Choji Akimichi stood atop the rise, frowning as he looked down at the streets covered in defensive fortifications.
Confusion and anger filled his face. His voice was low, but he could not suppress his fury.
"What's going on... were these guys planning to launch a surprise attack on us?"
He had initially felt reluctant and uncertain about their mission to attack Kumogakure first.
But now, the truth lay bare before him-Kumogakure had already been secretly planning an offensive. Konoha had merely exposed the plot before they could act.
"So that's how it is... these people never intended to coexist peacefully."
Choji gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.
"The best defense is offense."
His voice was low, burning with resolute anger. Rather than wait to be attacked, they should strike first and turn defense into offense.
Shikamaru Nara crouched behind the rubble at the street entrance, lifting his head to study the newly erected stone walls in the distance.
The walls were tall and thick, radiating steady fluctuations of earth-style chakra. Positioned irregularly across streets and alley entrances, they formed concealed defensive lines.
"They've put up fortifications."
His tone was calm, but his eyes held a rare gravity.
The Cloud ninja... had begun adapting to the offensive, drawing the battle back into familiar territory.
Shikamaru's mind raced. Within seconds, he had deduced the enemy's intentions from the walls' layout.
"It's a lure... they plan to hide behind the stone walls and focus on close combat."
His cool gaze swept over several shadows near the street entrance. The spaces behind those walls were not blind spots but traps, ready to unleash squads of elite taijutsu specialists at any moment.
"They want to draw us closer, then ambush us with taijutsu and swordsmanship."
"Kumogakure excels at aggressive lightning release attacks, taijutsu, and