章節 340: Chapter 340 - Leaf’s Military Operation 01
The strongest Genin of the Leaf Village was standing out in the halls of the Hokage tower, waiting for his teacher to finish his meeting with the Hokage. Soon he saw Kakashi coming out of the room.
'Is it just me or does he seem less tense?' Daichi pondered as he gazed at the silver haired man.
"Is everything alright sensei?"
Hearing the boy's question Kakashi merely smiled. "Everything's fine Daichi. Let's head to the analysis wing."
Daichi looked at the man and nodded. They began making their way towards the Leaf Intelligence Division building.
"So Lord Hokage has already sent teams to attack Orochimaru's hideouts huh." Daichi began to run simulations of the outcome of this event in his mind.
"Yes. Don't worry. They'll be successful." The Jonin spoke af if reassuring the boy.
"They will be successful in taking down those bases and capturing everyone. But saving Tsunade sensei and Shizune senpai… I'm not so sure about that."
"Because you believe they're in the Land of Earth. That possibility is high but it's still a theory. Besides, the seven bases are secondary targets. There is another base Orochimaru created meant to contain you. They might be in that location." Kakashi said with a calm tone as he took out his orange book. 'This might be the last time I get to read this. Guess I better make good use of it.'
Daichi stayed silent and thought about the military actions of the village. 'It's been a little over 25 hours since I got the quest to save them. But in that time the Hokage was able to quickly gather intelligence and launch a counter attack... So the old man can work fast when he wants to huh… But still, that was way too fast. That means… Unless I'm mistaken, he already had his eyes on Orochimaru. His Anbu spying on Kabuto is proof of that. So it's also possible he knows more than he says.'
"What are you thinking Daichi?" Kakashi asked as he glanced at his student from the corner of his eye.
"This attack… I'm wondering how it will go."
"Don't worry. We've dealt with these kinds of situations before."
Kakashi replied and Daichi turned his head with a questioning look.
"During the Second and Third World war, enemy shinobi or other organizations with significant resources would kidnap a high value target to gain an advantage. We know how to respond to such situations."
Daichi nodded. "I know. But the military response would be highly dependent on the specific circumstances, including the country, jurisdiction, enemy strength and target involved, wouldn't it?"
"It seems you've been expanding your horizons." Kakashi wasn't surprised Daichi was looking up information on Military tactics.
Daichi had a smirk as he replied. "Like I said earlier. Last night was very productive. But still, I only know the general steps. Intelligence gathering, Planning, Deployment, Execution."
Kakashi nodded and began to explain the basic process. "We have special tracking and reconnaissance teams. Lord Hokage had already sent them yesterday. The intelligence department would come up with several strategies and a detailed plan. Even contingency plans would be developed for potential obstacles or complications. Once the plan is developed, the selected unit would be deployed to the target location, possibly with support from additional units if necessary. Stealth and surprise would be key factors in ensuring the success of the operation."
"Is Anbu in charge of creating these strategies?"
"In some cases, yes. The entire operation would be under their command. But this is different. The man tasked with creating an attack strategy is Shikaku Nara."
That name immediately brought a face to Daichi's mind and he nodded. "That guy huh."
"It seems you know the man." Kakashi didn't know Daichi had already crossed paths with the Jonin commander.
"We've met once some time ago."
Kakashi nodded and turned his focus back to his book. "Well, he's as smart as they come. So you don't need to worry too much."
"It's hard not to… Our enemy this time is Orochimaru. He knows our playbook."
Hearing Daichi's words, Kakashi internally sighed. 'He's not wrong. Orochimaru knows our resources, capabilities and has an intimate knowledge of our operational tactics. He would already have defensive strategies in place.'
Daichi meanwhile was thinking about how Orochimaru would defend himself from the Leaf's attack. At that time his sensei spoke.
"You like coming up with interesting theories and strategies? What do you think Orochimaru would do to protect himself?"
"Constantly moving the target to different locations to make it difficult for the military to locate them would be one strategy." Daichi replied after a few moments of thought.
"But the targets in Orochimaru's hand are Lady Tsunade and Shizune. They're not regular shinobi or high value civilians. Many things could go wrong with that strategy. So that's out of the question. He can't move from where he is…" Kakashi made a counterpoint.
