Chapter 105

Chapter 105

Chapter 105: "The Protégé Chosen by Madara"

Inside the command tent.

"So, you're saying most of the elite forces are being mobilized from the rear?"

Hearing the discussion between Tsunade and Uchiha Yoru, Uzumaki Kushina couldn't hide her surprise.

Uchiha Yoru nodded and replied, "Naturally, they must be mobilized. With so many jōnin being moved, even a few would be noticeable. A massive mobilization can't possibly escape the attention of the Rain and Sand villages."

Kushina frowned and shared her thoughts seriously. "But the longer it takes to redeploy jōnin from the rear, the greater the risk of information leakage."

Tsunade, observing Kushina's growing maturity, smiled in approval. "You're right. It seems this war has taught you a lot, Kushina."

"That's why we need another method to cover our movements," Tsunade said, her expression becoming serious.

"When you return, immediately begin a purge of rogue shinobi and suspicious individuals in the area. At the same time, our frontline forces will adjust their positions. Be prepared for combat at any moment," Tsunade ordered, her tone heavy with determination.

Whether or not Sakumo succeeds in his mission, they must launch an offensive. Delays will only lead to Konoha facing more enemies.

"Understood."

Uchiha Yosuke nodded solemnly, though his brow furrowed as he contemplated the situation.

Leaving aside Sakumo, Konoha's movements wouldn't escape the attention of the Rain and Sand villages. These two forces would certainly react.

The Sand Village might be occupied dealing with Sakumo, but if he were the leader of the Rain Village, he would seize this opportunity to deliver a preemptive strike—like a black tiger clawing at the heart—mirroring Sakumo's strategy.

Letting the battle come to their territory would only devastate the Rain Village further.

Thinking this through, Yosuke raised his head to look at Tsunade, his expression calm but his determination resolute.

'This grand opportunity is finally within my grasp!'

Yosuke had already grown significantly. If he could establish his reputation in this war, he would secure his position in the village.

Sakumo, the brightest star of Konoha and the hero of the Second Shinobi World War, would soon descend from his peak.

"In the meantime, I must consolidate my own position and bind Sakumo’s political allies to my cause. Only then can I inherit the legacy of Konoha's famed White Fang."

Yosuke thought of the families supporting Sakumo. He took a deep breath. The deeper their ties to him, the better. When Sakumo, the mountain blocking his path, was gone, those seeking shelter would naturally turn to him.

**“Tsunade-sama, the forces following Sakumo this time include the shinobi of various clans, correct?”**

Tsunade was taken aback by Yosuke's question but quickly smiled knowingly. "Kid, don’t tell me you’re planning to persuade the other clans?"

Yosuke shook his head with a smile. "Not all of them—just the Hyūga and Aburame clans. If they join forces with you, Tsunade-sama, the Senju clan's stance will be clear."

Tsunade's involvement already represented the Senju's intentions. However, persuading the other clans wasn't something she could easily do. The Senju led the First Shinobi World War, and while they emerged victorious, it came at a heavy cost to Konoha's clans.

This time, however, things were different. If the Uchiha acted first, convincing the Hyūga and Aburame, the other clans wouldn't remain idle.

"Damn it! If the Senju, Uchiha, Hyūga, and Aburame clans are all backing the future Hokage, how could the others not jump on board?"

Tsunade smirked slyly. "You’re quite the schemer, kid."

Hearing this, Yosuke simply smiled and pointed to the map of the Rain Country. "Still, if I were the leader of the Rain Village, I wouldn’t let foreign shinobi bring their war to my territory. The Rain Country's lands are already in shambles, and Hanzo controls only a third of it."

He emphasized a possibility, tapping the Konoha war zone on the map.

Tsunade frowned and said gravely, "The Rain Village initiating a decisive battle? That’s not so easily done!"

---

The Rain and Sand villages soon noticed Konoha's movements: ninja deployments and purges of unstable elements in the war zone.

At the Sand Village command center, Elder Chiyo smiled smugly. "Konoha is getting desperate and preparing for an all-out attack. Let them rush—we’ll stay on defense. The longer this drags out, the more likely the Rock, Cloud, and Mist villages will join the fray."

The Sand ninja laughed, confident in their defensive strategy and the resources they were accumulating from the Rain Country.

Meanwhile, Hanzo of the Rain Village was enraged. "Konoha attacks, and the Sand Village defends—all on Rain Country soil!"

Though Hanzo admitted his ambitions had brought calamity upon his land, he wouldn’t allow further ruin. "Prepare the Rain ninja for Konoha’s offensive," he ordered.

In secret, Hanzo planned to lead an elite force through the Rain Country’s underground waterways, bypassing enemy lines.

---

Deep underground, Uchiha Madara listened to Zetsu’s report, his initial amusement giving way to boredom.

"Hanzo has his tricks, but this Uchiha Yosuke, this protégé of mine, already foresaw such moves. Truly worthy of the Uchiha name!"

Madara grinned, his Sharingan gleaming. "Let him face this challenge—ninja paths aren’t meant to be smooth."

---

In a forest clearing, Yosuke trained with a lightning-based jutsu. As he perfected it, his subordinates reported discovering a sinkhole leading to an underground river.

Frowning, Yosuke sensed faint chakra in the area. 'Zetsu?'

Though he downplayed the discovery to his team, Yosuke secretly sent clones to investigate.

Watching from the shadows, Zetsu chuckled. "As expected of Madara-sama’s chosen successor."