In the end, the Kumogakure frontline fortress changed hands, and the surrounding strongholds fell.
For the first time in this war, Konoha held the initiative.
Black smoke curled up from the fortress base.
The open flames caused by Explosive Tags and Fire Release ninjutsu had all been extinguished.
Kumogakure ninja corpses lay everywhere within the base, and blood flowed like a river.
With blood staining the hem of his clothes, Kazuhiko stood beside Tsunade atop the high wall, gazing at the Kumogakure strongholds in the distance, where flames soared into the sky.
Thanks to Kazuhiko and Tsunade, the battle had gone exceptionally smoothly, progressing much faster than at the surrounding strongholds.
"There were 360 Kumogakure ninja stationed at the frontline fortress, including 22 Jonin and 126 Chunin. Aside from a small number who surrendered, all were wiped out."
The captain of the Hyuga Assassination Unit spoke, reporting the outcome of the battle to Tsunade.
For such a core fortress, the number of ninja stationed there was clearly far too small.
Under normal circumstances, a fortress serving as a rear-line support point should have at least two mobile reserve units permanently stationed there, ready to reinforce the front lines at any time.
And each mobile reserve unit should contain at least 300 ninja, possibly including anywhere from fifteen to thirty Jonin.
The number of Kumogakure ninja in the fortress amounted to only one mobile reserve unit, leaving it clearly undermanned.
"The latest intelligence obtained by the Intelligence Department indicates that the fortress's other Kumogakure mobile reserve unit set out for the Land of Fire border two days ago to reinforce the frontline battlefield."
"Lady Tsunade, should we dispatch a cleanup force to prevent the Kumogakure reserve unit from attacking from both sides and threatening the fortress defenses?"
Wearing a wooden animal