The information was reported layer by layer, eventually attracting the attention of the third Kazekage himself, who was then troubled by how to counter the massive advantage the Byakugan held in reconnaissance and intelligence warfare.
Viewing the Red Eyes as a key bargaining chip capable of breaking the strategic balance, he decided to personally travel to the Land of Rivers and, with the highest level of courtesy, invite this small ninja clan back to the Village Hidden in the Sand, promising abundant resources and high status.
However, it was precisely during this personal trip that the third Kazekage, along with the highly valued genius puppeteer, Sasori, who had just joined his guard unit, mysteriously disappeared.
The Village Hidden in the Sand searched across the border regions of the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers, mobilizing countless manpower and resources, yet they were never able to find any concrete clues.
The two important figures seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Despite such a major incident, the higher-ups of the Village Hidden in the Sand did not abandon their recruitment of the Hinokawa Clan.
After a combination of coercion and inducement, this weak clan ultimately could not resist the will of a great nation. The entire clan was invited to the Village Hidden in the Sand and was quickly integrated into its war machine.
Nozomi Hinokawa, as the most talented among the younger generation of the Hinokawa Clan, was naturally assigned to this special unit tasked with carrying out covert ambush missions. His Red Eyes, capable of seeing through the Byakugan's perception and creating illusory false images, were the most critical factor in this perfect ambush against the Hyuga's reconnaissance ninjas, tearing open the Konoha's sensory defense line.
"Immediately notify Elder Ebizo!"
The unit squad leader confirmed that the scene had been handled, then lowered his voice and ordered a subordinate responsible for communication: "The forward scouts have been eliminated. It is confirmed that Hyuga's reconnaissance ninjas were active. That important medical and logistics support unit from Konoha should be just ahead, not far from here. Request Elder Ebizo to immediately lead the main force to converge on this area according to the predetermined plan!"
Their squad of just over a dozen people was merely the first probing tendril and sharp blade in a massive hunting operation.
Behind them was an elite assault force of more than five hundred people, personally led by the Village Hidden in the Sand's Elder Ebizo, lurking silently like a swarm of scorpions hidden beneath the desert, waiting.
The objective of this elite assault force was to locate and completely destroy Konoha's medical and logistics support unit that was being escorted toward the western border.
If successful, Konoha's main forces on the front line would lose their critically important continuous medical support. The wounded would be unable to receive timely treatment, and the supply of medicine and equipment would be cut off, causing their combat effectiveness to drop drastically.
More importantly, this would clear the way for another of the Village Hidden in the Sand's trump cards, Elder Chiyo's terrifying poison, allowing her poison techniques to be unleashed to their maximum potential.
This could become a crucial key to breaking the stalemate on the front lines!
In the past, even if the Village Hidden in the Sand had such ambitions, they were often unable to carry them out.
Konoha's medical and logistics units moved cautiously and were always accompanied by Byakugan users for reconnaissance and vigilance. Their long-range perception made it difficult for any large-scale troop movements or ambush attempts to remain hidden; they were often exposed before even getting close, leading to mission failure.
But this time, the situation was completely different.
The Village Hidden in the Sand now possessed the Red Eyes.
These strange eyes, capable of interfering with the Byakugan's perception and creating blind spots, had become the weight that tipped the balance.
They were like a layer of camouflage designed specifically for the Byakugan, allowing the Village Hidden in the Sand's blades to approach silently, while Konoha remained completely unaware of the impending deadly danger.
"Entire squad, maintain silence and move to point two."
The squad leader waved his hand, and the Sunagakure ninjas, like phantoms merging into the night, quickly and orderly disappeared into the shadows of the forest.
Nozomi Hinokawa walked in the middle of the team, those ruby-like eyes faintly flickering in the darkness, continuously emitting subtle, strange chakra fluctuations, like ripples on water, constantly disturbing the traces that should have been clear in this area, creating the most ideal cover of night for the approaching main force.
At the same time, at the rear camp, Shinichi, who was resting with his eyes closed, suddenly felt a chill shoot up from his tailbone without any warning, instantly spreading across his entire spine!
This feeling of cold dread came extremely abruptly and sharply, completely different from the normal low temperature of the winter night around him.
It felt more like a cold warning acting directly on the mental level, as if an invisible venomous snake had flicked its tongue and brushed past the back of his neck.
Shinichi suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze completely clear.
He immediately realized this was definitely not an illusion caused by the cold weather. With his current powerful physique enhanced by various talents, ordinary night chill was simply not enough to make him feel any discomfort from the cold.
It was the talent [Ominous Omen]!
This luck-type talent, obtained when he graduated early from the Ninja Academy and which had remained dormant for two years without showing any special effect, was now, for the first time, actively sending him a vague yet extremely clear warning.
Danger was approaching.
Without the slightest hesitation, Shinichi sprang up, moving swiftly yet silently past his resting companions, heading straight to the temporary command point where Tsunade was located in the center of the camp.
"Tsunade-sensei!"
Shinichi arrived before Tsunade, who was examining a map, and said in a low voice, "There's danger. Prepare for battle!"
Tsunade raised her head from the map, her brows instantly furrowing. She understood her student well; he was not someone who made baseless claims or exaggerated, especially at a time like this.
"What's going on? Explain clearly!"
Tsunade put down the map and stood up, her presence turning sharp.
"I can't explain it clearly. It's a kind of instinct, or warning."
Shinichi quickly said, his gaze sweeping toward the darkness beyond the camp. "A very strong warning. The danger is already very close. It should be a targeted ambush or attack. Our reconnaissance team has likely run into trouble."
Tsunade's expression instantly turned extremely grim.
She abruptly turned to look in the direction where Yuto Hyuga was stationed. The young Hyuga ninja still stood quietly on an elevated point at the edge of the camp, veins bulging around his eyes, Byakugan activated, performing his vigilance duty.
From his posture and previous periodic reports, within the surrounding area of the camp, no abnormal chakra reactions or life signs had been detected.
The forward reconnaissance team led by Kenichi Hyuga and the rear guard team led by Ryota Hyuga, according to prior arrangement, would immediately send signals if they encountered enemies or discovered anomalies.
However, no emergency signals had come so far, and communication remained silent.
But Shinichi's warning…