The Hyuga ninja spun around.
His Byakugan flashed with a cold glimmer in the heavy darkness.
"Southeastern coast. A joint Kirigakure and Kumogakure force, approximately forty strong. They'll land in five minutes!"
Uzumaki Ashina's finger froze on the nautical chart spread across the table.
The southeastern coast was the weakest point in the Uzushio Village Defense System.
Reefs crowded the waters, and the tidal flats were narrow, leaving no room for a large force to deploy.
For that very reason, the troops stationed there numbered only a third of those on the other defensive lines.
The enemy had pinpointed this spot. Clearly, they had obtained inside information beforehand.
"Forty men. A joint deployment from two ninja villages."
Tsunade sprang to her feet, her gaze sharp.
"This isn't a probe. It's their main advance force."
"The terrain looks hard to defend, but it's actually a natural ambush site. The reefs will split their formation, and the narrow tidal flats will restrict their landing routes."
"Once ashore, they'll have only three fixed routes into the village. We'll trap every route beforehand and wait for them to walk straight in."
"We'll set our ambush here."
Tsunade pointed to a location marked Abandoned Salt Fields on the chart.
Roughly three hundred paces from the shoreline, the site offered slightly elevated ground and an open view-an ideal ambush position.
"Jiraiya, take a squad and hide in the abandoned warehouses on the left side of the salt fields. I'll lead the squad holding the right."
"Orochimaru hasn't arrived yet. We won't wait. He'll find his own opening to join the fight when he gets here."
"All Uzumaki Clan sealing specialists will remain behind. Reinforce the rear barrier and make sure the enemy can't circle around and attack the village."
Tsunade then turned to the Inuzuka Clan