Somewhere in a Forest in the Land of Rice

Somewhere in a forest in the Land of Rice.

The Konoha camp was located not far from the river.

After handing in the mission report, Tsunade brought Natsume, Kabuto Yakushi, and Shizune to the central command tent.

Quite a few people were already waiting inside.

"Tsunade-sama."

The first to speak was not Fugaku Uchiha, but Shikaku Nara, who sported a pineapple-shaped head.

He was the father of Shikamaru Nara, one of Konoha's Twelve Young Ninja, and the deer of this generation's Ino-Shika-Cho.

The Nara Clan was renowned for its high intelligence.

Because of that, its members usually served as strategists or military advisers.

This war was no exception.

"Regarding Shidong, I'd like to express my gratitude to you on behalf of Ino-Shika-Cho. If you hadn't arrived in time to rescue him, he might never have been able to work as a ninja again."

Shikaku Nara wore a grateful expression.

Ino-Shika-Cho had always lived and died together, with an exceptionally close bond.

There was nothing strange about him thanking Tsunade on behalf of the unconscious Shidong.

"It was something I should have done."

Tsunade waved her hand and got to the point. "How is the situation now?"

"Not good."

Fugaku Uchiha said in a solemn voice, "In the space of just one week, thirty of our watchtowers and strongholds have been destroyed."

"Did they all come out in force?"

Tsunade had already received the intelligence, but she was still somewhat surprised upon hearing the number.

"Yes."

Fugaku Uchiha nodded. "We were caught off guard and could only avoid their sharp edge for the time being, but Shikaku noticed that something was off."

Watchtowers and strongholds were extremely useful during a war.

They could form fixed defensive positions to withstand enemy attacks.

Ordinary tents or obstacles couldn't block ninjutsu.

When resting outside, without watchtowers or strongholds, one could only remain constantly on edge.

"Everyone, look at the map."

Shikaku Nara took over the conversation and spread out a map of the Land of Rice. "Although these thirty watchtowers and strongholds show no obvious pattern in their distribution, we've unknowingly retreated to the southern side of the Land of Rice, which is the area downstream of this river."

After speaking, he drew a large circle on the map.

"Could it just be a coincidence?"

Tsunade glanced over it. "This area is so large that even if it were an ambush, it would be difficult for it to work."

"That's exactly what we find strange, Tsunade-sama."

Shikaku Nara nodded. "But the Fourth Raikage's objective should be far more than these watchtowers and strongholds."

"Hmm."

Tsunade voiced her guess. "Kumogakure probably wants to use a great victory as leverage in negotiations, so it can obtain more compensation."

"After discussing it, we came to the same conclusion."

Fugaku Uchiha glanced at Hyuga Hiashi. "The Hyuga Clan's ninjas have already investigated. Kumogakure's two Jinchuriki haven't made any move and are still in Kumogakure."

"Destroying so many watchtowers and strongholds in such a short time probably cost Kumogakure a great deal as well."

Hyuga Hiashi noticed his gaze and spoke up. "There must be something suspicious about this. We can send Hyuga ninjas deep behind enemy lines to investigate."

It was dangerous, but if they truly uncovered something, it would be a great achievement.

"The Byakugan is indeed an excellent tool for reconnaissance. However, once discovered, someone without sufficient strength could end up making matters worse. If the Hyuga clan head is willing to go personally, I have no objection."

Fugaku Uchiha naturally understood what he was thinking.

To outsiders, the Hyuga Clan and Uchiha Clan were equally famous, known as Konoha's two great ocular jutsu clans.

But within the Uchiha Clan, they had never seen it that way.

Fugaku Uchiha was even more so.

He knew about the Mangekyō Sharingan.

How could a mere Byakugan possibly match it?

Hyuga Hiashi's expression suddenly changed.

He truly didn't dare to go deep behind enemy lines.

As a member of the main family, he had no Caged Bird. If he failed, the Byakugan could end up outside the clan.

During the Third Shinobi World War, a main-family elder had participated in the fighting, only for his Byakugan to fall into the hands of Ao, a Kirigakure jonin.

That even earned Ao the title of "Byakugan Killer."

Such a precedent had made the main family increasingly cautious.

Anything dangerous was handed over to the branch family.

After all, with the Caged Bird in their hands, the branch family had no choice but to obey.

"Then I'd like to hear the Uchiha clan head's opinion."

Hyuga Hiashi's expression darkened slightly.

"I suggest that Tsunade-sama lead the operation, with Body Flicker Shisui's team providing assistance."

Fugaku Uchiha seemed to have prepared his answer long ago. Without any hesitation, he stated his plan.

There was no need to mention Tsunade.

She had the highest status in the tent and was also one of its five strongest people.

As for Shisui Uchiha, he had already earned the title of Body Flicker Shisui during the Third Shinobi World War, and his achievements this time were even more dazzling.

In terms of individual contributions alone, he could be called the foremost among them.

Even without using the Mangekyō Sharingan, his strength was far greater than it had been three years ago.

"I have no objections."

Tsunade hesitated for a moment before agreeing.

She had joined this war to temper Natsume and the others.

Their performance against Toroi earlier had thoroughly satisfied her.

Going deep behind enemy lines was certainly dangerous, but it was also an excellent form of training.

Tsunade felt that their current strength was enough to give it a try.

"Yes."

Shisui Uchiha stepped forward and accepted the mission as well.

He had previously been standing among the jonin. Because of his age, he was the shortest of them all.

Only then did Natsume notice him.

"Shisui, are you leading a team as a jonin now?"

Tsunade glanced at him. "Who are your team members?"

There were two squads.

She believed that Natsume and the others wouldn't hold them back, but it was harder to say the same about the other squad.

After all, geniuses were ultimately few and far between.

"The Hokage-sama specially authorized me to lead a team as a jonin."

Shisui Uchiha answered gently, "My team members are Orochimaru-sama's three disciples: Itachi Uchiha, Mitaraishi Anko, and Uzuki Yugao."

"So they're Orochimaru's disciples."

Tsunade raised her eyebrows. "That guy spends all day holed up in Konoha and never comes out, but he's willing to let his disciples leave."

Shisui Uchiha remained silent.

The big shots are fighting. It has nothing to do with me.

In fact, he hadn't chosen their squad because of Itachi Uchiha.

Orochimaru had specifically appointed him as their leader.

He still hadn't figured out what Orochimaru intended.

"Since that's the case, I'll leave this matter to you, Tsunade-sama."

Once the two had finished speaking, Fugaku Uchiha promptly spoke up.

He glanced at Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha without saying anything, but his meaning was clear: perform well.

At this point, the drastic changes within the Uchiha Clan had already made him realize that they were approaching their most dangerous moment.

So while soothing the clan members who had become overly extreme, he also intended to use Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha to understand the movements of Konoha's higher-ups.

He was pursuing both avenues at once, trying to find a balance.

Fugaku Uchiha was unwilling to rebel.

In the original story, he had been forced into leading the rebellion only because he had no other choice.

Yet when he encountered Itachi Uchiha, he willingly surrendered, offering no resistance and refusing to fight back as Itachi slaughtered the entire clan.

The reasoning behind it was difficult to understand and far too absurd.

As for now...

Fugaku Uchiha was neither a qualified clan head nor a qualified father, so he had no idea what Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha truly thought.

His inaction had slammed down on the accelerator in the destruction of the Uchiha Clan.