Twenty-five days had flown by since Konoha's occupation of Amegakure. In that time, every major force across the continent had been in constant motion. Ninja and supplies moved back and forth with such intensity that even the most ordinary citizens could sense the storm of war brewing over the entire shinobi world.
Konoha's Eastern Army—twelve thousand strong—had completed its muster. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, personally took command, stationing his forces along the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water. The sprawling encampment stretched for over ten miles.
Hiruzen Sarutobi divided his army into ten divisions, each with its own camp. He led the central division himself, establishing the main headquarters. For communications, he appointed the young prodigy Inoichi Yamanaka as chief liaison officer. Using the Yamanaka clan's unique sensory ninjutsu, Inoichi connected his clan members embedded in each division, allowing the entire force to move as a single, coordinated organism.
But this campaign was different. Instead of relying on seasoned veterans like Torikaze Akimichi or Shichō Aburame, Hiruzen boldly promoted a new generation of postwar leaders to the forefront: Minato Namikaze, Hiashi Hyūga, Hizashi Hyūga, Shibi Aburame, Tsume Inuzuka, Chōza Akimichi, Shikaku Nara, Ibiki Morino, Might Duy... The average age of the command staff was under twenty-five, filling the entire army with youthful energy and sharp ambition.
Now, inside the central command tent, the division leaders gathered around a sand table as Hiruzen Sarutobi outlined his strategy.
"For this campaign against Sunagakure, we'll be following the tactics of Sakumo Hatake from the Second Great Ninja War. We'll pass through the Land of Hot Water, skirt the eastern edge of the Yellow Buddha Desert, and launch a surprise attack on Lishi Fortress. Once we secure it, we'll use the fortress as a forward base and supply hub, push across the desert, and strike directly at Sunagakure itself! You're all the brightest of Konoha's new generation. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, don't hold back—let's hear them."
Hiruzen smiled, his gaze sweeping over the young leaders.
"Lishi Fortress is just a minor outpost. Taking it shouldn't be a problem. The real challenge is Sunagakure's defense system," Shikaku Nara said quietly, stroking his chin.
"Shikaku, elaborate," Hiruzen encouraged, eager to hear the insight of the Nara clan's renowned strategist.
"According to our intel, three years ago, Kazekage Jinghang invested heavily in constructing a new defense system for Sunagakure. It was completed a year ago, but we know little about how it actually works. What we do know is that it relies on large-scale puppet techniques—an entire army of puppets.
It wasn't until last year, when Sunagakure suffered internal strife and over a thousand Amegakure ninja attacked from the outskirts, that we got our first real look. We don't have the full battle details, but the Northern Army's reports from Amegakure say only thirty percent of those attackers made it out alive. That kind of power can't be underestimated."
Hiruzen frowned, but didn't interrupt—he simply gestured for Shikaku to continue.
Encouraged, Shikaku went on, "While we're making our own preparations, Kazekage Jinghang isn't sitting idle. Six months ago, he pulled elite troops from his garrisons and formed a field army roughly equal in strength to our Eastern Army. They've been drilling day and night at Tōryō Pass, right next to Sunagakure.
Here's a tactical scenario for everyone to consider: If Jinghang abandons all outlying positions and concentrates his entire force inside Sunagakure, relying on those fortifications, then even if our Eastern, Northern, and Western armies all surround the village for three years, we might not break through. And from what I've learned, Sunagakure has built similar defensive systems at Moon Lake's new district and on the Yuexi Peninsula. So even a three-pronged assault may not go smoothly."
"Shikaku, aren't you being a bit too pessimistic? Sounds to me like you're just boosting the enemy's morale and talking down our own," Chōza Akimichi grumbled.
Shikaku shrugged. "It's not pessimism—it's just the reality. Kazekage Jinghang is a master strategist. All his arrangements are out in the open, but even so, it's like trying to find a weak spot on a hedgehog—almost impossible. And that's just the standard fortifications…"
"…Just the standard ones? There's more?" Tsume Inuzuka broke in.
Shikaku sighed. "One more thing: in straight-up ninja combat, Sunagakure's shinobi are every bit as formidable as ours. Think back to the Second World's Greatest Ninja Tournament held in Konoha a few years ago—Minato knows this best. Sunagakure's team was stacked: Sasori, Hidan, Guren—all top-tier fighters, right?"
"Mm." Minato Namikaze nodded without hesitation.
"And their equipment—Hourglass Group's Damascus steel is the best in the business. Our own chakra enhancement drugs are only first-generation prototypes, while Sunagakure's already on their third generation. As for chakra suppressant drugs, we're still importing them from Sunagakure through Danzo. Our own knockoffs haven't been developed yet, so every one of our 500 doses is precious, while Sunagakure can supply theirs freely. When you add it all up, even though we're the attackers, we don't really have much of an advantage."
By the end, Shikaku sounded almost discouraged. In truth, he hadn't even shared the harshest reality: in his own secret wargames, he'd calculated that Konoha would need at least sixty thousand troops to carry out the Hokage's three-pronged assault plan—and they'd lose more than half in the process.
But everyone knew: Shikaku's analysis was spot-on.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed deeper and deeper.
"Is there any way to break the deadlock?" he asked bluntly.
"There is. But it doesn't lie with us."
Hiruzen pressed for clarification.
"The real threat to Sunagakure isn't our Eastern or Northern Army—it's the Western Army from Iwagakure," Shikaku replied, leaving the entire tent in a buzz of confusion.
Hiruzen fell silent, deep in thought. After a long pause, his eyes suddenly lit up with understanding.
"Shikaku Nara!"
"Here!"
"From today forward, you're Chief of Staff of the Eastern Army. You'll help draft and revise our war plans. Pack your things and report to headquarters for orders."
"Yes, sir!"
"Hisako!"
"Here!"
Hiruzen called to his secretary.
"Issue these orders: First, inform both the Eastern and Northern Armies to delay their advance by one month. Second, have the village's pharmaceutical department ramp up production of chakra enhancement drugs and accelerate research on suppressants. Third, notify Homura Mitokado to make another diplomatic mission to Iwagakure and press them to deploy their troops as soon as possible!"
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