Pre-Battle Preparations, Muster and Depart

"Based on the materials available in the Land of Whirlpools, everything has been converted into finished goods, totaling 5,000 Rocket Launchers."

"The Weasel Tanks are more difficult to manufacture; there are only 300 Weasel Tanks currently capable of combat."

"The Daimyo's troops can all use the Chakra Gloves, but the weapons designed to complement the Chakra Gloves have not yet been successfully developed."

More than enough to deal with the military strength held by the Land of the Moon, Uzumaki Shori nodded in satisfaction.

He took out a map showing the border between the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of the Moon, pointing out three routes that could directly strike the enemy capital.

"Deploy troops to these three positions first. Next, we wait for the envoy; whether it is war or peace depends on the choice made by the Land of the Moon."

"Meeting adjourned. Everyone, return to your posts and prepare to head to the border to await orders."

Uzumaki Keimei trotted over, panting as he spoke.

Uzumaki Shori returned home, donned his armor, and closed his eyes in meditation, hoping for good news.

"Increase vigilance. Beyond this point lies the Land of the Moon," Uzumaki Sasuke led the group, remaining alert to the dangers on the road.

"Report, Lord Sasuke, we have discovered people from the Land of the Moon ahead."

Having crossed the border into the Land of the Moon, the sensory ninja had detected patrolling soldiers.

"No need to be nervous. We were headed to the capital of the Land of the Moon anyway; perhaps their soldiers will lead us to see the King of the Land of the Moon."

Uzumaki Sasuke walked up to greet the soldiers of the Land of the Moon.

The soldiers of the Land of the Moon noticed them and shouted.

"Halt! Don't move!"

"Don't be nervous. We are envoys from the Land of Whirlpools, here to pay a visit to your King."

Uzumaki Sasuke spread his hands to signal that he posed no threat.

The soldier of the Land of the Moon quickly signaled his teammate to go and notify their captain.

"In that case, come with us to see my superior."

The soldier captain looked at the envoys from the Land of Whirlpools. He had heard that the King had detained their merchant caravan, and it seemed to be true.

"Follow us. I will take you to the capital."

Inside the palace of the King of the Land of the Moon, King Yuanyue wiped the sweat from his forehead and spoke to Shabadaba of Tsukigakure.

"If we hijack the merchant caravan of the Land of Whirlpools, will we really not face retaliation? They fought a decisive battle against Kirigakure, and it didn't seem like they suffered much loss."

"According to intelligence, we can't beat them at all, can we?"

Shabadaba wore a smile, carefully examining the Ketsuryūgan. The Land of Lightning was truly generous; such a powerful Kekkei Genkai was now installed in the palm of his hand.

"Your Majesty, do not worry. Relying on the ninjas and military strength of our Land of the Moon, there is no problem holding them off for a month."

"We have the Land of Lightning behind us, and Konoha and the Uzumaki Clan reaffirmed their alliance at the Daimyo's inauguration ceremony."

"To avoid worsening relations with Konoha, they need an excuse to send troops against the Uzumaki Clan. As long as we fight for a few days, we can send a plea for help to the Land of Lightning."

"The Land of Lightning will naturally send troops to help us deal with the Land of Whirlpools, and we will be well-fed following the Land of Lightning."

The King wiped his sweaty brow, but the laughter he let out could not be stopped.

A soldier trotted in to report.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, envoys from the Land of Whirlpools have arrived to request an audience."

The King grew nervous again and hurriedly asked Shabadaba.

"What should we do? The people from the Land of Whirlpools are here."

"Your Majesty, there is no need to feel afraid. You must offend them deeply so that they will be forced to send troops to attack us when they return," Shabadaba suggested.

"Tell them to come in," the King decided.

Uzumaki Sasuke walked in with a smile on his face.

"Greetings, King of the Land of the Moon. I am an envoy from the Land of Whirlpools."

"I have come to discuss the matter of the Land of Whirlpools' merchant caravan. Is there perhaps some misunderstanding involved?"

The King put down the towel in his hand, shook hands with him, and said hurriedly.

"Oh my, oh my."

"Tell me, how could it be such a coincidence? Classified intelligence of the Land of the Moon was leaked, and your caravan just happened to be right there."

"It really doesn't hold up. Why don't you give us a little more time? We will certainly be able to get to the bottom of it."

"Shabadaba, show them out."

After speaking, he returned to his throne and began to enjoy the grapes handed to him by a maid.

Uzumaki Sasuke hadn't even had a chance to speak before the King had him escorted out of the great hall.

It seemed the Land of the Moon had no intention of negotiating at all.

Shabadaba walked over, stared at Uzumaki Sasuke, and said.

"Still haven't figured it out?"

"We in the Land of the Moon simply wish to bully you in the Land of Whirlpools, and tomorrow, we shall assemble our troops at the border."

Uzumaki Sasuke glanced at Shabadaba, never expecting the Land of the Moon to be so arrogant.

He turned and left the royal throne room.

Shabadaba also turned back to return; he had done well this time, and he truly looked forward to whatever rewards the Land of Lightning might bestow upon him.

Captain Uzumaki Sasuke spoke to his subordinates.

"I will remain in the Land of the Moon to wait for the right moment to rescue the caravan. You must head to the Land of Whirlpools to report; it seems a war between our two nations is unavoidable."

Upon receiving the order, the group quickly returned to the Land of Whirlpools.

At this moment, the army of the Land of Whirlpools had already assembled at the border.

Uzumaki Shori watched the soldiers and ninjas training in the open fields around him; it was clear they had been together for a long time, and their coordination was steadily deepening.

A genin trotted over to report.

"Lord Uzukage, the envoys sent to the Land of the Moon have returned."

"Understood. Tell them to head to the conference room and call everyone to gather for a meeting."

Uzumaki Shori said this as he walked toward the conference table.

Several chunin walked forward, looking angry.

"Lord Uzukage, the Land of the Moon is truly too arrogant. After we left, they began assembling their troops; it is clear they intend to fight us."

Uzumaki Ashina clenched his fists and slammed them onto the table.

"We aren't easily frightened. If they want to fight, then we will fight them."

"The Land of the Moon is acting so abnormally because they clearly have the backing of the Land of Lightning. If we are to fight, we must strike until they are incapable of reacting."

Uzumaki Shori pointed to the map of both nations and spoke.

"We shall divide our forces into three routes to advance, forcing them to split their own troops into three. Once you encounter their resistance forces,"

"use the Rocket Launchers to strike them and slow their march—though it would be even better if the Rocket Launchers could eliminate them entirely."

"After the attack is complete, immediately pivot toward my position to regroup and drive straight into their capital."

"Uzumaki Jiro will take the left route, Uzumaki Ashina will take the right route, and I will take the center."

"This time, we must coordinate with the speed of the tanks to launch our assault and occupy the Land of the Moon as quickly as possible."

Uzumaki Shori looked at everyone and raised a clenched fist.

"Victory is certain!"

Everyone present fixed their gaze on the Uzukage and shouted loudly.

"Victory is certain!"

Afterward, everyone walked out of the conference room and headed toward their respective units.

Uzumaki Shori sat atop a Weasel Tank.

"Bang, bang."

The engines of the Weasel Tanks emitted the sounds of operation.

Every tank was occupied by Uzushio Ninjas; this was the first time the army and the ninjas would fight in coordination.

The Weasel Tanks began to accelerate.

They sped from the border of the Land of Whirlpools into the Land of the Moon.

The Uzushio Ninjas above gripped the handrails tightly.