"Hmph, just hearing about the 'Konoha's Ghost' scares you this much? Face it, Ōnoki, you're really getting old," Ai scoffed.
He hadn't been part of the last Anbu conflict and had never fought against, or even seen, Hui. In Ai's mind, Hui was just another powerful ninja, no different from any other.
Ōnoki shrugged, unfazed by Ai's taunts. "Well, if that's how you feel, I'll leave Hui to you. After all, you don't see him as a threat." He was more than willing to let Ai underestimate Hui.
"Fine by me," Ai replied swiftly. "He's just a fifteen-year-old kid anyway."
The others exchanged glances but ultimately agreed. None were intimidated by Hui's reputation, but if someone else was willing to take on the strongest obstacle in Uzushio, none saw reason to decline.
"So, when do we strike?" asked the Third Kazekage, looking around at the group.
"The sooner, the better. I don't want to drag this out long enough for Konoha to send reinforcements," the Third Mizukage said with a shrug.
A surprise attack would only work if they took Uzushio before Konoha reacted; anything else would put them in a dangerous position.
Ōnoki nodded. "Then it's decided. We attack tomorrow, advancing from different directions. Other than the sealing techniques for the tailed beasts, the spoils go to whoever claims them first."
As the leaders finalized their plan, back in Uzushio, the Uzumaki clan's own leaders were urgently meeting to discuss the looming threat. Tension was high as each expressed their anger and fear.
"This is absurd! Are we just supposed to surrender?"
"Ridiculous! We don't even have any perfect sealing techniques for controlling tailed beasts!"
"They're only using that as an excuse. They're here for our resources!"
"But if the hidden villages are working together, how can we stand against them?"
"Perhaps we could just give them some kind of seal—make them think it's for taming tailed-beasts and let them try it themselves!"
"Are you suggesting surrender already? They haven't even attacked yet!"
"It's not surrendering; I just don't want Uzushio dragged into a full-blown war!"
The room was filled with tension and arguments until finally, Suihei raised his voice, silencing the room. "Enough! This is a strategy meeting, not a place to air your complaints!" His sharp tone brought everyone to a halt.
After a pause, one elder finally spoke up, "Then, Lord Suihei, what is your plan?"
Suihei took a deep breath. "I've already sent word to Konoha requesting assistance. If we can hold off the attack for three days, Konoha's border forces will arrive. Our goal now is to strategize how we'll defend Uzushio for those three days and minimize our losses."
The tension in the room eased somewhat.
"With our sealing techniques, three days should be manageable!"
"Yes, we can hold them off for at least three days!"
"As long as Konoha's support arrives in time, we'll be fine."
"But not all of the Uzumaki live in Uzushio; most are scattered across the country!" another voice spoke up, more urgently.
"True—the protective barrier is only in Uzushio. If we concentrate our defenses here, what will happen to those outside the village?"
Suihei sighed, "I've already ordered all Uzumaki across the nation to gather here, but I can't guarantee they'll arrive in time."
Sending Uzumaki scattered across the country to return quickly was his only solution, but he knew it might not be enough.
"I suppose it's all we can do for now."
"Curse the greed of those four great hidden villages. If not for their endless greed, we wouldn't be facing this!"
The group exchanged grim glances. Although no one said it, many had already resigned themselves to the loss of clan members who were too far to reach safety.
Hui, seated quietly in the corner, watched as they debated. Despite his status as Konoha's Deputy Anbu Commander, he hadn't attended many critical meetings—especially not one that could decide the fate of an entire village.
He had thought the Uzumaki leaders would do everything in their power to save their clan members, but it seemed reality was more complex.
The meeting soon ended, and the leaders departed to prepare for the possible siege. Hui stayed in place, lost in thought as he waited for the right moment to act.
….
Meanwhile, on the other side of Uzushio, another meeting was taking place among the assembled shinobi forces. The leaders who had gathered just hours ago now met again, their faces tense.
"It seems our position has been exposed," Ōnoki began, addressing the group.
He had received reports that many Uzumaki clan members across the Land of Whirlpools were suddenly moving toward Uzushio. Combined with the silence from their advance squads, he was sure that their mission had been compromised.
"Our cover's blown? Then we might as well launch the attack sooner rather than later" the Third Kazekage replied nonchalantly.
He wasn't surprised they'd been discovered; it was bound to happen eventually. As long as they conquered Uzushio before Konoha could respond, it wouldn't matter.
"That Ghost's subordinates are quite effective," the Third Mizukage noted. "To think they already figured out our intentions. No doubt it was Konoha's Anbu who detected us; Uzushio alone couldn't have organised this intelligence this soon."
"Well, if our cover's blown, let's start now." Ai seemed unconcerned. In fact, the thought of facing Hui, the Konoha's Ghost, seemed to ignite his fighting spirit.
"Then it's settled. Gather everyone and prepare to take Uzushio," Ōnoki ordered, his gaze serious as he met each leader's eyes.
And so, the elite shinobi of the four great villages, joined by forces from smaller hidden villages, began their march on Uzushio.
The campaign to conquer the Land of Whirlpools had officially begun.
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