The other people's faces were just surprised for a moment, and then returned to normal.

It is an open secret in the ninja world that the Demon Country has placed personnel in Konoha.

Sasuke pondered for a moment, nodded and said, "Okay, then please go over and contact the people over there. I will start taking action during the first Chuunin exam and let him get ready for work an hour in advance."

"yes."

Hoshino Miko bowed slightly and walked out of the cabin to contact Konoha's informants.

◎

July 6th.

There are still four days left before the Joint Chuunin Examination will be held in Konoha Village.

Hundreds of candidates from various countries in the ninja world began to rush towards the Land of Fire. Under the leadership of the leading jounin, they headed for Konoha.

However, a piece of news came that attracted the attention of Konoha Hokage.

"A candidate from Caoyin Village was attacked by an unknown person, almost killing the candidate. In addition, there were three patrol teams in the west, and a total of twelve people were missing for a day. The murderer has not been found yet."

Seeing this information that was not good for Konoha, Tsunade suddenly became confused.

When is it bad to have an accident happen, but it happens at this time.

No matter how much you deceive yourself, you still know that this is not an accident. Someone is probably taking advantage of this opportunity to secretly launch some unknown operation against Konoha.

"Although I had a premonition, it is really bold and careful to use candidates to cause panic. If not handled carefully, it will cause more trouble."

Shikaku, who came to the Hokage's office and got the first-hand information, also sighed.

If there is a problem only with the patrol team, then the problem will only extend to Konoha itself.

But if it affects people from other countries, at this time, even if they know it is a trap, they have to follow the attacker's wishes and jump in with their eyes open.

At least a reasonable explanation must be given to personnel from other countries to avoid causing a bigger disturbance during the exam period.

"What are you going to do, Hokage-sama? Are you going to send an order to the border guards and ask them to dispatch some of their manpower?"

The number and strength of the attackers are uncertain. The candidates in Caoyin Village survived. Their testimonies may not be accurate. They may be the enemy's attempt to spread suspicion.

Therefore, taking rash actions will trigger new crises.

Must be cautious.

"Detach some ninjas from the village to form a temporary patrol force, led by ten jounin."

Tsunade said directly.

Border defense forces cannot be mobilized easily. Although there has been no fighting recently, external deterrence forces must not be mobilized rashly.

And judging from the target of the attack, although the attackers are not weak, they are not to the extent that border guards need to intervene.

Most of these attackers were released in advance to attract firepower personnel.

"Isn't it a bit..."

Ten jounin, plus a certain number of chuunin, this patrol force seems not weak.

"That's it. If something like this happens to the candidates participating in the exam, if you want to stop these people's mouths, you can't just show them off. Moreover, I also want to know who are the people who would want to deal with them at this time?

Konoha takes action."

A sharp look flashed in Tsunade's eyes.

In fact, she already had some guesses in her mind about the person behind the attack, but due to some things, she did not say it directly.

After all, Konoha's face cannot be wiped clean if things about that person are told openly.

What's more, this is just a guess, and there is no conclusive evidence to confirm it. Maybe the truth of the matter is not what you think, but what others do.

Lu Jiu sighed and said nothing more.

His guess basically matched Tsunade's.

Uchiha Sasuke, could it be this guy?

The previous commotion in the Land of Forest and the battle in the Uchiha stronghold...

After all, it has been a month since the other party defeated Orochimaru, and there has been no news about the other party in this month. It is difficult not to worry Shikaku with such patience and dormancy.

Because there is no way to resolve the conflict between the two parties.

Especially in the root stronghold, there is no way to explain the corpses of the Uchiha clansmen and the lost Sharingan...

Although he was disdainful, Shimura Danzo, who had concentrated the power of his roots and martial arts faction, could not afford to make any mistakes.

No matter whether the opponent's target of revenge is Konoha's top brass or Konoha as a whole, once he takes corresponding actions, he will face the entire power of Konoha, not just the top brass!

Shikaku is very sure of this!

"In that case, Hokage-sama, please send more people to the two advisors. As for the security of the village, I will ask the Border Department to conduct careful reconnaissance to prevent anyone from sneaking in."

There was no clarification, but both Shikaku and Tsunade knew it.

It's okay if the guess is wrong, but if it is correct, arrangements must be made in advance to avoid being caught off guard when an accident occurs.

◎

Fire Nation, west canyon.

A man-made stronghold.

Four people, Jugo, and Hoshino Miko, gathered here.

During the two days they sneaked into the Country of Fire, they launched a total of six attacks.

Three of them attacked Konoha's patrol team and kidnapped its personnel. The other three were attacks on candidates from other countries entering the Land of Fire.

This matter must have attracted Konoha's attention.

At this juncture, even if it is to appease those candidates from other countries who have been attacked, Konoha will definitely take action to arrest the attackers, instead of simply making a show and continuing to arouse the dissatisfaction of candidates from other countries. After all, these candidates represent the rest of the world.

The face of the country, if an accident occurs in the Land of Fire, Konoha will bear full responsibility.

"Looking at it, Konoha will almost send more manpower. What follows is going to be a very difficult battle."

Everyone sat down around a pile of burning firewood in the secret room of the stronghold.

Because this stronghold has not been inhabited for a long time, the air is damp and cold, so it is necessary to light a fire to drive away the cold air.

This place was originally a stronghold abandoned by the people of the Kingdom of Ghosts. Now it is just a good idea to use it as waste.

Kidomaru picked up a branch and flicked the fire randomly.

Compared to the entire Konoha patrol force, the strength on their side was not too strong. They only caught the opponent off guard and acted quickly to avoid the fate of being besieged.

But the next attack cannot be launched rashly. With precautions, Konoha's patrol forces will be more closely connected, and there will definitely be a large number of reinforcements. Even Jugo may not be able to escape unscathed by then.

"Then, we will focus on guerrilla warfare from now on to avoid contact with Konoha's main patrol force."

Tayuya suggested.

"However, it is not easy to do this."

Sakon frowned.

After all, they couldn't tell which one was the main patrol force and which one was not.

"Moreover, the prisoners held here also have some role, and someone needs to stay and guard them."

Chongwu also said at this time.

When necessary, these captured Konoha ninjas can become their life-saving tools.

Therefore, while fighting guerrilla warfare with Konoha's patrol forces, people also need to stay behind to keep an eye on these prisoners.

"Jirobo, you and Hoshino stay and guard."

Kidomaru said.

Hoshino Miko is not good at fighting. It is safer to stay in the stronghold than to follow them.

In addition, they also have medical charms on them, so as long as they are not seriously injured, there is no need for Hoshino Miko to use medical ninjutsu to treat them.

Jirobo's strength is the lowest among the four, and his escape technique can absorb the target's chakra, which can effectively control these prisoners and keep them in a weak state at all times.

Jirobo and Hoshino Miko nodded without objection.

◎

The country of ghosts.

The deepest part of the research department building.

In one of the morgues, the temperature was so low that you could see a thin layer of frost forming on the edges of the walls.

Huge cabinets made of steel are arranged here in an orderly manner, with numbers marked on them. Each number represents a corpse.

Shiraishi wore a white coat, ignored the cold air here, and walked to the innermost part of the morgue.

Compared with the corpses outside, the corpses in the deepest place are the most valuable existence.

After using the corresponding Indian style to unlock the barrier, the originally flat white wall suddenly cracked a gap in the middle and was slowly pushed toward the inside, forming an open white iron door.
To be continued...