Twilight.
The setting sun, red as blood, dyed the entire central fortress a crimson shade like fresh blood.
The city walls were covered in burn marks.
All left behind by Fire Release.
Ishikawa stood at the highest point of the main fortress, looking at the dense enemy forces gathering in the distance. His throat was dry, and his hands and feet were cold.
People were everywhere.
From the Land of Fire, from the Land of Wind.
Konoha shinobi, Suna shinobi.
They were like ants, densely packed, surrounding the main fortress completely.
"Lord Ishikawa."
The adjutant rushed over, stumbling, his face pale. "All outposts have fallen."
"All of our people have retreated."
Ishikawa said nothing.
He had long expected this outcome.
From the moment the allied forces launched their assault, he knew the outer outposts could not be held.
That was why he consolidated their forces early.
But what was the point of consolidation?
Their two thousand men were now crammed into this central fortress.
Outside were five thousand allied shinobi.
"Count the casualties," Ishikawa said, his voice hoarse.
"Yes."
The adjutant left, then soon returned.
"Reporting, Lord Ishikawa, our side has three hundred twenty-seven killed, one hundred eighty severely wounded, and five hundred lightly wounded…"
Ishikawa closed his eyes.
One day.
In just one day, one quarter of their combat strength was gone.
"What about supplies?"
The adjutant lowered his voice even more. "Food can last three days."
"As for water, the well in the main fortress is still functioning, so there is barely enough."
"But items like explosive tags and other consumables have dropped below thirty percent."
Three days.
Ishikawa opened his eyes. The last sliver of red light on the horizon was about to disappear.
In three days, they would run out of food.
By then, even if the allied forces did not attack, they would starve to death inside this stone fortress.
"Lord Ishikawa, we…" The adjutant's voice shook. "What should we do?"
Ishikawa turned around.
Below the walls, countless Iwa shinobi gathered.
Some tended to the wounded. Some leaned against the walls pretending to sleep. Others sat blankly, staring into space with hollow eyes.
They were all waiting for his order.
Waiting for him, their commander, to show them a path to life.
But… Ishikawa's fists tightened until they creaked.
Where was the path?
What should they do?
Break out?
With what? Five thousand enemy shinobi outside. Their two thousand would die even faster.
Hold out?
In three days, their food would be gone. By then, they would not even have the strength to fight.
Surrender?
Impossible.
Behind Ishikawa stood the pride of Iwagakure, the trust of the Tsuchikage.
Even if he died, he could not surrender.
"Bring me paper and a brush," Ishikawa said suddenly.
"Huh?" The adjutant was stunned.
"Hurry."
"Yes!"
Soon, paper and brush were brought over.
Ishikawa spread the sheet open, picked up the brush, and hesitated for a long moment.
A long, long moment.
Only then did he finally begin writing.
His handwriting was neat, but a few droplets landed on the paper.
They were sweat.
After finishing the letter, Ishikawa folded it carefully and slipped it into a specially prepared scroll tube.
"Someone!"
An Iwa Anbu appeared before him, kneeling on one knee.
"Lord."
"Take this letter back to Iwagakure," Ishikawa said as he handed over the tube. "Deliver it directly into the hands of the Tsuchikage-sama."
"Yes!"
The Anbu took the scroll, turned, and vanished into the night.
The adjutant could not help asking, "Lord Ishikawa, what did you write?"
Ishikawa did not answer.
He just stared into the distance, toward the direction of Iwagakure.
Only after a long silence did he speak quietly.
"I told the Tsuchikage-sama that we… cannot hold much longer."
The adjutant trembled.
"But," Ishikawa's voice suddenly grew firm, "before reinforcements arrive, we will fight with our last breath to defend this fortress."
"Even if… we are completely annihilated."
His voice echoed in the night wind.
The Iwa shinobi below the walls could not hear the words clearly, but they felt that unwavering resolve and looked up one after another.
…Outside the fortress.
In the allied camp, bonfires blazed.
Unlike the despair inside Iwa, the allied camp was filled with the joy of victory.
"Hahaha! That was amazing!"
A Suna Jōnin laughed, swinging a sake flask. "I killed at least five Iwa bastards today. Damn, that felt great!"
"That's right! Let those stone-heads taste true strength!"
"Those Iwa rats deserve every bit of this!"
Suna shinobi around him cheered, morale soaring.
Not far away, Konoha's camp was much quieter.
They were also celebrating, but in a far more restrained manner.
Some spoke in low voices, but most quietly cleaned their weapons, checked equipment, and maintained a calm, chilling composure.
Inside the command tent.
Rasa, Orochimaru, and the others gathered around a map.
"According to reconnaissance, Iwa has fully retreated into the central fortress," Ibiki said, pointing to a marked spot. "They're now like turtles in a jar."
"Hmm." Rasa nodded, smiling. "Tomorrow, we continue the attack."
"We will completely pull this thorn out within three days."
"No need to hurry," Orochimaru said, licking his lips.
"Hm?" Rasa glanced at him, puzzled.
"We have already surrounded them," Orochimaru explained. "They can't escape, so why rush in and increase casualties?"
"We can simply trap them until they die."
Rasa frowned. "You mean?"
"Surround them but do not attack," Orochimaru said with a chilling smile. "Their supplies must be limited. All we need to do is wait for them to run out of food and ammunition."
"And send small squads to harass them daily, so they cannot sleep, cannot eat peacefully."
"Eventually, they will collapse on their own."
Ibiki's eyes brightened. "A brilliant plan."
"Not only does it reduce casualties, but it also completely breaks their morale."
Rasa hesitated briefly.
He admitted Orochimaru's plan was solid.
But… "What if Iwa sends reinforcements?" Rasa voiced, his expression serious. "If Ōnoki personally brings troops, we will end up at a disadvantage."
Orochimaru's smile widened. "Wouldn't that be even better?"
"Huh?" Rasa frowned.
"If Ōnoki brings his entire force out to rescue them," Orochimaru said, his snake-like eyes glinting dangerously, "then Iwagakure itself will be empty. And our Fourth Hokage…"
He did not finish.
But Rasa understood fully.
It was, indeed, a very good strategy.
"In short, starting tomorrow, we change our tactics," Orochimaru said, clapping his hands to conclude the meeting.
"Surround but do not attack. Guard tightly. Do not let even a mouse escape."
"At the same time, send out all reconnaissance units to keep track of Iwa's movements."
"Understood."
"Agreed."
Night deepened, and everything quieted.
The day's battle came to a close.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
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