If it really turns into a huge rout, even if Kumogakure sees the power of Iwagakure, who Kumogakure is going to attack will still have to say two things. If Konoha can barely block it, and Iwagakure shows a slightly stronger attitude, there is a high probability that Kumogakure can turn the front to Iwagakure.
To put it bluntly, this is a question of degree control.
If one operation is not done well, Konoha will suffer disaster. Even if it is said that it is not directly on the verge of destruction, Iwagakure+Kumogakure does not have such a big appetite and ability, but the two of them will severely damage Konoha's vitality, and it is still a high probability event that it will not recover for several years or even ten years. They really have such ability!
Therefore, we must avoid the terrible option of two-front combat.
Nara Shikaku, who formulated this plan, also became the commander-in-chief of Western Front without hesitation. Following the first batch of reinforcements of 5,000 people, they quickly headed towards the defense line of Mount Wuyuan.
Only when he personally comes to the front line to take command can he grasp the situation at any time and make the most correct judgment. Don't mention words like "100% sure". Those are words that ignorant people will talk about. Everything in the world requires corresponding risks.
Shikaku's plan is already the optimal solution. The only reason to blame is that there are almost no people in Konoha who can carry the burden. As long as Legendary Sannin is still there and Minato Namikaze is still there, it doesn't take much to send one person as a commander on both sides of the front. The number of troops sent by the other side will be the reinforcement of one's own side, which can properly block the invasion of others.
Where is the need for careful layout and operation like now?
Lack of high-end power.
This is the biggest reason why Konoha has to adopt such a strategy.
Shikaku himself understands this very well. Once he makes any mistakes in his micro-management, Konoha will be dealt a devastating blow!
It takes Shikaku to rack his brains to measure step by step and move forward step by step.
Retreating the defense line to the Wuyuan Mountain area is the result of Shikaku's careful consideration for a long time. You must know that this plan was questioned by Mito Kado and Koharu at the beginning. Wuyuan Mountain will enter the Fire Country. This is something that has never happened in previous wars. In the more than fifty years since Konoha was founded, ninjas from other countries have only experienced the infiltration of small elite units, and there has never been a large force invading the Fire Country.
Mitokado Homura was very worried that such a retreat would directly trigger panic in the country and the questioning of Land of Fire official dignitaries and nobles headed by the famous Kyoto. However, in the end Third Hokage still agreed with Nara Shikaku's plan. If you want to survive this crisis, you must pay a certain price.
Third Hokage has long been aware of it. He did not even say that he must win this war. Instead, as long as there is a more decent way to end the war and usher in true peace, he has reached Sarutobi Hiruzen's psychological bottom line.
As long as Iwagakure can be blocked in the Mount Wuyuan area, Third Hokage's prestige can still withstand the pressure and accountability caused by a little war burning into the territory of Land of Fire Come on, Shikaku fully understood this and made corresponding arrangements. However, before Third Hokage actually spoke, he was somewhat worried that Sarutobi Hiruzen would hesitate or even disagree.
In the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen did not make a mistake in this matter and chose to fully trust Shikaku's judgment.
Western Front's control order in the garrison was arranged in advance by Shikaku. In his opinion, his reinforcements were already very fast. It was impossible for Iwagakure to make the attack order so decisively after receiving the news in such a short period of time. Kumogakure stood still. The arrangement of his village's frontline position could be delayed for at least a day or two, right?
When the reinforcements led by him arrive at Mount Wuyuan, even if Uchiha Shōji and Five-Tails Jinchuriki attack together, he will still be confident that he can defeat Iwagakure's troops were standing in front of the Mount Wuyuan defense line. Behind them, Lord Hokage also promised to continue to dispatch at least two to three thousand reinforcements. With such a group of forces, even if there are no top experts sitting in charge.
Shikaku is also confident to carry out the plan according to his own wishes.
