The ruins of the Whirlpool Country, after the Mist ninja experienced a failed surprise attack, it seemed they went into hiding. Although they didn't make large-scale movements again, small skirmishes constantly played out in these forests.
The stretching mountain ranges and the dense rainforests are full of dangers; calling it the Forest of Death wouldn't be an exaggeration.
The Leaf Village's ninjas and the Mist Village's ninjas probe each other daily in squad formations, with the large-scale battles having evolved into small skirmishes.
Ambushes, assassinations, traps, blockades, and poisonings are all taking place. This time, both sides seem to have an unspoken agreement not to harm ordinary people.
Both sides started to sabotage each other's logistics, employing every trick in the book. Although there hasn't been a large-scale battle, daily skirmishes continue. This kind of unending torment is especially tough for the ninjas on both sides.
Both ninja villages chose not to escalate the conflict, but the restricted nature of this war has brought frustration and continuous torment to the ninjas on both sides.
One could say this is a condensed version of war. Those in power merely speak for their own interests, while those below must fight bloodily every day.
The forest is the battlefield. It has become the epitome of the war between the Leaf and the Mist. Both sides send out ninjas daily, exemplifying the attrition warfare between major nations – to see who breaks first, who finds it not worth the effort, and then chooses to call for a truce.
In the Hidden Leaf village, inside a tent.
"Brother Kaien, our medical resources have been consumed heavily recently, especially the tourniquets and various antidotes."
Uchiha Shisui respectfully presented a statistical report, and said with a pause and a lowered voice towards the end, "The consumption of medical resources reported to the village has been inflated by three percent."
Oh, my! Who would have thought that the honest Uchiha Shisui would adopt such a tactic? Where did the extra resources go?
Uchiha Kaien, sitting at his desk, raised an eyebrow at the report. Meanwhile, Kakashi, with one eye exposed, nonchalantly said, "Recently, the consumption of smoke bombs, shuriken, and explosive seals has been massive. Especially since this is jungle warfare, the resources needed for traps are considerable. I've added thirty percent to the report sent to the village."
Damn!
Uchiha Shisui, hearing this, was stunned, looking at Kakashi in disbelief. It seemed as if he was saying, "How could you, with those thick eyebrows and big eyes, exaggerate so much?"
Facing Uchiha Shisui's shocked gaze, Kakashi showed no shame and remarked, "In tropical jungle combat, Mist shinobi are experts in assassination techniques. I think we can add at least fifty percent to the medical resources. After all, we have many injured, but few casualties. Much of this is thanks to you, Kaien."
Kakashi then glanced subtly at Uchiha Kaien, "I never realized your proficiency in medical ninjutsu was so profound."
Witnessing Kakashi's calm demeanor amidst the discussion of embezzlement, Uchiha Shisui, a straightforward shinobi, felt a weight in his heart. The gap between their cunning was evident, and Shisui was both shocked and impressed by Kakashi's audacity.
Uchiha Kaien, looking at Kakashi and Shisui, let out a wry smile and shook his head. He said, "Shisui, you should discuss this more with Kakashi."
Uchiha Kaien then addressed Kakashi, "We can inflate the losses in logistics and supplies a bit. If there are any discrepancies, we can lure the Mist shinobi to destroy a couple of our supply points."
Kakashi's eyes sparkled with realization, while Shisui looked puzzled.
Uchiha Kaien's intention was clear: to create legitimate reasons for the inflated numbers.
Shisui took a moment to understand the strategy, then looked at the two of them with widened eyes, as if realizing the brilliance of the plan.
"We must safeguard these funds, as their families will need them because of the war," Uchiha Kaien said solemnly.
Uchiha Kaien then decided to divide the funds into four parts, to be overseen by Kakashi, Shisui, Hizashi, and himself.
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Shisui immediately protested, "Brother Kaien, you can oversee all the funds. I don't need to be involved."
However, before Shisui could finish, Uchiha Kaien raised his hand to stop him, and Kakashi nodded in agreement, saying, "Kaien, I think Shisui is right."
But Uchiha Kaien chuckled and countered, "This is a battlefield, and even if it weren't, you should understand, Kakashi, that there is no invincible shinobi. If something happens to one of us, do you want these funds to disappear?"
Shisui, filled with rage, retorted, "Brother Kaien, anyone who wants to harm you will have to step over my dead body."
