Temporary Base, Northern Front, Land of Fire.
After a brutal ambush, only a handful of shinobi remained. Minato's timely arrival had allowed them to break through the encirclement; otherwise, they would have all perished.
Inside the main tent, Minato sat with the members of Ino-Shika-Cho.
"You're saying... there's a problem within our ranks?" Minato pondered.
"It's just a conjecture," Shikaku said.
"Do you have any basis for this?" Minato asked.
"Our marching route was meticulously surveyed by the reconnaissance unit. It was top secret. If the enemy possessed reconnaissance capabilities far surpassing ours, they would have already gained the upper hand in this war."
Minato remained silent, his brow furrowed.
Shikaku continued, "I know this is a bit far-fetched, so it's merely speculation."
"What do you propose we do?" Minato inquired.
"I need to verify my suspicion. If there truly is an enemy spy among us, it would be a devastating blow to our future operations."
Shikaku produced three small scrolls, freshly inscribed.
"These are three different retreat routes. Each needs to be delivered to a different unit's encampment. I've already dispatched a reconnaissance ninja ahead of time along each route."
"Kakashi!" Shikaku called out towards the tent entrance. A young man with white hair and a mask appeared.
He handed one of the scrolls to Kakashi. "Deliver this to Lord Jiraiya's camp in the east. Make haste."
"Understood." Kakashi accepted the scroll with a curt nod and exited.
Shikaku handed the remaining two scrolls to Minato.
"Minato, I apologize for the added burden, but please deliver these to Fugaku's camp in the west and the outpost camp to the northwest."
Minato nodded slightly. "Anything else?"
Shikaku glanced at the clock on the table. "We will depart at 3:00 PM."
"I'll be back in time," Minato assured him.
The distance between the different encampments was considerable. Messengers were dispatched before every operation to keep each unit informed of the others' movements.
Stepping out of the tent, Minato saw the remaining troops gathered.
A mere few hundred, their morale low. Many were injured, leaning against tree trunks or lying on the ground resting.
Seeing Minato emerge, some still managed to stand and greet him with a respectful, "Lord Minato."
Minato's heart was heavy. Looking at these familiar faces, he remembered there had been so many more just two days ago.
He didn't speak, instead using Flying thunder god to depart.
Shikaku emerged from the tent.
"Everyone, prepare to move. We depart in one hour. We'll retreat through the Clearsky Mountains."
The hour passed swiftly, and Minato returned as promised.
After the troops were ready, they set off once more.
The Clearsky Mountains stretched between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass. The slopes were gentle, the scenery picturesque.
Shikaku led the troops along the mountainside.
Looking at the lush vegetation, he thought that a bloody battle here would irrevocably damage the environment.
Hopefully, his worries were unfounded.
"How long have we been traveling?" Minato asked.
"Over 40 minutes," Shikaku replied.
Minato then said, "No news has been relayed back yet, so we should be safe."
Shikaku nodded. "Let's hope so."
The march was slow, accommodating the wounded. Minato walked at the front, frequently glancing back at his remaining comrades. He was determined to bring them all back safely.
"Minato." Choza tossed him a water pouch.
Minato opened it, took a swig, and gazed at the sky, a clear, jade-like blue expanse dotted with white clouds. The view would have been even more breathtaking from the mountaintop.
Just as he finished drinking, the reconnaissance ninja Shikaku had dispatched returned.
His arrival caused a sense of foreboding to fall over Minato and Ino-Shika-Cho.
"Report," Shikaku asked, frowning.
"I discovered a group of Iwa shinobi at my designated location. There were at least five or six hundred of them!" The ninja gasped slightly, accepting the water pouch Minato offered.
"I see." Shikaku's expression remained neutral. This ninja had been sent to scout the retreat route leading to Lord Jiraiya's camp.
"Go and rest," he instructed the scout.
It seemed Lord Jiraiya's camp had been infiltrated.
"Shikaku, it appears your suspicions were correct," Inoichi commented.
"We need to warn Jiraiya sensei," Minato said.
Shikaku nodded, about to speak when another reconnaissance ninja returned.
This one had been sent to scout the route towards Fugaku's camp. Everyone's hearts sank.
A short while later, the final scout returned. They all brought the same grim news: Iwa shinobi had been discovered at each designated location.
Shikaku felt a chill run down his spine. He turned to Minato, whose normally calm face was etched with shock.
Every camp had a spy!
How could they possibly fight a war like this?
Suddenly, a thought struck Shikaku. He yelled, "Halt!"
He scanned their surroundings, cold sweat drenching him.
"Inoichi!" Shikaku's voice was hoarse.
As soon as Shikaku shouted, Inoichi began performing his sensory jutsu.
The troops stopped, on high alert. The once lush and dense forest now felt fraught with danger.
Moments later, Inoichi reported, "I haven't detected anything unusual... If they set up an ambush in advance, they might have methods to block sensory perception."
Shikaku declared, "This is targeted at our unit. They're determined to annihilate us!"
Minato stepped forward, his expression calm. "Leave this to me."
Shikaku was worried. "You alone?"
He knew Minato was strong, exceptionally so, beyond comparison to a ninja like himself. But the enemy numbered five or six hundred!
"It might be a bit troublesome. I need Inoichi's assistance," Minato said.
"Relay the enemy's positions to me once they reveal themselves."
"Understood!" Inoichi replied.
"We'll go too!" Voices rose from within the ranks.
Several ninja stepped forward, their faces resolute, looking at Shikaku and Minato.
"Count me in!"
"And us!"
More and more surged forward, even the wounded, none showing any fear.
"We can't always rely on Lord Minato to protect us."
"We won't be a burden. We'll gladly die for the village."
"Right! We're going too!"
Shikaku was deeply moved, yet couldn't help but say with a wry smile, "Who knowingly walks into a trap?"
He looked at Minato again, inwardly sighing. This was Minato's charisma.
He gave the order: "Change of plans. We descend the mountain. Minato and Inoichi will cover our rear to prevent pursuit."
The group exchanged glances but obeyed Shikaku's command.
The unit started down the mountain. After a short distance, Shikaku couldn't help but glance back at Minato and Inoichi.
The Iwa shinobi weren't the true threat; the invisible enemies within their own ranks were far more terrifying.
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