However, just as Shōji did not guess Shikaku's plan to show weakness, Shikaku also underestimated the decisiveness of Shōji and Kitsuchi.
The Iwagakure army stationed in the Land of Grass territory really went straight south the moment they received the news, pushing all the way towards the Mount Wuyuan area.
Almost in less than half a day, all the strongholds Konohagakure had deployed in Land of Grass were wiped out, chasing the retreating Konoha Ninja all the way. They pushed the front to the closest position of Mount Wuyuan. At this moment, the reinforcements led by Shikaku were still several hours away from Mount Wuyuan.
"Mount Wuyuan Base?"
Shōji, who was already covered in blood, led the slightly damaged troops. He entered the territory of Land of Fire earlier than Akatsuchi, and came to a high point less than ten miles away from Mount Wuyuan, overlooking the magnificent defensive building complex built by the mountains and water.
Although it is not as good as Northern Fortress, which Sunagakure exhausted all resources to build.
But the defensive stronghold established by Konoha here can also be called a 'deluxe version'! And according to the information Shōji has learned before, Mount Wuyuan Base itself has six to seven hundred garrison troops stationed here all year round, and it is equipped with Aburame, Hyuga Clan Jōnin, to prevent any accidents. This time, in order to prepare for the invasion of the Iwagakure army, some personnel in the stronghold were shrunk back to Mount Wuyuan Base in advance.
In addition to the temporary transfer from the neighboring Land of Wind garrison position due south, as well as those who retreated from the front line, the number of Konoha defenders in Mount Wuyuan Base at this moment is about 1,500.
Judging from the conventional configuration, it is easy for such a number of defenses to block the invasion of three to four thousand enemy troops of the same quality for a week or two!
When Shōji led the troops forward to the near position, he was discovered by Hyūga and Aburame Clan Jōnin in Mount Wuyuan Base.
He also immediately reported to the commander Konohagakure in the stronghold. The commander Jōnin who learned the news quickly ordered the Konoha Ninja people in the entire stronghold to enter combat readiness mode, and then dispatched corresponding personnel to pass the news back to the rear position in the shortest possible time.
He knew very well that his 'Master Military Advisor' had already led five thousand reinforcements to approach Mount Wuyuan Base. Logically speaking, there were only more than 400 enemies in front of him. This commander Konoha Mount Wuyuan Base should be as stable as a rock.
But just because of the name 'Uchiha Shōji'.
This is a terrifying existence with more than a thousand elites that can be defeated by one person.
Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan and Susanoo.
Now it is all under the deliberate rendering and guidance of Konoha High Command F4, and above Shinobi World, almost everyone knows that this commander Konoha naturally does not dare to relax at all when he clearly knows that Shōji personally leads the troops to the stronghold!
Reinforcements are arriving soon.
I just have to survive these last few hours.
The burden can be completely handed over. At the last critical moment, this commander does not want to see any accidents happen.
"The response is really quick and careful enough!"
This is also an action trajectory that can be detected clearly. When the extremely fast formation of Konoha was reflected in the depths of Shōji's eyes, Shōji also raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a faint smile.
"Lord Shōji, do we need to pull back a little?"
The Iwagakure Jōnin named Yin at the side stood on the left side of Shōji with a ray of respect and asked softly.
"Retreat? No, Yinjun, it is Konoha that needs to be feared, not us Iwagakure, and Konoha's reinforcements have obviously not arrived yet. This is a very good test opportunity!"
Shōji knows very well where his current upper limit of power is.
While not arrogant, he is also not overly cautious or self-effacing.
When it was time to take action, Shōji was never ambiguous. The huge Ōki Ye Yuanjun led by Nara Shikaku wanted to reach the Mount Wuyuan defense line. He had already said before that it would take at least half a day. Now that he and others advanced so quickly to reach Mount Wuyuan Base, the reinforcements from the opposite side were obviously still a short distance away.
This is his best chance to take action.
