Enemy Advances, We Retreat

Uchiha Xiao had explained the strategy so clearly that even Jiraiya had grasped the specific methods of implementation.

Consequently, Tsunade led the Senju clansmen to block the East Gate, preventing the enemy from launching an attack on Konoha. Jiraiya took the Uchiha clansmen to guard the South Gate, preventing the enemy from contacting the Sand Ninja Village and colluding with them. Meanwhile, Orochimaru led the elites of the various major clans to hold the North Gate, preventing the enemy from flanking Konoha.

The three of them led their teams to camp in plain sight, well within the enemy's line of sight but safely outside the range of thrown shuriken.

Every supply convoy heading toward Yuji City from the surrounding towns was intercepted by elite squads dispatched by the trio; without exception, every mission was a success.

Salamander Hanzo naturally realized that something was amiss, so he led his troops out of the city gates, charging straight toward Tsunade. Upon seeing the gates open, Tsunade immediately ordered, "Everyone, fall back!" She fired a green signal flare, and the Senju troops retreated in an orderly fashion. The Rain Ninja gave chase, only to be met with traps, explosive tags, and countless earth spikes hidden within a dense forest.

The sounds of agonizing screams echoed through the air, causing Salamander Hanzo's eyes to twitch. Damn those Konoha ninja! Don't let me catch you, or I will surely skin you alive!

He glared at Tsunade in the distance with bloodshot eyes, but Tsunade merely watched him from afar, not taking a single step forward.

In Uchiha Xiao's words, this was guerrilla warfare: when the enemy advances, we retreat; when the enemy camps, we harass; when the enemy tires, we attack; when the enemy retreats, we pursue.

In any case, a head-on confrontation was out of the question. These sixteen characters of wisdom were proposed by a great man; there was no need to explain just how effective they were.

Watching his Rain Ninja continue to die, Salamander Hanzo grew frantic. He began to circulate his chakra to its limit, pouring it into his speed, determined to tear Tsunade to pieces.

At that very moment, Jiraiya and Orochimaru began their assault on the South and North Gates. A chorus of war cries erupted, and a signal arrow was hastily fired from the direction of Yuji City.

Whoosh! The arrow streaked through the air, emitting a shrill, piercing sound.

It was this very sound that brought the bloodthirsty Salamander Hanzo to a halt. He looked back at Yuji City, his heart sinking.

Disaster. This was merely a diversion; their true objective is Yuji, my base of operations! If I continue to pursue Tsunade now, even if I manage to kill her, my own stronghold will be taken. There would be no need to fight further—I would be defeated outright!

Salamander Hanzo gritted his teeth and shouted, "Men, we shall settle this with them next time! Back to the city!"

"Yes!" The Rain Ninja were filled with pent-up frustration. It was one thing to have their supplies cut off, but the enemy refused to fight, refused to retreat, and instead set traps and ambushes. Was this the "honor" of a Great Nation?

If Uchiha Xiao had known their thoughts, he likely would have scoffed, "A bunch of brutes with no wits. Let me show you what real Chinese military strategy is!"

Seeing Salamander Hanzo withdraw his troops, Tsunade's forces fired a red signal flare. Upon seeing it, Orochimaru and Jiraiya immediately led their armies away toward their previously designated positions.

When Salamander Hanzo returned to the city walls, all he saw was a scene of devastation: the remnants of explosive tags and a city gate that had been blasted to the verge of collapse.

Looking up, the ramparts were littered with the corpses of his own Rain Ninja garrison. Faced with this scene, even the man known as the Demigod, Salamander Hanzo, was at a loss.

Uchiha Xiao sat in the command center, a sand table before him featuring three flags representing Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya.

Based on the intelligence reports, he moved the flags to observe the situation. In a word, he was "devising strategies within a command tent to ensure victory a thousand miles away."

Outside the command center stood Uchiha Kiyoshi and several other Uchiha clansmen, who insisted on protecting Uchiha Xiao. Seeing their resolute expressions, Tsunade had no choice but to agree.

Aside from Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, not even the Hokage would be permitted to enter the command center now.

A scout returned, and Uchiha Kiyoshi brought the report into the command center. Uchiha Xiao sat in his chair, eyes closed, and asked, "Has Salamander Hanzo retreated into the city? Is it quiet now?"

The scout knelt immediately. "My Lord is brilliant! According to your strategy, our side has suffered fewer than two hundred casualties, while the enemy has lost at least eight hundred!"

The scout's eyes shone as he looked at Uchiha Xiao. A four-to-one casualty ratio—what a brilliant display of strategy and layout! He never imagined he would witness this firsthand, let alone be the one to deliver the news. It was his absolute honor!

Uchiha Kiyoshi opened his mouth to say something, but looking at Uchiha Xiao, his throat felt constricted, and no sound came out.

It was no wonder he was too stunned to speak; throughout the entire Warring States period, the highest casualty ratio between clans had been two-to-one. Now, it had doubled!

Having watched Uchiha Xiao's entire operation, Uchiha Kiyoshi felt a complex mix of emotions, his gaze toward Xiao filled with newfound respect.

At the same time, a fire of rage burned in his heart. He wanted to ask the clansmen who had once bullied Uchiha Xiao: Such a talent—you dared to bully him? Are you even worthy?

Setting aside Uchiha Xiao's terrifying combat talent, his strategic mind alone was something those simple-minded clansmen could never hope to touch.

This was simply... this was simply...

"Kiyoshi? Kiyoshi? Uchiha Kiyoshi, are you listening to me?" Uchiha Xiao waved a hand, frowning. This guy seemed reliable enough, so why is he spacing out?

Uchiha Kiyoshi snapped back to reality and knelt on one knee, his movements fluid. "Forgive me, Commander. I was momentarily distracted. Please, punish me!"

Uchiha Xiao waved him off. "It's fine, Kiyoshi. Don't be so tense. It's nothing major, it's just..." Uchiha Xiao leaned in and whispered into Uchiha Kiyoshi's ear.

"This... this wouldn't be right, would it?" Uchiha Kiyoshi's mouth twitched. Good grief, he wanted to take back his previous praise. Uchiha Xiao was nothing but a bottomless scoundrel.

Uchiha Xiao rolled his eyes at him. "What do you know! In war between nations, the best strategy is to attack the enemy's plans, the next is to attack their alliances, and the worst is to attack their cities! Isn't it better to resolve this battle without wasting a single soldier?"

"Go on, don't delay the military situation!" Uchiha Xiao glared at Uchiha Kiyoshi, then crossed his legs and began humming a tune, looking entirely carefree.

Uchiha Kiyoshi took a deep breath, bowed to accept the order, and headed toward Tsunade's frontline troops.

Tsunade was still observing Yuji City in the distance when a subordinate reported, "Lady Tsunade, Uchiha Kiyoshi requests an audience!"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow at the mention of Uchiha Kiyoshi, then her expression softened. Xiao must have sent him. Could there be an emergency? She replied, "Bring him in!"