First Battle Arrangement

After intelligence that large numbers of Iwagakure ninja were moving south reached Konoha, the village reacted swiftly. The supplies requested by the frontline Border Defense Force were immediately allocated, the requested Hyuga Byakugan ninja were promptly dispatched as reinforcements, and a Hokage's Order arrived with the supplies.

"...Do not provoke border incidents? What does the Third Hokage mean by this?"

Uchiha Tokimitsu glared at the Messenger Anbu with an ugly expression. "The intelligence was sent back two days ago, and this is the only reply we get?"

Since the Hokage's Edict was made public to Jonin, Uchiha Tokimitsu had gathered the Jonin of the Northwest Border Defense Force in the Main Command Tent of the Garrison Camp to hear it read aloud.

Yet the contents of the Hokage's Edict came as a complete surprise—did "Do not provoke border incidents" mean they were to endure Iwagakure's provocations without retaliating? Did it mean they had to take a beating without fighting back?

"Commander Kamon, Special Jonin Tokimitsu, this edict was personally signed by Lord Hokage. Please execute it accordingly!" The Messenger Anbu ignored Uchiha Tokimitsu's question and bluntly pushed back, intending to end the matter.

Inside the tall, spacious Main Command Tent, Uchiha Kamon, Uchiha Tokimitsu, and Nara Kohei sat at the main camp position. Three Anbu and the six Hyuga ninja who had come as reinforcements stood in the center, while over forty Jonin from the Border Defense Force who had remained at camp sat around them.

The Jonin in the tent looked at each other. The Hokage's Edict felt strange somehow; the other official platitudes could be ignored, and the supply support set aside for now, but what exactly did "Do not provoke border incidents" mean?

Proud Konoha ninja, members of the ninja village of the greatest nation—when had they ever suffered such humiliation? When could they possibly endure such humiliation?

Especially the Jonin of the Uchiha Clan. Every one of them glared displeasedly at the three Messenger Anbu in the middle of the tent, their left thumbs already pushing their swords free, ready for an Instant Kill.

"Commander Kamon, Special Jonin Tokimitsu." The Messenger Anbu remained utterly fearless and repeated his earlier words. "This edict was personally signed by Lord Hokage. Please accept the document and execute it accordingly!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu was so furious that veins bulged on his forehead. It was not merely that this vague, blame-inviting order to "Do not provoke border incidents" enraged him; the tactless Anbu's repeated use of "Special Jonin" also set his teeth on edge.

"Which division of Anbu are you from?" Uchiha Tokimitsu's face twisted with killing intent as he forced out each word.

"All Anbu Personnel affiliations are village secrets. Special Jonin Tokimitsu would do well not to inquire carelessly." The Messenger Anbu returned the barb without yielding an inch.

More than thirty Uchiha Jonin in the tent had firmly locked onto the Anbu's presence. The moment Uchiha Tokimitsu or Uchiha Kamon gave the order, those Uchiha Jonin would kill the Messenger Anbu without hesitation.

The Civilian Ninja present in the tent were also at a loss, unsure what to do.

"Heh heh heh..." Uchiha Tokimitsu gave a cold laugh. "Does Lord Hokage intend to retreat without fighting? And where exactly is this so-called border? The northern border of the Land of Grass? The Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Grass? Or are we abandoning the Land of Grass and withdrawing into our own territory?"

Another stir swept through the tent.

"Deputy Commander Tokimitsu, this is Lord Hokage's edict. It is not something we Anbu can interfere with." The Messenger Anbu still spoke in an even tone. "Please accept the order and execute it accordingly!"

"This is a ridiculous order!" Uchiha Tokimitsu suddenly erupted in rage. His Three-Tomoe Sharingan activated as he stared at the Messenger Anbu. "Is Sarutobi Hiruzen trying to bury this Border Defense Force?!"

His grim tone and blood-red three tomoe exuded a cold, murderous aura. In his fury, Uchiha Tokimitsu displayed an Asura-like presence utterly unlike his usual self.

The commoner Jonin in the tent lowered their heads one after another, not daring to meet his gaze.

The Messenger Anbu's tone remained unchanged. "We do not know the specific circumstances or Lord Hokage's arrangements. Please return in accordance with the edict and assemble."

"Take this edict back and ask Lord Hokage to clearly explain its mission, contents, specific measures, and so on. Also, why was the Anbu Intelligence Bureau unable to intercept intelligence of Iwagakure's troop deployment? Has Anbu spent so much funding raising useless idiots like you, who know nothing when asked, that it lacks manpower?" Uchiha Kamon, who had remained silent for a long time, spoke up to demand answers.

The Messenger Anbu swept his gaze across the Main Command Tent. The Uchiha clan members watched like tigers, killing intent surging around them, while the Civilian Ninja either wore hostile expressions or lowered their heads to avoid eye contact.

"Staff Officer Kohei, do you also intend to defy Lord Hokage's edict?" The Messenger Anbu turned toward Nara Kohei, who was sitting beside them with his head lowered in silence.

Nara Kohei, who had been caught in the crossfire even while sitting still, opened his mouth but did not know what to say.

The position of Staff Officer should have made him the third-ranking figure in the Border Defense Force, with a certain degree of authority. However, the Northwest Border Defense Force was unusual. More than forty Uchiha Clan Jonin had arrived all at once, while a considerable number of the original Border Defense Force ninja had been transferred away. With one coming and another going, the entire Northwest Border Defense Force had gradually been infiltrated and brought under the Uchiha's control. As a result, he had completely become a figurehead, with no power left to contend with the Commander and Deputy Commander.

