The news of Kirigakure and Sunagakure joining the war brought a grim shift to Tobirama's mood. The alliance with Iwagakure remained intact, and while the Hidden Sand's unilateral aggression was concerning, it didn't alter the overall strategic picture drastically. Tobirama found some solace in these small victories amidst the rising tension.
As the new alliance treaty between the Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Stone took effect, it ensured mutual assistance in the ongoing war. The daimyo of the Land of Fire issued a direct order to Tobirama: defeat the forces of the Land of Lightning, reclaim lost territories, and restore the nation's honor.
Tobirama scrutinized the intelligence reports, marking the positions of enemy forces from the Land of Lightning, Water, and Wind on the map. He realized that relying solely on the ninja army was insufficient for dealing with such a multifaceted threat. Konoha's ninjas would need to be deployed more strategically.
However, Konoha's ninja forces were already stretched thin. The possibility of dispatching the fourth unit responsible for support was unfeasible, as the need for protection in the village was too great. Furthermore, sending the Uchiha clan members stationed in Konoha was also problematic due to the potential risks involved.
Tobirama faced a dilemma: distribute the existing forces and risk weakening the front lines or maintain the current deployment and risk being overwhelmed. The Land of Lightning had taken advantage of their initial surprise, capturing key border towns, thus putting pressure on Konoha's defenses.
The strategy of Kumo was to hold these positions, making it impractical for Konoha to divide its forces. Tobirama understood that the longer the conflict dragged on, the more advantageous it became for the enemy.
With a heavy heart, Tobirama concluded that a swift resolution was necessary. The key to pushing back the Hidden Cloud ninjas lay in disrupting their logistics. The long supply lines from their homeland, coupled with the difficulty in securing them, provided a potential vulnerability. If Konoha could cut off these supplies, it could force the Hidden Cloud forces to retreat.
Kumogakure , aware of the logistical risks, had taken precautions. Yet, the logistics units were not heavily guarded, as their main focus was on the front lines. Tobirama decided that a small, elite team should be tasked with this critical mission. They needed to be fast, precise, and capable of handling the operation with minimal support.
After a night of contemplation, Tobirama assembled the team for the mission. When Fumori Masaki arrived at the meeting, he quickly realized the significance of the operation. Masaki, known for his high-speed wind chakra attacks, was well-suited for this type of raid. He compared it to the future Battle of the Kannabi Bridge, recognizing the similarities in the strategic approach.
Masaki noted only one familiar face among the team: Hyūga Kei. The others, though from Konoha, were not well-known to him. When Senju Tōka appeared, it became clear that she would lead the mission. As a seasoned Shinobi, her role was to attract enemy attention on the front lines and support the raid.
Tobirama addressed the team, explaining the critical nature of their mission. "You are tasked with destroying the Land of Lightning's logistics supply line. Senju Tōka will lead the team. Success in this mission will shift the war's momentum in our favor."
The team, including Masaki, felt a mix of nervousness and determination. They had to act swiftly and efficiently. Tobirama briefed them on the general plan, emphasizing the urgency and the need to be adaptable.
Senju Tōka took over, warning them of the mission's dangers. "This mission is perilous. We will have support from the Iwagakure ninjas, who will help distract Thunder Country's troops. Once you reach the target area, respond quickly to any changes. Prepare your equipment and get ready to leave immediately."
With the briefing complete, Senju Tōka led the team out of the camp for final preparations. The success of this mission was crucial for altering the course of the war, and everyone knew their actions in the coming days would be pivotal.