章 92: Warfare Wisdom: Planning for the Eastern Front (1)

Once back at the Hyuga clan compound, the urgency of the upcoming conflict shifted to the forefront of their activities.

The Patriarch, understanding the significance of the Eastern Front and its challenges, assigned Hiashi, Hikari, and Takumi the task of delving into wartime strategies and preparations.

He stressed the importance of these discussions happening in isolation to simulate the decision-making processes they would face on the battlefield, thereby honing their tactical acumen in a more controlled environment.

To facilitate these crucial discussions, the trio found themselves in a serene setting within the Patriarch's residence. Surrounded by the tranquility of a spacious garden, they gathered around a fancy table, the calm atmosphere in stark contrast to the gravity of their task.

This setting was chosen for its peaceful ambiance, which will help participants remain focused on the complex and weighty discussions ahead.

The objective was clear: to thoroughly explore and debate various strategies, potential scenarios, and their implications for the Hyuga's role on the Eastern Front. This initial isolation would allow them to craft a solid foundational strategy, which they could then refine and adapt based on broader consultations during the next Hyuga Council meetings.

The conversation deepened, touching upon the broader context of Konoha's chances in the impending war. Hiashi brought a strategic perspective into the discussion: "Konoha is the village with the strongest relative power in the entire world. It controls approximately 40% of the world's shinobi forces... Therefore, it should be more than two times stronger than any other big shinobi village on average..." he stated, outlining the village's formidable martial capabilities.

He continued, drawing parallels with the village's economic position, "Similarly, its partner nation, the Land of Fire, is similarly positioned in terms of economic power and population.",

This statement highlighted the symbiotic relationship between Konoha's military strength and the Land of Fire's economic robustness, suggesting that the village's war efforts were underpinned by significant resources and strategic depth.

Hiashi's voice carried a gravity that underscored the unprecedented challenges Konoha faced, "Typically, even in defeat, the sheer might of Konoha has shielded its very existence from threat.",

"Our losses were confined to interests, never our survival. But the landscape has shifted dramatically this time...", He explained, hinting at the dire circumstances looming over their heads.

He elaborated on the strategic predicament even further, "The other found great shinobi villages, without exceptions, are poised to mobilize the majority of their forces against us.",

"We are left completely alone without allies among the great shinobi villages, and our customary strategy of divide and conquer has stumbled, as everyone was drawn by the scent of vulnerability amid our internal discord.",

Hiashi's gaze met those of Hiashi and Takumi, conveying the solemnity of his next words, "For us three, this war marks our debut on such a stage, but it bears the weight of possibly being our final act. We are on the precipice of what could be the most brutal world war in history."

Takumi, the most experienced among them, then added a strategic insight to the discussion, offering a sliver of optimism in their dire outlook, "The only good thing is that our faction has managed to win the fight for the Suna and Kiri fronts, against the weakest and second weakest of the ninja villages.",

"This should, in theory, present us with a somewhat less challenging battlefield...", He noted, acknowledging the strategic advantage their faction held in the overall war effort.

However, Takumi was quick to temper this optimism with a dose of realism. "But, if the other faction suffers a complete defeat on their fronts, it would still spell disaster for us all. A loss on any front is a loss for Konoha as a whole and could severely impact our overall position in the war...",

"Therefore, we must hope for a balance where they face setbacks but do not lose entirely. It's a delicate balance, but essential for maintaining our overall strength and position..."

"I wouldn't worry about them; I think they could hold on for a while. Minato's unit will probably be heavily utilized on their fronts. And I also have a hunch that Minato himself will get considerably stronger during this war.",

"Also, Shinsuke, Danzo, and their organizations probably won't be dealing with those covert operations full-time; they could go in and help. We still don't know the extent of Kushina's power as a Jinchuriki, as she never went all out in the past...",

"I think that they could hold on until we manage to secure victories against our opponents. That would be the ideal scenario. We win over our opponents while they struggle with their opponents, and then we help them win too, getting all the merits for us..." Hikari chimed in.

Hikari, with his extensive knowledge of warfare in this world, understood the strategic nuances that governed the deployment of shinobi forces during times of conflict like this.

Having studied the dynamics of war from a young age, he was well aware that no hidden village could afford to commit all its shinobi to the frontline. A significant portion of their forces always had to remain behind for defense, dispersed inside of their own countries.

This strategy was crucial in a world where a single jonin could wreak havoc on civilian populations, assassinate daimyos and nobles, and cause widespread destruction.

Despite existing agreements aimed at preventing such attacks, the reality of warfare often saw these rules bent or broken. As a result, villages had to maintain a delicate balance, still keeping some shinobi back in their village and stationing shinobi across their entire countries and important locations to deter or respond to enemy infiltrations and assaults.

Therefore, it was not that strange that Hiruzen kept some of his closest forces there, but it was strange that there were so many of them. That's why Hikari theorized that it is a tactic used by him to say that they are inside the Land of Fire and Amegakure, but probably also moving and helping their own fronts entirely, which was better to not be so publicized, after all, Anbu's and Root's role is generally to not fight those frontal kinds of battles and generally should be more working for the collective interests of the entire village not just two Divisions.

What truly caught Hikari off guard when comparing the nature of warfare in this world to that of his previous life on Earth was the scale at which conflicts unfolded. In his past existence, wars were characterized by the mobilization of millions, leveraging technology and sheer numbers in vast, open battlefields.

Here, however, the dynamics were starkly different. The conflicts in this shinobi world were defined by engagements involving relatively few—yet exceedingly powerful—individuals.

Learning that their own front would be manned by just over a thousand shinobi was a revelation to Hikari, contrasting sharply with the massive armies of his previous life.

This world prioritized the skills of superhuman shinobi, who could alter the course of battles through their abilities alone. Warfare here leaned towards stealth and strategy, with guerrilla tactics, ambushes, and precise, targeted strikes being the norm.

The emphasis was not on overwhelming numbers but on the strategic deployment of these skilled warriors, each capable of feats far beyond any ordinary soldier. This approach to conflict, favoring smaller-scale but highly impactful engagements, underscored the unique nature of shinobi warfare and the critical role individual power played in deciding outcomes.