Three days later.
Near the border, a messenger hawk landed in front of Kakashi.
After reading the intelligence it carried, Kakashi said, "Three days ago, a scouting unit from the border force reported that Kumogakure has already traveled through the Land of Frost and the Land of Hot Water."
'Three days ago?'
Yun's lips curled in a half-smile. 'For Kumogakure to arrive at the border of the Land of Fire just three days after learning of the incident, it meant they must've departed earlier, at least three days prior.'
'There was no way they could've moved this fast unless it was premeditated. What were they, clairvoyants?'
Kakashi released the hawk back into the sky. Though it was now late at night, the two Kumo shinobi pushing ahead didn't seem interested in resting.
"Should we follow?" Kakashi asked. "I think their goal is to exhaust us mentally before the meeting."
Yun nodded slightly. "Either way, those two need to see their comrades rejoin Kumogakure's main force. As for their motives… talking at night isn't such a bad idea."
With that, the two of them sped up, trailing the Kumo shinobi.
Swoosh…
At the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water, a large bridge connected the two countries.
Yun and Kakashi landed at the end of the bridge on the Fire Country's side.
Hidden in the forest behind them were both border troops and Anbu who had arrived earlier.
The two Kumogakure ninja who had accompanied them raced across the bridge and knelt before Killer B, the Kumo squad's leader.
"Lord B, the mission is complete."
They whispered a full report, then pulled out a sealing scroll. With a puff of smoke, the corpse of the slain Kumo envoy appeared before B.
Killer B looked at the lifeless body with a rare seriousness, murmuring, "Was the sacrifice worth it?"
Mabui stepped forward and replied quietly, "This is the fate of shinobi. So that our village can obtain the Byakugan in the coming war, his death will be remembered."
Behind her, Samui reminded him, "They've arrived. From here, Mabui and I will handle negotiations. You don't need to appear."
Just as she finished, Yun and Kakashi stepped onto the bridge.
Mabui looked at them and said, "It seems Konoha hasn't met Lord Raikage's demands. Should I take that as a provocation?"
Kakashi shook his head slightly. "The Hokage has already explained the situation via messenger. That Kumo envoy tried to kidnap the Hyūga heir. Hiashi only acted in response."
"Even though the wounds appear to be from a Gentle Fist technique, Hiashi used only a single air strike. The envoy died immediately. We can't help but wonder if this was all a setup."
Mabui frowned. "I don't understand what you're saying. Kumogakure wanted peace. That's why we proposed an alliance."
"But now, one of our envoys has Bn killed over a few words, and Konoha refuses to hand over the killer. This feels like an outright provocation, an excuse for war!"
Kakashi was about to respond again when Yun raised a hand to stop him.
Yun stepped forward and said, "Bring out Killer B. We all know what really happened, no point pretending anymore."
After a brief hesitation, Killer B stepped out, ignoring Samui's attempt to hold him back.
Yun looked at him and smiled. "You guys know the truth better than anyone. B, tell me your plan. If Kumogakure really wants to be this despicable, then so be it. Konoha has never feared war."
Killer B was silent for a long time.
A breeze rustled across the bridge. Then he slowly raised his hands and began rapping:
"Despicable? That's not us. For the village, sacrifice is a must! Uchiha brat, not afraid of war, no compromise? Then settle the score!
Though it was wrapped in rhymes, Yun understood. B was irritated, but wouldn't back down either.
Samui stepped forward, scanning the woods behind Yun and Kakashi. "Lord Raikage's order is this: if Konoha does not hand over Hiashi Hyūga within one week, then it's war."
With that, the Kumo forces disappeared in an instant.
Killer B gave Yun a thumbs-up before vanishing with the rest.
"One week, huh? Send word back to Konoha," Yun said, turning to leave. "If we don't compromise, they won't wait the full week. The war… has already begun."
Kakashi's face was grave.
From today onward, the border would see the blood of both villages spilled until the war ended.
A messenger hawk soared into the sky behind them. The number of border units had already tripled in the past few days.
Inside the forward base, Yun and Kakashi were planning their next moves.
"I don't know much about wartime deployment," Yun admitted. "But with my speed, I can serve as a support and strike unit."
Yun was fully aware of his strengths. In a world where even powerful abilities couldn't replace traditional warfare methods, he didn't overstep.
Even Kakashi hadn't changed the existing high-alert configuration of the border troops.
Kakashi glanced at the map. "Once Sensei receives our report, troops will deploy immediately. That's already been arranged."
"Until then, the Hyūga and Uchiha reinforcements who arrived yesterday will be split between the recon teams. You and I will handle the assignments."
"There are 23 border outposts, all equipped with detection barriers and messaging systems. From now on, you and I are support squads, ready to move at any moment."
He looked at Yun. "Your speed is unmatched, so you'll lead Support Team One. I'll handle Team Two. Once the enemy moves, we need to finish quickly and reinforce the other fronts."
Yun nodded. "Got it. Before I left, Shisui said the Uchiha would send a team early. Who's leading them? And the Hyūga, who's in charge?"
Kakashi smiled. "The first Hyūga group is led by Hiashi's brother, Hizashi. Three days from now, Hiashi himself will arrive with a second unit."
Yun nodded again. With the Hyūga's Byakugan, recon would be much easier.