If we really have to wait for the arrival of more than 5,000 Konoha reinforcements, not to mention that Shōji only brings more than 400 people now, even if the number is doubled, Shōji will still have to be honest. retreat, Konoha is not Sunagakure, and I am still a long way away from my ancestor. If I really fall into the siege of a large army, there is really only one result, and that is 'death'!
Now is the point where the balance of power between the enemy and ourselves is just right.
Besides whether it can be broken, at least try the defensive strength of Mount Wuyuan Base so that you can collect as much effective intelligence as possible before your main force arrives.
"Eh? Do you want to attack Mount Wuyuan Base?"
Yin said with a hint of surprise, although he knew very well that his Lord Shōji was a very courageous and rough person, but he really didn't expect it to be to this extent. The defensive strength on the opposite side was three times that of his own, and there was also a terrain advantage. This didn't look like a suitable opportunity to take action, right?
Or at least it would be safer to wait until another partial army unit led by Akatsuchi arrives before launching an attack, right?
"Well, don't worry, Mr. Yin, it's just a tentative attack. Let's see how the strength of the stronghold established by Konoha here compares with Northern Fortress of Sunagakure. After all, the reinforcements from the opposite side are about to arrive. This is likely to be our last chance!"
Shōji nodded slightly, still looking intently at Mount Wuyuan Base, who was looking at Konoha in the distance, with a faint and sharp look in his pupils, and said softly.
"Yes!"
Hearing what Shōji said, Yin was a little relieved, and then he laughed at himself inwardly. Although his Lord Shōji looked very young, he was really someone who had experienced many big scenes. Not to mention more, he just led a group of people. The clan broke away from Konoha, and last year defeated Fourth Kazekage head-on, and helped the existence win the long-desired Sunagakure Northern Fortress, which is enough to prove the excellence of this Uchiha Asura.
There is really no need to worry about anything.
At this moment, after responding immediately, he retreated to the back to convey Shōji's order.
And in fact, what is Shōji's idea?
There is indeed a temptation to test, but there is no lack of it. If there is a chance, it is not a bad idea to capture Mount Wuyuan Base directly. Although Kitsuchi's order is to advance the front to the Mount Wuyuan area, it will stop temporarily, and then take a look at the dynamics on the Konoha and Kumogakure side, but in Shōji From's point of view, if Mount Wuyuan Base can be captured directly, it will be able to occupy a greater degree of autonomy in the subsequent war, whether it is to stick to Mount Wuyuan, strengthen the defense here, and make the Konohagakure side uncomfortable, or use it as an advance base to attack wantonly and truly invade the inner hinterland of Land of Fire.
All the control over the choice will fall into the hands of Iwagakure.
Of course, Shōji has always been bold and never acted arrogantly. This was his own choice after careful consideration. If the intensity of the defense was really beyond imagination, Shōji would also directly choose to retreat. What's more, this was also the right of discretion that Kitsuchi directly authorized to Shōji before departure.
Otherwise, Shōji may not even do a tentative attack. He is not Shimura Danzō and likes to make his own decisions. This will only cause others to have a bad impression of him or even Uchiha Clan.
Shōji All choices and practices are within the 'permissible scope'.
"Next let me see how hard your 'turtle shell' is, Konohagakure!"
Hundreds of shadowy figures.
Iwagakure Ninja Forehead Protector is clearly visible on the forehead.
Especially the dozen or so figures standing in the front with excited and ferocious faces. The most obvious thing about these people is the scarlet and dark Tomoe Sharingan that shines out of their pupils!
These people are the Uchiha people who are assigned to the Shōji team. It can be said that they are more excited than anyone else to fight with the ninjas of Konoha.
The first step in the journey of revenge. In the previous clearing battles, these Uchiha people were often the ones at the forefront, allowing other Iwagakure Ninjas fighting together to further realize the meaning of the name 'Uchiha' and how much Uchiha Clan hates Konohagakure now!
