Naruto: Veigar the Ninja

During a brief respite, Regan had already ordered his men to begin laying traps along the border. He understood all too well that they couldn't cripple the Sand ninja in a single stroke or force them into surrender.

His strategy was clear: destroy a few key outposts, rack up enough merit, and retreat.

"Yes, Regan-sama," came the swift reply.

Upon receiving his orders, Takuya Shimura immediately led two squads to plant explosive tags, poisons, and other traps along their route.

Seeing Takuya spring into action, Regan turned to the rest of his forces and commanded:

"The rest of you, battle-ready. Check your weapons, gear, and supplies."

"We move out as soon as we're done resting."

His orders echoed through the camp. After a quick inspection, the troops began adjusting their gear and focusing their minds.

In the dead of night, Regan led his forces out once more.

Brimming with confidence.

"It's finally time to move!"

In the shadows, Veigar had swapped into the dark, featureless garb worn exclusively by members of the Root. He followed Regan from a distance.

After crossing into the Land of Rivers, Regan and his two-hundred-strong force moved with painstaking caution. They believed no one had detected them.

But deep underground, not far from their path, a pair of eyes opened, silently watching their every move.

...

Suna Command Post.

A shinobi burst into the war chamber, his breath ragged. Inside were Kazekage Rasa, Advisor Chiyo, and Elder Ebizō.

"Kazekage-sama, Advisor Chiyo, Elder Ebizō!" he announced urgently.

"A Konoha unit is stealthily approaching one of our outposts."

Rasa turned toward Ebizō and asked, "Oh? That fast?"

Ebizō directed a question to the scout. "How many of them? Who leads the unit?"

The Sand shinobi knelt and reported:

"Over two hundred, sir. We didn't dare get too close and risk exposure, so the exact number is unclear."

"But judging by the gear of the commander, he's from the Shimura clan of Konoha."

Ebizō's expression sharpened. "Ah… the Shimura clan, those wind-style specialists from Konoha."

Rasa continued, "Only two hundred or so? No reinforcements behind them?"

"None spotted, Kazekage-sama. Our reconnaissance teams only found this one unit," the scout confirmed.

Rasa turned back to Ebizō. "Is this group a diversion?"

"Could there be some hidden plot elsewhere?"

Ebizō let out a dry chuckle. "That's certainly possible. But there are two other likely scenarios."

Rasa nodded, indulging him. "And what would those be?"

Ebizō explained without delay:

"One: this force intends to launch a surprise assault and cause chaos within our ranks. With their numbers and equipment, they could destroy multiple outposts before we can respond."

He then added the second possibility:

"Two: they're a decoy meant to draw our attention. The real plan is to slip a unit behind our lines, strike our supply chain directly."

His reasoning was sound. Stationed across borders, the Sand had a long supply line, one vulnerable to ambush.

Should it be disrupted, the consequences could be dire.

Rasa nodded gravely. "That's entirely possible. Our supply line is absolutely critical. It can't be compromised."

Ebizō added, "If I were the Konoha commander planning an assault, that would be my primary target."

Rasa considered this. Then, decisively, he said:

"Regardless of their intentions, there's no reason for us to let them walk away."

Then, with all the weight of the Fourth Kazekage and battlefield commander, he issued his order:

"Ebizō, lead your forces. Wipe that Konoha unit out, completely."

Ebizō bowed. "Understood, Kazekage-sama."

Just as Ebizō turned to leave, Chiyo spoke up.

"If that's the case, then I'll take part as well."

Her declaration caught both Ebizō and Rasa off guard.

Ebizō looked at her. "Sister…"

But Chiyo cut him off before he could finish. "Kazekage-sama, what do you think?"

Rasa hesitated, then nodded. "Very well, Advisor Chiyo. I leave it in your capable hands."

Not long after, Chiyo and Ebizō, the formidable sibling pair, assembled their troops. Three hundred Sand shinobi in total, including fifteen jōnin and fifty elite puppet masters, set out from the command post in the Land of Rivers.

Poor Regan had no idea what awaited him. In his mind, he was still working out the best strategy to take the Sand outpost.

Behind Regan's forces, yet another Sand reconnaissance team surfaced from underground.

"Report to HQ immediately. Tell them the Konoha unit is approaching our base!"

"Understood. I'll move now."

But the next moment, they were delivered to the Pure Land by Veigar.

A flash of steel—

All four Sand scouts collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

This was the third Sand reconnaissance team Veigar had eliminated.

Dawn broke. The morning sun rose over the horizon.

Marching unopposed through the Land of Rivers, Regan grew even more confident.

This is their defense? This is their vigilance?

He stared at the Sand outpost ahead and gave the order to halt. His forces would rest and restore their strength.

He was waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

And that moment would be breakfast time, when the Sand ninja were least alert.

Regan, arrogant though he was, had basic combat instincts. Attack when the enemy's guard is down.

He knew that during mealtimes, vigilance drops significantly.

Once the rest period ended, a heavy silence blanketed the troops.

They knew what came next—battle.

At last, the noise within the Sand outpost began to rise. The ninja were getting ready to eat.

Moments later, most had gathered for their morning meal.

"Now's the time. All squads, prepare to attack."

Seeing the long-awaited opening, Regan immediately gave the order.

But he had no idea—

That very command had led him straight into the arms of death, a fate he was unlikely to escape.

"Fool."

From the shadows, Veigar cursed him bitterly.

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