Revolution in the Ninja World

Squad Z had finally been replenished with personnel once again.

In fact, the abnormal speed of this squad's personnel replenishment indirectly proved that Konoha was facing a serious shortage of manpower at this time.

Or rather, it should be said that in the later stages of the Shinobi World War, every ninja village faced this pressure. The Five Great Nations were all gritting their teeth and persevering, striving to squeeze out their last bit of war potential. It could be described as "eating grass, producing milk."

At this point in the war, none of the sides had achieved what they wanted. So, was there any point in continuing such a war?

Naturally, there wasn't.

Since there was no point, could all parties work together and end the war?

What a joke.

War was like a gamble. Since the gamblers had already staked so many chips in the early stages, their only option in the later stages was to keep increasing the stakes. Only by increasing the stakes was there a possibility of preserving everything. Backing out would only result in a total loss.

Whether it was war or gambling, the participants' thinking was highly consistent. At the beginning, the goal was definitely to profit. In the final stage, the goal was to minimize losses.

Under these circumstances, after Squad Z completed its assembly, it was naturally immediately dispatched to the front lines again. Following Nindo, Izayo became the commander of this ninja squad. However, this time they didn't receive a mission in advance. Everything would depend on the situation at the front.

Habara didn't know how many teams similar to Squad Z existed in Konoha, but he thought that Squad Z was at least not unique. Ironically, even cannon fodder had become a scarce resource by this point.

However, compared to the first time he was suddenly thrown onto the front lines, Habara felt much more confident now. This was like a maiden's first time on a bridal sedan – awkward the first time, familiar the second.

Of course, apart from the issue of experience, the more important thing was that he had strengthened his abilities.

During the journey from Konoha to the front lines in the Land of Rice Fields, both Izayo and Daigo could tell that Habara seemed to be in good spirits. If they had actively asked Habara the reason, he would have definitely replied, "Learning makes one fulfilled and brings happiness."

Habara had obtained the highest academic qualification in the ninja world through self-study, and for the first time, he had learned ninjutsu that could be released through hand seals: the legendary Transformation Technique, Substitution Technique, and Clone Technique.

So, compared to last time, Habara had a bit more confidence this time. He just didn't know how many of these twenty-four people would survive the mission.

On a slightly off-topic, but relevant note, ninjas in the Shinobi World War could actually say, "I'm not interested in money," and they would genuinely mean it. Because money was meaningless without life. At least before leaving Konoha, Habara was worried about how to spend all his money.

After much deliberation, he decided to exchange the money for something valuable, compact, and practical… explosive tags.

One explosive tag currently cost 800 ryo, roughly equivalent to the price of 10 bowls of Ichiraku Ramen. It could be said that you wouldn't lose out or be fooled. Faced with high-quality, inexpensive explosives, who wouldn't be tempted?

Therefore, Habara now carried 100 self-purchased explosive tags and 12 explosive tags received from Konoha, making him a mobile arsenal… It wasn't that he didn't want to buy more, but the ninja tool shop owner had to keep some stock.

...

"One last rest. Maintain good spirits. Next, we'll be leaving the Land of Fire's borders."

Before leaving the territory of the Land of Fire, Izayo routinely ordered the ninjas to rest.

They really had to rest well now, because for some people, after this rest, the next rest wouldn't be so easy to describe… It could be said that there would be no more chances to rest, or it could be said that they would rest forever from then on.

Habara casually placed the two rectangular iron pillars behind him horizontally and then moved a stone to place under a large tree. Then, he sat down, leaning against it.

A light drizzle was falling from the sky.

"Habara, here…"

After a short while, Daigo came to Habara's side, holding a steaming metal lunchbox, and handed it to him.

"Thank you."

Habara thanked her and took the lunchbox.

The lunchbox contained some kind of instant noodle dish. It tasted very ordinary, but even if it was ordinary in terms of food, it was far better than military ration pills. Unless absolutely necessary, who would want to live on those things?

The warm food quickly replenished Habara's body temperature, which was quietly being lost in the drizzly weather. His body immediately warmed up.

The trees in the middle distance were a lush green, and the mountains in the distance were shrouded in mist. A group of people resting in such an environment – those who didn't know better would think they were having a picnic.

Habara sat there, occasionally taking a bite of noodles. The rainwater collected in various complex ways in the canopy of the tree behind him, and under the force of gravity, it dripped down, one drop at a time, hitting a half-buried bluestone, constantly making a "drip, drip" sound.

Drip, drip, drip.

La la la, da la, la la la, da la~ da…

Uh… hmm?

Okay, eating also made one happy.

But when Squad Z left the Land of Fire and arrived at Konoha's front-line camp in the Land of Rice Fields, Habara ultimately understood a truth… happiness was always temporary.

Because of the surprise attack some time ago, Konoha had to replace the front-line commander with someone stronger and with better control. So, the Third Hokage sent someone who had been resting in Konoha back to the front lines.

This "someone" was Habara's old acquaintance, Orochimaru.

Actually, Namikaze Minato could have solved Konoha's front-line problems more quickly, but at this time, he was about to become the Fourth Hokage, so he had to stay in Konoha.

So, Orochimaru was thrown back to the front lines. This also saved him from constantly conducting inhumane experiments in Konoha.

When Squad Z arrived at the camp, they happened to run into Orochimaru.

Orochimaru scanned the group, and then his gaze fixed on Habara.

Habara was also surprised. Where did this wild Orochimaru come from? Wasn't the "Dungeon Story" already over? Was there a sequel? He could only quickly lower his head, while silently muttering, "Snakes have poor eyesight. You have no reason to see me."

A ninja nearby explained the situation of this squad to Orochimaru. The villainous character smiled slightly and then gave a crisp order, "Your squad's next mission is to conduct intelligence gathering to the southwest, primarily to investigate Iwagakure's movements, monitor Takigakure's situation, be wary of them siding with Iwa, and confirm that the detour route from the Land of Waterfalls and the Land of Grass back to the Land of Fire is still clear."

Say what you will, but Orochimaru's command sounded quite professional.

Then, he continued, "However, before you act, I need to pull out a special talent. He has another mission…

Habara, what an unexpected reunion."

Go to hell.

Could Habara say that?

No.

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama," Habara slowly raised his head, revealing an awkward smile.

Go to hell.

He could only say it in his heart. He could even say it as many times as he wanted.