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Chapter 382 - Chapter 19: The Great Battle (11)

"No! No! I'm a steadfast believer in the Will of Wind!"

Maki waved his hands frantically, his attitude extremely sincere.

"Oh?! Steadfast? Then tell me why you don't want to leave! Don't tell me you're performing in some play—you've been 'acting' for over a month now!"

Jinghang squinted his eyes, pointing at the room. His meaning was crystal clear.

"Sir, isn't the Kaguya clan uprising tomorrow? My vinegar dish plan needs to see things through to the end."

Maki explained.

"Cut the crap. I think you're like a stubborn donkey stealing bran—quietly taking advantage of official business! With your current physical condition, you think you can still fight? I bet you'd have trouble even getting into bed."

Jinghang suddenly kicked Maki. The force wasn't great, but it made Maki stumble.

Maki scratched his head embarrassedly. On Yuexi Peninsula, he controlled life and death like a feudal lord, but in front of Jinghang he didn't dare act up at all, honest as a grandson. Though he was Jinghang's absolute confidant, he knew his boss's temperament—absolutely ruthless when it came to matters of principle.

"I don't need to personally fight, but these four have been watching me constantly. If I suddenly leave, the plan might get exposed. You know what? I've already had Xuechi Gaojin connect with Shangsho. Koharu Utatane and Fugaku Uchiha from Konoha might also make their move tomorrow!"

Shangsho was also one of the Ten Heavenly Stems, belonging to Geng, a high-level spy that Sunagakure's Intelligence Department had planted in Kirigakure.

Jinghang immediately realized that Konoha was planning to make moves regarding the Three-Tails.

"Fugaku Uchiha? Didn't he also go to the front lines?"

Jinghang asked. He was quite concerned about Sasuke's father.

"That's a smokescreen! He never left at all—he's been staying by Koharu Utatane's side. The one who went was another Konoha ninja using transformation jutsu."

Maki said.

"Heh, now that's interesting. Looks like Konoha isn't willing to let go of the Three-Tails. But what does this have to do with whether you retreat or not?"

Jinghang asked, thinking carefully about how this really had nothing to do with Maki.

"Of course it's related!"

Maki explained.

"Those Kaguya clan idiots only know how to charge straight ahead—they have no concept of strategy or tactics. Without someone guiding them from behind, the uprising's effectiveness will be much worse."

"Oh, if that's the case, then it's a valid reason. Looks like you haven't just been exerting yourself in bed these days..."

Jinghang calculated.

"Sir, I've actually been using Xuechi Gaojin's secret radio to contact Shangsho every day here on Jiyue Island. Don't worry—this Kaguya clan uprising plus the Three-Tails rampage will be quite the ordeal. Even if it doesn't destroy Kirigakure, it'll at least keep them down for thirty years! That way, our Sunagakure's maritime borders will have thirty years of peace! This deal is worth it!"

Maki said confidently, and this statement actually moved Jinghang somewhat.

"Well... alright, I agree to your plan in principle. But Maki, as your elder brother, I must advise you—there are only oxen that die from exhaustion, never fields that get ruined from plowing. Some things require restraint—that's a bone-scraping steel blade!"

Hearing Jinghang relent, Maki immediately patted his chest.

"Don't worry, sir. I know what I'm doing."

You know jack shit. Originally a robust Suna man, now you're weak as hell... Sigh, it's hard on him too. Oh well, consider it his contribution to the country.

"There's something I need to make clear. With the great battle imminent, I don't have time to keep an eye on the Mist situation. I won't be able to look after you when the time comes. Even if I come to get you, it'll probably be after the war. Be sure to protect yourself."

He pulled out a kunai marked with "Jinghang was here" and handed it to Maki.

Maki didn't refuse, taking the kunai and putting it in his ninja pouch.

"Don't worry, sir. You don't need to come get me—I have my own way to escape."

"Alright then. I'll take Xuechi Gaojin and the child first. You... take care."

Jinghang patted Maki's waist somewhat helplessly.

"Right, right, right. You take them and withdraw first."

Maki seemed rather eager.

"Half a month from now, if there's no news of your return to Yuexi Peninsula, I'll personally come looking for you."

Jinghang still treasured this capable subordinate who could kill enemies in battle and govern civilians in peacetime.

"Thank you for your kindness, sir."

Maki was somewhat moved. The Kazekage still considers me one of his own.

"Don't worry. I've already spoken to Xuechi Gaojin—he won't spread word about your... activities. Otherwise, Director Ryōhei would skin you alive!"

Maki immediately nodded like a pecking chicken.

Jinghang sighed and was about to leave when he suddenly stopped.

"That... did Shamon-sama really teach you methods of prolonged combat?"

(Shamon was that tough guy with a dragon tattooed on his face who looked like yakuza—knowing some strange techniques wouldn't be surprising.)

—————————————————

"Excellent! We got Yagura!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the photo in his hand and excitedly slammed the table.

"Bankan, are you certain you released the war hawk on schedule?"

Shiranui Bankan nodded.

"I personally instructed Pigeon Jirō to release it two days after I departed. If nothing went wrong, the war hawk should have already flown into the Wind-Cloud Alliance's main tent by now."

As soon as he finished speaking, loud air raid sirens sounded outside the Hokage Building.

"Everyone, quickly get to the bomb shelters!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi shouted loudly, though his voice was full of excitement.

...

In less than fifteen minutes, all of Konoha's high-ranking officials had gathered in the underground bunker beneath the Hokage Building.

As Konoha's core facility, the bomb shelter here was designed to be quite spacious. Unlike the crude shelters of ordinary homes, this one had complete facilities, even specially installed ventilation and lighting systems—it didn't feel stuffy or dark at all.

"Huh, why does this bombing seem longer than usual?"

Minato Namikaze looked up at the ceiling.

"Not only longer, but they're using more explosive tags too."

Danzō said expressionlessly.

"That's exactly right! Look at this!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi excitedly pulled out the photo.

Orochimaru took the photo and looked at it calmly, then passed it to Danzō Shimura. Soon everyone had taken a look.

"It seems Jinghang is preparing to retreat!"

Danzō Shimura gave his conclusion.

"When near, make it appear you are far; when weak, make it appear you are strong. Jinghang has always been cunning—such intensive bombing is precisely to cover up his dire situation!"

A rare flush appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's face. Danzō Shimura was somewhat surprised—as a longtime comrade, he knew this was Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression when his fighting spirit was aroused. This guy was getting serious.

"The time for counterattack has come!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi domineeringly slammed the table.

The defeats at Moon Lake and Lishi Fortress were one thing—at least they lost outside the gates. But this time they'd been cornered at their own doorstep and brutally pressed down for half a year by the Wind-Cloud Alliance. When had Konoha ever suffered such humiliation? Hiding like rats in holes—even the deep-scheming Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō Shimura were going crazy from being cooped up.

"Time is of the essence. We'll launch our general offensive tomorrow night. Nine-Tails will lead the charge—the first wave must catch them completely off guard. Minato! Is there any problem with Kushina?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi asked.

"None!"

Minato Namikaze gritted his teeth. This day had finally come.

"Good. Let's go over the attack details once more..."

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