A rolling wave.
"Whoosh"
"Whoosh"
"Whoosh"
"Whoosh"
This figure is no longer covered at all.
"Earth Release!"
"Lightning Release!"
'Earth Release! '
"Fire Escape!"
"Wind Release!"
Row after row, they rushed straight towards the Iwagakure Ninjas at the front, led by a dozen Uchiha tribesmen.
"Boom!"
"Bang!"
"Boom!"
The continuous imprints, surging waves, lightning Thunderclap, landslides, and strong roaring waves, accompanied by the completion of these Iwagakure Ninja's Ninjutsu one after another, overwhelmingly pressed down fiercely towards the location of the Konoha Ninja legion that was also in a formation at the nearest position.
"Stop them!"
Unlike Sunagakure Northern Fortress, which has specially set up defense and perception barriers, Konoha's stronghold set up in the area of Mount Wuyuan cannot deploy the corresponding barriers in advance, so it cannot be deployed.
The only way is to set up some traps and mechanisms in advance, and then match them with the necessary garrison troops to resist.
Almost at the moment when Shōji commanded the Iwagakure Ninjas to launch the first wave of attacks, Jōnin, the commander of Konohagakure in the stronghold, also triggered the first layer of traps in front of the stronghold in the shortest time, and then ordered the Konoha Ninjas who had already dispersed their formation in advance to launch a corresponding counterattack.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
The roar of detonation.
The blast of air and the two officially collided. The Iwagakure Ninja side obviously suffered a slight loss. This was a trap that was difficult to avoid 100%. In the first wave of strong attacks, dozens of people were affected and suffered varying degrees of trauma. They then faced the counterattack of the Konoha Ninjas head-on.
In the front position, the slightly weaker Iwagakure Ninjas also lost their lives one after another!
"Ah!?"
'Hmm!? '
"Poof!"
The flying sand and dust, the splashing blood, the noisy scene of war, a sudden confrontation, and as soon as the long-range bombardment ended, the two sides immediately entered the most brutal hand-to-hand fight!
"Keng!"
"Ding ding ding ding!"
The blooming cold front, the sharp and harsh sound of metal collision.
The battlefield suddenly entered the most chaotic situation.
Above the high point.
Shōji also opened his own Sharingan, and with a touch of indifference, he glanced at the position not far away and slowly entered his own Iwagakure Ninja unit in the Konoha Ninja encirclement. This was obviously a battle at a disadvantage.
"The layout is pretty good. We still have some reserve troops. Are you being wary of me? Then let me see if you have this ability!"
Shōji showed a sharp look in his pupils.
"Boom!"
With a sudden kick of his right foot, Chakra burst out like a cannonball, flying towards the core of the battlefield.
"Keng!"
Pulled out Tachi.
At this moment, an extremely bright cold light burst out.
"What!?"
In a corner position.
The two Konoha Chūnin who were originally besieging one Iwagakure Ninja, suddenly saw a little cold light blooming.
"Huh!?"
That was a situation like the world turning upside down, a completely changed vision, and a consciousness sinking into darkness.
"Plop"
"Plop!"
The two people who died suddenly in succession did not see who killed them when they died. The corpses were easily separated and the scarlet color infected the earth.
"Whoosh"
"Uh-huh!"
"Pfft!"
Shōji's body flashed among the crowd like thunder and lightning, easily harvesting the lives of these Konoha Ninjas.
In less than a few minutes.
That is to say, nearly twenty Konoha Ninja have died in the hands of Shōji, although most of them are just Chunin.
But the harvesting efficiency of Shōji is unparalleled.
Almost all the Iwagakure Ninjas in this area were released. The extended front line broke away from the previous predicament and suppressed the first batch of Konoha Ninjas who entered the battlefield.
This shows the strong pressure.
Just by relying on Shōji to participate in the battle, the Konoha side was defeated step by step.