Counterattack Plan

Nichigetsu trained for a long time, working up a sweat before heading back. After only a few steps, he froze and came to a halt. By the tree at the side of the road, Tsunade stood with her arms crossed and eyes closed, seemingly having waited for him all this time.

Nichigetsu ignored her and walked straight past.

"Wait, Nichigetsu," Tsunade called out, stopping him.

"Is there something you need, Lady Tsunade?" Nichigetsu asked, his expression one of cold detachment.

"Hyuga Nichigetsu, I believe there are many misunderstandings between us. Can we talk properly?" Tsunade said, looking at him earnestly.

"Lady Tsunade, is that so? I don't think there's anything to discuss..." Nichigetsu turned to leave.

"Nichigetsu, I know you won't listen to my explanations right now. Perhaps you don't acknowledge me as your master, but even if you aren't my student, you are a child of Konoha Village, and your mother was of the Senju Clan. Besides, I am still your elder!" Tsunade shouted at his back. She knew he didn't want to talk to her; it seemed he had already decided to defect to Danzo.

"If you don't want to be my student, then don't! I won't force you; it was all my own wishful thinking. When I return to the village, I will explain everything to everyone myself. It is all my fault and has nothing to do with you. But you are still a child—some things are worth doing, and some are not! I don't want to see you go down the wrong path! Nichigetsu, can you promise me that?" Tsunade said.

Nichigetsu did not respond, his back still turned to her, before he vanished using the Body Flicker Technique.

Tsunade stood there in disappointment; it seemed she had truly lost this disciple. Yet, she feared even more that this child would make secret deals with Danzo and betray the Third Hokage for the sake of profit. Some paths, once taken, lead to a lifetime of regret. Regardless of anything else, he was still a child of Konoha.

A guard landed beside Tsunade and knelt on one knee: "Lady Tsunade, Lord Sakumo Hatake requests your presence in the command tent to discuss matters!"

"Understood..." Tsunade snapped out of her daze and followed the guard toward the tent.

Nichigetsu returned to his quarters. After taking a shower, he went to find Shikaku.

"Nichigetsu, what brings you here?" Shikaku couldn't fathom his intentions, especially since they had just met that morning.

"Shikaku, I came to discuss something with you. Lord Sakumo Hatake arrived today, didn't he?" Nichigetsu sat down with a smile.

"That's right. I expect we'll have a major operation soon to give Hidden Sand a real beating! I've been waiting to avenge Master Dan Kato," Shikaku nodded.

"That's exactly it. I have a battle plan, and I want us to discuss it."

"Alright, let me see what good ideas you have." Shikaku became interested the moment he heard the word 'plan.' He was long accustomed to Nichigetsu's strategic capabilities; the boy was nothing short of a monster.

The two began to deliberate, continuing until late into the night before Nichigetsu left with a yawn.

The next day, all Jonin received notice to attend a war council in the command tent. Because of his high intellect, Shikaku was also summoned. Tsunade had sent someone to notify Nichigetsu, but he didn't show up at all, claiming he had a stomachache. Tsunade looked somewhat dejected.

Everyone began discussing how to launch a counterattack against Hidden Sand. At this moment, Shikaku raised his hand to speak.

"Everyone, I have a counter-plan. If implemented successfully, it will leave Hidden Sand in a state of chaos and completely crush their morale! Meanwhile, our losses in Konoha will be lower than they are now."

"Shikaku, go on," Sakumo said, listening with interest. The Jonin were all curious about such a plan and turned their attention to him.

Shikaku took a breath and said slowly: "After Hidden Sand learned we were short on blood plasma, they targeted us with 'injury-for-injury' tactics. This caused us heavy losses and nearly caused our Medical Station to collapse. They also deliberately set traps to lure us to fake supply stations, costing us eight elites, and Master Dan Kato remains in a coma." Hearing this, the crowd burned with rage.

"My plan is to use their own methods against them! Use Hidden Sand's own tactics to crush them! Make them never dare to look Konoha in the eye again!"

"Isn't that inappropriate? Are you suggesting we attack without regard for our own casualties?" one Jonin asked.

Shikaku shook his head and explained: "No, we use Hidden Sand's strategy, but not their shallow tactics. Please, listen as I explain."

