Chapter 484 - War Strategy!!!

Chapter 484: 484 - War Strategy!!!

AN : There are limited time discounts running on my Patreon page. Check it out and enjoy the story further!! - CODE - 0B64A!!

There is also an Early bird offer for first 5 buyers of the whole story!!!

--------------------------------

8:30 AM.

The Jonin meeting was still half an hour away, yet the conference room in the Hokage Building was already crowded.

Every Jonin of Konoha had gathered.

Mixed in among them were a few exceptions—ninjas who weren’t jonin: Sasuke, Naruto, and the others.

They had been specially allowed to attend this meeting.

After all, this Ninja World War would involve them directly.

"Are we going to the battlefield?"

Ino glanced around as she spoke, sensing the heavy tension that filled the room.

"Why do you say that?"

Naruto scratched his head and asked in confusion.

"Kitazawa-sensei isn’t going to return the Tailed Beasts to the other villages."

Sasuke shot him a sidelong look as he spoke.

The matter of the Hokage Guard hadn’t been publicly announced yet.

Others might not know, but as the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and a member of the Hokage Guard, Sasuke understood very well that the Tailed Beasts couldn’t be handed back—

Not unless they cut open their stomachs and pulled the beasts out.

And Kitazawa would never do something like that.

"There’s no need to return them anyway!"

Kiba snorted. "Even if it’s one against four, our Konoha can still win!"

He did regret not becoming a Jinchuriki himself, but as far as he was concerned, the Tailed Beasts now belonged to Konoha.

"Kitazawa-sensei called all of us to this Jonin meeting. He’s definitely planning to send us to the battlefield."

Shikamaru sighed, hands laced behind his head. "What a drag."

"I’ve never been on a battlefield before."

Yakumo murmured softly.

"You don’t need to worry too much."

Kabuto reassured them. "For us, the battlefield isn’t much different from usual—it’s just doing missions."

"Really? It’s the same?"

Tenten sounded doubtful.

"Given your strength and status, for you, it really is more or less the same."

Kabuto replied with a small smile.

The biggest difference between wartime and peacetime was the unpredictability.

It was normal for one mission on the battlefield to suddenly involve several others.

But in the end, strength decided everything.

Kabuto knew these juniors’ power very well.

For them, the battlefield wasn’t especially dangerous.

"I hope I can do missions with Sasuke-kun then!" Sakura said, eyes full of anticipation.

"That might actually happen." Ino laughed. "Joint missions are standard on the battlefield. Usually several, or even more, ninja squads have to cooperate."

"This war is a good opportunity for all of you."

Kabuto reminded them. "On the battlefield, you can polish your strength—and build your reputation."

"Reputation, huh!"

Kiba instantly perked up. "I want a cool title like Naruto’s!"

"What kind of title could you even have?" Tayuya mocked. "Konoha’s Mad Dog?"

"Konoha’s Mad Dog doesn’t sound bad at all!"

Kiba froze for a second, then turned to his partner. "What do you think, Akamaru?"

"Woof, woof, woof!"

Akamaru barked happily in response.

"Titles aren’t something you give yourself."

Neji shook his head. "They’re given to you by your enemies."

"Then I really have to show what I can do in this war!"

Kiba declared, brimming with confidence.

Kimimaro and the others stayed silent, but the same thought flickered through their minds.

A title really was something to be proud of.

In the Ninja World, calling yourself a top-tier ninja without one was almost embarrassing.

9:00 AM.

The door swung open.

Kitazawa walked in.

His gaze swept across the room.

The retired Hiruzen and Tsunade were absent.

Orochimaru was also missing—he was currently absorbed in his experiments.

Jiraiya had been dispatched to the Hidden Rain Village. Between that mission and his ongoing search for his so‑called Child of Prophecy, he naturally hadn’t taken part in this Jonin meeting.

"Hokage-sama."

Everyone rose to their feet and spoke in unison.

"Please, sit," Kitazawa said with a nod.

"Hokage-sama," Shikaku began, his tone grave. "According to the latest intelligence, the vanguard forces from the four great ninja villages have already moved out. Their combined numbers exceed ten thousand ninjas."

Murmurs rippled through the room as several people’s expressions tightened in shock.

A vanguard force of ten thousand was astonishing.

Under normal circumstances, a vanguard would consist of only one or two thousand ninja.

