"Lord Kitsuchi! Once we cross this grassland, pass through a primeval forest, and head slightly south, we'll reach the front line between Konoha and us."
Akaiwa, who was rapidly Water Walking across the surface, glanced at the rather wide river. After confirming that it was the key landmark marked on the regional map, he hurriedly spoke.
The moment he spoke, a dense succession of footsteps splashing across water sounded behind him.
The five-thousand-strong Iwa army had followed him and Kitsuchi ahead of him onto this crucial landmark.
We're already here? Excellent! We can reach Konoha's front line before noon tomorrow, even faster than expected! Hearing this, Kitsuchi, leading from the front, slightly curled his lips.
According to the plan, once it was confirmed that Kumogakure had no chance of making any moves, he had to lead these five thousand troops in a surprise attack on Konoha within two days and cripple Konoha's frontline forces completely.
Then, without stopping, they would press all the way toward Konoha, putting pressure on the Land of Fire.
By then, Konoha would have just been crippled. Once the news reached the village, while remaining on alert, everyone there would surely be gripped by panic and low morale. Then, Kumogakure's army of over ten thousand could divert a portion of its troops here, forming a pincer attack.
At that point, even if Konoha had more than ten thousand defenders, caught in such a two-pronged assault and with their village about to become a battlefield, they could present a treaty proposal for renewed alliance and peace, using it as leverage to force Konoha into a ceasefire while adding several terms favorable to the Land of Earth. That would be a decisive victory on the Konoha battlefield.
Once Konoha agreed to a ceasefire, Kumogakure, having lost the Third