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"Everyone, something is very odd about the Kumogakure ninjas. Although they've gathered a significant number of ninjas, their lackluster engagement doesn't seem like they're truly fighting us."
After pausing their offensive, Sakumo gathered everyone to discuss the situation.
They had already pushed the front line to the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water, and sent numerous patrol teams into the Land of Hot Water, sometimes even skirmishing with Kumogakure ninjas within the Land of Lightning.
Facing a military nation with a strong martial culture, Sakumo's arrangements were already quite aggressive, yet the Kumogakure's resistance was surprisingly weak, only counterattacking when Konoha's teams entered the Land of Lightning.
The war had been ongoing for two months, and Yoichi had accumulated five opportunities to extract, with the sixth one due next month. Despite two chances to exchange, there had been no progress in this battle.
Compared to the situation with Iwagakure and Kusagakure, the conflicts in the Land of Hot Water could be considered minor skirmishes. In two months, only thirty-seven had died here, while the casualties on the other front were almost ten times higher.
"If they're not deterred by Sakumo-san and Yoichi-san's reputations, then they must have a plan. We need more intelligence, preferably infiltrating Kumogakure's rear to gather it."
Orochimaru glanced at Yoichi as he spoke, recalling how he had obtained information about the Two-Tails previously.
"However, Kumogakure might have learned their lesson and won't use the same method to transmit information again."
"Have Iwagakure and Kumogakure really allied? If so, Kumogakure should at least launch a few attacks to pressure us."
A Jonin from the Nara clan spoke up, "Iwagakure has suffered over two hundred casualties, yet Kumogakure seems unconcerned."
Although Kumogakure had also lost at least a hundred ninjas, this battlefield was far less intense. Of those hundred casualties, a third were taken out by Uchiha Yoichi during his missions.
Now, whenever Kumogakure ninjas spotted Yoichi from afar, they would immediately scatter.
Encountering the Lightning Fang of Konoha and surviving became a bragging point.
Sakumo said, "There's another matter. The Third Hokage wants to transfer two hundred ninjas from here to reinforce the other front, hoping we can pull back our defenses."
The other Jonin in the tent fell silent at this.
Yoichi frowned and asked, "Can't reinforcements be sent from the village?"
"The village still needs to guard against Suna and Kirigakure. We can't risk everything on the battlefield in the Land of Grass. We simply have too few ninjas to face two villages at once."
There were already over two thousand Konoha ninjas on the battlefield in the Land of Grass. Here, in the Land of Hot Water, there were only fifteen hundred. If two hundred were transferred, it would be difficult to handle a sudden attack from Kumogakure.
However, the remaining ninjas in the village were indeed limited. At this point, there were barely ten thousand registered ninjas. Excluding those who died in the First and Second Ninja Wars, Konoha's active roster might only be around seven thousand.
Nearly half of the ninjas were already deployed on two fronts. With Suna having a history of invasions, they couldn't rely solely on Amegakure for defense.
"Although our situation isn't ideal, this is the Hokage's order. Yoichi-san, Hayama-san, please select a hundred ninjas each from your squads for reinforcement."
Sakumo stated. The Third Hokage's order wasn't up for discussion, only compliance.
"Understood."
Yoichi and Hayama responded, ready to act once the meeting concluded.
"Additionally, continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and increase patrol teams. Ryota-san, I'll leave this to you."
"Understood."
The Kumogakure's behavior puzzled Sakumo, but they weren't without countermeasures. Orochimaru had prepared summoning seals with his blood.
By having some Chunin and Genin perform the summoning jutsu, they could summon ten massive serpents on the battlefield.
These serpents alone would pose a significant threat to Kumogakure. Orochimaru and Yoichi also had their own summoned beasts.
Hiruzen had initially wanted Mina to lead the medical team, along with Gates, but dropped the idea upon learning of her pregnancy.
On the other side, the situation in the Land of Grass was barely stabilized even after Namikaze Minato received reinforcements.
Facing three villages at once was incredibly difficult. Iwagakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure knew Konoha had limited numbers, so they deliberately launched attacks in multiple places to spread Konoha thin.
Even Danzo's Root had suffered setbacks. He had intended for his ninjas to stealthily infiltrate Iwagakure's rear for assassination and sabotage, but they lost over ten ninjas without success.
However, their sacrifices weren't in vain. They managed to destroy an Iwagakure supply line and uncover an important piece of information: Iwagakure's supply routes and Kusagakure's supply points.
Previously, only Kumogakure could transport supplies without much pressure, thanks to the Six Paths Tools. Other villages needed manpower, and storage scrolls couldn't hold everything.
Iwagakure deployed many ninjas, requiring supply runs every few days to keep up with the consumption of shuriken and kunai.
Upon learning this, Danzo immediately passed the information to Minato and Jiraiya, deciding not to waste more Root ninjas on such missions.
Gathering this intel had already cost many lives. Further sacrifices would weaken Konoha's defenses, so it was best left to the battlefield commanders to handle.
Danzo was curious to see how the young battlefield commander would turn the tide.
Iwagakure and Kumogakure exchanged updates almost daily. After two months, Onoki, the Third Raikage, Kitsuchi, Dodai, and A decided it was time to launch their attack.
Their intelligence confirmed Konoha wouldn't deploy the Nine-Tails jinchuriki. Although they sent envoys to Suna and Kirigakure, the outcome was uncertain, but worth trying.
After finalizing the attack plans, A said to Kitsuchi, "We'll be counting on you, Kitsuchi-san."
"No need for thanks. We have a common enemy."