"In their previous battles with us, their 'injury-for-injury' attacks actually caused them greater losses, so their logistics and medical systems are under even more pressure than Konoha's. I don't know how many supplies are in their main supply depot, but it certainly isn't more than ours. I don't know the location of their depot, but I know how to drain their supplies dry!"

"Oh? How exactly?" Tsunade asked curiously.

"It's simple. On the front lines, Lady Tsunade will lead, responsible for pinning down their experts. Our ninja must attack fiercely. However, we don't aim to kill the enemy; we only aim to wound them!"

"What? If we don't kill them, what if they turn around and kill us?" "If we carry them back to be healed, what if they return to the battlefield?" "Not killing the enemy? Is that even combat? That's just sparring!" The crowd erupted in discussion.

"Please, listen to me. By wounding the enemy, I mean rendering them incapable of combat. If we kill an enemy, they are dead; they get burned to ash and buried, and that's the end of it. But if we wound or maim an enemy, it requires three people to treat, care for, and protect them."

"This will drastically drain Hidden Sand's manpower and medical supplies, causing their logistical pressure to increase exponentially. Conversely, Konoha's losses will decrease because: first, not aiming to kill makes it easier to defend ourselves. Second, the number of combat-capable enemies will be greatly reduced. Third, the enemy's consumption will skyrocket, making their offensives weak. Fourth, when fighting Konoha, the enemy will be afraid of being wounded, making them hesitant and overly cautious."

The crowd pondered Shikaku's words, and most nodded in agreement.

"To increase the consumption of Hidden Sand's blood bags and medicine, I propose using this kunai." Shikaku pulled out a wooden kunai. Its blade was different from a standard one; it was designed with three edges and three blood grooves. It was sharp, similar to a tri-edged dagger.

"Once this kunai pierces the human body, it causes massive bleeding, and the wound is difficult to stitch or heal. If we coat it with a toxin that causes the wound to fester, the wounded ninja will consume vast amounts of blood plasma, medicine, gauze, and bandages. Once their supplies are exhausted, their medical and logistical systems will collapse. This will lead to the total disintegration of Hidden Sand's army morale, causing ninja to fear battle, and ultimately, they will be forced to retreat."

"Furthermore, behind enemy lines, Lord Sakumo Hatake will be in charge of assassinations. We will divide into assassination squads and harassment squads. The assassination squads will be responsible for taking out the enemy's low-to-mid-level commanders; these personnel are the hardest to replace and easier to target than high-ranking commanders."

"When a large number of mid-level commanders are killed, the orders from the top will go unexecuted, and the lower ranks will become headless flies. Hidden Sand's command system will be completely paralyzed. Moreover, we must use these assassinations to instill fear and strip the enemy of their will to fight!"

"The harassment squads will specialize in targeting their supply lines and transport teams. We will use every feasible means to interfere with their transport and slow down their supply speed. We can ambush, set traps, or use ninjutsu."

"In short, we must ensure that the supplies from the enemy's rear never reach the front lines, piling up until they rot. The front lines will be left without supplies, or they will arrive late and in short supply. We will paralyze Hidden Sand's logistics completely!"

"Without medical care, without supplies, and with a paralyzed command system, the enemy's morale will crumble, and they will have no heart for battle. The final result will be our total victory!"

Shikaku finished, and everyone looked at him with excitement, seemingly inspired by his words.

"What does everyone think?" Sakumo asked the Jonin.

"Shikaku's plan is excellent! I believe it is feasible!" Tsunade nodded.

"As expected of Shikaku, his brain really works well! I support this plan!" a Jonin clapped in support.

"Winning by exhausting the opponent—a great idea. This is a real slap in the face to Hidden Sand!" another Jonin gave a thumbs up.

Shikaku scratched the back of his head with a bitter smile, thinking to himself: Most of this plan was Nichigetsu's idea. That kid is really something! He wouldn't come himself, forced me to present it, and forbade me from mentioning his name. What a troublesome guy.

"Very well, we shall act according to this plan!" Tsunade nodded.

"Yes!" The group began discussing the specific details of the entire operation.

The ninja of Konoha were high in spirits; a counter-offensive against Hidden Sand was about to begin. Hidden Sand did not yet realize that they were about to fall into a deep, dark nightmare...