054 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

"Our mission this time is to set up an ambush in Sector Four," Akasuna Hideki said, pointing at a red dot on the map.

"This area is a Kirigakure outpost located on Mount Yosawa. According to intelligence, there are around 200 Kirigakure shinobi stationed there. At 4:00 AM, Konoha's main force will launch an all-out attack on them. The battle is expected to end in roughly two hours. As for Sunagakure's role…"

Akasuna Hideki shifted her finger to another part of the map.

"Our job is to cut off their retreat!"

The three young shinobi listened intently while smearing tactical face paint onto their skin. This face paint was a new product from the Sunagakure Research Group—practical and multifunctional. It served as camouflage and also repelled insects. Sunagakure had purchased a batch for every team participating in this operation, issuing one to each ninja.

"This mission doesn't make us the main players," Akasuna Hideki continued. "Sector Four isn't the optimal escape route, so we likely won't encounter a large number of retreating forces. That said, we can't afford to drop our guard. If small groups of enemies pass through, eliminate them. If large groups retreat through our sector, our job is to delay them. Suzuya!"

"Here!"

"I'm entrusting this signal flare to you. If the enemy force exceeds four people, light this flare immediately. Within twenty minutes, at least six combat squads will come to reinforce us. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" The trio answered firmly.

"One last thing. Even if we're up against 50 or 100 enemies, as long as even one member of Squad 21 remains alive, you must endure for 20 minutes!"

"Yes!" The three responded resolutely.

"Check your equipment!"

"All set!"

"All set!"

"All set!"

"Synchronize watches!"

The four of them compared their watches. Each read 3:12 AM.

"Move out!"

At Akasuna Hideki's command, four figures vanished into the shadowy night.

...

"According to our intel, the group entrenched on Mount Yosawa consists of approximately 260 Kirigakure rogues," Danzo explained, addressing the briefing room. "Most are remnants of Kirigakure's failed factions who fled here, along with some wandering ninjas and missing-nin from other villages. They call themselves the 'Kirigakure Rogue Group' and are currently the largest band of rogue shinobi in the Land of Rivers. Their leader is…"

Danzo gestured for his aide to change the slide. The screen now displayed the portrait of a young shinobi. He had a long, narrow face, bushy eyebrows, uneven eyes, a mustache, and several moles scattered across his face. Around his neck hung a scratched Kirigakure forehead protector.

"Shimizu Reno, 27 years old. A former leader of the militant faction, specializing in Water Release and swordsmanship. His skills are formidable."

"That's a pretty high rank. How'd he end up in a place like this?" Arashi asked curiously.

"He openly made radical statements in the village," Danzo explained. "He advocated for aggressive military expansion to seize territory outside Kirigakure. Internally, he organized a factional militia, gaining considerable influence. He repeatedly clashed with the Mizukage in public. After a failed coup attempt, he and several core members were exiled. Two years ago, he fled to this area, taking over Mount Yosawa. Many of his former followers crossed the sea to join him. He's been behind multiple terrorist activities, including the attack that led to Nawaki's death."

"Bang!" Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his hand on the table, his face flushed with anger.

"This isn't some militant faction, this is a group of insurgents—terrorists! Danzo, move straight to the battle plan!"

"Yes, Lord Third!" Danzo gestured for another slide. This time, the screen displayed a strategic map marked with red and blue forces.

"For this operation, we'll employ a strategy of encirclement, attacking from the east, south, and north sides of Mount Yosawa. If one route succeeds, we'll rapidly expand our offensive, cutting off all escape routes and driving the enemy westward—toward the 'pocket' prepared by our allies from Sunagakure. With a pincer attack, we'll annihilate the enemy completely."

"Excellent! Now, let's hear the specifics," Hiruzen urged.

"Understood. The operation will commence at 4:00 AM tonight. Leading the eastern assault is Elite Jonin Aburame Shoshou, commanding 300 shinobi. They're already in position. The southern assault will be led by Uchiha Soyake of the Konoha Military Police Force, who will lead another 300 elite troops in a direct uphill attack. The northern assault, led by Elite Jonin Hatake Sakumo, consists of 200 elite shinobi scaling the cliff face to strike the enemy's stronghold directly.

"As for the western containment and ambush, I'll let Rasa of Sunagakure explain."

"Very well! I'm impressed with this plan," Hiruzen remarked approvingly.

"Though," Arashi interjected, "what about Hatake Sakumo?"

Arashi's tone was cautious. He remembered the once-proud White Fang of Konoha, who had been captured at Ishi Fortress. Sakumo had been in poor spirits since his return to Konoha after the alliance was formed. Arashi worried Sakumo's state of mind might affect the operation.

"Lord Fourth Kazekage, a truly exceptional ninja redeems themselves on the battlefield," Hiruzen assured him.

"Well said, Lord Third."

"Rasa, present your plan," Hiruzen continued.

"Yes, sir!" Rasa stepped forward, taking the pointer from Danzo.

"The terrain in the western rear consists of a fish-scale mountain range, dense vegetation, and numerous branching paths. This makes it difficult to block enemy retreats effectively. Small ambushes would lack impact, while large-scale deployments risk wasting resources and exposing our forces. Therefore, I propose a chain defense strategy."

"Chain defense?"

The room buzzed with murmurs of confusion.

"Please, take a look at this map," Rasa said confidently, switching slides.

"I've divided our forces—400 shinobi from Sunagakure—into over 100 combat teams spread across the marked ambush points. This setup ensures comprehensive coverage of the entire area.

"No matter which direction the enemy flees, they'll encounter our ambushes. Once contact is made, at least six to ten combat squads will converge on them within minutes. Between these ambush points, we've set traps for layered resistance, gradually wearing down their forces."

"Even so, some enemies might escape," Danzo remarked, his tone cold.

"Which is why I've stationed a heavy battalion of 200 shinobi at the crossroads. With this, we'll leave no openings."

"Well done!" Arashi clapped first, followed by the other Konoha strategists and Hiruzen, who even whispered to Koharu and Homura that they should request Sunagakure's battle logs for reference. Danzo, meanwhile, remained silent, his expression unreadable.

Arashi smirked inwardly. Knew you were up to no good.

Despite the dangerous terrain and near-impossible odds, Arashi and Rasa's plan turned the tide in their favor.

Standing before the command table, Arashi declared: "The battle is upon us. I won't say much, but to anyone who brings me Shimizu Reno's head—I'll personally reward you with 200,000 ryo!"

Hiruzen, caught off guard, coughed furiously on his pipe before adding, "Konoha will match that—200,000 ryo!"