"Orochimaru will have to keep an eye on any large-scale action and military response from our side. He'll have to protect himself from infiltration attempts. He'll also use deception tactics and will be baiting us with false leads to buy himself some time."
The silver haired Jonin nodded. "Yes. Employing counterintelligence and surveillance. Right now we've already taken such a large action. If he has spies hidden in the village, he most probably knows about the upcoming attack."
Daichi nodded. "If we do have his real location, he won't go down easily. He'd have powerful guards and other robust security measures."
"Yes. And a confrontation would be to his disadvantage. So he'll need a way out. Well, it's not like he can just vanish into thin air…" Kakashi muttered the last part and Daichi agreed but then their eyes suddenly widened in realization.
"Son of a bitch! Reverse summoning! Orochimaru has the Snake contract. If he wants to, he can use them to reverse summon himself and anyone with him." Daichi clenched his fist. 'Damn it, how could I forget about that. If someone manages to get close he might just reverse summon himself to safety.'
Kakashi was only momentarily surprised. "Don't forget, Daichi. Lord Hokage also uses summoning creatures to fight. So he would know of such an escape strategy. I'm sure he would have a contingency in place."
Daichi slowly nodded but his mind was still on the issue. 'If Summoning or reverse summoning is possible why hasn't Tsunade used it. Or Katsuyu?... Is it possible that they can't?... I'll need to look into that.'
The conversation between the two ninjas faded and they quickly made their way to their destination. Kakashi quickly found and spoke with the Jonin in charge.
"We've received word that you two would be coming." A member of the Analysis division greeted them and led Daichi and Kakashi to another room filled with books, scrolls and several other documents. "Let me know if you need any assistance."
Kakashi gave the man a polite nod. "Thank you" and looked at his student. "Well, we better get started."
The Genin nodded and two immediately got to work.
—-
The early morning sun cast a pale light through the window over the bustling communication center within the Hidden Leaf village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood at the heart of it all, like a steady pillar of calm in a storm of activity. His hands were clasped behind his back and his eyes were focused but weary as he surveyed the scene before him.
Every person in the room could feel the tension. Hiruzen knew that any mistake could become fatal for the hostages under the rogue ninja. 'Tsunade and Shizune's lives are hanging in the balance. Orochimaru… This time you made it personal. I won't forgive you for this transgression.'
The Yamanaka in charge of communications sat cross-legged in the center of the room, glowing faintly with chakra as he kept the mental link active with the seven teams scattered across the Land of Fire. All of them had arrived at their designated positions an hour ago and were waiting for the signal to begin their coordinated assault.
The Hokage turned and glanced at the shinobi standing around him. His sensei's, teammate's and students' faces, although older, flashed briefly in his mind.
'Time slows for no one. Now, it's the new generation carrying the burden of my decisions. They're going to face whatever Orochimaru has in store. I have to trust that they're ready.'
He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. The decision weighed on him, but there was no other choice.
He snapped his eyes open and gazed at the nearby shinobi. "Are they ready?" Hiruzen asked. His voice carried a calm authority despite the turmoil within.
"Yes. They've been studying the defenses around the base for hours, Lord Hokage," one of the Jonin replied, reading a report. "They're now waiting for your order."
The Yamanaka opened his eyes briefly and nodded. "We're in contact with all seven teams. Standing by awaiting your orders.."
Hiruzen took a step forward, straightening his Hokage hat. His gaze hardened, his battle-scarred hands clenched into fists as he prepared to give the final command. He could sense the outcome of his inaction all those years ago weighing down on his shoulders.
'I had lost Orochimaru once, and now the price might be Tsunade. I can't afford to hesitate this time.'
"Begin the assault."
The Yamanaka's eyes snapped shut again as he transmitted the order, and almost immediately, the echo of battle surged through the communication links.
Hiruzen could almost hear the clash of steel. He envisioned the thundering of jutsu, and the grunts of exertion as the seven teams launched their attack on the seven bases Orochimaru had set up to stall them.
—-
Team 03. Asuma Sarutobi's team.
Asuma's team moved swiftly, crashing through the dense underbrush like a gust of wind. His trench knives gleamed in the morning light as he signaled his team to spread out. The base loomed ahead and was half-hidden by thick forest, but the presence of enemies was unmistakable.
The former Guardian twelve ninja could feel the pulse of chakra signatures just beyond the clearing—many of them faint but dangerous. 'Based on Genma and Anko's report, these guys would most probably have some sort of a curse seal. That would make them unpredictable and a volatile enemy.'
