章節 228: Chapter 229 : A Letter!
Opening a Mangekyō Sharingan by oneself is a challenging feat, often necessitating transplantation of another's eyes. This is commonplace. After all, how could Orochimaru hope to ascend in strength without absorbing and assimilating?
"Lord Sarutobi, we've successfully fended off the primary Cloud Ninja force this time. Ai won't be back anytime soon. According to our recon ninja, the Cloud Ninja army seems to be shifting toward the Land of Rain. Perhaps they're seeking a breakthrough there?"
Inside Konoha's headquarters, a group gathered to strategize the upcoming battles. A signal soldier entered, reporting to Sarutobi.
"Oh, really? It appears Ai isn't ready to concede just yet."
Sarutobi listened with an air of indifference, but his face betrayed confidence. The clash with Ai had already become legendary. It was believed that soon, the name Sarutobi "Hiruzen" would resonate, establishing him as a formidable figure in the ninja world.
"Time it out. Tobirama-sensei should be nearing the end, so Ai won't make a move for a few days. Once Tobirama-sensei defeats Ginkaku and Kinkaku and unites with us, Cloud Shinobi will likely shift from offense to defense, obediently retreating to the Land of Lightning!"
Sarutobi's mood was notably upbeat, and the room's atmosphere relaxed accordingly.
"Tobirama-sama is sure to best Cloud Ninjas thoroughly. Remember when the Golden Horn and Silver Horn were defeated and driven out in the Land of Soup? It's poetic justice!"
"Yes, let them retreat to their own hideouts and reflect!"
"Haha, indeed!"
Jiraiya and Tsunade, having matured through the crucible of war, joined in the laughter.
However, Orochimaru remained absorbed in contemplation about the evolution of his eyes, standing silently.
"Alright, everyone, settle down. Now that Ai has left, we must withdraw as well. We can't let him exploit the Land of Rain's defense line; that would be a setback."
Sarutobi struck the table, his tone resolute.
A ninja battle differs fundamentally from conventional warfare.
Firstly, the number of ninjas is limited. In the Fourth Ninja War, only 50,000 ninjas from the five major countries participated. Though elite, this figure would be considered small for former samurai or regular soldiers.
In this engagement, Konoha, Kumogakure, and all Sand Ninja combined amount to around 20,000. Despite the relatively small landmass in the Naruto World, 20,000 people can hardly cover much ground. So, how do ninjas wage war?
Ninjas rely on abilities surpassing those of ordinary folk. Rather than spreading out in vast numbers, they construct strongholds. Each stronghold is equipped with a sensory ninja, various ninjutsu, and enchantments to scout the vicinity, forming a deceptively loose yet effectively tight blockade.
Ninjas boast superior combat skills, rapid movement exceeding that of vehicles, and remarkable flexibility. Their high mobility enables swift responses to issues on the defense line or the dispatching of larger forces.
Hence, ninja battles revolve around strongholds, with small groups engaging in the forefront. This was the scenario when Takeshi was in Anbu, destroying Cloud shinobi's stronghold in the Land of the Moon, and it repeats in the Konoha stronghold Sannin rushed to assist this time.
Ninjas typically station in strongholds, dispatching teams for intelligence gathering and skirmishes. It's the norm in war, similar to the missions Orochimaru and others undertook before.
Apart from strongholds, ninjas maintain their main forces. These forces can swiftly conquer and penetrate strongholds with superior numbers and elite ninjas. However, opposing forces also have their main units, supported by acquired information.
As such, the main force is a distinct and adaptable entity, crucial and often changing positions. Scout teams' primary task is to pinpoint the opponent's main force location, facilitating strategic advantages in battle.
Contrary to the Warring States period, the battles of the five great nations cover a broader area. It's not just about defending a specific ninja territory; large-scale frontal battles are scarce. Instead, there's an emphasis on mobile warfare and annihilation.
In a positional battle like this, clashes between two groups become visible, resembling a decisive battle. It occurs after both sides confirm exact information following intensive testing.
Now that Cloud Ninja's main force has departed, Sarutobi's main force will also advance, aiming to stabilize the rear, determine the Cloud Ninja army's position, and counter Kumogakure's imminent large-scale invasion.
"Sarutobi, information from Tobirama-sama!"
As everyone conversed, another ninja arrived to report, hushing the crowd.
"What happened to Hokage-sama?"
Sarutobi opened the letter amid everyone's intense gaze. After a brief silence, a happy smile spread across Sarutobi's face.
"Hahahaha! Excellent news! Tobirama-sama and Danzo have achieved a significant victory. Ginkaku and Kinkaku were suppressed. Despite their fear of Teacher's strength, they consistently avoided a direct confrontation. However, Danzo seized an opportunity, and under Teacher's leadership, inflicted severe damage on Ginkaku and Kinkaku's forces!"
Sarutobi joyfully announced the outcome, sparking excitement among everyone.
"That's fantastic! While we resisted Ai's attack, Tobirama-sama defeated the Golden Horn and Silver Horn's troops. It seems Cloud shinobi's strength is waning, and victory will finally belong to Konoha!"
A ninja exclaimed happily, and others joined in.
"Those Kumogakure guys still want to challenge Konoha? They can't even touch our Land of Fire!"
"Yes, indeed! If we hadn't underestimated their land while fearing other countries simultaneously, Konoha would have directly attacked their territory in one go, leaving an unforgettable and lasting impression on them!"
No one dislikes victory. Unlike family feuds, these battles represent all of Konoha, turning those who emerge victorious into future heroes worshipped by generations to come.
"Okay, settle down, and let go of your juvenile notions. While the Land of Earth and the Land of Water are also engaged in conflicts, they don't face the same intensity as us. Our goal is simply to push back Cloud shinobi to his homeland and maintain this delicate balance. No need to incur unnecessary casualties."
Sarutobi gestured dismissively. Despite pushing the Sand Ninja to the brink, Konoha had gained a significant upper hand in the standoff with the Cloud Ninja.
However, the tides of war were shifting rapidly. In the next moment, the Land of Earth and the Land of Water might reconcile and seek peace. Konoha, still under public scrutiny for holding the most resources, needed to uphold its strength.
"That's true, Sarutobi-sensei."
Orochimaru, lost in thought, snapped back to attention upon hearing the news and let out a sigh.
In the beginning, for the sake of peace, Senju Hashirama captured tailed beasts on foreign soil, even convening a Five Kage Conference to allocate and, at times, sell them.
While Senju Hashirama believed he acted out of righteousness, he had, in fact, infringed on other nations' sovereignty, flagrantly "assisting" in the capturing of tailed beasts on their territories—an open display of power.
Following this, a so-called "righteous and awe-inspiring" distribution took place, a move that appeared peaceful to Senju Hashirama, aiming to help other nations eliminate the "threat" of tailed beasts.
However, in the eyes of others, it was a serious provocation—a means to establish dominance through force, posing a genuine threat to the security of other nations.
While Senju Hashirama might have used his kindness and righteousness to temporarily sway others, the fact remained that he consistently violated the sovereignty of other nations.
This approach mirrored the "I am right" attitude, sowing seeds of resentment and endless troubles.
Konoha, already a target of resentment due to its abundant resources, had to navigate carefully, as it attempted to project an air of authority. One could say that Konoha's strength allowed the village to dodge trouble momentarily, but the underlying tensions persisted.
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