Chaos and Deployment

It was only that, for various reasons, it had not been carried out before.

Among the companions who had drawn close to Shōji, the vast majority had been kept within the clan. Only one, like Shōji, had been placed on the list for this Uchiha deployment, but by sheer coincidence, that person had also been assigned by Kogen to remain at the rear outpost.

Before coming to the Land of Hot Springs, Shōji had given them a few brief instructions.

Do not act too rashly.

They could not let not only members of other ninja clans, but even their own clanmates and elders, notice them.

At this stage, the Shōji Faction still needed to lie low for a while longer!

It was absolutely unsuitable for making grand, conspicuous moves.

That included Uchiha Homura before him.

Even though Homura was a suitable candidate in Shōji's eyes, Shōji intended to proceed step by step. This was the front line, not the village or the clan compound. There would be plenty of opportunities. Verbal guidance was one thing, but setting an example through action was even more important.

Of course, that would be another matter if he died.

"Is that so..."

A faint, unusual light appeared in Uchiha Homura's eyes as he murmured softly.

"Homura? Shōji, what are you two still doing? Kogen-san has already called us over. Combat assignments are about to be handed out!"

The other Uchiha clansmen, who had already gathered some distance away, saw Shōji and Homura lingering at the entrance of the tent and waved as they shouted.

"Yes!"

After answering in unison almost instinctively, the two of them jogged toward the assembly area.

What had happened with the Kumo Ninja attack last night was something almost everyone already knew.

During this period, because of the casualty rate, Konoha Ninja around Mount Hot Spring had defended more than they attacked. Now that reinforcements had arrived, Suzaku and Ido, after discussing matters last night, intended to launch a relatively large-scale counterattack.

They had to deal the Kumo Ninja a crushing blow to curb Kumogakure's aggressive momentum.

Most importantly, based on the intelligence gathered by Aburame and Hyūga scouts, the Kumogakure outpost opposite them had received logistical supplies only once recently, with no obvious increase or change in personnel.

In other words.

This was the best opportunity for Konoha to counterattack.

Therefore.

Suzaku, Ido, and the leaders of the major clans that had arrived as reinforcements—the Uchiha, Aburame, Inuzuka, Ise Clan, Tsukikage Clan, and others—had worked through the night to devise a counterattack plan. Part of their forces would besiege and suppress the main Kumo Ninja force at the front-line outpost, while several smaller squads would be dispatched to eliminate the Kumo Ninja reconnaissance posts in the nearby area and the two identified supply depots.

The objective of this operation was to inflict as many casualties as possible on the Kumo Ninja and destroy their nearest supply points. This would not only create an absolute advantage in combat strength for a short period, but also disrupt the Kumo Ninja supply lines, forcing them to invest more resources and manpower in resupplying their front-line troops.

It was a very plain and straightforward battle plan.

Its core lay in seizing the right moment.

Moreover, Konoha currently held an absolute advantage in both quality and numbers.

As a strategist of the Nara Clan, Suzaku could not possibly let such an opportunity slip away.

More than ten Uchiha clansmen, including Kogen, had been assigned by Suzaku to the force that would surround and spearhead the attack on Kumogakure's main outpost.

Among those remaining.

Only a handful stayed behind to defend.

Shōji, meanwhile, had been assigned to the squad tasked with eliminating the reconnaissance outpost in the eastern sector.

Previous intelligence indicated that the Kumo Ninja at these reconnaissance posts were roughly equal in number to Konoha's forces, with one or two squads stationed at each. However, they had excellent coordination with one another, and the main outpost could provide support at any time. Under normal circumstances, it would be difficult to surround and eliminate them. That was why Suzaku intended to launch attacks on multiple fronts at once.

The goal was to leave the Kumo Ninja with no room to adjust or maneuver.

It could be said that almost the moment the order was issued.

Every Konoha Ninja at the Hot Springs Mountain Outpost sprang into action. Even some of the wounded, who had been scheduled the previous night to withdraw first to the rear outpost or return to the village to recuperate, took this opportunity to retreat. With the attack underway, more than ninety percent of the Kumo Ninja would have no way to spare attention for the withdrawing Konoha wounded.

As the members of these Konoha combat units filed out one after another.

Upon receiving his assignment, Shōji followed his own squad out of the outpost and advanced toward the eastern sector. Although he had already reached the level of a Jōnin with his Three-Tomoe Sharingan within the Uchiha Clan, in Konoha's official records, Shōji was still only a Chūnin. Naturally, he could not serve as the captain of the unit. Their leader was an Akimichi Clan Jōnin—Akimichi Motoyasu.

It was said that he was the nephew of Elder Torifu Akimichi, the most senior member of the Akimichi Clan.

He was currently thirty-two years old.

He had cultivated his clan's secret techniques to a fairly advanced level.

He possessed genuine Jōnin-level strength.

Furthermore, Shōji, who was familiar with the Original Work's plot, knew even more clearly that the Akimichi Clan possessed the Secret Medicine known as the Three-Colored Pills. They could stimulate the user's physical potential for a short period, allowing them to unleash tremendous personal strength. This was also commonly known as the Akimichi Clan's Butterfly Mode!

At critical moments.

An Akimichi Clan Jōnin capable of entering Butterfly Mode.

Calling them Quasi-Kage level was indeed somewhat exaggerated, but suppressing an ordinary Elite Jōnin was still achievable. This was one of the keys to the Akimichi Clan's standing throughout Konoha. Their clan's secret techniques also involved the Yang Chakra nature!

To put it bluntly, when pushed to the limit, this immediate superior commanding Shōji was someone qualified to exchange a few moves with a Kage by relying on Butterfly Mode.

The other members of the squad were also formidable elites.

Even the weakest among them were ordinary Chūnin.

There was even an Elite Chūnin from the Hyūga Clan's branch family serving as the squad's "eyes," scouting the surrounding area.

It could be said that the moment he saw the squad's composition.

Shōji realized that the difficulty of this "first mission" would certainly not be low.

The so-called Kumo Ninja reconnaissance outpost would by no means be easy to eliminate.

Otherwise, there would have been no need for such a lineup.

And according to the information Shōji knew, there were four squads dispatched to eliminate outposts, all with roughly similar personnel arrangements.

Looks like there'll be a fierce battle.

As Shōji raced onward, he looked at Akimichi Motoyasu's broad back ahead of him and quietly thought to himself.

"Stop!"

They hurried onward.

Everyone traveled in silence.

Just before they were about to reach the mission target.

All of a sudden.

Hyuga Tenki, who had already activated his Byakugan at the very front, seemed to have detected something. He abruptly halted, his low voice falling sharply.

Shōji and the others, including Akimichi Motoyasu, all came to an immediate stop as well.