Kitsuchi replied. If Konoha, with both the Nine-Tails and the newly acquired Two-Tails, wasn't dealt with, their strength would grow immensely in a few years.
The previous Chunin Exams had facilitated the Kumogakure-Iwagakure alliance.
The next day, A ceased the subdued approach and dispatched numerous Kumogakure reconnaissance teams. They soon clashed with Konoha patrols, leading to skirmishes.
These encounters inflicted significant losses on Konoha, with targeted ambushes in many areas of the Land of Hot Water.
News quickly reached Sakumo, who, sensing something amiss, immediately sent out scouts to track Kumogakure's movements.
The scouts reported back rapidly, with information that shocked Sakumo Hatake.
Kumogakure had mobilized en masse, with a large force moving towards the Land of Fire, expected to invade within a few hours.
Sakumo gathered all the Jonin, shared the intelligence, and began making arrangements.
"Orochimaru-san, if I'm not here, you'll be in command. If Orochimaru is also occupied, Hayama-san, you take over. Yoichi-san, handle the Eight-Tails if it appears."
Sakumo organized the defenses. With equal numbers, Kumogakure was easier to manage than Iwagakure.
Once preparations were complete, Konoha ninjas quickly gathered, determined to face the imminent threat.
As the Konoha ninjas prepared, they soon spotted the advance units of Kumogakure's main force.
A Yamanaka clan ninja controlling a messenger hawk reported to Sakumo, "Sakumo-san, I see Iwagakure ninjas too, at least dozens, on Kumogakure's left flank."
Boom!
Before the Yamanaka ninja could finish, three colossal figures appeared ahead of Kumogakure's force.
A giant, red-furred ape with horns and two fangs, four tails swaying behind it.
A creature with a dolphin's head and a horse's body, pure white, its five massive tails blocking out the sky.
Lastly, the Eight-Tails Ox, familiar to Konoha ninjas from its fierce battle with Uchiha Yoichi, its destructive power terrifying to ordinary ninjas.
The appearance of these three fully-transformed tailed beasts on the battlefield immediately brought immense pressure on Konoha's side, even surprising Uchiha Yoichi, who sensed the severe threat.
Orochimaru's face turned grave. Based on the Yamanaka ninja's report, he quickly suggested to Sakumo, "Sakumo-san, we need to retreat. This battle is unwinnable."
"Retreating won't be easy. Kumogakure won't let us."
Sakumo replied, swiftly seeking a solution. With Kumogakure hiding such crucial information, they wouldn't allow an easy escape.
"No matter what, we need to fight first!"
Seeing the three fully-transformed tailed beasts, Yoichi realized he couldn't hide his strength today.
"Susanoo!"
Massive chakra surged from within, quickly forming bones, muscles, and armor.
A seventy to eighty-meter tall, dark blue Susanoo, resembling a giant crow tengu, appeared on the battlefield. With increased ocular power, Yoichi's Susanoo had grown taller than the Eight-Tails by over twenty meters.
The dark blue Susanoo swiftly moved to the front, swinging its chakra blade to deflect an incoming tailed beast bomb into the sky.
However, the Susanoo's blade broke after deflecting just one bomb, forcing it to cross its arms to block the second and third bombs.
Orochimaru reacted quickly, forming hand signs, "Triple Rashomon!"
Boom!
The violent explosion, searing flames, and intense shockwaves toppled the Rashomon gates.
Fortunately, the Konoha ninjas had scattered underground. Otherwise, the tailed beast bombs would have caused severe casualties.
Tailed beasts indeed lived up to their reputation as war nukes, their attacks devastating even to elite Jonin, who are the high ranks in a great village.
"Yo, yo, yo, bastard, fool, get blown away~!"
Killer Bee cheered after seeing the effect of the tailed beast bombs, rapping joyfully, then suggested to Rōshi and Han, "How about we keep up the momentum and continue the attack?"
"He's not down, Killer Bee, be careful!"
Swish!
A powerful slash suddenly emerged from the explosion's dust cloud, targeting the three jinchuriki, carving a deep chasm in the ground.
Thanks to Rōshi's warning, the three used their tails to block the slash.
The battlefield was now thoroughly devastated, with a deep chasm extending from Konoha's side to Kumogakure's main force. The tailed beast bomb explosions had also cleared the dust cloud.
Yoichi's Susanoo had a large hole in its chest from the bomb, but he quickly repaired it with chakra.
Before Susanoo, a nearly hundred-meter wide crater had formed.
Sakumo Hatake, Orochimaru, and others were inwardly alarmed. Without Yoichi and the Rashomon gates absorbing most of the explosion's impact, surviving even half the ninjas under the tailed beast bomb's assault would have been difficult.
"Hayama-san, have Inomata-san relay orders. The first squad covers, the second and third squads and the medical team prepare to retreat, and send a message to the village explaining the situation!"
Sakumo decisively ordered. Any delay would mean sacrificing the thousand ninjas here.
Yoichi and the three jinchuriki across from him also had thoughts of changing the battlefield.
Even Susanoo and the tailed beasts caused tremendous destruction with their attacks. On a ninja battlefield, without sealing techniques, the thousand ninjas wouldn't stand a chance.
"Simple Susanoo might not withstand continuous tailed beast bomb attacks. I need to reveal more of my power."
After deciding, Yoichi clasped his hands, and Sage Mode markings appeared on his face, with a horn slowly emerging on his forehead.
Even Susanoo transformed, its armor gaining scale-like features, and a similar horn appearing on its forehead.
"Sage Art: Wood Release: Wood Human Technique!"
(End of Chapter)