Strike First

Uchiha Tokimitsu had no intention of obeying the Hokage's Edict.

Although Uchiha Kamon had rejected the edict on the grounds of "insufficient justification" and demanded that the Hokage provide the necessary explanation for its contents, it was obvious that the ever-willful Uchiha clan members had never taken the edict or any follow-up measures seriously from the very beginning.

Though the Hokage had demanded, "Do not provoke border incidents," as long as they went their own way and won, any punishment would amount to three cups of wine and a few laughs before being brushed aside.

Ultimately, it was because Konoha's governing system was a "Jonin Republic." In theory, Jonin were the highest rank within a ninja village, and even the Hokage was merely one of them. Every Jonin possessed the right to vote in Hokage elections and the right to impeach and remove the Hokage. To better maintain the village's operations, the Jonin had handed over a portion of their authority to the village and selected representatives from among themselves to wield that authority. Yet in practice, this power existed only as a theoretical possibility. Neither the Second Generation nor The Third Hokage had been nominated directly by the Jonin Council; instead, successors had been chosen in a manner akin to appointing an heir.

With the Hokage election system effectively undermined and the election provisions and Jonin rights shelved, the ninja clans that held the overwhelming majority of Jonin seats were naturally displeased. When it came to carrying out village decisions, the clans acted to safeguard their own interests. Not every one of them dared to confront the Hokage Faction head-on like the Uchiha Clan, but paying lip service while acting otherwise was commonplace.

As the Number one clan in the Ninja World, it would have been stranger if the Uchiha Clan obediently listened to the Hokage.

"Strike first!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu led four detachments of ninja troops rapidly toward the northern border of the Land of Grass. Thunder roared in his chest, yet his face remained as calm as a placid lake. This was his first time independently leading a ninja army on a distant expedition. Although Uchiha Kamon had generously taught him the experience and key points of ninja army warfare, theory still had to be connected to reality through practice.

The target of that practice was naturally the approaching Iwagakure Vanguard. To wipe them out in one stroke, two of the four detachments Uchiha Tokimitsu had mobilized were elite ninja forces composed of Uchiha Clan ninja. Another detachment was made up of veteran members of the Border Defense Force, with Uchiha Clan ninja and ninja from Affiliated Ninja Clans inserted throughout its ranks to firmly seize control of the entire unit. The final detachment was the Logistics Detachment, responsible for supplies, battlefield medicine, and other administrative work.

These four detachments totaled more than four hundred people, all Chunin. Six Hyuga ninja also took turns activating their Byakugan to scout along the way, preventing the ninja army's movements from being discovered.

"Commander Tokimitsu, the Border Mountain City is roughly twenty Kilometers ahead! We estimate another twenty minutes!" Hyuga Toshiki, who was in charge of reconnaissance, Reported to Uchiha Tokimitsu.

Though the Uchiha Clan and Hyuga Clan, the two prominent ninja clans, often had conflicts and friction within the village, once they stepped onto the battlefield, they became comrades who entrusted their lives to one another. Naturally, neither side would be careless or perfunctory.

"Mm." Uchiha Tokimitsu Nodded and said to Uchiha Nobuhiko, the Jonin from the Guard Squad at his side, "Jonin Nobuhiko, pass down the order. Conceal yourselves where you are."

Uchiha Nobuhiko nodded steadily and Took out a signal whistle with his right hand, placing it in his mouth.

"Whoosh, whoosh-whoosh..."

The short, urgent whistle sounded and vanished. In a short while, birdsong rang out throughout the forest as the ninja troops of each detachment completed their concealment.

At that moment, the only people still openly visible in the forest were Uchiha Tokimitsu, his two accompanying Uchiha Guard Squads, and two Hyuga Reconnaissance Squads.

Uchiha Tokimitsu swept his gaze around. Each detachment had concealed itself well enough; at the very least, no one had made the rookie mistake of minding their head while exposing their rear.

"Jonin Kensuke, Jonin Seiji." Uchiha Tokimitsu turned toward Uchiha Kensuke and Hyuga Seiji among the accompanying ninja. "I order you to lead your squads as an advance unit to conduct Close Reconnaissance of the Border Mountain City. If the city is safe, send a message immediately. If anything is amiss, dispatch someone back here to Report."

"Understood!"

