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The third unit swiftly advanced toward the battlefield, guided by their pre-determined objectives. Despite being on their first march, each member of this ninja unit was highly skilled and experienced. The march proceeded with disciplined efficiency, and no one spoke as they pressed forward.
Senju Tōka, leading the unit, felt the weight of responsibility heavily on her shoulders. Although she had crafted a battle plan, she was unsure how well it would hold up in real combat. This was a test of her strategies and leadership.
The mission of the third unit was clear: delay and contain the Kumo ninjas, pushing them in a direction that would allow the Land of Fire's Samurai Army to regroup and prepare. Given the lower combat capability of her unit, Senju Tōka relied on illusion techniques to strike at the enemy.
Understanding the nature of ninja warfare, Senju Toka knew that the Kumo ninjas would likely employ stealth and dispersal tactics. To counter this, she divided the third unit into smaller teams, with each team spreading out but maintaining communication. Members from the Hyuga and Inuzuka clans were assigned to gather intelligence and report back.
Fumori Masaki, despite lacking unique clan abilities, utilized his own perceptive techniques. As they approached the area predicted by Tobirama and others, Masaki sensed multiple presences nearby. They were spread out but maintained a coordinated formation, indicating they were indeed the Kumo Ninjas.
Senju Toka quickly assessed the intelligence from her teams and determined that the enemy force was around 200 strong. While this number seemed manageable, these were elite soldiers trained for rapid, surprise attacks. The third unit, with its limited combat prowess, was not suited for a direct confrontation.
"Stick to the plan," Senju Toka instructed the squad leaders. "Eliminate the enemy quietly if possible. If not, delay them as long as you can without alerting others. The main objective is to slow them down and keep them away from their target."
With this, Senju Toka prepared her team for engagement. Fumori Masaki, Rimi, and Danzo were part of her team. They were joined by Hyūga Kei, a skilled member of the Hyūga clan, known for his proficiency in reconnaissance. Their role was to spot the enemy and execute the battle plan.
As they moved through the forest, Hyuga Kei's Byakugan scanned the area. He quickly detected the Kumo ninjas and relayed their position to Senju Toka. With a nod, Toka gave the signal to engage.
Senju Toka's illusion techniques, renowned even among the Uchiha, proved formidable. The first team they encountered, consisting of five burly Kumo ninjas, fell prey to her illusions. The enemy team, despite their physical strength, was caught completely off guard and eliminated without a fight.
Fumori Masaki and the others were impressed by the ease with which Senju Toka handled the situation. Her illusions were indeed powerful, as evidenced by the swift defeat of their opponents.
"Keep up the good work," Senju Toka instructed, though she cautioned, "Don't get complacent. The more skilled the ninja, the harder it is for them to fall under an illusion. We must remain vigilant."
With that, the team continued their advance. Each enemy they encountered fell to Senju Toka's illusions, unable to react in time to sound an alarm or convey information.
However, the efforts of other squads drew attention from the Kumo Ninjas. Realizing that Konoha ninjas had infiltrated their lines, the Kumo Ninjas regrouped and prepared to launch a counterattack. The stage was set for a full-scale clash between Konoha Ninja and Kumo Ninja.
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