Hayashi entered the Sand Village's war encampment with a quiet awareness of just how harsh its reality was. The poverty and scarcity that defined the Wind Country's forces were impossible to ignore. Sand Village shinobi were lean and weathered, their food supplies thin, and the desert environment unforgiving. During the Second Shinobi World War, the Leaf Village had taken advantage of the Wind Country's struggles, leaving its people weakened and worn.
The Daimyo of the Wind Country had grown frustrated with the Third Kazekage, cutting funding year after year. The result was fewer ninjas, stricter rations, and a push toward creating elite units rather than supporting a full army. Once ranked second only to the Leaf Village in strength, the Sand Village had fallen steadily, its pride weighed down by hard times and constant conflict.
Now, instead of bustling camp kitchens and live-fire drills, Hayashi saw a dozen figures gathered around a single pot of food. There were no restaurants, no comforts. Just survival. Even for someone like Hayashi, who already knew the situation, the sight brought a twinge of empathy. He found himself wishing, briefly, that the war would end so these people could return home and plant sweet potatoes in peace.
Two days passed.
A mission request, signed by Rasa, had been finalized. Hayashi, disguised as Sen, was to lead a force of one hundred and fifty Sand Village shinobi to hold Yunlu Gorge, a strategic chokepoint marked clearly on the map.
"Has there been any word from the Leaf Village?" came a quiet voice from behind him.
It was Mikoto, careful and hushed as she approached. Hayashi kept his voice low in response.
"No news is the best news for now," he said, aware that one hundred and fifty Sand forces surrounded them. It was better not to speak carelessly.
Of that unit, only ten were jonin. There were a handful of chunin, but most were still genin—almost all young and inexperienced. Combined with the shinobi already stationed in Yunlu Gorge, their total force did not exceed three hundred.
Yet even three hundred was a formidable garrison. Battles involving thousands of combatants were rare, usually reserved for decisive clashes. Yunlu Gorge was easy to defend but difficult to assault. The Leaf Village would need significantly more troops to take it, and it would cost them dearly.
Still, the Leaf Village had its reasons. Yunlu Gorge sat forward of the Sand Village's primary station. If the main force of the Leaf shinobi advanced, they could bypass the Sand defenses, strike from behind, and sever the Sand forces in a devastating pincer attack. Rasa knew this, which was why he ordered Hayashi's deployment here. The number of troops was intentional: enough to hold, but not so many as to deter an enemy assault.
If there had been a thousand shinobi here, perhaps even someone like Orochimaru would think twice about attacking Yunlu Gorge. With three hundred, however, the Leaf forces might see it as a target.
But even if the defense failed, Rasa had contingencies. There were other fortified positions further back. Heavy losses among these three hundred shinobi would be unfortunate, but not crucial. To him, sacrificing them was acceptable for the chance to slow the Leaf advance and inflict serious damage.
Time passed slowly as the group marched. After more than three hours, they paused to rest. Had it been just Hayashi and Mikoto, they would have covered this ground in under an hour. But they were moving with a large number of genin and chunin, and frequent breaks were necessary.
"…Hayashi‑sama!" called a voice during the rest.
Hayashi did not stay near Mikoto. Instead, he sent her ahead to scout quietly, then made his way into the genin rest area. According to the intelligence on Sen —the identity he was impersonating—Sen was known to be quiet, but he genuinely enjoyed teaching younger shinobi whenever possible. It was a trait that, in the Sand Village, had earned him respect.
"Is there anything you'd like to learn? I can teach you," Hayashi offered gently, lowering himself to the level of a few Sand Village genin, some who looked no older than ten.
Perhaps out of a desire to keep them safe, Rasa had sent most of the female genin to Hayashi's unit, while the more dangerous frontlines were assigned to stronger fighters. It was training, but also exposure to war—if they survived at all.
"…Thank you. There's nothing I want to learn right now," said the youngest girl, her smile tentative before fading with worry.
Hayashi's expression softened as she continued. "Lord Rasa said that with you here at Yunlu Gorge, even if the Leaf shinobi attack, we'll be fine. Is that true?"
Her voice carried the hope of many young hearts—faith placed in strength, in the belief that this one man could protect them and end the conflict quickly.
Hayashi sighed, brushing a lock of hair from her forehead with the gentlest touch he could manage.
But inside, he knew the harsh truth.
These shinobi were likely to fall here. In war, no amount of hope could change the inevitability of suffering and death. It was a reality that each soldier would face.