Don't let the fact that Saiki and his friends were Chunin fool you. Setting aside the few commanders, the thousand-man unit followed a strict one-three-six ratio: for every one Jonin, there were three Chunin and six Genin. The vast majority of the force were Genin.
A squad composed entirely of Chunin like Saiki's was a total anomaly.
However, these Genin were not to be underestimated. Most of them had held the rank for years and were battle-hardened veterans, possessing significantly more combat experience than Kurenai or Genhai.
The unit's marching pace was grueling. No concessions were made for the younger ninja. On a battlefield, no one stops to wait; if you can't keep up, you're already dead.
Land of Fire Border, Cloud Front.
Konoha was simultaneously engaged with both the Cloud and the Stone. With resources and manpower spread paper-thin, the Leaf forces had been forced into a strategic retreat, yielding a critical high-ground position to the Cloud vanguard.
Inside the Cloud's main command tent, a dark-skinned intelligence officer rushed toward the map table.
"Emergency report, Lord Dodai! Konoha has deployed a thousand-man reinforcement unit. They are being led by Shikaku Nara."
"The Nara strategist is leading them?"
Dodai, a brilliant tactician in his own right, looked up from the tactical board. He had heard of the rising star Shikaku Nara and knew better than to underestimate him.
"The intel is confirmed. Shikaku Nara is in command. Furthermore, Konoha has deployed nearly four hundred members of the Uchiha and Hyuga clans. The unit is moving at high speed; ETA to the front is forty-eight hours," the officer reported grimly.
He handed a detailed scroll to Dodai.
Dodai unfurled the scroll and studied the contents. After a moment of rapid calculation, he formulated his response.
"I see. You are dismissed."
"Yes, Sir!"
Once alone, Dodai re-read the report with a cold smirk.
Konoha had sent so many members of their two most prestigious clans, yet kept them away from the command structure. It was clear Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't trust his own great families. This was a political rift Dodai was more than happy to exploit.
However, Dodai was a man who understood priorities. Instead of wasting time on psychological warfare between the Leaf clans, the more logical choice was to intensify their offensive. If they could crush the remaining Konoha border units and push the front line deep into the Land of Fire before Shikaku's reinforcements arrived, they would secure an absolute strategic advantage.
Having made his decision, Dodai handed the orders to his adjutant. "Notify the frontline commanders: accelerate all operations. By whatever means necessary, I want those key positions secured before the Leaf reinforcements arrive."
"As you command!"
Although the Leaf were outnumbered, the war was still in its early stages and their supply lines were intact. A total annihilation of the Leaf border forces was unlikely.
Had the Raikage—that impulsive brute—been here, he might have ordered a suicidal total charge. But Dodai was a man of logic; he sought to maximize profit while minimizing risk.
Konoha's war potential was massive. They wouldn't be defeated in a single day.
The previous two World Wars had lasted for years. In a conflict of this scale, the reckless "quick finish" was a myth. To win, one had to prepare for a war of attrition.
That night, the forest was heavy with an oppressive silence. The presence of a thousand trained killers was infinitely more terrifying than a pack of wild beasts.
"Kurenai, Genhai, hurry up and finish your food. Get some rest and conserve your energy; we have another long march tomorrow."
After a full day of forced marching, Saiki was perfectly fine. Genhai was holding up, but Kurenai—a Genjutsu specialist who lacked high Taijutsu stats—was visibly flagging. Saiki whispered his instructions.
Looking at their exhausted states, Saiki felt a pang of worry. He cursed the world once again. Sending children this young to die in a meat-grinder was a crime.
The two kids were too tired to speak, silently chewing through their dry rations.
Just as Saiki was preparing for a short nap, he heard approaching footsteps.
Recognizing Tsume Inuzuka's chakra signature, Saiki didn't move. She stepped into their camp shortly after.
"Sensei Tsume."
Tsume's expression was grim, but she managed to keep her composure. She gave them a curt nod and looked at Saiki. "Saiki, come with me. Genhai, Kurenai—stay here and get some sleep."
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the two kids didn't ask questions. Saiki followed Tsume into the shadows.
Once they were clear of the camp, Saiki asked, "What's wrong, Sensei?"
Tsume stopped and turned to him. "An emergency dispatch from the front. The Cloud has intensified their offensive. The news reached Konoha, and high command has ordered a select group of elites to break off from the main unit and reinforce the line immediately. You've been chosen."
Saiki frowned. He wasn't worried about himself, but he looked back toward the camp. "What about you, Sensei?"
Tsume looked slightly ashamed. "Genhai, Kurenai, and I will be maintaining the standard marching pace with the rest of the unit."
"I see. That's for the best. Knowing they're with you puts my mind at ease," Saiki said with a sigh of relief.
Genhai had spent years bragging to his mother about how "invincible" Saiki was. Reimi, knowing nothing of the ninja world, genuinely believed the boy was a god.
Saiki remembered Reimi's tear-filled eyes as she begged him to look after her son. He had given his word.
Genhai was one of Saiki's few true friends, and a man's word is his bond. He hated the idea of leaving the boy unprotected.
Looking at Saiki's serious, mature expression, Tsume felt a surge of affection and pity for him. She reached out and pulled him into a sudden hug.
As Saiki's squad were all Chunin, they had been issued the standard green flak jackets. As his face was pressed against the stiff, unyielding fabric of her armor, Saiki complained, "Sensei Tsume... loosen up. That jacket is too hard."
Tsume released him, shooting him a mock-offended look. "You little brat. I try to give you some comfort and all you do is complain? You didn't make a sound when I hugged you before."
"Because your breasts are a lot softer than that armor!" Saiki retorted with a smirk as he rubbed his face.
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake. An awkward silence followed.
The boisterous Tsume let out a slightly embarrassed laugh before reaching out to ruffle his messy black hair. "You've got a dirty mind for such a young kid. Stop daydreaming."
She added softly, "I know you're strong. But the battlefield is a different beast. Watch your back."
"I know, Sensei." Saiki nodded.
Tsume led Saiki to the assembly point. Three hundred ninja had gathered—mostly Jonin and elite Chunin. The few Genin present were either seasoned veterans or specialists with unique roles.
As Saiki arrived, he noticed Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza all looking his way. Shinku Yuhi and several other proctors from the exams also recognized him immediately. Their attention drew the curious stares of the other two hundred and fifty ninja.
Clearly, Saiki had been selected specifically because the commanders knew exactly what he was capable of.
Despite the scrutiny, Saiki remained perfectly calm. To help him integrate, he was assigned to the temporary squad led by Shinku Yuhi.
After a final headcount, Inoichi Yamanaka gave the order. The advance unit departed immediately.
Unlike Tsume and Genhai's group, Saiki's unit would march until 2:00 AM before stopping for a brief rest. They would be back on the move at dawn, ensuring they reached the front line before sunset the next day.