Chapter 91: The One Being Set Up Is You, Yellow Earth

The day after Nono took the intelligence, the Hidden Stone forces set out under Oonoki’s orders. It was a forced march: everyone carried ten days of rations and was to push through the day and the night, reaching the foot of Hidden Leaf Village within seven days at the latest. The rest of the supplies would follow close behind.

“Brother Loess, what did the old man say? Can our mission be changed?” Whitewood watched the Hidden Stone shinobi pouring out through the gates and was deeply dissatisfied with his assignment.

“No way... The old man has always been stubborn. He’s made up his mind to have us take the lead assault.” Loess scratched his head helplessly.

“Honestly, how do you even serve as deputy commander? You can’t even snatch a cushy assignment. Let other people gorge themselves on the meat and broth while we’re sent to be the spearhead? Why not just have a proper fight with the Earth Shadow?” Whitewood sighed.

“If you want to say that, say it yourself. I’m not brave enough to pick a fight with my old man.” Loess shook his big head.

“You’re just too timid for this deputy commander job! If you dared to cross Oonoki, he’d put on a stern face in public, but who knows how pleased he’d be in private!” Whitewood thought it over. “I’d better go myself.”

...

The Hidden Stone command post was almost packed up. Oonoki had already changed into his shinobi gear and was ready to depart with the army at any moment. Nono was busily and flusteredly packing his clothes.

“Earth Shadow, sir...” Whitewood greeted him warmly.

“Spare me the niceties. The mission is not changing. I’m paying you to fight a war, not to come here and enjoy yourself.” Oonoki’s stance was firm.

“Just hear me out. I asked to defend the Bridge of No Gods, and it really wasn’t for my own comfort. With your wisdom, sir, you must already have considered how important that bridge is. If it’s blown up, none of the supplies will be able to keep up. Let alone taking down the Hidden Leaf—by then we might even have to crawl back home with our belts tightened.” Whitewood spoke earnestly.

Nono’s hands, busy sorting through the supplies, paused for a moment. In the report she had submitted, one of the two most important pieces of intelligence was the strategic value of the Bridge of No Gods. She had recommended destroying it to sever the Hidden Stone’s supply line completely.

Could Whitewood have leaked the intelligence on purpose, hoping to set an ambush for Minato Namikaze? But any ambush would be meaningless against Minato Namikaze...

“I’ve already considered everything you’ve said. There’s no need for you to spell out the importance of the Bridge of No Gods. I’ve assigned veteran elite jonin Demon Leech, Firelight, and the others to lead the force defending it. You can focus on preparing for your main assault.” Oonoki was single-mindedly intent on reaching the Hidden Leaf as fast as possible, and he paid Whitewood’s words no mind at all.

“I don’t know Demon Leech and the others, but I do know they can’t possibly beat Minato Namikaze. If Minato goes there in person, that bridge won’t hold.” Whitewood still refused to back down.

“Hmph. Your assumption is indeed terrifying, but it all rests on the premise that our full assault plans have been leaked. The Leaf’s lookout posts have already been uprooted; they’re no different from blind men now. My orders were only given as far as the commander level. Right now the entire Leaf defensive line stupidly believes we’re coming for them. Tell me, where would Minato Namikaze get his intelligence? Did you leak it?” Oonoki asked in an accusatory tone.

“Don’t talk nonsense! Of course I didn’t leak anything. How could I possibly leak it? I absolutely did not leak it! When I got back, I memorized it, and after I memorized it, I burned it.” Whitewood shook his head hurriedly.

“Then that settles it. Take your hired shinobi and set out immediately. I want to see your troops appear beneath the walls of the Hidden Leaf at the first possible moment. Red Earth, let’s go.” At a time like this, Oonoki didn’t want to waste another word.

“...Fine, whatever.” Whitewood helplessly spread his hands. Worst case, he’d just disobey orders on the battlefield. What of it?

...

Countless people had once questioned why, after nothing more than a single bridge was destroyed, the Hidden Stone had no choice but to withdraw in frustration. Why not cross the water? Why not rebuild it? Why not use sealing scrolls for emergency transport?

Only after Whitewood saw this magnificent bridge with his own eyes did he understand.

No, it really could not be done.

The bridge was far too long, stretching more than three hundred meters. Ordinary shinobi could not leap across it at all. The ravine beneath it was also far too deep. If they tried to detour around it, the entire surprise attack would lose all meaning.

As for sealing scrolls... The Hidden Leaf was rich and powerful, and it had close ties with the Land of Whirlpools, famous for its sealing arts, so of course they had plenty of such scrolls. But for a broke village like Hidden Stone, those things were extremely precious resources. There was no way they could be used to transport ordinary supplies.

As the Hidden Stone shinobi of the main force ran past one after another, Whitewood still wanted to linger and refuse to leave.

“Brother Loess, I still have a bad feeling about this. I want to stay here and defend the bridge,” Whitewood said to Loess.

“...Why do you keep thinking Minato Namikaze will come?” Loess asked, puzzled.

“Well... to tell you the truth, ever since Kakashi opened my inner eye for me, from time to time I keep seeing flashes of the future. I saw Minato Namikaze coming here.” Whitewood lowered his voice beside Loess’s ear.

“So you want me to help you with something...” Loess was very simple-minded and easy to fool.

“Easy. You just need to tell the defense captain here, Demon Leech, to take orders from me.” Whitewood said.

“I can’t do that... Demon Leech was directly appointed by the Earth Shadow to command the defense of the Bridge of No Gods. Even I can’t make him listen to you.” Loess shook his head.

“Brother, why do you always forget your own identity? You’re the son of the Third Earth Shadow, the future candidate for the Fourth Earth Shadow. Even if your daughter got there first, that doesn’t affect your credibility! In Hidden Stone Village, you’re practically second in command. No one would question a word you say!” Whitewood was teaching Loess how to be a villain.

“Uh...”

“Please, think about it. That old stubborn Third Earth Shadow is making a very serious mistake. Right now he has nothing in his head but destroying the Hidden Leaf, destroying the Hidden Leaf. He won’t listen to anyone. That could easily mean all our hard work is wasted, and how many brave warriors will have given their lives for nothing!” Whitewood stared at Loess with great excitement.

“All we need to do now is let me stay here and command the defense. The assault on the Hidden Leaf won’t be short one person because of me, right? The one who can save Hidden Stone now is you alone, Brother Loess!”

“Fine... but you know every mission has a mission scroll... A shinobi only recognizes the scroll, not the person. That’s the rule.” Loess looked as if he had been somewhat persuaded.

“Fei!” Whitewood stretched out a hand.

“Ha-teh!” Fei spat out a scroll, and it was already written with Oonoki’s order!

“But... it still needs a seal. The seal and the special Earth Shadow lineage technique are both indispensable.”

“Fei.”

“Ha-teh!” Fei spat out another carrot, and Oonoki’s seal had already been carved onto it.

“...” Loess looked at Whitewood expressionlessly.

“Trust me. There’s no problem,” Whitewood said softly, giving Loess a reliable look. “Hidden Stone... long live!”

Loess took a deep breath, as if making the most rebellious decision of his life. He formed seals with both hands, imitating Oonoki’s chakra, then lifted the carrot seal and stamped it down.