According to intelligence stolen by the Ninja Cat Clan, of the three thousand ninja Iwagakure had assembled this time, around two hundred had been assigned to the Vanguard. Their mission was to serve as Iwagakure's spearhead, clear the route for the marching army, and seize the Border Mountain City in the Land of Grass.

Based on the marching speed of the Iwagakure Vanguard and Iwagakure's Main camp, there was roughly a half-day gap between them. In other words, the ninja army Commanded by Uchiha Tokimitsu had to swiftly annihilate the Iwagakure Vanguard and withdraw in time during that window.

To Prevent Alert the enemy, Uchiha Tokimitsu planned to deploy his ninja army fifteen Kilometers outside the Border Mountain City. Once Iwagakure entered the city, they would advance while Lurking until they were within three Kilometers, then Launch an attack. Though this would consume more time in stealthy movement, the gradually tightening encirclement would better cut off the Iwagakure Vanguard's transmission of information, allowing them to wage a silent battle of annihilation.

The forest was silent as the Konoha Ninja Army patiently lay in wait all around. Though Uchiha Tokimitsu knew nothing was likely to go wrong at this point, he was still somewhat nervous.

At that moment, three shrill eagle cries came from the direction of the mountain city.

"Commander Tokimitsu, the mountain city has been confirmed safe!" Uchiha Nobuhiko listened closely and translated the message according to the ninja hawk signal code.

"Good." Uchiha Tokimitsu Nodded. "Detachment Leaders, assemble!"

"Whoosh—"

Four figures flashed out of the forest using the Body Flicker Technique and dropped to one knee before Uchiha Tokimitsu.

"Commander Tokimitsu, please give your orders!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu took a deep breath. "Uchiha First Detachment, proceed to the eastern side of the mountain city and lie in wait. Border First Detachment, proceed to the western side and lie in wait!"

"Yes!"

The two Detachment Leaders each gave a series of hand signals, and the ninja of their respective units hurried to their ambush positions.

"Sealing Squad of the Logistics Detachment, prepare the Net Void Barrier. Begin the technique once Iwagakure's Granite Heads enter the city! Medical Squad, establish an emergency treatment station where you are and prepare for casualties!"

"Yes!"

"Uchiha Second Detachment, follow me to the southern side of the mountain city and lie in wait!"

"Understood!"

Every deployment proceeded exactly as planned before the battle.

Looking around, he saw excitement on some faces, tension on others, and indifference on still others. A great battle was About to begin. Facing life and death, no one could truly remain calm.

"Gentlemen..." Uchiha Tokimitsu paused. "May we achieve a swift victory!"

"Ha!"

The time spent Lurking and waiting was always difficult to endure, especially while hiding in one dirt hollow after another.

Like the ninja troops under his command, Uchiha Tokimitsu suppressed the frenzy in his heart and quietly waited for Iwagakure's arrival.

"Commander Tokimitsu, word from the front: Iwagakure is here!" Hyuga Toshiki stood beside him with his Byakugan activated, watching the signal gestures from ahead.

Since they were still fifteen Kilometers from the city, the Byakugan could not observe it directly. Therefore, multiple Hyuga ninja relayed intelligence in sequence between the Close Reconnaissance teams and the ambush forces using their Byakugan.

"Mm, no rush." Uchiha Tokimitsu licked his lips and forcibly restrained the urge to open his Sharingan.

"Have all of Iwagakure entered the city?"

"They're confirming it at the front."

"Good." Uchiha Tokimitsu gave a brief reply.

"All Iwagakure forces have entered the city! Confirmed: there are no special individuals accompanying the army, and the city walls have not yet been fortified!" Hyuga Toshiki relayed the frontline intelligence.

"Pass down the order! In ten minutes, all units will advance twelve Kilometers while Lurking. Launch an attack on my command!" Uchiha Tokimitsu said to Uchiha Nobuhiko.

"Yes!"

The Guard Squad dispersed and moved stealthily to notify the ambush forces east and west of the city. In a short while, chirping insect calls came back in response.

"Commander Tokimitsu, all units have received the order!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu Took out his pocket watch and checked the time. It was perfect.

"Advance while Lurking!"

"Yes!"

"Is the Net Void Barrier ready?"

"Commander Tokimitsu, the Sealing Squad is ready!"

"Good. Proceed to the designated location and await my command!"

"Yes!"

"What about the Medical Squad?"

