Battle Plan

Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Hatake Sakumo!

Tsk, tsk, tsk! What a grand gesture!

One is an Anbu deputy director, the eldest son of Hiruzen Sarutobi, possessing comprehensive abilities, mastery of all five elemental ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu—he is essentially a weakened version of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

His strength is above that of an ordinary elite Jonin, only a step below Kage-level.

The other is an Anbu squad captain, with astonishing swordsmanship, incredible speed, and mastery of assassination and infiltration; his strength has already reached the Kage-level.

Between these two, Sarutobi Shinnosuke is well-rounded with a wealth of combat experience, serving as the squad's commander and all-purpose support.

As for Hatake Sakumo, he is specialized to the extreme, currently the sharpest blade in the village.

With these two elites paired with Kizaru, this is a squad with the power to destroy a nation.

It seems his teacher is truly enraged!

Setting down the list, Kizaru sat on the desk, looking down at Hiruzen Sarutobi as he smoked, and broke into a smile.

"How truly moving, Teacher!"

Silently exhaling a cloud of smoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his most satisfying disciple before him and spoke.

"Do not be misled by Danzo's assessment of me. As the shadow of a village, you must stand at the highest vantage point to view problems!" Hiruzen Sarutobi took the opportunity to lecture Kizaru.

"That's why being Hokage and all that is such a troublesome affair!" Kizaru remarked.

"Hahaha!" Hiruzen Sarutobi laughed. "These troubles will all be yours in the future."

"Teacher! I'm counting on you to live a long life and stay in the Hokage's seat until you pass away," Kizaru joked with a "prophecy."

"What an excessive request," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a smiling shake of his head.

Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe, his expression turning serious as he began to discuss the matter at hand.

"The highest priority for this mission is to ensure your own safety. You must follow Shinnosuke's command and not act impulsively." Worried that Kizaru might get carried away and put himself in danger, Hiruzen Sarutobi cautioned him with great solemnity.

"I can fly!" Kizaru replied with a smile.

You can fly! You're amazing!

Because of Kizaru's answer, Hiruzen Sarutobi fell into a brief silence.

After a moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi continued, "Go on then. Shinnosuke is waiting for you downstairs."

"Then goodbye, my dear teacher!" With those words, Kizaru waved his hand, stood up, and left the Hokage office.

Stepping out of the office and reaching the first floor of the Hokage Building, Kizaru saw Sarutobi Shinnosuke wearing a monkey mask.

"It's been a long time, Brother Shinnosuke!" Kizaru walked up to Sarutobi Shinnosuke and greeted him with a smile.

Nodding, Sarutobi Shinnosuke said, "Let's go. Sakumo is still waiting for us."

Without delay, Sarutobi Shinnosuke led Kizaru directly toward the Anbu training base.

When the two arrived at the Anbu training base, Hatake Sakumo was already waiting there.

Seeing Kizaru, who had defeated him just last month, he displayed his excellent character and took the initiative to greet him.

The three of them had a good relationship; after a simple greeting, they skipped the small talk and went straight to discussing the mission.

This mission was planned by Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo as an armed retaliation for the two consecutive assassination attempts on Kizaru by Kumogakure.

The core of the mission was to launch a surprise attack on Kumogakure while ensuring their own safety and leaving no evidence behind.

Destruction! Widespread destruction—to make Kumogakure feel the pain—was the primary goal of this mission.

After briefly conveying the spirit of the mission, Sarutobi Shinnosuke began to outline his plan.

Opening a map of the Land of Lightning, Sarutobi Shinnosuke pointed to the border near the Land of Fire and began to speak.

"Regarding this mission, I have prepared two plans. Let me start with the first one."

Kizaru and Hatake Sakumo both looked seriously at the map Sarutobi Shinnosuke was pointing to, waiting for his explanation.

"The first plan is safer. We depart from the Land of Hot Water, infiltrate the Land of Lightning by sea, and attack the outposts they have deployed along the border.

Before Kumogakure can react, we destroy as many of their outposts as possible, then leave through the Land of Frost and return to the village.

This plan has high safety, but the damage caused to Kumogakure will be limited."

Not entirely satisfied with the first plan, Kizaru said directly, "Tell us the second one, Brother Shinnosuke!"

Nodding, having already guessed Kizaru's reaction, Sarutobi Shinnosuke began to introduce the second plan.

"The second plan is highly dangerous, but if successful, the results will be immense!

First, like the first plan, we infiltrate the Land of Lightning via the Land of Hot Water.

But once inside, we must split up. Sakumo and I will attack the border outposts to draw Kumogakure's attention and lure out their main force.

Once they take the bait, Kizaru, you can use your high-speed movement to launch a surprise attack on the village of Kumogakure and cause massive destruction!"

Hearing this, Kizaru's eyes lit up; he was very interested in Sarutobi Shinnosuke's second plan.

"However, the biggest variable here is whether the Third Raikage will leave the village. If he isn't lured out, Kizaru, your position while raiding the village will be extremely dangerous," Sarutobi Shinnosuke added.

"The Third Raikage, huh! I heard he's as terrifying as a monster," Kizaru remarked, then added, "If I could kill him, that would certainly be interesting!"

After saying this, Kizaru revealed a confident smile.

"Kizaru, do not underestimate the enemy! The Kage of every village is an existence that cannot be taken lightly!" Worried that Kizaru might be reckless, Sarutobi Shinnosuke quickly advised him.

"How about I carry out the raid on Kumogakure?" Concerned for his comrade's safety, Hatake Sakumo took the initiative to shoulder this most dangerous mission himself.

"Kizaru possesses both high-speed movement and large-scale destructive capabilities, making him better suited for the mission of raiding Kumogakure." Well-versed in Hatake Sakumo's combat style, Sarutobi Shinnosuke began to explain the reasoning behind his arrangement.

"Leave it to me!" Kizaru said with a serious tone.

Seeing this, Hatake Sakumo did not insist further.

"If you execute the second mission, Kizaru, I demand that once you confirm the Third Raikage has not left the village, you must not get entangled in battle and must leave immediately." Looking at Kizaru, Sarutobi Shinnosuke said sternly.

"Understood!" When it came to official business, Kizaru did not argue and agreed directly.

Seeing this, Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded with satisfaction, put away the map, and stood up from the ground.

"Everyone, go back and prepare today. We will meet at the village gate tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock."

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

Kizaru and Hatake Sakumo also stood up and replied in unison.