"Iwagakure had deployed a tailed beast jinchuriki. With Grass Village's fence-sitting nature, they would definitely turn to support Iwagakure. With Grass Village assisting them, this line of defense could not be held.
We should fall back to the rear defensive line and stretch Iwagakure's supply line. Only then would we have a chance to strike back from the flank."
"Besides, our mission is only to hold back the Iwa ninja, not defeat them."
Nara Shikaku calmly analyzed the situation. There was no need for them to hold this position to the death. Even if they could hold it, the casualties would be severe.
These were all clansmen from their three clans. They could not be sacrificed like this.
Yamanaka Inoichi understood. Without saying much, he used a technique to link the chakra of their clansmen across the battlefield and relay the order, which the clansmen then passed on to everyone on the field, including Torifu Akimichi, who was resisting the Four-Tails jinchuriki at the very front.
Upon receiving the order, all the Konoha ninja retreated in an orderly fashion.
They had rehearsed this long ago, so although they were currently being suppressed by Iwagakure's offensive, no disorder broke out.
Torifu Akimichi was the last to retreat, but he had already sustained quite a few injuries, mainly burns caused by the Four-Tails jinchuriki's Lava Release.
"Shikaku, your decision was correct. This battle line can no longer be held."
As he received treatment from the medical ninja, Torifu Akimichi affirmed Nara Shikaku's judgment.
This time, he had only brought the younger generation of the three clans out to gain experience and grow quickly. Naturally, he did not want them to fight to the death there.
Receiving Uncle Torifu's approval, Nara Shikaku inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. Abandoning the first line of