"Next, we'll pretend we can't hold against their full eight thousand troops and retreat!"
The strategy Rengoku pointed out was to lure the people of Sunagakure to advance a bit deeper toward the Land of Fire. This was the most appropriate approach.
You have to know that almost the entire Land of Wind is nothing but vast, endless desert. For the Kazekage, this is a place where they possess an enormous home-field advantage in battle.
If Konoha were to rashly push deep into that territory, they would face many unpredictable dangers.
After all, just the natural environment there alone is hard enough for people to endure.
"So we're still acting according to the original plan?", Tsunade actually already knew very well what Rengoku was planning.
It was just that at this moment, she still needed to confirm it once more.
To see whether there was any need for additional reinforcements or support.
"That's right. The plan stays the same. We're just acting as bait, but that doesn't mean we have to go die."
"Alright then. Since that's the case, everyone get a good rest tonight. We'll start retreating early tomorrow morning," Tsunade agreed and said so.
After all, one thousand not being able to beat eight thousand is normal. Sunagakure would definitely give chase.
"Dan, this battlefield still isn't your turn to step in yet," Rengoku turned his head and looked at Dan beside him, continuing, "When we successfully draw all of Sunagakure over and make them get slaughtered until they flee in all directions."
"That will be the perfect moment for you and Yakumo to make your entrance using the Spirit Transformation Technique."
"At that time, you just need to place your physical body beside Tsunade. That will definitely be an absolutely safe spot."
Rengoku also joked with Dan as he said this.
Back then, Kato Dan died because his body was destroyed while he was using spirit transformation.
If Tsunade was by his side, even if Tsunade died, there would be no way the enemy could touch a single hair on Dan's body.
Tsunade shot Rengoku an annoyed glare.
Only Rengoku, the Fifth Hokage, would dare to joke about her like this.
But what Rengoku said was indeed true.
She turned to look at Kato Dan beside her, her eyes full of tenderness and affection.
Dan also met the gaze of this lover he had been reunited with after a long separation. The looks they exchanged were enough to spin silk in the air.
After thinking it over in his heart, Dan made a decision.
He suddenly spoke up and said, "Rengoku, after this ninja world war ends…"
However, right at this moment, Rengoku seemed as if he had been greatly startled and hurriedly shouted, "Stop!"
This sudden shout startled everyone present.
Especially Kato Dan and Tsunade, who were closest, both of them shuddered in shock.
Dan looked at Rengoku with a confused expression and asked, "What's wrong, Rengoku? I wasn't even finished yet."
Tsunade also chimed in, "Yeah, why are you making such a fuss all of a sudden?"
Rengoku helplessly rolled his eyes and said to the two of them in an annoyed tone, "Don't you know that saying your post-war plans in advance on the battlefield is the prelude to raising a flag?"
"This kind of thing often brings bad results! So no matter what earth-shaking things you want to do after this battle is over, absolutely do not say it out loud right now."
Hearing Rengoku's words, Tsunade and Kato Dan looked at each other, their faces full of confusion.
Obviously, they did not understand what the so-called 'raise a flag and you're doomed rule' meant.
But since Rengoku was speaking now in his capacity as Hokage, whatever he said naturally went.
So Kato Dan nodded, indicating that he understood and would no longer insist on saying it at this time.
And although Tsunade still had some doubts in her heart, seeing that Dan had already agreed, it was hard for her to say anything more.
Seeing that the two of them were so obedient, Rengoku nodded in satisfaction. Then he quickly changed the subject and turned to ask Hatake Sakumo beside him, "White Fang, in your opinion, how is Sunagakure different now compared to before?"
Hatake Sakumo slightly shook his head and replied calmly, "Sunagakure's poison tricks don't have anything new. They were already thoroughly studied by Tsunade and successfully neutralized."
"As for the puppet techniques they use, it's just the same few common types back and forth. There's no innovation at all."
"Does Sunagakure no longer have any new puppet designers?"
Rengoku chuckled dryly, "Right. Their puppets are just these few types, and they'll only ever be these few types in the future."
Actually, Sunagakure wasn't lacking puppet designers. But this thing really depends on talent.
The current puppet designers, facing the towering peak established by Sasori of the Red Sand, were always unable to cross it.
As time passed, they gradually gave up on innovation and breakthroughs, and instead frequently used those few classic puppet models.
This phenomenon could also be clearly seen in Kankuro, the second son of Rasa.
Kankuro seemed to spend his entire life picking through scraps, that is, using those few puppets made by Sasori, never finding a better replacement.
Even as the son of the Fourth Kazekage, he was unable to obtain a truly satisfying puppet. The other Sunagakure ninja were even more so.
Innovation requires sufficient financial support, and present-day Sunagakure was so poor it was practically penniless.
Under such circumstances, Sunagakure's development in the field of puppet techniques naturally came to a standstill.
"We should properly control our marching speed and lure the Iwagakure forces to pursue the unit led by Fugaku."
"And make sure that their engagement times with Sunagakure over here and with us are staggered."
"That way, it will indeed be quite convenient for our side, and it will also help me provide timely support."
It turned out that in the other unit, Rengoku had also left behind a clone.
In the past, this clone had to store sufficient energy in advance before carrying out missions.
But now, Rengoku had already mastered a dojutsu that could transmit energy to his clone in real time.
Therefore, as long as the timing of the two battles was cleverly staggered, that clone would be almost equivalent to him personally being present on the battlefield.
White Fang had long been aware of the unique abilities of Rengoku's clone, and after hearing this plan, he expressed strong approval.
"In that case, our people just need to conserve their strength and wait at ease."
Rengoku added, "The reconnaissance unit can rest as usual every day now, and I'll take full responsibility for defense."
At this stage, the Hyuga clan's reconnaissance-type ninja were undoubtedly the most overworked group.
They needed to take turns using the Byakugan day and night to monitor the surroundings, without a moment of rest.
But Rengoku's clone could also use the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, so they could take a break.
Moreover, while the clone was on alert, it could also absorb natural energy and mix senjutsu chakra.
So he could take on a large amount of the reconnaissance work.
Just treat the clone like a workhorse.
After resting for a night, Rengoku's unit began retreating toward Konoha.
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