章 2: Chapter 401: Strike While the Enemy is Weakened
Kushina suddenly realized that she had no real place interfering in matters of war. She had foolishly let herself be swayed by the Nine-Tails, all because of Takuya, and the potential threat of Pakura as a rival.
Now that she'd found Takuya, her thoughts shifted. And what about Pakura?
"Don't look around. She's just in there, cleaning up," Kurama spoke up from the sealed space, sighing deeply. He almost wished he could cover his face in embarrassment.
Kushina, could you be any more obvious?
Aren't you supposed to have exceptional sensory abilities as a member of the Uzumaki clan?
"Since Tsunade is willing to send Kushina as reinforcements, I certainly trust her abilities, as well as Tsunade's judgment," Nara Shikashige's words in the command center caught Kushina's attention.
"We've already spread the word. As expected, Sunagakure has deployed numerous teams to search for the Third Kazekage," Shikashige continued.
"Indeed, Sunagakure is putting all their effort into finding the Third Kazekage," added Sakumo Hatake, taking over the conversation.
"If not for this desperate search, there's no way Sunagakure would have dispersed so many of their forces. The question is: what should our next move be?"
Do they attack directly, remain inactive, or simply let Sunagakure's chaos continue to grow?
Sakumo's inclination was clear: strike now. He wanted to take advantage of Sunagakure's distraction and launch an assault. Even if they couldn't completely defeat them, they could at least push them out of the Land of Fire.
Currently, Sunagakure's camp was positioned at a border outpost—essentially already on Fire Country soil.
Nara Shikashige, on the other hand, believed they could afford to wait a few more days. Sunagakure was still looking for the Third Kazekage. The longer they searched, the more apparent it would become that he was truly gone.
Before Sunagakure could formally elect a new Fourth Kazekage and solidify their ranks, their morale would continue to plummet.
That would be the ideal time for Konoha to strike.
The two senior shinobi had come straight to the command center to discuss their views with Takuya, which made their intentions obvious.
"We should attack," Takuya said without hesitation, aligning himself with Sakumo's view.
"Although waiting could further demoralize Sunagakure as news of the Third Kazekage's death spreads, I believe we shouldn't delay. We need to seize the moment while Sunagakure's forces are spread thin and launch a counterattack. At the very least, we must push Sunagakure out of the Land of Fire—ideally, all the way back to the Land of Wind."
In the resting room behind the command center, Pakura sighed, her eyes reflecting her confusion.
It wasn't surprising that Takuya, not being one to play the waiting game, wanted to attack. Shikashige had anticipated this response.
Shikashige spread out a pre-prepared map on the table, pointing to two red lines marked on it.
"If you both agree, then we proceed with the counterattack. Here are two possible routes I've mapped out. With the Third Kazekage dead, Sasori defected, and Pakura captured, Sunagakure's high-level combat strength has taken a nosedive."
Sunagakure's greatest advantage had been the Third Kazekage stationed at their camp, ready to support any front as needed.
The Third Kazekage, wielding Magnet Release and the ability to fly, had been their strategic powerhouse. No matter where an emergency arose, he could reach it in no time.
But now, Sunagakure had lost not only its strongest Kazekage but also their most critical support system.
With Sasori's betrayal and Pakura's capture, Konoha could afford to split their forces into two groups, each attacking from a different direction—enough to leave Sunagakure stretched too thin.
"Without the Third Kazekage, Sunagakure lacks a rapid-response capability. If Sakumo attacks from one front, Lady Chiyo will undoubtedly lead their forces to counter him. That will leave the other side vulnerable.
"That's where Takuya and Kushina come in—you'll strike the exposed flank, which should throw Sunagakure into disarray," Shikashige explained confidently.
To be honest, a two-pronged attack wasn't even necessary to destabilize Sunagakure.
Takuya hesitated briefly but kept the thought to himself. He thought it might be wise to keep a surprise up his sleeve for when Sunagakure's forces began to crumble—a surprise for Shikashige, Sakumo, and even Tsunade.
Tsunade had placed such trust in him and Kushina, so Takuya was determined not to disappoint her.
"I have no objections," Takuya said, spreading his hands in agreement with Shikashige's strategy.
Shikashige was a veteran strategist, and having him draw up the plans meant a lot of the burden was off Takuya's shoulders. He could simply follow the course that had been set.
Sakumo grinned, also signaling his approval.
"I'm in as well. It's about time Sunagakure paid for their actions. But are you sure you two will be okay on your end?"
Two prongs meant Sakumo would lead one front while Takuya and Kushina led the other, with Shikashige remaining at camp to coordinate.
"Sakumo-senpai, of course we'll be fine. Have you forgotten that Takuya went through the Second Shinobi World War?" Kushina interjected before Takuya could answer.
"Plus, I'll be there too. We'll make Sunagakure run with their tails between their legs," Kushina declared confidently.
"..."
Of course, Sakumo and Shikashige knew Takuya's strength wasn't in question. What worried them was the chaos he might cause leading an entire squad.
Seeing Kushina's confident expression, neither of them said anything further.
Takuya ruffled Kushina's long red hair.
"You two can rest assured. I may not be good at strategizing, but I can certainly lead men into battle. And Kushina is right—even though I'm young, I've fought my way through the Second Shinobi World War."
"As long as you're confident," Shikashige said, rising and gathering the map. "Just don't let Tsunade down—she's under a lot of pressure."
"I'll go make the necessary arrangements and choose the squads," Shikashige added before leaving.
"I'll help too," Sakumo said, following suit. There was no relying on Takuya for such logistical tasks—Shikashige had to take care of it himself. Sakumo tagged along to help, but mostly to avoid the "dog food" that was inevitably going to be dished out, and to avoid what could easily turn into a love triangle at any moment.
After Shikashige and Sakumo left, Kushina looked surprised.
"Huh? That's it? I heard from Tsunade-nee that setting up a frontline attack usually requires a Jonin council meeting."
For others, such a council meeting might be necessary. But Takuya, Sakumo, and Shikashige had simply talked it out, with each contributing, and decided everything right there.
Pulling Kushina into his embrace, Takuya squeezed her cheek playfully.
"It's not actually that simple. It's just that Shikashige took all the work onto himself. He knows I hate dealing with details, and that I'm not good at it, so he takes care of it all. Otherwise, you'd be seeing a whole crowd gathered in the command center, arguing back and forth."
Takuya had been through a few Jonin meetings himself, and each time he returned exhausted—even though he rarely gave any opinions and usually just hid in a corner watching the spectacle and dozing off.
Kushina giggled at the thought of the chaotic scene, but then suddenly sat up straight, her back stiffening, as she noticed a change in Takuya's eyes.
"It's the Nine-Tails, isn't it?"
Takuya didn't mind Kushina coming out to find him—or even to give Pakura a hard time—but what he couldn't accept was the Nine-Tails manipulating her.
As Takuya spoke, both he and Kushina found their consciousness entering the sealed space.
"Tch!"
Seeing Takuya arrive, the Nine-Tails turned its head arrogantly to the side, as if to show it didn't care about him at all.
The truth was that Kurama was feeling guilty.
The fact that Takuya had come into the sealed space meant trouble.
The pride of a Tailed Beast wouldn't allow Kurama to feel humiliated in front of Takuya, but it also didn't want to create unnecessary conflict.
So Kurama put on a front of indifference, hoping Takuya would just leave.
Staring at the colossal fox, Takuya slowly opened his eyes, his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan focusing sharply on Kurama's.
"I never imagined the great Nine-Tails, Kurama, would stoop to deceiving Kushina, even urging her to leave the village and come to the front lines."
_____
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