He pointed to the southwest of the sand table.
"According to the Hyuga Clan's reconnaissance, Hidden Sand's southern force now has only a little over three hundred men left."
"Moreover, to counter our strategy of encircling them with concentrated superior forces, they have basically abandoned their scattered harassment tactics and built a solid defensive line around Broken-Spine Valley and the high ground on both sides."
"Who their commander is no longer matters. What matters is that we crush them!"
Baki: Do I really have that little presence?!
"Therefore, I will personally lead the camp's main force of three hundred ninja in a frontal assault on the entrance to Broken-Spine Valley!"
He pointed to the southern side of Broken-Spine Valley.
"Additionally, organize two elite companies of two hundred men each to launch feints and harassment attacks from the high ground on both sides! Divide Hidden Sand's defensive strength and create an opening for the main force's assault!"
"Also, intelligence indicates that Hidden Sand's elite puppeteer, Chahachiro, is leading a force composed of the remaining puppeteers. They have been active around Gale-Splitting Gorge, northwest of Broken-Spine Valley, numbering around thirty."
"These puppeteers are highly mobile and skilled in long-range control and poison techniques. If we allow them to operate on our flank, they could harass our main force at any time, or even use the terrain to ambush our supply lines or medical stations."
The tent fell silent as everyone absorbed the new intelligence. The veteran ninja present all knew perfectly well how troublesome puppeteers were on the battlefield.
Baiyun Zaojian swept his gaze across the room.
"Therefore, I need someone to lead a squad and wipe them out, eliminating those bastards completely."
Before anyone else could take on the task, a calm voice carrying an unquestionable tone spoke up.
"Lord Baiyun."
Everyone's eyes instantly focused on Uchiha Ran, who had spoken.
He still wore that unruffled expression, his black eyes as deep as the night.
"Yes?"
Baiyun Zaojian looked sharply at Uchiha Ran. He had already guessed what Ran meant.
"Leave it to me."
Uchiha Ran's tone was calm, yet filled with absolute confidence.
"My squad excels at high-speed raids and precision strikes. The terrain of Gale-Splitting Gorge is also favorable for us."
"While the main force assaults Broken-Spine Valley, I'll lead my team to deal with Chahachiro and his puppeteer unit, pulling out this thorn from our flank."
Baiyun Zaojian made his decision decisively after less than three seconds of thought.
"Good!"
"Captain Uchiha Ran is Konoha Spark, the nemesis of Hidden Sand's puppeteers. With you handling Chahachiro and his puppeteer unit, I can rest easy!"
"Haha~"
"I agree. I heard Captain Uchiha Ran's swordsmanship carries the style of the White Fang of Konoha. Dealing with those puppeteers should be effortless for him."
A round of good-natured laughter rose through the main camp.
Though he was an Uchiha, he did not have that attitude of acting as though heaven came first and he came second. He was powerful without being arrogant, and he was a reliable comrade on the battlefield.
Besides, capturing over a hundred Hidden Sand ninja with the strength of a single squad was more than enough to prove his ability.
"To ensure nothing goes wrong, Captain Uchiha Ran, in addition to your squad, I will assign you two Chunin squads—twenty experienced Chunin in total. They will be under your command!"
Baiyun Zaojian looked at Uchiha Ran and emphasized,
"Your objective is to annihilate or severely cripple Chahachiro's puppeteer unit and remove their threat to the main battlefield! After completing the mission, decide according to the situation whether to return immediately to reinforce the main battlefield!"
"Understood." Uchiha Ran accepted without the slightest hesitation.
He already knew that Chahachiro was the puppeteer who had released poison that night. He had taken this mission because he intended to settle both old and new grudges at once!
That had been the first time he had truly felt the threat of death. How could he not hate him?
Baiyun Zaojian looked at everyone again, his tone resolute.
"All units, return and prepare immediately. At dawn, the general assault begins! In this battle, victory is our only option!"
"Yes!!!"
The earth-shaking response rang out again, filled with murderous fighting spirit.
Uchiha Ran said nothing more and strode out of the tent.
"Tekka, Inasui, Daotian!"
After returning to his squad's station, Ran briefly explained their mission before emphasizing,
"Make sure all ninja tools are ready for battle. As for the money we earned, take out ten million ryo and exchange it for the highest-quality Explosive Tags and medical supplies—especially antidotes. Get the best and newest ones."
"Buy the Explosive Tags from Cat Granny. If we can't obtain antidotes from the medical camp, buy any surplus from other ninja. Tell them we need them because we're dealing with Hidden Sand's puppeteers, the ones most skilled in using poison."
"Understood!"
The three answered in unison.
"Oh, and remember, be polite. Don't make it seem as though we're doing them a favor. Be generous with the money—anything under one hundred thousand ryo is fine!"
"Don't worry, Captain Ran. This time, we'll protect you. We definitely won't let those rats get an opportunity to poison you."
"Exactly!"
Give me a break. Once we get onto the battlefield, isn't it obvious who'll be protecting whom? My poison resistance is poor, but it's not like yours is any better!
Seeing the excitement gleaming in their eyes, Uchiha Ran could not bring himself to dampen their enthusiasm.
Hunting down puppeteers? That was one of the Uchiha squad's specialties. With both old and new grudges at stake, this was the perfect time to settle everything.
As for those twenty Chunin? In their eyes, they were merely support forces meant to seal off the battlefield and prevent any fish from slipping through the net.
The real hunt still had to be carried out by the Uchiha.
But in the past, their extermination battles had always involved more fighters against fewer enemies, and he had been able to keep an eye on them.
This time, they might be facing positional warfare and a hard assault. If he did not use Susanoo, he really might not be able to protect these three idiots.
It had to be said that perhaps because he had lived two lives, despite being the youngest, he was the most mature person in the entire squad.
As dawn rose, the darkness before daybreak gradually faded.
The mountains in the southern Land of Rivers lay dormant in deathly silence. Only the biting cold wind threaded through the jagged rocks of Broken-Spine Valley, giving off a mournful howl.
Suddenly, a signal flare shot into the sky.
"Bang!"
"Kill—!"
The earth-shaking battle cries tore through the pre-dawn silence like thunder!
Fierce fighting immediately erupted on the high ground on both sides of Broken-Spine Valley as Konoha's two elite feint forces launched their assault without hesitation.
The flashes of Wind Release and Fire Release intertwined along the ridges, firmly drawing Hidden Sand's attention.
The cold gleam of kunai and the blaze of Explosive Tags lit up the valley in an instant, while the roar of clashing ninjutsu echoed through the heavens.
Just as the Hidden Sand ninja hurriedly rushed to support both sides,
the main force personally led by Baiyun Zaojian struck the valley entrance like a massive iron hammer.
Countless ninja wearing Konoha forehead protectors surged forth beneath the faint morning light, charging toward Hidden Sand's central position in Broken-Spine Valley with an overwhelming force.
"Not good! Communications unit, quickly inform Lord Baki! Konoha's main force is at the central valley entrance!"
"These Konoha ninja are really, really sly!"
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