn them against each other was exactly their style.
Ultimately, the truth would lie in what they found ahead.
If the enemy base was genuine…
Then this war was about to escalate beyond anyone's predictions.
Because the Akatsuki would never let such a glorious bloodbath go to waste.
Thirty minutes passed swiftly.
Sakura led the team into deeper enemy territory, moving like phantoms through snow and silence.
From here on out, every breath, every step had to be perfect. A single misstep could cost them everything.
No more margin for error.
The hunt had begun.
---
(End of Chapter)