Uchiha Kaien smiled and waved off Shisui's pledge, while Kakashi, after a moment of silence, nodded solemnly in agreement.
In Kakashi's eyes, Shisui's strength is formidable, but his naivete shows. The true threat might arise from within.
"Ah, although the Hyuga branch family has escaped its fate, such a large group lost its way out when it joined Team Genma. The branch family members, who are like caged birds, are often at the forefront of the most dangerous battles. There are too many widows and orphans within the branch family. It's a heavy burden."
Once you take the money, you're in the same boat. Moreover, the Hyuga branch family needs these funds.
In the eyes of Kakashi and Shisui, escaping their caged fate has been a long-standing wish of the Hyuga branch family. But the Hokage's higher-ups treat them like expendable assets, a brutality of politics.
"By the way, Kakashi, based on the actual situation, slightly exaggerate the injuries of some of the injured in the report. But do it gradually and not hastily, after all, they haven't been home for many years."
Hearing Uchiha Kaien's words, the politically astute Kakashi instantly understood. He nodded solemnly and said, "I understand. I will implement this step by step, allowing these frontline heroes to return to the village as injured."
To put it plainly, it's just about exaggerating the injury reports a bit. Not too many at once, as it could be easily detected. These ninjas have been bleeding on the front lines for so long, and they have families waiting for them.
Shisui, on the other hand, seemed to react a bit slower but eventually got the gist. He showed dissatisfaction, "Brother Kaien, almost all the shinobi from the Sarutobi clan hold important positions. There aren't many on the front lines, and they've been there for so long, shouldn't they...!"
Uchiha Kaien raised his hand to stop Shisui's outburst, sternly warning, "Shisui, your words are dangerous. Watch your mouth. Keep these things to yourself. Don't you know that trouble starts with words? Do I need to teach you this?"
The genius Uchiha Shisui held back his frustration and lowered his head, but the anger building inside him grew. One day, it would erupt like a volcano.
"Alright, Shisui. With the stabilization of the frontlines, the village's clans have sent news. Itachi and the younger generation of elites from the clan will be dispatched. You'll handle this transfer."
Clearly, the Uchiha clan is training their younger generation. This might be a privilege of a prestigious clan, but it also supports the front line.
Kakashi, who was nearby, sighed secretly. The ancient families know how to support the front line. Although partly to train their young, it is support nonetheless.
"Is Itachi coming?" Even though he had known beforehand, Uchiha Shisui took a deep breath and nodded solemnly when he heard the news. "Don't worry, Brother Kaien. I'll handle the family matters."
After all, Uchiha Kaien is now responsible for frontline command, so Shisui naturally assists with clan affairs.
"Also, the next batch of reinforcements for the village will arrive. Kakashi, you'll be in charge of selecting the escort team. With the arrival of reinforcements, our injured should return to the village to rest."
"Yes."
Holding a scroll report, when Uchiha Kaien saw the list of arrivals, a sarcastic smile appeared on his face. This didn't escape the eyes of Shisui and Kakashi.
"Brother Kaien, is there a problem with this batch of reinforcements?"
Facing Shisui's question, Uchiha Kaien looked at Kakashi and sighed, "Be careful in the future. The village higher-ups still don't trust us. There are traces of Root members. Be cautious and don't give them anything to use against you."
"Also, you can trust Team Genma. Their loyalty is unquestionable." Hearing Kaien's words, Shisui coldly snorted in annoyance, "Again with the rats that hide in the shadows and only target their own."
As a former Anbu, Kakashi knows Root are emotionless agents. They do the Hokage's bidding.
"Don't worry, both of you need to be careful as well. It's better to handle some things personally to avoid mistakes."
"Yes."
Shisui and Kakashi understood, especially when they had to falsify or underreport nearly half of the supplies.
Uchiha Kaien looked at the list and noticed a name: 'Yakushi Nonou'. Though not prominent, he recognized it immediately.
It seems Danzo's Root wants intel on the Uchiha clan. It's harder to act within the village, but on the battlefield, where many young Uchiha ninjas are present, it's easier to gather intelligence.
Does Root now aim to deal with him? Or are they wary of him? Is it because he's both Orochimaru's disciple and an Uchiha? The Root's shadowed plans remain unknown.
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