Artillery Cover

Under normal circumstances, the human eye can perceive objects 20 kilometers away, while the effective reconnaissance range is approximately 5 kilometers.

Of course, this data fluctuates within a certain range depending on specific environmental factors such as the size of the target, one's own elevation, the amount of cover, and climatic conditions.

However, for a confrontation between nations, it would seem far too narrow to define the battlefield solely by the scope of a person's vision...

After a long silence, the offensive and defensive battle deep in the heart of the Land of Fire finally began to shift.

Setting aside all previous probing and successes or failures, both sides had made full preparations within their respective cognitive limits and were rushing toward the moment of a life-or-death decisive battle.

Soji was unsure what deployment the Sand Ninja, who had driven deep into enemy territory, were currently making...

But at the very least, on the side of the Frontline Support Battalion, the manpower and resources committed by Konoha Village for this mission had been fully mobilized!

--Almost all the accompanying guard ninja had been gathered in one place six hours before the operation, and a much larger number of reconnaissance personnel had been adjusted for this specific purpose even earlier.

Even Nara Motonari, acting as the Commander, had changed into his combat gear early, ready to initiate operations at any moment.

And at approximately 19:20 that evening, Inoue Reina, who was responsible for communication and liaison, finally delivered the long-awaited, crucial intelligence.

"The target has entered the target area; the perimeter of Rock-Pipit Desolate City has entered a state of Level 1 combat readiness."

"Very well. Team 11 will remain to guard the transport ships; everyone else, disembark immediately and transfer toward Rock-Pipit City!"

Rock-Pipit City was less than 5 kilometers in a straight line from Dead Gull Ridge.

For Soji, who had been studying the map of the lower Amber River for days, he had already outlined the topographical features around the target in his mind the moment he heard the name.

As an ancient fortification built during the Warring States period, the main structure of Rock-Pipit Desolate City was largely ruined, but because the site was strategically located—fronting a desolate beach and backed by stone hills—it offered excellent visibility of the area.

By occupying this place in advance, the Sand Ninja could threaten the ships on the Amber River while simultaneously keeping a precise watch on every movement within the heavily forested Land of Fire.

...The fact that the enemy chose to position themselves here showed that their commander was also an expert well-versed in the ways of slaughter.

Yet, when combined with Nara Motonari's previous deployments, this very caution and situational awareness of the enemy became the primary reason they stepped into a trap!

--The natural barrier formed by the jagged rocks and dangerous shoals, which seemed to save the Sand Ninja reconnaissance costs, actually provided the highest level of cover for Konoha's subsequent actions.

In the near future, the Sand Ninja would use their own precious lives to verify the false proposition known as "seeing is believing."

On the battlefield, what deceives you the most is often the sense you trust the most in daily life!

Back on the Konoha side, Nara Motonari neatly zipped up his ninja tool pouch after receiving the intelligence, stood up abruptly, and began issuing orders to everyone.

"The Sand Ninja forces that infiltrated our border have exposed their tracks! The counterattack begins now!

The enemy force is approximately three squads strong, and our reconnaissance troops are currently monitoring their activities in real-time.

Although the specific leader of the Sand Ninja is not yet clear, those sent to execute such long-range operations behind enemy lines must be the elite of the Land of Wind. Therefore, in this battle, we are not only at a disadvantage in numbers, but our individual combat strength is unlikely to hold the upper hand!"

He got straight to the point, tempering his praise with a warning.

At this point, Nara Motonari paused slightly before immediately pivoting: "However, the battle is taking place within the Land of Fire. In addition to all of you, reinforcements arranged by the Hokage are also rushing to the target location at full speed! We will wait to rendezvous with them and launch a joint attack!

Right now, the Sand Ninja are lying in ambush along the river, waiting for us to tire ourselves out. If we follow our original schedule and drift downstream, we will inevitably fall into their trap.

Only by switching from defense to offense and launching a preemptive strike against the Sand Ninja entrenched in Rock-Pipit City can we achieve a total victory!"

Nara Motonari slapped the table, his voice deepening: "Gentlemen! The success or failure of this construction operation rests on this one move!"

"As long as we achieve a total victory tonight, the Sand Ninja will be unable to organize such a large force to cross the border for a long time, and the international situation will develop in a direction favorable to Konoha!" Nara Motonari raised his right arm, his eyes burning: "Gentlemen! Now is the time for us to practice the Will of Fire!"

"For the Hokage!"

"For the village!"

"Defeat the invaders from the Land of Wind!"

"Yes!!!" everyone responded in unison!

