The Third Shinobi World War Officially Begins

The front lines were a scene of intense fighting, which had begun in spring and continued until this late autumn day.

The border between Wind and Fire had been extended by over a hundred miles. Within this hundred-mile stretch, the stench of blood was pungent, and no birds or flowers could be found. What was once a lush forest had become a land of wind and sand.

When Bing San tallied the supplies, he discovered that the amount of provisions for the outer lines had been halved. This meant that casualties on the front lines had exceeded fifty percent.

Of course, the Land of Wind was in an even worse state.

The war dragged on, and both sides suffered heavy losses. Furthermore, food and supplies had begun to run short.

To make matters worse, elite teams of Sand Ninja had been conducting sabotage behind the lines all along.

Leading them was that old schemer, Ebizo. The front lines grew increasingly critical, and waves of ninja and supplies departed from Konoha, being dispatched to the front.

Konoha had only about fourteen to fifteen thousand ninja in total, and its vast territory meant it was surrounded by enemies on all sides. The defense line was too long, and every section required defenders.

Specifically, the Land of Wind, the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Hot Water shared full borders with Konoha. Beyond these three small countries lay the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth. Stationing troops in the small countries was impractical; heavy forces could only be deployed along the extended battle lines.

The command post at Kikyo Mountain was exceptionally lively today, not only because the Jonin were "arguing," but also because their leaders were present.

Danzō sat there, drinking tea, covered in dust. Orochimaru propped his left cheek on his hand, lost in thought. Bing San sat awkwardly in the central "commander's" seat, looking at the chaotic crowd below.

"Enough, we're short on supplies everywhere, short on people everywhere. I know all of that.

Can you stop arguing here? When I said as soon as possible, I meant as soon as possible. When I said we don't have it now, we don't have it."

Shin'nosuke Sarutobi, the good-natured one, was getting a headache from the noise and began to lose his temper.

Orochimaru leaned on his left hand, watching with a smile. Danzō slowly sipped his tea, as if none of this concerned them.

However, the Jonin below were not intimidated by Shin'nosuke Sarutobi this time. After all, their leaders were watching; backing down was out of the question. If they backed down now, would they just wait to be beaten later?

Suddenly, Bing San shouted, "Silence, everyone! Konoha has an urgent order."

He then quickly bit his finger and began forming hand seals.

Yes, Bing San was now the best messenger, able to safely summon clones to carry items back and forth.

With a bang, Bing San's strength clone appeared on the scene, holding two scrolls.

The strength clone handed the scrolls directly to Danzō. Orochimaru let out a "Tsk" upon seeing them and said nothing further. It was clear he had nothing to say in this situation either.

Danzō frowned deeply after reading the first scroll. After reading the second, he let out a long sigh and said, "Monkey, I told you long ago you'd regret this. It's too late now, what a shame, what a shame." He then handed them to Orochimaru.

Orochimaru looked at the first scroll, which read: September 21st (three days ago), Cloud Ninja from the Land of Lightning stealthily attacked the Konoha camp. Over thirty Jonin were killed, with the number of Chunin and Genin yet to be tallied. Respectfully, Tsuchi Rou of Anbu's Ninth Squad.

The second scroll read: Due to the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning declaring war on Konoha, the front lines are strained. Wind Country is ordered to abandon the first and second battle lines. Defend Kikyo Mountain camp to the death. Furthermore, Elder Danzō is ordered to immediately return to the village with his headquarters ninja.

Shimura Bing San, Peerless of the West of Wind Country, will command the Wind Country front lines, and Orochimaru will oversee all combat operations.

Just then, three Anbu appeared with blood still flowing from their bodies.

The three Anbu urgently reported, "Urgent report from the front lines: Chiyo, Ebizo, Pakura, and Rasa, a combined force of over seven thousand, have launched an attack on the front line camp.

Lord Nara Shikano requests immediate full support from headquarters, otherwise the front lines will fall within three days."

Orochimaru waved his hand and said, "It seems to be fate. Disperse, everyone. We need to discuss this."

Danzō also waved his hand, and only Danzō, Orochimaru, Shin'nosuke Sarutobi, Jiraiya, Aburame Torune, Take風 Akimichi, and others remained in the tent. Nara Shikaku was also present; he had been specifically assigned by Danzō to act as Bing San's "brain."

Danzō spoke first, "As you all saw the orders, I will be leading my subordinates back to Konoha."

Orochimaru understood his words; Danzō didn't want to lose his direct subordinates and was planning to slip away.

Orochimaru's eyes darted around. "If Elder Danzō is leaving, it's understandable. However, without Elder Danzō's ninja army, our combat strength here will be insufficient, and we'll have no choice but to ask Lord Bing San to cover our retreat."

Danzō's expression changed upon hearing this. He shouted, "Orochimaru, have you no shame? You want to send a child to his death!"

Orochimaru said sinisterly, "If the front lines are defeated, it's only natural for the Peerless of the West, the 'Commander,' to cover the retreat."

Danzō cursed inwardly. Outwardly, he said, "Of course. A general outside the command has the authority to disobey orders. We will definitely retreat this time, but we must wait until the ninja army on one front has withdrawn before we leave.

Everything for Konoha."

Orochimaru said slyly, "Of course, everything for Konoha."

The others nearby were speechless at their shameless pronouncements.

At this point, Jiraiya said, "According to Shikano's message, three days is likely the absolute limit. We need to set off quickly, or we'll be too late."

Aburame Torune said with displeasure, "Why are you in such a hurry, you impatient fool?

Gathering reinforcements, setting traps, preparing medical supplies, all of these take time.

How can you be a commander who 'runs away'? Did you get in through the Third Hokage's backdoor?"

Jiraiya's face turned red. He had abandoned the front line to the sickly Yukiya Nara and gone to find Tsunade.

He was indeed an unqualified commander. After all, he and Bing San were "colleagues," and his reputation as one of the Sannin was merely for show.

At this moment, Nara Shikaku interjected, "According to my father's message, he can hold out for two more days. That means we have one day to prepare."

Nara Shikaku bit his nails and added, "In Wind Gorge Valley, there is ample water, and it's between two mountains, only about two hundred meters wide.

I see. Elder Danzō, Lord Orochimaru, please look here."

With that, Nara Shikaku pointed to a location on the large central map and said, "Since my father said he can hold for three days, he will definitely hold for three days.

Therefore, if we are to retreat, this will be the route."

Danzo and Orochimaru exchanged a glance and nodded. At this point, Bing San asked curiously, "Why are we going this way? Wouldn't it be faster to take the main road?"

Shikaku explained, "The Land of Wind is famous for its puppeteers. Puppeteers are skilled at using traps and poisons.

If we retreat along the main road and the Wind Shinobi pursue us relentlessly, we'll surely break.

After all, puppets consume at most a little chakra to move. Our shinobi army consumes stamina when running."

Then he pointed to the map and said, "Bing San, look. Although the vegetation here is lush, it's all low trees and shrubs.

It won't significantly affect our shinobi army's speed. However, the puppets won't be able to pursue at full speed.

Between these two mountains, there's only this natural bridge, about a thousand meters long and two hundred meters wide, with waterfalls on either side."

Then Shikaku pointed to another location and said, "This is the highest point in the entire Wind Ravine Valley, about thirty meters long and a hundred meters wide.

If a few of the lords block this spot, they can not only cover the retreat of the front lines but, if the enemy pursues too aggressively, they might even achieve a great feat."