Shikaku Nara actually strongly disagreed with the battle plan Shihōin Naraku had devised!
His idea was to fight normally at first, hold the Cloud Ninja in the Land of Hot Water, then gather most of their forces to defeat them.
There was nothing wrong with that approach. With Konoha's strength, they could indeed achieve that result.
The problem, however, was that this would drag things out far too long.
Shihōin Naraku did not want to spend all his time on this small-scale war. There was no point, nor any need.
That was why Shihōin Naraku had devised their current strategy: use himself as a target to lure the Cloud Ninja into launching a raid, crush their raiding force, then have the bulk of his forces sweep through and finish off the Cloud Ninja completely.
He himself had wanted to do this. Otherwise, who would have dared use their own supreme commander as bait?
As Shikaku Nara led the main force toward Konoha's headquarters, preparations had quietly begun at the positions occupied by the Konoha Ninja in the Land of Hot Water.
The Hyuga Clan Ninja activated their Byakugan and kept a close watch on the Cloud Ninja's movements.
The Aburame Clan Ninja released large numbers of insects to gather intelligence without a sound.
The other Ninja made the most of their time, setting up various defensive measures, including poisons, Explosive Tags, and traps.
The Cloud Ninja had already secretly massed a large force, waiting to launch an all-out offensive once the raiding force successfully attacked Konoha's headquarters and field hospital.
So although the Konoha Ninja appeared to have the numerical advantage now, once fighting resumed, the Cloud Ninja would have the greater numbers instead.
With the attack on their rear also shaking their morale, the Konoha Ninja would struggle to