While Tsunade was still calculating how to make money, deep within the forests of the Land of Fire, the Uchiha clan ninja had already spent an entire day escorting the Sunagakure envoys.
Calling it an escort was generous. In truth, it was surveillance, meant to ensure the Sand ninja caused no trouble within Fire Country territory.
Up to this point, the Third Kazekage and Elder Chiyo were still being carried on the backs of two Uchiha ninja. In that regard alone, the escort had strictly followed the Third Hokage's instructions.
Before crossing the border of the Land of Fire, the Kazekage and Chiyo were not to be returned.
As seasoned ninja traveling without rest, they would reach the border in roughly two more hours.
At the center of the formation, Uchiha Fugaku was the most heavily protected. Every Uchiha ninja adjusted their pace to match his, which was the primary reason for their slower speed.
Watching the tightly guarded Fugaku, Manase showed clear disdain in his eyes.
If not for the Third Kazekage and Chiyo, he would have ordered his men to leave these escorts far behind long ago.
So the Uchiha clan did not only produce geniuses. Occasionally, they produced useless individuals as well.
Despite his thoughts, Manase showed no outward hostility. They had already paid a great price to Konoha, and there was no reason to invite unnecessary trouble now.
More importantly, he regarded himself as a ninja on the same level as the Third Hokage. To argue with mere escorts would only diminish his own standing.
Such behavior was beneath him.
Thus, one group harboring hidden intentions and another filled with arrogance continued onward without incident.
Time passed quickly. After two hours, they reached the border.
One more step would place them within the Land of Rivers.
"Can you return our Third Kazekage and Elder Chiyo now?"
Manase's voice was cold, as though the Konoha ninja before him were nothing more than insignificant weeds.
The Uchiha clan's arrogance was well known. They barely respected ninja from their own village, let alone those from a defeated nation.
An Uchiha ninja immediately stepped forward, clearly intending to mock him, but before he could speak, Uchiha Fugaku raised a hand to stop him.
"Return the hostages."
After halting the impulsive ninja, Fugaku let out a soft laugh and nodded toward his subordinates.
"Yes."
Since the order came from the young clan head, the Uchiha ninja complied without hesitation.
Manase gave a low hum, his opinion of the young clan head improving slightly. He then gestured for his men to retrieve the unconscious Kazekage and Chiyo.
"Well then," Manase said calmly after confirming their safety, "Konoha ninja, we will take our leave."
He turned and began retreating toward the Land of Wind.
The Hidden Sand Village was currently leaderless and unstable. Not only did someone need to restore order, but someone would also have to answer to the daimyo.
Both the Kazekage and Chiyo were necessary.
However, after walking only a few hundred meters, Manase sensed something wrong.
Chakra fluctuations stirred beneath the ground.
So they really planned a sneak attack.
As a near Kage-level ninja, Manase's reaction was immediate. Hand seals were completed in an instant.
Three consecutive Earth Release: Earth Wall techniques erupted from the ground, completely surrounding the Sand ninja. At the same time, the terrain rose upward, isolating them.
The once solid earth turned to mud.
Moments later, countless explosive tags ignited, tearing through the area in a violent chain of detonations.
So Konoha truly intended to attack.
Standing among the Uchiha ranks, Fugaku watched the explosions with suppressed exhilaration burning in his chest.
He raised his hand sharply.
"Attack."
Six Fire Release: Great Dragon Flame Techniques, enhanced with Wind Release, roared forward through the smoke.
Against such combined firepower, Earth Release defenses could not endure for long. However, those accompanying Manase were far from ordinary ninja.
One Sand ninja puppet opened its mouth, firing several specially reinforced steel wires. The wires gleamed coldly as they pierced through the flames.
These wires would not melt under ordinary fire, though they could only redirect, not extinguish it.
That was enough.
"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
A massive burst of fire surged along the steel wires, splitting into six streams and colliding with the Great Dragon Flames.
Though weaker in raw power, the Flame Bullet gained a decisive advantage through guidance. The combined Uchiha Fire Release was forcibly redirected, flowing away along the embedded wires.
"Lord Manase," one Sand ninja asked while guarding the unconscious Kazekage and Chiyo, "should we fire a signal flare?"
"No," Manase replied calmly. "Not yet."
He had not entered the Land of Fire with only four subordinates by accident. As a defeated nation, their escort size was irrelevant.
More importantly, the Third Hokage was known for his credibility. They were delivering compensation, not plotting war. Manase had assumed their safety was assured.
All additional Sand forces were stationed within the Land of Rivers.
This ambush was entirely unexpected.
Yet once he calmed down, Manase sensed something else.
Was this truly the Third Hokage's order?
Or was this the Uchiha clan acting independently?
The difference was crucial.
If this was the Hokage's command, retreat was the only option.
But if it was not, then the Uchiha clearly underestimated him.
After careful thought, Manase dismissed the first possibility. The Third Hokage would not resort to such tactics, nor would he deploy Uchiha ninja. He would have sent his own disciples.
This could only be an unauthorized Uchiha action.
Now it made sense. They waited until crossing the border so responsibility would be unclear.
Manase made his decision.
"You four," he ordered, "take Elder Chiyo and the Kazekage and rendezvous with the main force. I will hold them here. Once you regroup, send reinforcements. I intend to wipe out these Konoha ninja."
"My lord," one subordinate hesitated, "won't this violate the agreement?"
"No," Manase replied firmly. "This is not the Third Hokage's order. I will draw them into the Land of Rivers. Outside Fire Country, there will be no consequences. Go."
"Yes!"
The Sand ninja obeyed immediately.
Watching them prepare to flee, the Uchiha gathered around Fugaku.
"As the young clan head, what are your orders?"
Fugaku's gaze hardened.
At the daimyo's residence, his childhood companion had died at the hands of Sand ninja. It was there that his two-tomoe Sharingan first awakened.
He would not let them leave unscathed.
"It seems Manase plans to stall us alone," Fugaku said. "In that case, the entire team advances. Kill Manase."
With one near Kage-level ninja, four elite jonin, and the rest seasoned jonin and special jonin, victory was assured if they coordinated properly.
This would be payment for the dead.
"Young clan head," an elite jonin warned, "the clan chief ordered us not to pursue beyond the Land of Fire."
"My father also said to judge based on the situation," Fugaku replied sharply. "Now Manase stands alone. Are you afraid?"
Silence followed.
"I will take responsibility. We will not pursue deeply."
"Understood."
Seeing no further objections, Fugaku raised his hand.
"Full advance. Once this is done, we return to the village."