"First, I hope everyone present will face a fact: although we're the attacking side, we're actually the ones truly at a disadvantage."
Jinghang spoke with a serious expression.
Inside the central command tent of the Wind-Cloud Allied Forces, elite experts from both Sunagakure and Kumogakure sat properly, listening to the Kazekage's instructions.
This tactical meeting included all Kage-level and quasi-Kage-level experts from both armies: Kumogakure's Third Raikage, Tsukigami Kōichi, all accompanying "Alphabet Squad" members, and Sunagakure's nine Earthly Branches dispatched for this campaign. Just the combat power in this tent alone would be more than enough to destroy a small nation.
The meeting's security level was extremely high. All participants were forbidden from taking notes—every tactical arrangement had to be memorized. No information could be leaked after the meeting. The entire tent was surrounded by barrier seals to prevent Konoha spies from gathering intelligence. Outside the barrier, Kumogakure ANBU and Sunagakure Intelligence Department jōnin patrolled on guard. Even a bug flying from Konoha's direction would be chopped in half.
The meeting's theme: how to deal with Konoha's Tailed Beasts.
"Setting aside all other factors, just in terms of Tailed Beasts alone, Konoha holds absolute advantage in this campaign. The kids from Sunagakure might not understand—most of you were still in Ninja Academy during the Great Sandstone War. Our friends from Kumogakure just experienced the Eight-Tails Riot and should deeply understand how terrifying a Tailed Beast's destructive power can be."
"Exactly."
The Third Raikage picked up Jinghang's words.
"The Eight-Tails Riot caused painful damage to our Kumogakure. Eight out of twenty-six Alphabet Squad members died in battle. Everyone must take this meeting seriously. Did you hear me?!"
"We heard you!"
The Kumogakure crowd answered loudly.
"Good, that's the right attitude. Now I'll seriously explain the next campaign's deployment. It's a bit complex, so listen carefully."
Jinghang said.
"As everyone knows, Konoha currently has two Tailed Beasts: the Three-Tails and Nine-Tails. Sasori."
Jinghang nodded toward Sasori, who opened a slide projector. A pretty little girl appeared on screen.
"This is the Three-Tails jinchūriki—Rin. She was brought from Kirigakure to Konoha at age four and is now twelve. She's already graduated from Ninja Academy and is a genin. Her instructor is Konoha jōnin Minato Namikaze, with teammates Kakashi Hatake, son of Sakumo Hatake, and Obito Uchiha from the Uchiha clan."
Jinghang paused. The slide switched to Minato Namikaze's Team 7.
"Konoha's ANBU protection of this person is extremely thorough. Since graduating from Ninja Academy, she hasn't left the village for any missions. We know nothing about her abilities or degree of Tailed Beast control. But one thing's certain—if Konoha deploys the Three-Tails, they'll definitely arrange jōnin to support her in battle."
Hearing this, everyone nodded.
"So I've decided that for dealing with the Three-Tails, we'll mainly use Kumogakure's Six Paths Sage Tools for sealing. This combat group needs five people. The sealing will still be done with the Amber Purifying Pot—the others will mainly use other sacred tools to deal with supporting ninja."
Jinghang looked toward the Third Raikage.
"Kumogakure's ninja have experience sealing the Eight-Tails and are familiar with the Six Paths Tools. How about Raikage-sama selects these five people?"
The Third Raikage stood up.
"As it should be. Ō, Pii, Koyū, Tei, Weiichi—step forward!"
Five Kumogakure ninja stood proudly.
"These five are this generation's ninja responsible for using the Six Paths Sage Tools. They've operated them for years and are proficient in Iron Armor Sealing. Taking down the Three-Tails won't be a problem."
"Good! Once the Three-Tails appears, it's yours!"
Jinghang said.
"Next is the Nine-Tails."
Sasori switched slides again, showing a red-haired young woman—the current Nine-Tails jinchūriki, Uzumaki Kushina.
"Nine-Tails jinchūriki Uzumaki Kushina, twenty-two years old, a survivor from the Land of Whirlpools. Currently a chūnin, specializes in sealing techniques. Note—this isn't ordinary sealing technique, but the Uzumaki clan's unique Adamantine Sealing. In other words, this woman very likely is a perfect jinchūriki."
Jinghang pointed at Uzumaki Kushina's photo.
"Kumogakure shouldn't be unfamiliar with her—you seemed to plan a kidnapping operation targeting her a few years ago."
Jinghang looked at the Third Raikage again.
"Yes, but it failed. Not one ninja who participated in the mission survived."
The Third Raikage said.
"Yes, that's because she has a formidable fiancé."
The slide switched again, this time showing Minato Namikaze on screen.
"How is it this kid again?"
Tsukigami Kōichi said.
"Can't help it—just that coincidental."
Jinghang shrugged helplessly.
"So to take down the Nine-Tails, we must first take him down. How about it? Interested?"
Jinghang looked at Tsukigami Kōichi.
"Leave him to me. I've long wanted to meet Konoha's Yellow Flash."
Tsukigami Kōichi confidently took on the task.
"Good! That's the spirit!"
Jinghang gave a thumbs up.
"This person excels at Flying Thunder God Technique, called the ninja world's fastest. When fighting, you'd better be careful!"
"My Lightning Armor isn't slow either!"
Before he finished speaking, Jinghang had already appeared behind Tsukigami Kōichi, casually tapping the back of his neck.
"This fast—can you handle it?"
Jinghang said.
The Kumogakure crowd was stunned—this... was like magic!
Being able to tap your neck meant being able to pierce your neck. If Jinghang had held a kunai, Tsukigami Kōichi would already be dead.
The Third Raikage raised an eyebrow—he hadn't expected Jinghang to also know...
"If I activate Lightning Release Armor, he should..."
"That's why, young master, we still need to train."
Jinghang smiled and patted Tsukigami Kōichi's shoulder.
"Perfect—we still have some time these days. How about I train with you?"
Tsukigami Kōichi said with excitement in his eyes.
"I couldn't ask for more."
"I'm not asking you to defeat Minato Namikaze—just keep him occupied when the time comes."
After speaking, he looked at everyone.
"Except for the six people just mentioned, everyone else will deal with the Nine-Tails."
Everyone immediately erupted in discussion.
"Nothing surprising about that—even this isn't enough! I still need to find some external help."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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