The simple pre-battle speech stirred the passionate ambitions of most of the young people.

Soji, having received a hint from Nara Motonari earlier, pulled Erina away from the tent to make final checks on the special ninja tools that had been assembled early on.

"Motonari-sensei asked me to check with you: has the 'No. 2 Turret' you assembled been calibrated?"

"It's been ready for a long time!"

"Have all three units been confirmed?"

"I check them three times every day!"

The young girl was still young, and after being stirred by the Commander's words, she was already incredibly excited!

She gave Soji a thumbs-up, her face full of impatience: "Is the teacher planning to use my invention to attack Rock-Pipit City?"

"That's about the size of it." Soji nodded.

Although he had only just learned the full scope of the plan, the meetings from the past few days had provided him with sufficient mental preparation. As he spoke, he naturally felt more composed: "How much ammunition is there?"

"Each turret has five rounds of special ammunition prepared, but considering the stability of the equipment, each launcher can fire at most three times in succession! Otherwise, the internal structure will be damaged, which could easily lead to an accident!"

"I understand... I will notify Todo later to assist you in transporting the tools. To be safe, do not let anyone else touch the 'No. 2 Turret' until the shells are fired!"

"Don't worry, Soji, I understand!"

As the developer of this new type of ninja tool, Erina naturally knew better than anyone that these iron contraptions were actually much more "fragile" than they appeared.

To avoid any intentional or accidental damage, as the primary person in charge, she had to ensure the safety of the No. 2 Turret with all her might before they reached the front lines!

Fortunately, the caution exercised by Soji and Nara Motonari ultimately found no need for application.

The Sand Ninja's intelligence regarding the movements of the Frontline Support Battalion originated from departments other than the Guard Unit, and no traitor emerged to defect or sabotage the operational plan while the group was en route to the combat zone.

Thus, once the main force arrived at the perimeter of Rock-Pipit City, Soji took the opportunity of relaying coded orders to unobtrusively retrieve the glass fibers he had pre-attached to everyone. He then coordinated with his two teammates to set up the siege ninja tools according to the requirements of Master Motonari.

--In an area approximately two kilometers to the southwest of their position, the dilapidated ramparts of Rock-Pipit Desolate City had already begun to reveal their rough outline amidst the cover of the trees.

...For ordinary ninja incapable of piloting a Gundam, this distance was far beyond the effective lethal range of standard ninjutsu.

And if they were to advance along the treacherous shoals of the riverbank, they would inevitably be exposed to the defenders' line of sight prematurely.

Even if they utilized large-scale Earth Release to advance underground to shorten the distance, the anti-infiltration devices the Sand Ninja likely carried had a high probability of exposing their presence before the Konoha side could launch their assault!

Yet, with the help of tools and charms, how could a mere two-kilometer distance stump the proud masterpiece meticulously researched by Erina?

"Done! Launch angle calibrated, ready to fire at any time!"

Clutching the Shimenawa extending from the ends of the three launchers, Erina channeled her own chakra into them.

In an instant, the zigzag-shaped Gohei hanging from the ropes immediately manifested dense, tiny inscriptions, which flowed continuously into the main body of the artillery as time passed.

Seeing this, Soji immediately turned to the commander-in-chief to request instructions, and Master Motonari did not hesitate, waving his hand to signal the start of the operation!

--In a split second, the oval-shaped projectiles soared into the sky, heading straight for Rock-Pipit City!

Like meteors, they dragged dazzling ribbons of light, carving brilliant "comet tails" across the night sky, before detonating with a roar above the target location, releasing terrifying flashes of light and sonic booms!

"What is that!?"

"Ah!! My eyes! My eyes!"

"My ears!"

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The screams had barely begun when the second wave of attacks arrived unexpectedly!

The experienced and formidable Sand Ninja intercepted them halfway this time, destroying one of the projectiles with a lower flight trajectory in advance.

Little did they know, this was also part of the attackers' plan!

Although the ammunition, having lost its kinetic boost, failed to reach the intended position due to the obstruction of Wind Release ninjutsu, it still underwent a secondary explosion before hitting the ground!

Numerous specially modified Explosive Tags scattered and burst, blooming like clusters of fiery red flowers, instantly igniting a raging inferno within the vine-choked ruins of Rock-Pipit City!

At the same time, the assault force personally led by Master Motonari advanced rapidly under the cover of the artillery fire, successfully crossing the treacherous shoals in no time and closing in on the enemy's lair!

--The even more brutal close-quarters slaughter thus began.