Ten thousand were already on the level of a main force.

During the Third Shinobi World War, Iwagakure had once mobilized ten thousand ninja just to surround and kill the Third Raikage of Kumogakure.

"From the current situation," Shikaku continued, "it appears they intend to attack us simultaneously from the east, south, west, and north."

He unfurled a map on the table. Four straight lines were drawn across it, clearly linking the Five Great Ninja Villages.

"That’s not surprising," Kitazawa said with a light chuckle. "They have the advantage in numbers. Using an encirclement strategy is the safest choice for them."

"Numbers alone won’t decide anything!"

Fugaku suddenly spoke, his voice firm. "What truly determines the outcome of a battlefield are the top-tier powerhouses on both sides."

"Exactly!" Hyuga quickly added. "With Hokage-sama here, it’s impossible for us to lose."

Shikaku and the others exchanged subtle looks.

Since when did those two start flattering people?

Thinking back, there had been hints before—it just wasn’t as blatant as today.

"Shikaku, how many ninja can Konoha mobilize for this war?" Kitazawa asked, clearing his throat.

Fugaku and Hiashi met each other’s eyes, then fell silent.

"Approximately twenty thousand ninjas," Shikaku replied.

"Good. Then divide them into four units of five thousand each," Kitazawa ordered.

In the original Fourth Great Ninja War, the Allied Shinobi Forces had totaled eighty-seven thousand.

Those eighty-seven thousand included the Five Great Villages and the samurai of the Land of Iron.

The samurai could be disregarded.

In other words, each of the Five Great Villages had contributed around seventeen to eighteen thousand ninja.

For Konoha to field twenty thousand now was actually quite reasonable.

At Kitazawa’s words, Fugaku and the others felt their hearts tighten.

For these four ninja units, the most critical factor would, without question, be their commanders.

At the same time, which enemy village each unit faced would greatly affect the battle.

If the opponent was Kumogakure or Iwagakure, the fighting would be fierce.

But from another angle, winning against such enemies would bring tremendous prestige and merit.

"The First Unit will be commanded by Fugaku. You’ll be responsible for holding off Kumogakure," Kitazawa said calmly. "Team Seven will accompany you."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Fugaku rose to his feet at once, excitement in his voice.

He had lived through two Ninja World Wars, but this was the first time an Uchiha would serve as a unit commander.

And with Team Seven at his side, he would not lack high-end combat power.

In terms of strength, Sasuke, Naruto, and Hinata could already be considered Kage-level.

Even against the powerhouse that was Kumogakure, they would have more than enough of an edge.

Hiashi Hyuga’s hand clenched unconsciously.

Since Fugaku Uchiha had been named commander... what about him?

Hinata was also Kitazawa’s student; surely he wouldn’t favor one disciple over another and neglect the Hyuga Clan.

"The Second Ninja Unit will be commanded by Hiashi Hyuga, defending against Iwagakure."

Kitazawa continued, "Teams Five and Six will accompany them."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Hiashi let out a small sigh of relief before quickly responding.

When it came to the Uchiha and Hyuga clans, Kitazawa truly did treat them the same.

Team Five was Might Guy’s squad, made up of Rock Lee, Hotaru, and Haku.

Team Six was Yamato’s squad, consisting of Neji Hyuga, Tenten, and Shion.

Although these two squads couldn’t quite compare to Team Seven, their strength was still top-class.

Especially Might Guy with his Eight Gates, Neji with his Tenseigan, and Yamato with his Wood Release.

"The Third Ninja Unit will be commanded by Shikaku Nara, defending against the Hidden Mist Village."

After thinking for a moment, Kitazawa added, "Teams Three and Four will accompany them."

"Yes, Hokage-sama!"

Shikaku froze for a heartbeat before standing up to accept the order.

Members of the Nara Clan, thanks to their high intelligence, usually served as strategists behind the scenes.

Being appointed as a frontline commander was almost unheard of.

But once the initial shock faded, a quiet excitement welled up.

This was undoubtedly a huge chance for the Ino–Shika–Chō trio of clans to rise!

Moreover, Kitazawa had attached Teams Three and Four to his command.

Team Three was Asuma Sarutobi’s squad.

Shikaku knew very well that Ino was now the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.

Team Four was Anko Mitarashi’s squad.

Not only was Kimimaro the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, but Anko was also the head of the Cursed Seal Squad.

