Chapter 68 Leadership and Command
For four days after establishing the forward camp, the Konoha forces maintained their elaborate ruse. Cloud ninja scouts probed their perimeter, but the layered traps and the visible "patrols" of shadow clones kept them at bay, preventing any direct clashes. For Kagenori, it was a period of welcome, if tense, respite, which he dedicated to refining his control over the volatile God Speed technique.
On the fifth day, the calm shattered.
Summoned to the command tent, Kagenori found Orochimaru and Jiraiya standing over a map, their expressions grim. A third shinobi, a scout, stood at attention, breathing heavily.
"The Cloud is gathering," Orochimaru stated without preamble. "Two kilometers from our position. Roughly fifty strong. They intend to force the issue."
Jiraiya's face was set in a hard line. "Fifty? So they're finally making a serious push. It took them longer than I expected."
Orochimaru's lips thinned. "They were cautious. Now, they are not. We execute the fighting retreat. The traps will be our primary delay tactic, but it will not be enough." His golden eyes shifted to Kagenori. "Jiraiya and I will form the rearguard. We will hold the main Cloud force for as long as possible."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed. "Both of us? Then who leads the retreat?"
Orochimaru didn't hesitate. "Kagenori will."
Kagenori, who had been listening silently, felt a jolt of surprise. "I am to lead the main force?"
"Correct," Orochimaru confirmed. "You must control the pace of the retreat. The traps will slow them, but not stop them. Some Cloud ninja will inevitably flank us and strike the column from the front. You will be responsible for organizing the defense and counter-attack." His gaze was intent, analytical. "You are destined for command, Kagenori. It is time you adapted to the role."
Kagenori's expression was unreadable, but a flicker of pressure tightened in his chest. He had anticipated his first command would be over the five troublesome Uchiha, a small, vindictive exercise. Leading thirty-two exhausted shinobi in a tactical withdrawal under fire was an entirely different magnitude of responsibility.
Jiraiya, after a moment's consideration, nodded slowly. "He's right. His strategic mind is the sharpest here after yours, Orochimaru." He left unsaid the comparison to his own disciple; Minato was a brilliant tactician, but his compassion could cloud the ruthless calculus required for this.
Orochimaru placed a hand on Kagenori's shoulder, the gesture rare and weighted. "Do not overthink it. Lead as you fight—with efficiency and clarity. That is all that is required."
"Understood, Sensei," Kagenori replied, the pressure crystallizing into cold focus.
Soon, the thirty-two Konoha shinobi were assembled before the command tent. The air was thick with anxiety and exhaustion.
Orochimaru's voice cut through the murmurs. "The Cloud moves against us with fifty shinobi. Jiraiya and I will form the rearguard. Your task is to retreat according to the plan. During this retreat, your commander will be Kagenori. You will follow his orders without question."
A wave of uneasy whispers rippled through the ranks. Eyes darted between the cold-faced boy and the two Sannin.
Kagenori stepped forward. The whispers died instantly under his flat, crimson gaze.
"I know you have reservations," he began, his voice devoid of warmth, carrying like a shard of ice. "But this is a military operation. My orders will be absolute. Disobey them, and you risk not only your own life, but the lives of everyone here." He let his gaze sweep over them, pausing on a few familiar, fearful faces. "If your insubordination endangers this unit, I will execute you myself before the enemy has the chance. Do not doubt my willingness to do this. You already believe me to be a monster. Do not force me to prove you right."
In the ranks, Minato Namikaze flinched, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. Jiraiya watched Kagenori's back, a complex mix of dismay and grim acceptance on his face. He was looking at a younger, colder echo of Orochimaru.
Without another word, Orochimaru and Jiraiya moved to the rear of the column, their presence a solid wall between the Konoha force and the coming storm.
Kagenori turned his back on the Sannin and faced his thirty-two soldiers.
"All of you, check your gear. We set traps as we fall back. The formation will be as follows: Thirty-two of you will split into two teams of sixteen. Team One will maintain the clone formation—one shadow clone and five basic clones per person. Team Two will be on trap duty. We will rotate every thirty minutes. No one, and I mean no one, is to break formation to assist the rearguard unless I give the order. Your only task is to retreat."
His voice was crisp, leaving no room for argument. "If you understand, then prepare to move on my signal. The moment the Cloud engages our rear, we begin."