Uchiha Shin had already explained the strategy clearly—even Jiraiya fully grasped how to execute it.
—
Thus, the plan was set in motion.
Tsunade led the Senju forces to block the east gate, preventing any attack toward Konoha.
Jiraiya led the Uchiha forces to guard the south gate, cutting off any chance of alliance with Sunagakure.
Orochimaru led elite forces from various clans to hold the north gate, preventing flanking maneuvers.
—
The three forces openly stationed themselves—
Within enemy sight,
But outside shuriken range.
—
Any supply convoy heading toward Amegakure—
Was intercepted by elite jonin squads.
Without exception—
Every single one was destroyed.
—
Hanzo of the Salamander quickly realized something was wrong.
So he personally led troops out of the city—
Charging straight toward Tsunade.
—
The moment the gates opened—
Tsunade immediately ordered:
"All units, retreat!"
At the same time—
A green signal flare shot into the sky.
—
The Senju forces withdrew in perfect order.
The Rain ninja pursued relentlessly—
But as they entered a dense forest—
They fell straight into traps.
Explosive tags.
Earthen spikes.
Ambush after ambush.
—
Screams echoed through the forest.
Even Hanzo couldn't help but twitch.
"Damn Konoha rats…"
"If I catch you, I'll skin you alive!"
His blood-red eyes locked onto Tsunade in the distance.
—
But Tsunade didn't advance even a single step.
—
As Uchiha Shin had said—
This was guerrilla warfare:
When the enemy advances, we retreat.
When the enemy camps, we harass.
When the enemy tires, we strike.
When the enemy retreats, we pursue.
—
Direct confrontation?
Not even a consideration.
—
Hanzo watched his forces fall one by one.
Rage overtook him.
He surged chakra through his body—
Boosting his speed to the limit.
He wanted to tear Tsunade apart!
—
But at that exact moment—
From the south and north gates—
Jiraiya and Orochimaru launched their assault.
Battle cries erupted.
—
Then—
A signal arrow shot into the sky.
Whoosh!
A sharp, piercing sound echoed.
—
Hanzo froze.
He turned toward Amegakure.
His heart sank.
Damn it…
This is a feint.
Their real target is my base!
—
If he continued chasing Tsunade—
Even if he killed her—
If Amegakure fell—
The war would already be lost.
—
Hanzo gritted his teeth.
"Men!"
"We'll settle this next time!"
"Retreat to the city!"
"YES!"
—
The Rain ninja were filled with frustration.
First, their supplies were cut.
Then the enemy refused direct battle.
Now traps and ambushes everywhere.
Is this how great nations fight?
—
If Uchiha Shin heard that—
He'd probably laugh.
A bunch of fools with no strategy…
Time for you to learn real warfare.
—
Seeing Hanzo retreat—
Tsunade immediately launched a red signal flare.
—
Jiraiya and Orochimaru saw it—
And instantly withdrew their forces—
Returning to their original positions.
—
When Hanzo finally returned—
What greeted him—
Was devastation.
—
The city walls bore the marks of explosive bombardment.
The gates were barely holding together.
On the walls—
Corpses.
All Rain ninja defenders.
—
Even Hanzo—
The so-called "Demigod"—
Could do nothing in the face of this.
—
Meanwhile—
At the command center—
Uchiha Shin sat calmly.
—
Before him—
A sand-table map.
Three flags:
Tsunade.
Orochimaru.
Jiraiya.
—
Based on reconnaissance—
He adjusted positions.
Analyzed movements.
Controlled the battlefield.
—
Strategizing from afar—winning from thousands of miles away.
—
Outside the command center—
Uchiha Qing and several Uchiha stood guard.
They insisted on protecting Uchiha Shin personally.
Even Tsunade had no choice but to agree.
—
Now—
Aside from Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru—
No one was allowed inside.
Not even the Hokage.
—
Another scout returned.
Uchiha Qing personally escorted him inside.
—
Uchiha Shin sat in his chair—
Eyes closed.
He spoke calmly:
"Hanzo retreated, didn't he?"
"He returned to the city. No further movement."
—
The scout immediately dropped to one knee.
"Incredible, Commander!"
"Just as you predicted!"
"Our casualties are fewer than two hundred—"
"While the enemy has suffered at least eight hundred deaths!"
—
His eyes shone with admiration.
A 1:4 casualty ratio.
What kind of strategy was this?!
—
To witness it firsthand—
To be part of it—
Was an honor beyond words.
—
Uchiha Qing opened his mouth—
But no words came out.
—
This wasn't just impressive—
It was unprecedented.
Even during the Warring States era—
A 1:2 ratio was considered exceptional.
Now—
It had doubled.
—
Watching Uchiha Shin this entire time—
Qing's heart was in turmoil.
His gaze filled with respect.
—
And anger.
—
Those idiots…
They dared bully someone like him?
Were they even worthy?
—
Combat talent aside—
His strategic mind alone—
Was beyond anything those fools could comprehend.
—
This was simply…
Simply—
—
"Qing? Qing? Uchiha Qing?"
"Are you even listening?"
Uchiha Shin waved his hand, frowning slightly.
—
Qing snapped back to reality.
Immediately kneeling on one knee.
"Apologies, Commander!"
"I lost focus—please punish me!"
—
Uchiha Shin waved it off.
"It's fine. Don't be so tense."
"It's nothing major, just…"
—
He leaned closer—
And whispered something into Qing's ear.
—
Qing's mouth twitched.
"Th-That's… not appropriate, is it?"
—
Uchiha Shin rolled his eyes.
"What do you know?"
"In war—"
"The highest strategy is to break the enemy's plans."
"Next is diplomacy."
"Worst is attacking cities."
"If we can win without losing a single soldier—"
"Isn't that better?"
—
"Go already."
"Don't delay military matters."
—
Uchiha Shin glared at him—
Then leaned back, legs crossed—
Humming casually.
—
Qing took a deep breath.
Then bowed.
"Understood."
—
And departed toward the front lines—
Tsunade's position.
—
At that moment—
Tsunade was still observing Amegakure from afar—
When a subordinate reported:
"Tsunade-sama, Uchiha Qing requests an audience!"
—
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
"Uchiha Qing?"
Then relaxed slightly.
Uchiha Shin must have sent him.
"Bring him in."