Time flew by, and five days had passed.
In these five days, Sunagakure experienced the true depths of despair.
The annihilation of their nocturnal raiding party left Sunagakure's rear forces completely in the dark. Without accurate updates from the frontlines, Sunagakure continued dispatching small guerilla squads. However, when these squads moved to strike other Konoha encampments, they were met with well-laid ambushes by Konoha forces, who had long anticipated their movements.
By the time Sunagakure's main command realized something was amiss, most of their dispatched guerilla units had already been wiped out.
During these five days, Konoha saw significant reinforcements arrive. Even Tobirama Senju himself had come to oversee operations from Konoha's main base camp in the Land of Wind. The camp had grown to host an impressive 8,000 ninja, its tents stretching as far as the eye could see.
According to reports from Konoha's medical-nin, the losses on Konoha's side were minimal. Over these five days, only 120 Konoha ninja were injured, most of them suffering minor wounds from jutsu or explosive tags during skirmishes. The fatalities numbered in the low double digits, consisting mainly of weaker Chūnin and Genin. No Jōnin had fallen.
In stark contrast, Sunagakure's losses were devastating.
Anticipating that Sunagakure would employ guerilla tactics, Tobirama had set up traps in advance. During the first two nights alone, 1,500 Sunagakure ninja who attempted night raids were almost entirely annihilated.
It wasn't until the third day that a single Sunagakure squad managed to escape and report back to their village about Konoha's ambushes. Enraged by the news, Sunagakure's leadership suspected that their plans had been leaked by a spy and conducted an exhaustive village-wide investigation. However, no Konoha informants were found.
After this debacle, Sunagakure abandoned their attempts to raid Konoha's camp and instead resorted to skirmishes in the desert. Still, they lost another 200 men.
In just five days, the tide of the war seemed to have already turned in Konoha's favor.
Tobirama sat calmly in the command tent at Konoha's base camp. Surrounding him were the commanders overseeing this campaign. He pondered whether he should personally head to the frontlines, crush Sunagakure's forces, and force Chiyo or the village's leadership into a desperate confrontation. By decimating Sunagakure's command structure, he could deal a decisive blow to the village itself.
Just as Tobirama was deep in thought, Akimichi Torifū, the operation's field commander, received an urgent message from a courier and interrupted him.
"Sensei, there's an emergency report from the village. Shikaku has confirmed that all the ninja and civilians from Hoshigakure have successfully relocated to Konoha. The Hoshigakure ninja are ready to join this campaign at any time!"
"Excellent!" Tobirama's face lit up as he slapped his thigh.
"Have Shikaku send all the Jōnin from Hoshigakure to the battlefield immediately. With their arrival, we can initiate the next phase of our plan!"
"Yes, Sensei!" Torifū nodded before hurrying out of the tent.
A smile crept onto Tobirama's face. With the Hoshigakure ninja at the frontlines, he could finally implement his plan to devastate Sunagakure.
When Hoshigakure's leader had agreed to integrate their forces into Konoha, they had offered their secret Peacock Technique as a gesture of gratitude. Tobirama, with his unmatched talent, had already mastered it. Using natural energy instead of chakra, he could sustain the technique far longer and summon wings of pure natural energy, giving him unparalleled speed and flight time.
"Hokage-sama! We are ready to lay down our lives for Konoha!"
Outside the command tent, 43 Hoshigakure ninja knelt in unison, their foreheads bearing Konoha's insignia.
Tobirama looked at them with a kind smile. "You are all part of Konoha now, and as your Hokage, I will never send my ninja into unnecessary danger. The missions assigned to you will not be impossible. Have your families and clansmen been settled?"
The leader of the Hoshigakure ninja stepped forward, his expression respectful. "Yes, Hokage-sama. Shikaku-sama has arranged housing for all of us and registered every member of our clan. From this moment forward, Hoshigakure no longer exists. We are proud to be the Star Clan of Konoha!"
"Star Clan?" Tobirama nodded approvingly at the name. "Very well. You may rise. Konoha does not impose so many formalities. In this war against Sunagakure, your assistance will be invaluable. With your help, we can achieve victory with minimal losses and bring this war to a swift conclusion."
"To Konoha's Star Clan, you are heroes!"
Hearing Tobirama's words, the Hoshigakure ninja were visibly moved.
They hadn't expected to be treated so highly upon joining Konoha, nor to be immediately entrusted with such an important role in the war effort.
If they could accomplish this mission and contribute to ending the war with Sunagakure, their clan would no longer be viewed with suspicion by the villagers of Konoha. They would truly become part of the village.
Standing tall with newfound determination, the Star Clan ninja declared in unison: "Hokage-sama, we await your orders! We are ready to face any challenge!"
"Good!" Tobirama's smile deepened, satisfied with their resolve.
The Konoha commanders standing nearby exchanged glances, murmuring to one another.
"Hokage-sama's ability to win their loyalty with just a few words is truly remarkable," one remarked in admiration.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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