Nara Kohei was Very Sure that if he dared say anything against the Uchiha's will right now, he might not be executed on the spot, but he would certainly be ordered out on patrol the next day and "commit suicide" with dozens of wounds in his back.

"Lord Hokage's edict, although... well... perhaps it has some deeper meaning. But battlefield intelligence changes by the moment. Please report back to Lord Hokage and earnestly request a detailed Strategic Plan for how Headquarters should deal with Iwagakure, so that we do not execute it poorly..." Nara Kohei said hesitantly, cold sweat pouring down his face.

Catching sight of Uchiha Tokimitsu and the others softening slightly at his words, Nara Kohei inwardly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Since this is the unanimous decision of the Northwest Border Defense Force, I will report it to Lord Hokage." The Messenger Anbu gave a slight bow. "These six are elite Hyuga Clan ninja dispatched by Lord Hokage to support border reconnaissance. From today onward, they will be incorporated into your unit."

This Anbu was rather interesting—principled yet adaptable, slick in his methods without losing his bearing. He could be considered a capable man.

Having suppressed his anger, Uchiha Tokimitsu studied the Messenger Anbu with interest for a few moments before turning his gaze to the six Hyuga Byakugan ninja in the center.

"Welcome, Hyuga elites..."

"Commander Tokimitsu is too courteous. By the orders of Lord Hokage and our clan head, we have been transferred into the Northwest Border Defense Force from this day onward."

"Jonin Hyuga Toshiki reporting in."

"Jonin Hyuga Seiji reporting in."

"Chunin Hyuga Kyoichi reporting in."

"Chunin Hyuga Keiichi reporting in."

"Chunin Hyuga Marai reporting in."

"Chunin Hyuga Toshiya reporting in."

Two Jonin and four Chunin, all from the renowned Hyuga Clan. The addition of these two squads would greatly enhance the Northwest Border Defense Force's combat strength and reconnaissance capabilities.

But what earned Uchiha Tokimitsu and the other Uchiha's approval most was the Hyuga Clan's courteous conduct.

"A very warm welcome to all of you Hyuga elites. Your arrival is truly a joyous occasion for our Northwest Border Defense Force. With the aid of such outstanding Byakugan users, even Iwagakure's earth rats will have nowhere left to hide!"

After exchanging pleasantries in the tent, the meeting was declared over, and everyone went back to their duties. The Anbu hurried back to the village to report the Uchiha's defiance of orders.

Uchiha Tokimitsu had the newly transferred Hyuga Toshiki and the others stay behind to further discuss tactics and the battle plan.

"...Based on current intelligence, the Iwagakure Ninja Army Vanguard has reached the northern border of the Land of Grass. Its main force is expected to arrive in full around noon tomorrow. By that estimate, our final favorable battle opportunity lies before Iwagakure's main force arrives. If we can quickly wipe out this Vanguard, we will surely crush Iwagakure's arrogance and make them afraid to act recklessly from then on!"

Uchiha Kamon spoke with boundless boldness.

"Commander Kamon, what kind of mission do you require us to carry out?" Hyuga Toshiki perceptively asked directly.

"I plan to draw three Combat Detachments and one Support Battalion this afternoon, roughly three hundred and twenty ninja, and have them lurk toward the northern border of the Land of Grass. We will seize the chance to encircle and annihilate the Iwagakure Vanguard at dawn. But Headquarters currently has only three Sensor Ninja assigned to reconnaissance. Neither their scouting range nor their ability to investigate details can compare to your clan's Byakugan. Therefore... although Toshiki-kun and the other Hyuga elites have only just arrived, I would still like to trouble you with the reconnaissance mission for this operation..."

Uchiha Tokimitsu explained.

The Hokage's Edict had been rejected, which meant that the Northwest Border Defense Force was still Standing By. No matter what Uchiha Tokimitsu and the others got up to, as long as they did not suffer defeat, there would be no better opportunity for advancement.

"Commander Tokimitsu, our transfer into the Northwest Border Defense Force means that from this day onward, we are under your command and accept your orders. Carrying out missions is only natural."

"Good! Then we will proceed accordingly." Uchiha Tokimitsu was greatly satisfied. With the aid of the Hyuga Byakugan, the Border Defense Force's weakness in reconnaissance had officially been remedied.

"Kohei-kun, please guide Jonin Toshiki and the Hyuga elites to their respective barracks. Rest for a while this morning, then Break Camp and Depart this afternoon!"

"Yes!"

"Thank you, Commander Tokimitsu..."

Nara Kohei and Hyuga Toshiki withdrew upon receiving their orders to arrange accommodations for the newcomers and prepare combat supplies.

"Tokimitsu-kun..." As an elder, Uchiha Kamon clearly still had some reservations about Uchiha Tokimitsu leading troops out alone to attack Iwagakure.

"Uncle Kamon, it will be fine." Uchiha Tokimitsu smiled with confidence. "Besides, an eagle that soars through the heavens cannot be raised in a cage. Without experiencing a true Ninja Village War, one can never transform into a true powerhouse."

"All right... Just be careful in every respect on the battlefield." Unlike their usual outings to sweep up spies planted by various villages in the Land of Grass, Uchiha Kamon remained cautious about war, his face carrying a trace of tension.

"Using the unprepared to strike the prepared, with the Hyuga Byakugan already handling reconnaissance and concealing our movements, there will not be any danger." Uchiha Tokimitsu remained Full of confidence.

"All right, then. Let me explain the key points of Command Deployment for ninja army marches and Combat Raids..."

"Sure!"