In the Sand Village, the clones are everywhere, and the Arkham game begins

Chapter 375 Attack and Defense
Maki, who is about to turn sixteen, is now stronger than many veteran jonin.

With the help of breathing techniques and Shimizu's guidance on his wind escape and swordsmanship, it is expected that his upper limit in the future will no longer be limited to the level of elite jonin as in the original time and space, and the minimum level will be close to that of Kage, similar to masters like Mitokado En of Konoha Village.

If you are lucky in the future and can master forbidden techniques like the White Secret Book or Flying Thunder God, and if they suit you, you will still have a good chance of making further progress.

Scorpion's upper limit is also unquestionable, and it will only be higher and stronger than the original time and space.

Although he is not yet fourteen years old, a Ginkaku, a Hiryu Ako, and several other puppets are enough to ensure that Scorpion is stronger than a considerable number of elite jonin.

The puppet troops in this current team are led by Scorpion.

These people, plus Galura, who is currently serving as an assistant to Chiyo, are expected to be the senior team when Shimizu takes over as the fourth generation in the future.

In the conference room.

Feng Shang Qianlan, Ye Cang, Sasori, Maki and some senior ninjas who are not currently on missions outside have gathered here.

In the middle of the big round table is a real-life sand table, which ingeniously simulates the topography and landforms of most areas from the eastern part of the Wind Kingdom to the western part of the Fire Kingdom, as well as the conditions of towns and strongholds.

"Is everyone here? Let me first briefly describe the current situation and intelligence."

Qingshui glanced around the conference room and found that everyone except himself and Luo Sha had arrived, so he sat directly in the main seat and spoke.

"First of all, this has been confirmed by the intelligence team before. Konoha already has at least 5,000 troops deployed in Baichuan Castle to build a defense line to protect the border of the Land of Fire. The commander is expected to be Jiraiya or Orochimaru."

"Secondly, you should have just received the news that the vanguard troops led by the jonin Rasa were ambushed by Orochimaru in the area of the East Water River. The number of enemies is estimated to be around 1,500, most of whom are elites above the level of Chunin."

As Qingshui finished speaking, a holographic projection pattern lit up on the sand table below.

This was actually developed by Scorpion himself using the principles of illusion.

After being able to use computers for software modeling, Scorpion felt that using a screen for simulation was not enough, so he combined it with illusion to create something similar to a holographic projection.

However, at present, it is not possible to use infrared for interaction like other holographic projection methods. It is just a simple holographic image similar to VR.

Of course, this also seems intuitive.

"Everyone, please look at the terrain. Baichuan City was built on the high mountains on the border between Sichuan and Huo. The terrain is strategic and easy to defend. There are many rivers and waterfalls in the city, so there is no possibility of being cut off from the water source.

Donghe River is not far from Baichuan City. Even with the foot speed of a low-level ninja, it is enough to reach it within an hour. Although there are no high mountains behind the river, it is a huge swamp forest with complex terrain, dense river network, and a wide range, all the way to the border of the Fire Country.

If we attack Baichuan Castle, Orochimaru will send out to contain or attack us, and we must allocate a considerable portion of our forces for defense. If we decide to deal with Orochimaru first, they can retreat into the forest, use the reconnaissance capabilities of the Hyuga, Aburame, Inuzuka and other ninja clans, and circle around us in the forest to fight guerrilla warfare.

And we still have to leave enough forces to guard against the defense forces in Baichuan City."

Through the holographic projection map and Shimizu's analysis, we can clearly see Konoha's tactics on this line of defense.

The designer of an excellent tactical plan must be a very intelligent and courageous person.

It seems quite risky, and it requires a high level of personnel quality and the ability of the leader of the team stationed outside.

But in fact, as long as Orochimaru is capable enough, this plan is very feasible. It is simple, interconnected, and adapted to local conditions.

Not surprisingly, this plan was most likely planned by Orochimaru himself.

Luo Sha stared at the holographic map, stroking his chin in deep thought, but he couldn't figure it out.

His mind can only think of two plans.

Sneak in and assassinate. If the assassination fails, then attack by force.

Qingshui was in no hurry to speak, but looked at everyone in the field.

