On the southwestern battlefield, the Sand Ninjas advanced quickly, taking advantage of Konoha's lack of preparation.
However, when the Ino, Shika, and Cho clans led the Konoha troops to the border, the situation changed dramatically.
As the commander, Nara Shikaku, despite it being his first major command, proved the Nara clan's reputation was well-deserved. He employed clever strategies on the battlefield, pushing back the Sand Ninjas step by step. Not only did the Sand Ninjas lose the territories they had taken, but they were also driven back to the Desert area of Land of Sand.
Inside the Konoha camp, Nara Shikaku was planning the next round of peace talks.
The tent flaps were flung open with a loud bang, and two figures entered one after another.
Before the figures arrived, hearty laughter was heard.
"Hahahaha. Shikaku, just like you said!" A large, burly man with long, fiery red hair walked in, beaming with joy. "Inoichi and I followed your advice, successfully ambushed Chiyo, and forced them to retreat!"
"Hmm," Nara Shikaku responded indifferently, showing no surprise.
"Shikaku, you've beaten the Sand Ninjas badly. Are you sure the Kazekage will agree to peace talks?"
His good friend Yamanaka Inoichi, covered in blood and still in his helmet and armor from the battlefield, asked with concern.
"They will agree," Shikaku said, staring at the sand table with a frown. "The Sand Village isn't too tough to handle. Once they realize they can't gain an advantage and that continuing the fight is pointless, the Kazekage will have to agree to peace talks."
"Shikaku, we've already pushed back the Sand Ninjas. Why the long face?" Akimichi Choza asked, puzzled. It seemed like cause for celebration, yet Shikaku appeared serious.
"Actually, I'm not worried about the Sand Ninjas," Shikaku said, rubbing his temples. "To be honest, I've been feeling uneasy these past few days, but I can't pinpoint why."
"Shikaku, are you worried about Kumogakure and Iwagakure?" Yamanaka Inoichi saw through his friend's concerns and reassured him.
"Don't worry. Iwagakure has Orochimaru, and Kumogakure has the Uchiha clan. Even if they're defeated on the battlefield, they'll be able to hold their own for a while."
"I hope so," Shikaku replied.
Nara Shikaku rubbed his forehead, and his right eyelid twitched slightly.
He had a feeling that things wouldn't be straightforward, but for now, he could only hope that there would be no issues on the battlefields on both sides.
Yamanaka Inoichi asked, "According to the plan, we've already pushed the Sand Ninja back. If we want to negotiate, now would be the best time, right?"
"No, Inoichi, not yet."
Nara Shikaku's eyes were sharp, and his face was serious. He pointed to a spot on the sand table: "Right now, the Kazekage and the Sand Ninja won't fully give up on their plans to invade Konoha!"
"You mean a night raid?"
Yamanaka Inoichi knew Shikaku well, so he quickly guessed his thoughts.
"Exactly! That's exactly what I mean!"
Nara Shikaku's eyes were cold and determined, and his voice was firm: "Only by hitting them hard will the Sand Ninjas realize that even if they go to war with all four countries at once, Konoha is not something they can easily take!"
"But if we push too hard, could it backfire?"
Yamanaka Inoichi hesitated and asked, "What if the Sand Ninja gets completely enraged? Will the Kazekage ignore everything and refuse to negotiate?"
"Ha, your concern is valid. I've thought about that."
Nara Shikaku smiled and continued: "Don't worry, Inoichi. I'll personally lead the night raid this time. Just ensure we cause enough pain to make the Sand Ninja rethink their plans."
"Okay, I trust your judgment, Shikaku."
Yamanaka Inoichi patted his friend's shoulder and smiled: "After all, you're our 'brain'. With me and Choza here, we're ready to go for it!"
"Yes, that's right!"
The bold Choza thumped his chest with a loud sound: "Leave it to me. I'll make sure the Sand Ninja knows what real pain is!"
With the trust of his two best friends, Nara Shikaku felt more confident. He clenched his fists and gazed into the distance: "The sooner we end this war, the sooner we can support other battlefields!"
Late at night, with the moon dim and stars sparse, more than a hundred carefully chosen individuals quietly approached the Sand Ninja's camp.
According to the important information Yamanaka Inoichi obtained from the enemy's mind, the highest-ranking commander of the Sand Ninja this time, the puppeteer Chiyo, is present.
Nara Shikaku understood the strategy of capturing the leader first, so the main goal of this mission was to capture the Sand Ninja advisor, Chiyo, alive.
After a short rest, over a hundred Konoha elites took advantage of the cover of night and advanced towards the Sand Ninja base.
In the darkness, the ninjas from the Nara and Yamanaka clans used their skills effectively. Using the Shadow Imitation Technique and the Mind Transfer Technique, they silently eliminated all the patrolling ninjas outside the Sand Ninja base without making a sound.
The Nara clan's ninjas manipulated shadows, and as soon as they controlled an enemy, the Yamanaka clan's secret techniques took over their minds, preventing them from making any noise.
One by one, the Sand Ninjas fell quietly in the dark.
Soon, Nara Shikaku led the elite team into the Sand Ninja base, coming within a hundred meters of the central tent.
Noticing the barely visible chakra threads on the ground, he realized they couldn't get any closer. With a cold expression, he said, "Choza, it's your turn. Let's cause a commotion!"
"Leave it to me!"
Akimichi Choza put his hands together, and his body suddenly expanded several times as if inflated: "Super Multi-Size Technique!"
Boom!
In an instant, Choza grew into a giant over ten meters tall, resembling a small hill.
The sudden surge of enormous chakra alerted the Sand Ninjas. Many rushed out of the tents, only to find, in shock, that hundreds of Konoha ninjas had quietly infiltrated their camp and were attacking recklessly.
"Super Push!"
Dense lines appeared on Akimichi Choza's palms, and he pressed down heavily.
After using the Super Multi-Size Technique, his weight reached nearly a hundred tons. His broad palms, enhanced by a massive amount of chakra, came crashing down like a falling mountain.
Boom!!!
In an instant, the ground within dozens of meters around Choza collapsed.
The force was overwhelming, spreading out in all directions like a powerful wave. The strong winds and air pressure blew away the Sand Ninjas and tore down the tents.
But Akimichi Choza wasn't satisfied with just this. His goal was to become the Sand Ninja advisor.
He stretched out his massive hand, crossed dozens of meters, and punched the tent in the center, shouting, "Chiyo, come out here!"
As a giant, Choza's strength was incredible. His punch stirred up a whirlwind of air.
But then, something shocking happened.
Choza's giant fist stopped right in front of the tent, as if held back by an invisible, transparent barrier.
Then, a calm and indifferent voice came from inside the tent.
"Shinra Tensei!"
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