At dawn, Sato Sankawa, leader of the Japanese Army scout squad, hurried to the tent of Uesugi Kazuya. Sato yanked open the tent flap to find Uesugi Kazuya sitting at his desk, polishing a dagger. Sato immediately snapped to attention and saluted, reporting, "Colonel, one of our combat squads went out on a mission last night. They should have returned by the scheduled time, but they have yet to report back. Judging by the current situation, it is highly likely they have met with misfortune."
Upon hearing this, Uesugi Kazuya’s hand froze mid-motion. He looked up slowly, his eyes sharpening like an eagle’s. Staring intently at Sato, he asked in a low, gravelly voice, "Has there been any word? What was their route?"
Sato replied hastily, "No word at all. Their mission was to conduct a routine patrol and search of a village to the southeast to check for signs of the Eighth Route Army and their supply stores."
Chapter 196