"Commander Tokimitsu, the Medical Squad has finished setting up the field hospital. All personnel are in position, and the rescue unit is ready as well."

"Good!"

As the units advanced while Lurking, insect calls rose and fell one after another, coded signals carrying intelligence back and forth.

"Commander Tokimitsu, all units have reached their designated positions." Uchiha Nobuhiko, who had been listening intently, analyzed the insect-call code and spoke.

"Good!" Uchiha Tokimitsu could no longer suppress his Sharingan. Three tomoe emerged in his pupils and Spun faster and faster.

The world through the Sharingan was a sea of blood-red. Uchiha Tokimitsu was unbearably frenzied within, in Urgent need of a bloody battle to vent it.

"Launch an attack in ten minutes!" Uchiha Tokimitsu drew another deep breath and began Lurking toward the designated location.

"Yes!"

A ninja hawk shot out of the grass like an arrow, its urgent cry piercing the sky.

"Attack!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu was the first to leap from the ambush position and charge toward the mountain city three Kilometers away.

"Uchiha! Ten Thousand Victories!"

The ninja of the Uchiha Second Detachment shouted in unison and rose to charge.

Uchiha Nobuhiko, the Jonin of the Guard Squad, clenched a whistle between his teeth and stayed tightly at Uchiha Tokimitsu's side.

"Net Void Barrier!"

A blue dome descended over the mountain city.

The Net Void Barrier was a relatively useless Sealing Barrier. Its primary purpose was to prevent birds within the barrier from taking flight. It had no offensive power and could not control large flying ninja beasts, but under specific conditions, it could prevent ninja hawks from being released to transmit information.

"Ninja Tool Throwing Cover!"

"Dee—dee-dee—"

Urgent brass whistles sounded one after another.

Then shuriken and kunai flew toward the mountain city like clouds.

"Wind Style: Great Breach!"

The ninja troops assaulting from three sides unleashed their jutsu together, extending the range of the thrown Ninja tools.

Ninja were swift on foot. They were now only 1.5 Kilometers from the mountain city.

The Iwagakure forces within the mountain city had not expected to come under attack so quickly and immediately fell into chaos. Some leaped onto the walls in an attempt to fight back. Some tried to release ninja hawks, only for them to be unable to take off due to the barrier. Others attempted to form hand seals, but the Ninja tools flying everywhere interrupted them.

"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"

Earthen walls rose one after another from the ground, piling up beside the city walls.

"Earth Style: Earth Spear!" The Iwagakure ninja inside the city tried to halt the Konoha Ninja Army's offensive, but the earth spears they summoned were shattered by the Konoha Jonin leading the charge.

"Fire Style: Great Fire Dragon Jutsu!"

Uchiha Tokimitsu unleashed a Fire Style Ninjutsu toward the nearby city wall, where five Iwagakure ninja were frantically preparing hand seals.

"Boom!"

The fierce explosion unleashed by the Fire Style disrupted Iwagakure's formation.

"Kill!"

On the eastern and southern sides of the mountain city, the wolf-like Uchiha ninja had successfully climbed the walls. On the western side, the attacking troops were exchanging ninjutsu barrages.

Now that they had breached the walls, it was time for the chaotic melee the Uchiha clan members loved most.

Uchiha Tokimitsu used the Body Flicker Technique to flash before an Iwagakure ninja. The panicked enemy raised a kunai and was About to resist when Uchiha Tokimitsu's Sharingan flashed red. "Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!"

A simple genjutsu, empowered by the Sharingan, entranced the Iwagakure ninja for a moment. Before panic could even show on his face, his enormous head was severed by Uchiha Tokimitsu's blade.

Uchiha Tokimitsu swept his gaze around. The Uchiha clan members were unstoppable, while the disorganized Iwagakure ninja were easily divided, surrounded, and slaughtered.

The Border Defense Detachment attacking the western wall also successfully climbed into the city.

Uchiha Tokimitsu's assault employed the Three Sides Surrounded, One Side Open tactic. One detachment attacked each from the east, west, and south, while no ninja troops were deployed in the north, leaving it as an escape route for the panicked Iwagakure forces. This only hastened Iwagakure's collapse.

Once a surprise attack backed by a Numerical advantage succeeded, unless a top-tier expert stepped in to turn the tide, the outcome was essentially decided.

Uchiha Tokimitsu flicked the blood from his longsword and continued his assault.