"Where's the Iwagakure scroll?"
After all the Konoha ANBU regrouped, Kusunoki Naraku raised his gaze toward the members still cleaning up the battlefield.
"My lord, it's this scroll."
None of the ANBU present had the authority to unseal it. Only Naraku was permitted to do so.
"This is quite a mess…"
"What exactly did Sunagakure want to buy from Iwagakure to pay this much sand gold?"
Naraku unsealed the scroll and examined its contents carefully. The listed supplies were indeed chaotic—almost a little of everything.
"Ninja tools, seeds, foodstuffs…"
From the items alone, it was clear how resource-starved Sunagakure truly was. Even basic necessities were in short supply.
In fact, across the entire ninja world, only the Land of Fire—and Konohagakure—could be considered resource-rich. They lacked for almost nothing.
That was also why every other nation resented Konoha.
If they could defeat it, the other countries would have carved up the Land of Fire long ago.
"I see now…"
Naraku's eyes stopped on the most important item stored within the scroll.
Chakra metal.
Chakra metal was an exceptionally rare substance in the ninja world. Weapons forged from it were not only extraordinarily sharp and durable, but also allowed chakra to be infused with far greater efficiency—consuming significantly less chakra than ordinary ninja tools.
Because of that, chakra-metal weapons were prohibitively expensive.
For example, Asuma Sarutobi—son of the Third Hokage—used chakra blades forged from this material. Even with his status, he could only afford a relatively small pair.
That alone spoke volumes about how scarce and valuable chakra metal truly was.
"This loss is going to hurt both Iwagakure and Sunagakure badly," Naraku thought.
"Just this amount of chakra metal will make them bleed."
With that realization, he immediately resealed the scroll and handed it to a subordinate.
"Proceed according to the original plan. Withdraw immediately."
"Yes!"
As the commander of this mission, Naraku remained at the rear as the rearguard, allowing the others to depart first and return to the village.
He had complete confidence in his own strength—and the seized supplies were far too valuable. They needed to be delivered back to Konoha as quickly as possible.
Once they crossed into the Land of Fire, things would be much safer.
Most villages would never dare send large forces across Fire Country's borders—it would be tantamount to declaring war.
Normally, after a battle like this, it would be wiser to rest and recover chakra before retreating.
But because of the captured supplies, Naraku chose immediate withdrawal.
ANBU followed orders without question.
After watching his subordinates depart with the scrolls, Naraku surveyed the battle-scarred surroundings once more before following behind.
As the last one to retreat, he also left behind multiple traps along the way—insurance against pursuit.
…
Shua!
Naraku flickered onto the top of a tall tree and looked back toward the rear.
By now, daylight had fully broken.
As the rearguard, he still hadn't encountered any pursuers.
"If their reinforcements don't show up soon, the supplies will enter Fire Country—and they'll never get them back."
At normal speed, the ANBU who departed first were already close to the border. Another hour or two, and they would be home.
Then—
BOOM—BOOM—BOOM!
Massive explosions erupted in the distance.
Flames and smoke billowed skyward, and a shockwave spread outward in a wide circle.
"They're here."
"No idea whether it's Iwagakure or Sunagakure."
Naraku leapt down from the tree and immediately began moving.
Due to time constraints, he hadn't made a serious effort to conceal his trail. Any competent tracker could follow the signs easily.
His intention was simple—draw the pursuers to himself.
…
Rustle…
Soft footsteps blended into the background of chirping birds and insects.
Two full squads of Iwagakure shinobi advanced silently through the forest, alert to every disturbance.
The Iwa commander made a few quick hand signals. His subordinates immediately fanned out.
After encountering earlier traps, they were proceeding with extreme caution.
Still, time was their greatest enemy.
If they delayed too long, reclaiming the supplies would become impossible.
The goods meant for Sunagakure were extremely valuable—especially the chakra metal.
They had lost both payment and supplies.
That was utterly unacceptable.
Suddenly, the ground near the commander's feet rippled like water.
An Iwa shinobi emerged from beneath the earth and gestured silently.
The commander nodded.
Another shinobi knelt and pressed a hand against the ground, chakra surging as he began sensing the surroundings.
Then he stiffened.
"Southeast. About one kilometer. There was movement just now."
"Move."
"Yes!"
…
Naraku stood concealed within the dense foliage of a tall tree, leaves masking him completely.
He still didn't know how many shinobi were pursuing him.
That depended on which village reacted faster—and which valued their losses more.
What concerned him most was whether the pursuers included a sensory-type ninja.
If they did, then once combat began, that sensory ninja would be his first target.
"Hm?"
Naraku frowned.
The forest—once alive with birdsong and insect calls—fell suddenly silent.
Killing intent flooded the area, so dense it felt as though a pin dropping to the ground would echo clearly.
"They're here."
"Earth Release: Earth Spear Barrage!"
Naraku launched himself upward instantly, vanishing from his original position.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Countless jagged stone spikes erupted from the ground like lances, impaling the space where he had just been standing.
Thick trees were pierced clean through as stone fragments and splintered wood flew everywhere.
"Earth Release: Stone Pillar Thrust!"
Naraku had barely landed when the ground beneath his feet bloomed with spikes like a monstrous flower.
The earthen spears shot upward—
Straight through him.
Poof!
Smoke burst forth.
Naraku vanished, replaced by a wooden log.
"Substitution Jutsu? When did he form the seals?!"
The Iwa shinobi searched frantically—
"The target is three hundred meters away! Southwest!"
"Fire Release: Great Fire Destruction!"
To their horror, Naraku didn't form hand seals at all.
He raised two fingers like a blade and expelled a massive fireball directly into the center of the Iwa formation.
The moment it struck—
BOOM!
The fireball detonated violently, expanding in an instant and engulfing the surrounding area in roaring flames.
The speed and intensity of the inferno were overwhelming.
Three Iwagakure shinobi didn't even have time to react before they were swallowed whole—screaming as they burned to ash.
An entire section of forest was instantly reduced to ruin.
The sheer release speed and explosive force of that Fire Release left the Iwa pursuers reeling.
They had suffered a devastating blow.