"Damn it, how ruthless! Konoha's out to wipe us off the map!"
Rasa slammed the intelligence report down, cursing under his breath.
"Hmph! Doesn't Konoha always parade around with its so-called pacifist image? What now—lose a little money and suddenly they're all about playing dirty? The hypocrisy is truly something to behold," sneered Karuke, administrator of the Moon Lake New District.
"Konoha wouldn't stoop that low, would they? They've got no reason to attack us," Finance Minister Kamizuru Kumo said, frowning.
"Reason? The only reason they need is that you have more money. Or your people are living better. Or they've got more ninja than you. That's all the excuse they need! You're old enough to know better—don't get soft in your old age. It's laughable," scoffed Ryohei, chief of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
"Alright, enough! I called everyone here to discuss strategy and assign combat duties. You can shout yourselves hoarse, but Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura won't lose a single hair over it. This is top-secret intel passed on by Zenmeng and confirmed by other sources—Hiruzen Sarutobi has already issued a covert general mobilization order. Even the ninja school teachers have been pulled from class to enlist. War is at our doorstep. Let's skip the complaining and get down to business," said Yamashita Tetsu, head of Intelligence.
"What else is there to say? Let's teach those bastards a lesson," Karuke said, cracking his knuckles.
"As for the Yuexi Peninsula, we're ready for anything. Before he left, Commander Maki gave strict orders: the Fourth Division and all security forces are fully armed and on standby, waiting for the Kazekage's command," reported Xuechi Gaojin, special envoy from the Yuexi Peninsula.
Inside the command center of the Kazekage Tower, all of Sunagakure's top brass had gathered, the room buzzing with debate. But at the center, Jinghang, the Third Kazekage and supreme commander, was silent, marking up a massive map of the ninja continent with a red and blue pencil.
"Alright, that's the lay of the land," Jinghang said, nodding in satisfaction at his handiwork.
Three bold red arrows stabbed across the map from different directions, all converging on Sunagakure and the Moon Lake New District. The strategic picture was exactly as the intel had described.
"Quiet down—listen up," Jinghang announced, tossing his pencil aside. Instantly, the room fell silent.
"First: Abandon illusions, prepare for battle. This war is unavoidable. Whatever excuse Konoha uses to attack us isn't our concern. In truth, this conflict was always going to happen. As long as Konoha wants to keep its grip on the ninja world, they'll never just sit back and watch Sunagakure rise. That's the reality."
His words rang out with unwavering confidence and authority. "Abandon illusions, prepare for battle" echoed through the hall, rallying everyone present. With Jinghang at the helm, they all found their backbone.
"Second: We will win this war. The enemy may outnumber us nearly two-to-one, but they are invaders—we're defending our home. They're ruthless, but we're fearless. With justice on our side, we will defeat injustice. Victory is ours."
"We will win!" the room thundered back in unison.
"Good! Strategically, we must look down on our enemies; tactically, we must take them seriously. Now, let's look at the map. I'll lay out my strategic plan—if anyone sees a flaw, speak up and we'll refine it together."
Jinghang picked up the command baton and pointed to the map.
"According to our intel, Konoha elder Homura Mitokado has already visited Iwagakure to rally their support. Iwagakure has a long-standing grudge against us, so it's likely they'll send troops. Let's assume they'll dispatch ten thousand. That brings the Konoha-Iwagakure alliance to thirty-three thousand, attacking us on three fronts: east, north, and west."
"First, the eastern route. This should be Konoha's main force—Hiruzen Sarutobi might even lead them himself. They'll strike straight at Lishi Fortress and attack Sunagakure from the east. This is the shortest and best-supplied route, so it poses the greatest threat. I'll personally lead our entire field army east to meet them. As long as I'm there, not even Hiruzen Sarutobi himself will get past Lishi Fortress!"
He cleared his throat and continued, "Next is the northern route—the same path Danzo used during his last invasion. They'll seize Amegakure, then cross the Night-Howling Sand Sea to assault our Moon Lake New District. Rasa, I'm putting you in charge of this front."
"Understood!" Rasa replied, his expression steely.
"Amegakure's kids probably can't withstand Konoha's assault, but we can coordinate with them to harass the enemy's rear. The Night-Howling Sand Sea isn't fit for major battles—it's been abandoned for years and is too close to Amegakure."
"My plan is to do what we've always done—make the outskirts of the Moon Lake New District our main battlefield. We'll exploit the enemy's long supply lines and tie them down. I'll give you all four thousand reserves; with local garrisons, you'll have about seven thousand. As long as you keep the enemy pinned outside Moon Lake, you'll have accomplished a great feat."
"I will not fail," Rasa vowed.
"Finally, the western route: Iwagakure's army. Chiyo!"
"Here!" Chiyo stepped forward.
"This route is the longest—they'll have to cross nearly the entire Black Prince Desert. Sorry, but I can't spare many troops for you. I've scraped together the standing army units from Dragonfly City and Black Wind Stronghold—six regiments, about twenty-four hundred men. It's not much, but I'm assigning you all the Earthly Branches except Sasori, Hidan, and Rokushu. That gives your force serious bite. Use the sand ships' mobility to constantly harass the enemy, slow their advance. I've already coordinated with the Third Raikage—once Iwagakure's army enters the heart of the Black Prince Desert, he'll attack Iwagakure Village itself. This front is our key to breaking the siege."
Jinghang tapped the map at the Black Prince Desert. "Once Iwagakure's army turns back, Chiyo, don't worry about them. Take your forces and strike north into Amegakure. By then, Konoha's northern army will be locked in a stalemate with Rasa. With their rear attacked, they'll collapse. Then join forces and sweep east through Amegakure, straight into the Land of Fire—right up to Konoha's doorstep! That's how we win this war!"
After his long speech, Jinghang took a deep drink from his water bottle. The officers broke into hushed discussion, analyzing the tactical plan.
"This campaign could drag on for a long time. Everyone must be mentally prepared. As for how long—let Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura decide. However long they want to fight, we'll fight right alongside them—until total victory!"
With a commanding wave, Jinghang brought the room to its feet in thunderous applause.
When the cheers died down, a voice called out, "Lord Kazekage, what about our Fourth Division?"
Xuechi Gaojin asked.
"Didn't I make it clear? The Fourth Division's job is to hold the Yuexi Peninsula. Not a single soldier moves from there unless I give the order!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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