Teammate A and Enemy B (2)

Yes, although Konoha held the advantage in the overall war situation, they were still at a disadvantage in troop numbers. For the time being, Konoha lacked the conditions to launch a full-scale counteroffensive into the Land of Wind.

Overall, although Konoha had driven Sunagakure out of its borders, they still maintained a defensive formation.

However, after realizing that victory against Konoha would be difficult to achieve, Sunagakure no longer seemed as eager to attack Konoha.

Of course, that might merely have been an appearance. The Sand Ninja were undoubtedly desperate to end the war with Konoha, preferably in a relatively dignified manner, so they could redeploy the forces stationed against Konoha elsewhere. After all, Konoha was not their only enemy.

If Hagoromo, a man living his second life, were to evaluate the strategic and tactical standards of the nations in the Shinobi World War, then basically every village was terrible. In his previous life, he had frequented all sorts of military forums and spent a long time as a commentator and keyboard warrior. He was exceptionally good at talking nonsense and making blind critiques... Of course, the state of warfare in the shinobi world was shaped by their unique circumstances of mutual distrust, and shinobi were not soldiers.

The Third Shinobi World War was a massive free-for-all. While Sunagakure attacked Konoha, it also faced an invasion from Iwagakure. After realizing that Konoha would not push into the Land of Wind, Sunagakure had begun transferring some of the shinobi stationed against Konoha to the Iwagakure front. As the war continued, Iwagakure's offensive against the Land of Wind had not slowed at all; on the contrary, it kept intensifying. Sunagakure was under immense pressure.

"According to our latest intelligence, Sunagakure has transferred another thousand shinobi toward the Iwagakure front. That makes our troop numbers three thousand against twenty-six hundred. Perhaps we should try taking the initiative and attacking Sunagakure?" Tsunade said thoughtfully as she stared at the battle map on the table.

Hagoromo and the others had been at the front lines for over a week. Apart from researching Sealing Techniques and practicing ninjutsu, he had spent his time accompanying Kushina to one combat meeting after another. As a result, he had gained a certain understanding of both sides' general troop deployments and the latest developments in the war.

"What is the Staff Headquarters' opinion?" Tsunade asked Nara Shikaku.

"Our opinion remains that we should conduct defensive counteroffensive operations. Although Sunagakure's forces have been reduced to three thousand because of Iwagakure, everyone should remember that, due to the need to defend headquarters and supplies, we can only commit twenty-one hundred men to the battlefield. There is still a considerable gap between us and Sunagakure," Shikaku said.

"Furthermore, ever since we advanced into the Land of Rivers, Sunagakure has continued to send squads to harass us, but their main frontline force has actually disengaged and retreated back within the borders of the Land of Wind. If we want to strike them effectively, we must cross the Land of Rivers and advance more than two hundred kilometers into the completely unfamiliar Land of Wind. That would force us to fight with insufficient intelligence. And even setting that aside, that distance alone would put tremendous pressure on our supply lines and command capabilities."

Clearly, even though Sunagakure's strength had shrunk by a quarter, the Staff Headquarters still favored maintaining the current situation. They did not support Tsunade's risky proposal, because a single mistake could reduce Konoha's currently favorable position to ashes.

"You're all too conservative," Tsunade said as she looked at Shikaku. "The Third Shinobi World War has already lasted for years. If we maintain this state, when will the war ever end? Since the Sand Ninja have already shown signs of exhaustion, we should strike them with everything we have."

"But if we carry out a strike operation, the odds of victory and defeat are even," Shikaku replied. Of course he knew the Sand Ninja were showing fatigue, but what about Konoha? Konoha's war potential had also been nearly exhausted.

Tsunade sighed softly. "...I understand."

This was war, after all. Although Tsunade was the highest-ranking commander here and had the authority to make decisions on her own, without the support of the Staff Headquarters and the majority of the shinobi, she could not stubbornly insist on her proposal.

Besides, it was not as though she failed to understand that her proposal carried great risks.

After an ordinary meeting ended, everyone would go about their own business. This time, however, Hagoromo stopped Kushina.

"Teacher Kushina, I want to leave headquarters and go a little farther forward."

Kushina was stunned by Hagoromo's sudden request, but she immediately understood what he meant.

He wanted to go to the very front lines.

"Why?" Kushina blurted out.

"I'm somewhat curious about large-scale shinobi battles. Besides, since I've come all the way here, of course I should go to the forefront and see it for myself. I don't think there's much point in staying at headquarters the whole time. I think it's time for me to get moving."

As he spoke, Hagoromo rolled his shoulders, as though saying his body was about to rust.

The injuries he had sustained before had long since fully healed. He was thoroughly prepared to take the battlefield, both physically and mentally.

"I understand how you feel, but Hagoromo, you need to understand that if you truly go to the front line, you'll face battle at any time. Anything can happen on the battlefield. Your strength is fairly good right now, but your combat power is at most at the level of an elite Chunin, or perhaps a Special Jonin. But you lack the strength to deal with a Jonin, and there won't be only one Jonin among the enemy forces on the battlefield. Although the explosive power of your Lightning Release ninjutsu might greatly increase your combat ability for a short time, your Chakra..."

Hagoromo stopped Kushina from continuing. Smiling, he said, "I understand what you mean, Teacher. But we're shinobi. Sooner or later, we have to face the things we're meant to face, don't we?"

His resolve was firm.

Kushina sighed. She was deeply worried about Hagoromo's safety, but she could not stop his decision. It was not that she could not, but that she did not want to force Hagoromo to obey her orders. She understood how it felt to be in someone else's position. She herself had no freedom, so she knew how helpless and painful it was to have others restrict one's actions.

"I'll tell Teacher Tsunade about this. I believe arrangements will be made for you afterward..."

Since Hagoromo wanted to go to the front lines, then she would let him go. He was right—shinobi would experience such things sooner or later. Even Sarutobi Asuma, the Third Hokage's own son, had been thrown straight onto the battlefield after graduating from the Ninja Academy, hadn't he?

From Kushina's tone, Hagoromo knew that she had agreed to his request...