"Spread out, and remember. If possible, capture. But if not, kill." Asuma muttered, his cigarette smoldering between his lips. "They're waiting for us. Stay sharp."
His team nodded in silent acknowledgment, their faces tense but focused. They were experienced, but Asuma knew these mercenaries wouldn't go down easily. 'Orochimaru's influence and power has made them loyal to the point of being fanatics. That makes these guys more dangerous than ordinary thugs.'
As the Leaf ninjas waited, the first wave came, surging out of the base with wild, feral energy. Asuma Sarutobi lunged forward, trench knives sparking against a mercenary's blade as they clashed head-on. The man's eyes glowed with the power of the curse mark and his movements became erratic but powerful.
Asuma's grip tightened. The power of his chakra-infused knives protected him as he deflected a series of rapid strikes. 'Above average strength. Orochimaru sure knows how to create good meat shields.'
"Persistent bastards," Asuma growled and suddenly ducked low as another mercenary swung a massive club down toward him. The curse seal was active and his body was bulging grotesquely due to the sheer power flowing through.
Asuma parried another attack with a small grunt, his muscles slightly straining against the sheer force.
Orochimaru's minion laughed with a twisted and distorted sound coming from his throat. "You Leaf ninjas don't stand a chance! Lord Orochimaru's power flows through all of us!"
"Yeah?" Asuma's voice was cool, but a metaphorical flame burned in his eyes. "Well, today that won't be enough to save you."
He spun in place, his trench knives crackling with chakra, and slashed through the mercenary's defenses with ease. Blood splashed in the air, and the cursed man crumpled to the ground with a large gash on his chest.
Without waiting for the other enemy to react, Asuma rushed ahead and pierced through the left side of his torso. The sudden brutal attack took the mercenary ninja by surprise and he lost the grip on his sword as he fell to the ground.
'More of them are coming.' Asuma sensed a dozen more rushing out of the base, all wielding the power of the curse seal.
The Leaf Jonin and his team spread out, engaging the swarm of enemies. As the fight raged on, a member of Asuma's team, Jogan, stood back and was analyzing the battlefield with his sharp eyes while the other teams moved to intercept another wave coming from the north side.
The sheer number of enemies was overwhelming, but Asuma was unfazed and even grinned. "Come on, then," he muttered, gripping his knives tightly. "Let's see what you've got."
The Leaf ninjas were outnumbered but they had several advantages. A Yamanaka and a sensory ninja were standing back relaying key intelligence to them and they had an advantage in the quality of shinobi on their team.
More mercenaries poured from the hidden base and their bodies surged with curse seal power. Some sprouted grotesque limbs, others had chakra-enhanced muscles bulging beneath their skin.
"Die!" One large enemy ninja swung his fist but Asuma easily evaded it.
The enraged man sent powerful fast punches but Asuma weaved through them with ease and soon went on the attack. His knives were like a blur of sharp steel as he cut them down one after another.
Just as he was about to move forward, he sensed movement behind and immediately evaded to the side.
The Jonin saw a sword slashing down where he stood a second ago. Asuma turned around and saw the enemy he injured standing up even with his stomach bleeding. A few seconds later the bleeding slowed down and stopped.
"Hahaha. Do you see now? This is the power Lord Orochimaru gave us. Now we'll be able to fight anyone." Arrogance was overflowing from the man and Asuma frowned in displeasure. He glanced around and saw the fallen mercenaries getting up and standing ready for round two.
'As expected. This won't be easy. But still, if they're anything like the ones Genma encountered, then they can be killed.'
He glanced at his own teammates and saw that they were not too surprised or flustered. 'They've all ready the reports. So they've expected this. Good.'
The former Guardian twelve ninja turned his gaze back to the enemy in front. He gripped his trench knives and stood ready.
Time the Leaf began the attack: 7:45 am.
—-----------------
Author's note.
For any of you worried about any dungeon chapter coming before the end of this arc, let me put you at ease. No dungeons before the end of this arc and possibly the end of the next one.
And I also won't drag out this operation by showing the fight scenes from all the seven teams.
If you like my story and want to read ahead, then check out my P.a.T.R.E.0.N page. I've uploaded up to 30 additional chapters there.
Patre on.com/MonkWithAPen (No space)
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