Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Xiao with burning interest. He wanted that technique too. Unfortunately, he didn't have the Kekkei Genkai Magnet Release. Otherwise, it would have been a divine technique for him.
Seeing Orochimaru's fervent gaze fixed on Uchiha Xiao, Tsunade let out a cold snort and stepped in front of him. "What is it, Orochimaru? Are you trying to steal him from me?"
Orochimaru's eyes widened at the sight, and he couldn't help giving a wry smile. Then he glanced at Jiraiya out of the corner of his eye. Jiraiya, meanwhile, scratched his head, completely oblivious.
Orochimaru was at a loss. Jiraiya really was an idiot. Never mind him for now. Turning to Tsunade, Orochimaru said, "No. I'm just interested in Xiao's sensory ninjutsu. Besides, Lady Mito chose him as your trusted aide. Why would I try to steal him?"
"Hmph. You'd better not!" Uchiha Xiao was a hot commodity in Tsunade's eyes. He had two Kekkei Genkai, knew how to fight, didn't chase glory, and always thought of her. He was practically the perfect aide sent by the heavens!
Uchiha Xiao scratched his head. He didn't know whether he should speak or keep quiet.
Then Tsunade grabbed Uchiha Xiao by the arm, led him to the seat of honor in the office, and pushed him into it.
Orochimaru:!!!
Jiraiya:!!!
Nawaki:!!!
Uchiha Xiao:!!!!
Was this really a seat he could take? It was the commander-in-chief's seat. If they won this battle, most of the credit would go to the commander-in-chief!
Uchiha Xiao hurried to stand, but Tsunade's superhuman strength kicked in. His face turned red from straining, yet he couldn't move an inch.
"Lady Tsunade, didn't we agree earlier? I'm only assisting you this time. I don't want the credit!" Uchiha Xiao said hastily.
"That was then, and this is now! Just a moment ago, Jiraiya proposed that the three of us fight Salamander Hanzo. I think it's a good idea too, but that would leave the army without a commander!" Tsunade said with a smile.
Orochimaru had also figured out the key point. Smiling, he said, "Exactly, Xiao. We need a capable commander to lead the army and defeat the other shinobi of the Land of Rain!"
"That's right, Xiao! Tsunade says you're a brilliant strategist, so you're the obvious choice to lead the troops!" Jiraiya said with a hearty laugh.
Uchiha Xiao froze, then frowned. "Who did Tsunade say suggested fighting Salamander Hanzo?" He even forgot to struggle, turning to look at Jiraiya with a strange expression.
Orochimaru's eyes lit up. Could this kid have...
Jiraiya, however, was taken aback. Wasn't this a good plan? The three of them were taking on tremendous pressure!
Tsunade blinked her beautiful eyes, looking from Jiraiya to Uchiha Xiao.
Uchiha Xiao patted Tsunade's arm. She withdrew the hand holding him down, and he propped his chin on both hands before asking, "Why fight him?"
Jiraiya scratched his head. "Because the intelligence says that, aside from Salamander Hanzo, the Land of Rain is mostly a rabble. So..."
"So the three of you plan to hold off their main force while the army wipes out their shinobi, dealing them a heavy blow?" Uchiha Xiao asked coldly.
Orochimaru fell silent, thinking it over. He'd sensed something was off earlier, but couldn't pinpoint what the problem was. Judging by Xiao's expression, though, he seemed to have a better plan.
Tsunade listened closely to Uchiha Xiao's words, watching his back in silence.
"Lord Jiraiya, what does Salamander Hanzo want? He wants to expand his territory and show other nations his strength and authority. If you fight him and lose, you'll be humiliated. If you win, he'll have taken on three of you at once. Either way, you'll boost his reputation. So why fight him at all?" Uchiha Xiao said gravely.
"Then if we don't fight, how do we resolve this?" Jiraiya asked with a frown. He thought his plan was already the best option.
Uchiha Xiao suddenly looked Jiraiya straight in the eye. "Lord Jiraiya, if we follow your plan and win, don't forget that we aren't the only ones in the Land of Rain."
"Iwagakure and Sunagakure are both watching us. If we fight and win, then those two swoop in to reap the benefits, crippling or wiping out what's left of our forces, did we really win or lose?" Uchiha Xiao tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table.
Jiraiya fell silent at once. Orochimaru's eyes lit up. That was right. They weren't the only ones in the Land of Rain, and the others could take advantage of them. No—judging by the intelligence on Ōnoki, he was certain to make a move!
Orochimaru looked at Uchiha Xiao with undisguised admiration.
At that moment, Tsunade spoke up. "Xiao, then how should we fight this war?"
Uchiha Xiao looked at the map. The Land of Rain bordered the Land of Earth to the west and the Land of Wind to the south, while the Land of Fire lay to the east. In that case...
"Tomorrow, we march on the Land of Rain's capital, Amegakure. Lady Tsunade, take the Senju forces and surround the East Gate. Lord Jiraiya, lead a unit to surround the South Gate. Lord Orochimaru, lead a unit to surround the North Gate."
"Every day, we'll fortify our positions and clear the fields, cutting off all the nearby supply routes. If they send out troops, we retreat. Once they withdraw, we surround them again." Uchiha Xiao's eyes lit up.
"What about the West Gate?" Jiraiya asked.
Orochimaru gave Jiraiya a peculiar look, as if he were seeing him for the first time.
"What does the West Gate have to do with us? That side borders the Land of Earth. We only need to surround these three gates! When the Land of Rain is desperate and breaks out through the West Gate, Ōnoki will be the one to suffer heavy losses," Orochimaru said with a smile.
Tsunade nodded. "And this approach will let us preserve the army's strength as much as possible while still achieving our goal."
Uchiha Xiao nodded. "War isn't just about the strength of the shinobi and the army. It also depends on resources, national strength, weapons, and other supplies."
"If we cut off their food for two months, they'll either surrender or charge out through the West Gate. Then they'll be desperate beasts in a fight for survival. It won't be easy for the Land of Earth to deal with a starving mob, either." After finishing, Uchiha Xiao leaned back and closed his eyes in thought.
Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade all looked at Uchiha Xiao. Their stares made him a little uneasy. He opened his eyes and looked at the three of them. "Why are you all staring at me? Does this plan work or not? Say something!"
Orochimaru smiled. "It works, of course. I'm just curious—who taught Xiao such impressive military strategy?"
Tsunade nodded too. "That's right. Xiao's strategic thinking is remarkable. He's turned a war of numbers into a war of resources that favors us!"
Jiraiya was thoroughly convinced. "Xiao, I'm impressed!"
Uchiha Xiao froze. Oh no, I'd overdone it. Was this the first time anyone had used this strategy in the Naruto world? Damn it! I couldn't keep a low profile after all!