Scorpion glanced at the map indifferently and said:

"The main attack direction cannot be Orochimaru. His team can run away at any time. The initiative is in his hands. If we want to fight, we must attack Baichuan City. Regardless of whether Orochimaru is outside, this city is always a bone we have to gnaw on."

Qingshui nodded slightly.

Scorpio has the same opinion as him.

"Scorpion is right. Orochimaru's strategy is an open one. We don't have many options left. Choosing to attack Baichuan City directly is the best option at the moment. At least we can seize the initiative. As long as our strength can form an absolute advantage over Baichuan City, no matter how sophisticated Orochimaru's tactics are, it will only be a waste of time."

Ye Cang interrupted and asked:
"Then who will be responsible for guarding against Orochimaru who may attack from other directions at any time while we are fighting?"

"Let me do it myself. I have the best mobility. No matter which direction Orochimaru attacks from, I can arrive at the first time to stop him. I can't say that I can definitely kill Orochimaru, but at least I should be able to cripple him and severely damage his team's structure."

Qingshui answered.

Hearing this, Scorpion's eyes lit up and he said hurriedly:
"What about the front battlefield? It's time to deploy those new things. With Jiraiya and a large number of Konoha ninjas defending, we won't be able to suppress them with just the previous methods."

"Well, it's time to let the Konoha ninjas try out the fear gas and ice bombs, as well as the semi-automatic puppet line. There hasn't been a large-scale actual combat drill yet, right? There's no need for a drill, just take it out and try it out."

Qingshui smiled slightly and replied.

……

……

The next day, early morning.

The vanguard of the Sand Village team has completed its rest and reorganization, joined the main force, and began to march towards Baichuan City.

The edge of the forest behind the Dongshui River.

Dewdrops drip from the broad green leaves.

A small white phosphorus snake was curiously watching a flying insect coming from a distance, spitting out pink tongue.

The bug landed on a young Aburame ninja wearing a long brown-grey hood and sunglasses.

Then came the second and the third.

"Shihei, what's the situation?"

Orochimaru, wearing a white kimono, emerged from the woods and spoke to the young Aburame ninja.

"Lord Orochimaru, the main forces of the Sand Village have all set out and are expected to arrive at Baichuan City soon."

"The whole army is mobilized? The main camp is also changed directly, and they are going to attack Baichuan City directly?"

"Yes, the parasite did not sense any chakra fluctuations near the old camp of the Sunagakure main force."

Aburame Shiguro replied to Orochimaru.

The latter's thin eyebrows moved, and his brows were slightly locked. "More decisive than I thought. Inform them and prepare to set off. In addition, if you encounter the deserted Shimizu of the Sand Village on the battlefield, you are allowed to directly avoid them."

"Yes, Lord Orochimaru."

Aburame Shiguro had no doubts and walked away.

At the same time, a thin middle-aged ninja came out from the other side and asked Orochimaru:

"Orochimaru, what happened to you last time in the Land of Iron? What made you so afraid of Shimizu from the Sand Village?"

Orochimaru's face darkened.

Could he say that not only did he lose a lot of things in the Land of Iron but failed to snatch the Kusanagi sword, but was also framed by Shimizu and Hanzo, and became the praying mantis that caught the cicada and was almost swallowed by the oriole?
"His strength should not be underestimated. Although he is still very young, in terms of the degree of danger, he poses a greater threat to me than Hanzo. No matter how careful we are, it is worth it."

Orochimaru hesitated for two seconds and replied.

"It's right to be careful, but Lord Orochimaru, I hope you will never forget the instructions of Lord Danzo. As long as you can win a beautiful enough victory in this far-reaching war, Lord Danzo will be able to push you to the position of Hokage."

"It's okay for Danzo, but what qualifications do you have to tell me what to do? Shimura Genichi"

Orochimaru's face turned cold and he stared at the middle-aged ninja with evil eyes. He exuded the kind of cold and deep aura unique to snakes, which made people shudder.

"I'm sorry, Lord Orochimaru!"

Shimura Genichi lowered his head.

"The Sand Village is no longer the Sand Village of ten years ago. It is now a powerful ninja village that is as powerful as Konoha. It will be difficult to defeat them in a short period of time with the forces we have. We may even be defeated if we are not careful. What we need to ensure now is not to win, but to not lose first!
By entangling, testing, restraining and pulling, and making sure that you will not lose, you need to understand all of the opponent's strengths and means, so that you can consider the next move more prudently, rather than confronting them head-on right away.