This meant the entire Cursed Seal Squad would be joining the Third Ninja Unit.

"The Fourth Ninja Unit will be commanded by Kabuto Yakushi, defending against the Hidden Sand Village."

Kitazawa went on, "Teams One and Two will accompany them."

No one had raised any objections to the commanders of the first three ninja units.

After all, Fugaku Uchiha, Hiashi Hyuga, and Shikaku Nara were all part of Konoha’s high command, each possessing great strength and backed by major clans.

However, the appointment of Kabuto Yakushi to lead the Fourth Ninja Unit immediately stirred some murmurs.

The issue lay in Kabuto’s lack of notable reputation.

Everyone knew he was Kitazawa’s student, but he kept such a low profile and had so few public achievements that, in their minds, he was nothing more than a reliable medical ninja.

In reality, the current Kabuto could be considered one of Konoha’s top-tier powerhouses.

With Sage Mode on top of being the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, he alone could carve a bloody path through the Hidden Sand Village seven times over.

And that was without considering the support of Teams One and Two.

Team One was Kurenai’s squad, composed of Yakumo and the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Karin.

Team Two was Kakashi’s squad, with Kakashi himself serving as the Three-Tails Jinchuriki.

On top of all that, Kabuto was also the head of the Summoning Beasts Unit.

"That’s settled then."

Offering no further explanation, Kitazawa said simply, "You may depart once you are prepared."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Fugaku, Hiashi, Shikaku, and Kabuto answered in unison.

Although their troop numbers were inferior, their confidence did not waver.

In terms of high-level combat power, they held the advantage.

Taking everything into account, the forces were roughly evenly matched.

Whether they could seize victory would depend on their command.

"There is also a special ninja unit dedicated to intelligence."

Kitazawa clapped his hands. "White Zetsu."

A White Zetsu dressed in Anbu attire stepped forward.

"It will assign personnel to shadow you and supply intelligence," Kitazawa explained.

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Fugaku and the others nodded.

Konoha had always relied on the Anbu for information.

Even though they knew nothing about White Zetsu, they chose to trust it.

"Any other questions?"

Kitazawa paused, then continued, "If not, everyone except the four unit commanders may go and make your preparations."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Chairs scraped back as the jōnin rose. They filed out in an orderly line until only Fugaku and the other three commanders remained in the room with White Zetsu.

"Each of our ninja units currently numbers only five thousand," Kitazawa said, turning his gaze on the four of them. "As a precaution, I’ve prepared an additional five thousand shinobi for each of you."

"...?"

Fugaku and the others exchanged baffled looks.

What was that supposed to mean?

Had he somehow been hiding another twenty thousand shinobi?

That was impossible.

They knew Konoha’s capabilities intimately; being able to field twenty thousand ninja was already pushing the limit.

Forty thousand was the kind of number you only dreamed about.

Reinforcements from Kumogakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure, or Sunagakure?

That didn’t sound realistic either.

And aside from the Five Great Villages, there was no way any other village could produce twenty thousand ninja.

"These five thousand shinobi are... a bit special. Their individual strength is average—about Genin to Chūnin level," Kitazawa said with a small smile. "But they excel at the transformation technique and stealth, which makes them very effective at creating chaos."

He was, of course, referring to White Zetsu.

In the original timeline, White Zetsu had used the Spore Technique to produce one hundred thousand clones. To be safe, Kitazawa had White Zetsu prepare twenty thousand for the four units, to be used at critical moments.

"Being skilled in transformation and stealth is more than enough," Fugaku said immediately.

"Indeed," Hiashi agreed. "This will greatly reduce the pressure on us."

Shikaku and Kabuto both nodded in approval.

"Good. White Zetsu will fill you in on the specifics," Kitazawa said, rising to his feet. "I wish you a swift, decisive victory."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," Fugaku and the others replied quickly.

"I’ll be accompanying the First Division for a while," Kitazawa added after a moment’s thought. "But I won’t be staying long."

With the Flying Thunder God Technique, he could appear and disappear at will.

The real reason he was going was because Team Seven would be there as well. As their team leader, it was only right for him to show his face.

Fugaku blinked, then couldn’t help the surge of delight that followed.

With Kitazawa present, the First Division’s victory over Kumogakure was practically guaranteed.

