"Is everything here?"
"All here."
"And they all still work?"
"Of course! These wooden puppets are just outdated, not broken. They can move just fine—see for yourself."
As he spoke, Sasori flicked his wrist. Five chakra threads snapped onto a puppet, and it instantly came to life, demonstrating a full set of combat moves right in front of Jinghang.
"Hmm, not bad, not bad. As long as they move, that's all I need."
Jinghang nodded in satisfaction, gazing at the mountain of wooden puppets piled before him.
During this brief "ceasefire," Jinghang had mobilized every bit of transport capacity at his disposal, shipping in all of Sunagakure's flying puppets plus every retired wooden puppet the village had in storage. Ever since developing alloy and automated puppets, massive stockpiles of wooden models had been gathering dust—now every last one was being put to use.
"Are they difficult to control?"
Jinghang asked.
"Yes."
Sasori nodded honestly.
"Though puppet techniques have developed well these past years and we have significantly more students, controlling this many puppets is still challenging. These are all old-style wooden models. If we want to upgrade them for automation, it'll take time."
"If you upgrade them individually, it'll be time-consuming and labor-intensive. I don't need complex maneuvers—just strap on explosive tags and have them charge into Konoha's main camp."
Jinghang studied the wooden puppets.
"In that case, I think we should follow the Puppet Arhat Formation approach—establish a temporary control center and link these puppets in series. Simple control shouldn't be a problem that way. Even non-specialists could handle basic movements after brief training."
Sasori replied.
"That alone won't be enough. Regular wooden puppets are mainly for breaking through Konoha's outer defenses. Flying puppets need to achieve precision bombing, so they'll need a separate control center.
We also need to select a batch of sturdy alloy puppets—ones capable of forming hand seals. After the outer defenses are breached, these will coordinate with chained explosive tags for continuous bombing inside the main camp, maximizing casualties among Konoha ninja."
Jinghang added.
"Well... that's quite an undertaking. You'll need to give me some time."
Sasori said.
"How long?"
"At least fifteen days."
"We don't have fifteen days."
Jinghang shook his head.
"News of the northern army's defeat will reach the eastern front in seven days at most. If Hiruzen Sarutobi catches on and retreats, all our preparations will be wasted."
Sasori gritted his teeth.
"I'll try. I'll have my students work day and night—see if we can rush it out in seven days."
"Good. Whatever manpower, funding, or materials you need, I'll do my utmost to provide. Strip out all non-essential features—don't worry about being crude, as long as it works."
Jinghang gave Sasori maximum material support.
"But there's still one problem."
"What problem?"
"Distance."
"Distance?"
"Right. Chakra threads have limited range for controlling puppets. We're currently fifteen kilometers from Konoha's main camp—that's too far to reach."
Jinghang frowned deeply.
"How close do you need?"
"Five kilometers!"
This put Jinghang in a difficult position. Five kilometers wasn't a safe distance for either Konoha or Sunagakure. If they spooked the enemy, it would backfire completely.
"I might have an idea."
Hidan, who'd been silent, finally spoke up.
"What idea?"
Jinghang and Sasori asked.
"We advance our camp to within five kilometers of Konoha's main camp, then—taunt them into battle!"
The next morning, Sunagakure's army suddenly broke camp and marched in grand formation toward Konoha's main camp. The wind howled ominously, making Hiruzen Sarutobi extremely nervous.
"All personnel to battle stations! Prepare for combat!"
Hiruzen issued orders calmly, though he couldn't help feeling puzzled.
In their first engagement, Konoha had taken some losses, but overall the forces remained evenly matched. If Sunagakure attacked now, they didn't seem positioned to gain much advantage. This wasn't Jinghang's usual style. Was there some conspiracy at work?
Konoha ninja received their orders and quickly armed themselves, taking combat positions. Antler barriers were raised, pit traps were camouflaged, and squad leaders donned their gear.
But Sunagakure's army stopped four or five kilometers from Konoha's main camp. Without haste, they began driving stakes and posts, apparently constructing a new camp.
The Konoha commanders were completely baffled.
What was this? Why set up so close? Harassment tactics?
"Lord Hokage, why not strike while Sunagakure's camp isn't fully established? I'll lead a charge and scatter them completely! It'll boost our morale!"
Might Duy waved his fists eagerly.
"No rush! Let's observe first."
Hiruzen puffed his pipe, squinting as he pondered carefully.
They watched all morning. With puppet assistance, Sunagakure had abundant manpower and quickly erected their camp.
"Shikaku, what's your assessment?"
Hiruzen asked.
"Jinghang has always been devious in his tactics. This looks like he's trying to lure us into attacking.
Sunagakure gained a small advantage in the last battle and their morale is high. If they achieve another victory now, we'll be completely on the defensive."
Nara Shikaku replied.
"I think the same. But in this situation, if we retreat, we'll lose our ninja's fighting spirit. So we cannot retreat a single step."
Hiruzen's tone was resolute.
"Lord Hokage speaks truly. Once our reserves arrive, the situation will completely reverse!"
Nara Shikaku agreed.
"Exactly. We'll endure this period and wait for the reserves."
At noon, under the blazing sun, a young warrior suddenly emerged from Sunagakure's camp. He carried a triple-bladed scythe on his back, had slicked-back hair, walked with arrogant swagger, and his eyes gleamed with contempt for everything. Step by step, under the watchful gaze of all Konoha ninja, he approached their main camp. Who else could it be but Hidan!
"Hehe."
Hidan gave a wicked smile, stopping about two hundred meters from Konoha's gate.
He slowly unstrapped the scythe from his back, gripped the long handle, and assumed a javelin-throwing stance.
"Here we go!"
The cable-attached scythe whooshed through the air, tracing a beautiful arc.
Every eye followed the scythe's trajectory.
"Crash!"
The "No Battle" placard hanging at Konoha's camp entrance shattered to pieces.
Hidan burst into wild laughter, yanking the steel cable so the scythe flew back into his hands at lightning speed.
"A no-battle placard! Haha, what a joke! Is that something real men hang up? You Konoha cowards, check your pants—is anything still there? Dare to fight me, you bastards..."
A torrent of vulgar abuse poured forth, making the Konoha crowd seethe with rage, their eyes blazing with fury!
"When do the reserves arrive?!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face twitched uncontrollably.
"Three days, Lord Hokage. Please don't lose your temper—this is Sunagakure's scheme!"
Nara Shikaku tried to calm him.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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