Don't tell me Danzo didn't even teach you this."

Orochimaru looked at Shimura Genichi who bowed his head to admit his mistake and was too lazy to waste any more words. He snorted coldly and rushed towards the troops that had already assembled.

Baichuan City.

This place is located on the border between the River Kingdom and the Fire Kingdom, and the city is built on the mountain.

As the focus of the Fire Nation's defense in the direction of the Wind Nation, this place is naturally a strong military town.

The buildings inside and outside the city are naturally different from other regular cities. Everything is built with military defense as the core.

There is no shortage of water sources inside the city, and a large amount of food and conventional military supplies are stored. The city walls are tall, and in order to avoid being easily destroyed by the enemy's earth escape, the entire city is made of bricks and stones that have been specially treated and have a rough chakra reaction.

But the wall is not the key.

For ninjas, city walls are just a minor inconvenience.

The key is that there are multiple nodes on the city wall. As long as there are several sealing teams, they can rotate with each other and open the sealing barrier for a long time.

One of the most important functions of this city is to support this barrier.

"It's really hard to fight. If we don't have an absolute advantage in strength, we can really hold off most of the regular ninja army for a long time."

Looking at the big city that almost merged with the mountains in the distance, Qingshui waved his hand slightly and gave the order to launch an attack.

In the distance, on top of the city wall.

Jiraiya supported the raised part of the city wall with both hands, and stared at a small dot that appeared on the plain in the distance.

That was the army of the Sand Village ninja. Even if there were thousands of them, they were just a small outline when viewed from a high place and far away.

The two sides were far apart and not within the contact range of conventional combat.

"The barrier has been raised, Master Jiraiya, what should we do next?"

"Let's keep our troops in place for now. I don't know why the Sand Village is still so far away from us, but no matter what conspiracy they have, we just need to hold our ground and cooperate with Orochimaru's harassment to contain them."

Jiraiya was a little doubtful, then said firmly.

The two sides are now several miles apart.

This attack distance is beyond the attack range of most ninjas, and even the joint ninjutsu performed by an entire ninja coalition would find it difficult to reach it.

What is the intention of the Sand Village troops staying so far away?
Could it be that they sent out the Jinchūriki and used the Tailed Beast Ball to bombard the barrier from a distance?
However, the next second, missiles with tail flames flew out from the Sand Hidden Army, drew a curved arc in the air, and fell on the protective barrier.

There were ripples on the surface of the translucent barrier, but it didn't seem to be affected much for the time being.

Jiraiya's expression, however, seemed somewhat solemn.

Good news, the enemy did not send out the Jinchūriki.

The bad news is that before the Jinchūriki are dispatched, it seems that there is a way to consume the energy without any preparation, or even break the protective barrier of the city.

If these rockets can continue to bombard, the barrier will be broken sooner or later.

"There is no trace of chakra. Is it a cannonball made of gunpowder? The power and range are so far. This is the so-called new puppetry technique of the Sand Village."

Jiraiya calmed down slightly.

Since the Sand Village ninjas are using these shells to attack the city at this time, it means that they probably have a large reserve of shells, and it is believed that they can use them directly to break the barrier.

Historically, Konoha and the Sand Village have fought here more than once. The Sand Village must be well aware of the defensive power of this barrier.

"How long can the barrier last?"

Jiraiya asked a ninja from the Sealing Squad who was maintaining the barrier beside him.

"The enemy's attack frequency is very high. The people in the sealing team can be rotated, but the damaged seals are expected to be repaired every two hours. However, while the seals are being repaired, the barrier cannot be maintained."

"Two hours? I'm afraid they can't hold out that long. This is just the first move of Sunagakure."

Jiraiya sighed slightly.

Now there was a choice before him.

That is whether to cooperate with Orochimaru, work together from inside and outside, try to destroy the blades used by the Sand Village to launch shells, and shorten the combat distance between the two sides.

There was no other way. The opponent's attack range was too far, and just based on this fact alone, Jiraiya and his men were forced to give up the advantage of defending the city.

If we don't do this, we can only wait until the barrier is broken.

(End of this chapter)