After the jōnin meeting concluded, Kitazawa returned to the Hokage’s office.

He had already decided to enter the war himself, but mobilizing twenty thousand ninjas would take time. The earliest they could depart was tomorrow.

Pushing open the door, he found Tsunade inside.

She had taken off her sandals and was perched on the Hokage’s desk, long, shapely legs swinging lazily back and forth.

"Tsunade-sensei, didn’t you go to the casino?" Kitazawa walked over, a faint smile on his face.

"I was going to," Tsunade replied with a sideways glance, "but I couldn’t stop worrying, so I came over to check on you instead."

"Then why didn’t you come to the jōnin meeting?" Kitazawa countered.

"Too much of a hassle," Tsunade said, shaking her head. "Besides, I’ve already retired."

"Since you’ve retired, you don’t need to worry about these things."

Kitazawa chuckled lightly, then added, "But if you really want to help, there is one thing."

"What is it?" Tsunade asked, genuinely curious.

"Help me relieve some stress."

As he spoke, Kitazawa reached out and placed his hand on her thigh.

"Even in a situation like this, you’re still thinking of taking advantage of me?"

Tsunade was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood what he meant.

"How could I?" Kitazawa replied with feigned seriousness. "As Hokage, facing a siege from four ninja villages, the pressure really is enormous."

"You bastard!"

Tsunade’s leg shot out in a sharp kick.

Kitazawa instinctively blocked, but the force still sent him sprawling back onto the sofa.

Tsunade strode over, still fuming. She sat down heavily on his lap, then grabbed his head and shoved it into her chest.

Kitazawa suddenly felt a pressure like never before. His entire face was buried; he could only suck in air through the tiny gaps.

His arms moved of their own accord, wrapping around Tsunade’s restless, shifting body.

"When... when are you leaving?" Tsunade asked after a brief pause.

"Probably tomorrow," Kitazawa answered after thinking for a moment.

"Do you need me to go with you?" Tsunade exhaled softly as she spoke.

"No need."

Kitazawa instinctively opened his eyes, but all he could see was an uneven expanse of white.

Still, he enjoyed holding Tsunade like this.

After all, he was experiencing her greatest assets up close.

"Besides, I won’t be staying on the battlefield the entire time," Kitazawa added.

"That’s true," Tsunade said, shifting her position slightly. "You have the Flying Thunder God."

"That’s only one of the reasons."

Kitazawa raised his hand and gave her peach-like buttocks a firm slap.

Her supple flesh trembled in response.

"What’s the other reason?" Tsunade asked, pressing her thighs together in mild displeasure.

"Because this war won’t last very long," Kitazawa said after a brief pause.

"You’re that confident?"

Tsunade’s ten fingers dug into his back, as if she wanted to rub him straight into her heart.

"Of course." Kitazawa kneaded her buttocks lightly. "Shouldn’t I be confident?"

"Fair enough."

Thinking of his strength, Tsunade muttered, "I guess my worry was a bit redundant."

"How could it be redundant?" Kitazawa started to protest.

"Childish behavior," Tsunade said in dissatisfaction.

But Kitazawa could no longer speak.

Tsunade instinctively tightened her embrace; at that moment, their hearts were incredibly close.

By the time afternoon rolled around, the mood had shifted.

Tsunade, who had come burdened with worry, left with her heart at ease.

After she departed, Kitazawa stayed seated on the sofa.

Footsteps echoed in the room.

A pair of long legs wrapped in black stockings appeared at the edge of his vision.

Kitazawa looked up and saw Konan.

Konan crouched down, glanced at him, then lowered her gaze.

"Good girl," Kitazawa said, raising a hand to gently stroke her head.

Once again, he was reminded of Konan’s cold-on-the-outside, warm-on-the-inside nature.

That icy demeanor was only the result of being a victim of this chaotic era.

But it didn’t matter. This chaos would soon come to an end.

"You’re coming to the battlefield with me tomorrow," Kitazawa said, looking at Konan, whose cheeks puffed out slightly.

Konan’s throat moved as she let out a small, unintelligible sound in reply.

Kitazawa couldn’t help but smile.

He stretched, feeling his joints loosen, and sighed inwardly. This kind of life really wasn’t bad.

------------------

AN: Check out my P@treon For the FULL STORY!!!

Thank You For your Support!!

[email protected]/noviceauthor777