If Only I'd Memorized The Art of War and the Thirty-Six Stratagems Before Crossing Over

Xun knew far too many classic examples of the weak defeating the strong. Especially since this world had only just emerged from the barbaric Warring States period, and because of ninjutsu, tactics here basically amounted to decapitation strikes, head-on clashes, and sneak attacks. Anything slightly more sophisticated was luring the tiger from the mountain.

That was also because the gap between power levels in this world was too great. It was simply too difficult for the weak to defeat the strong. Before absolute power, any scheme was useless.

Yet now, the Land of Whirlpools could only rely on schemes to win. To put those schemes into action, it had to be troops against troops, commanders against commanders. They also had to employ the sixteen-character mantra left behind by the Great Ancestor. Only then could they possibly halt Kirigakure's invasion.

Of course, if he also knew the Thirty-Six Stratagems and The Art of War, he could speak of them too. Perhaps he might gain something special?

But...

As an otaku, why would he have read that stuff? The only ones he knew were the Honey Trap and Running Away Is Best. He knew nothing about the rest!!

Fortunately, the Land of Whirlpools was a small island nation. Because its population was too small, it had not even occupied the entire island, so...

"Use this line as the boundary. Draw all the Hidden Mist ninjas into this area." He pointed to a section of the map. The vegetation there was excellent, with forests everywhere. It could serve as a barrier to hinder Kirigakure's advance while also concealing their people. With camouflage suits, and by using the strength of the entire nation alongside the terrain to hold them back, they would not need to waste too much manpower guarding the rear. Residential districts, commercial districts—everything had to be emptied and demolished. The command center and medical division had to be relocated somewhere hidden, and unless necessary, no one was to run around carelessly.

Once Kirigakure saw that, they would surely realize something was wrong and send people to investigate.

Besides, he refused to believe Kirigakure had more sensory ninjas than the Uzumaki Clan. As long as they confined them to a certain area, they could play a game of cat and mouse.

Xun Uzumaki pointed at the map of the Land of Whirlpools and said, "Everyone, remember this: when the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we strike; when the enemy retreats, we pursue. Use our familiarity with the terrain to intercept Kirigakure." His tone shifted as he looked seriously at the uneasy-faced ninjas below. "This is our only way to win. I hope every one of you remembers it and carries it out properly. Anyone who acts recklessly will be struck from the clan registry."

What Xun Uzumaki feared most were these hotheads getting provoked, then charging forward howling about the Uzumaki Clan's honor and throwing away their lives. They already had fewer people than the enemy. If they did not use the terrain and schemes, and instead just fought head-on, he really would have no choice but to take Kushina and run.

Hearing Xun Uzumaki's words, everyone's expressions turned solemn as they answered seriously, "Yes."

Seeing that everyone had agreed, he nodded in satisfaction and said, "The prerequisite for carrying out this plan is troops against troops, commanders against commanders. If you can't win, run. If you can win..." Xun Uzumaki sneered and said flatly, "Kill!!"

Even the cannon fodder had to be wiped out. As for the strong ones, seal whoever could be sealed. Those who could not be sealed would be dealt with later, buried beneath sheer numbers.

Heh heh~

Once Kirigakure saw that it had lost so much cannon fodder without gaining even the slightest advantage, there would surely be people dissatisfied within the village. Even the Mizukage would not be able to withstand it. In the end, he could only perish together with the Tsuchikage. After all, cannon fodder was still made up of ninjas!

"Remember, if you can't win, run," Xun Uzumaki said sternly. The priority was to eliminate their low-level fighting forces and leave the high-level fighters to deal with later.

Next, they had to scatter the enemy's forces. Otherwise, if a Kage-level fighter led a group of subordinates in a direct push, this plan would be useless. So they had to give them a grand gift from the very beginning.

Xun Uzumaki sneered. "Brother Nagata, please have the things I prepared brought up."

Though he had been young these past few years and no one had listened to him, as the Daimyo's Mansion's first heir, he was still rather free and well-positioned in certain ways.

He had never forgotten to prepare for this war.

Uzumaki Shuta and several other guards carried up ten huge wooden crates.

"Open them!!"

"Whoosh—."

When the contents of the crates were revealed, all the ninjas gasped in shock. Even the Daimyo and the Clan Head stared at what was inside in disbelief. Th-there were...

So many Explosive Tags. Ah, no—where had the money come from?

Had this brat embezzled the national treasury?!

Seeing everyone's shocked expressions, Xun Uzumaki nodded in satisfaction. These were the Explosive Tags he had bought with all his effort over the past few years. He had also secretly drawn on the national treasury's funds. Cough, cough, no, not drawn on them—borrowed them. No, that was not right either. He had simply spent them in advance.

Besides, if the country was destroyed, all of this would end up in someone else's hands anyway. Better to give them a grand gift. Though he did not have as many as Konan's six hundred billion Explosive Tags, the amount accumulated over so many years was still quite considerable.

"Once they come ashore, bury one hundred million Explosive Tags here. Give them a welcome gift first," Xun Uzumaki said. They actually dared invade a transmigrator's country. They really were courting death!

Only by enraging Kirigakure could they make them split up to intercept them, giving the Land of Whirlpools a chance at victory. And to prevent them from discovering it, the Explosive Tags could only be placed in relatively scattered locations, forming an encirclement that would leave them no choice but to fight head-on even if they realized what was happening.

And Kirigakure certainly would not slowly push through the Land of Whirlpools. Only a swift battle could bring them greater benefits. If they dragged things out too long, unforeseen complications might arise. So luring them in, enraging them, and harassing them was the only method Xun Uzumaki could think of right now.

Also...

Xun Uzumaki raised his head and looked at the Clan Head...

"Clan Head uncle, did you bring the letter I asked you to deliver to Grandma Mito?"