Naruto: The Ninja World's Life Buyer

Chapter 244 Positional Tactics, Heavy Investment in Market Flooding

Shikaku quickly assumed the role of strategist.

"This is the biggest crisis the village has faced since its founding."

Shikaku pointed his finger to the northwest direction on the map.

"The first route, the Land of Earth, Iwagakure. Onoki personally oversees the rear, while Huangtu leads a large army of several thousand Iwagakure ninja, pressing in from the border of the Land of Grass."

"Iwagakure has the largest number of members. They excel at combined Earth Release techniques, creating defensive positions that alter the terrain. Conventional ninjutsu has a hard time penetrating them."

Tsunade frowned.

"A combination of sheer numbers and a defensive, turtle-shell-like style of attack is the toughest nut to crack."

"Therefore, we cannot fight a positional war with them."

Sousuke looked at Shikaku.

"Send Lord Sakumo Hatake to the northwest front. He can even break through the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release."

"Not only that. The Takaya Trading Company will provide the Northwest Front with 500 city-breaking crossbows, as well as newly developed sonic boom needles."

"Have Lord Sakumo lead the Hyuga clan to target Iwagakure's command nodes. Use a decapitation strike tactic; once we defeat their high command, their army of several thousand will fall apart."

Shikaku pondered for a moment.

"It's feasible. But there are too many Iwagakure members. If they push forward recklessly regardless of casualties—"

"They can't push it over."

Sosuke interrupted him, a cold smile playing on his lips.

"After the meeting, I will send someone to the black market."

"Add another five tons of gold to the bounty pool."

The meeting room fell silent instantly.

Five tons of gold!

The previous twenty tons of silver had already caused a stir in the black market; these five tons of gold are enough to drive all the desperate outlaws in the ninja world into a frenzy.

"If Onoki dares to push people to the border, I'll make sure his soldiers never dare to close their eyes at night."

Shikaku took a deep breath.

This is the power of the Takaya Trading Company—using money to create a defensive line.

Paying such a high price seems a bit too selfless, doesn't it? Shikaku didn't believe Sousuke had no ulterior motives, but he simply couldn't imagine what benefit could justify the other party giving away five tons of gold.

"Alright, I'll leave the Northwest front to Senior Sakumo."

Shikaku's finger moved northeast.

"The second route, the Land of Lightning, the Hidden Cloud Village."

"The Cloud Hidden Forces' objective is very clear: to kill."

"The ninjas of Kumogakure are extremely mobile. When they charge with their Lightning Release ninjutsu, they are like a herd of bulls."

Tsunade snorted coldly.

"These musclemen are the most troublesome."

She gave her nominees.

"Let Jiraiya take this road."

"His toad summoning technique has an extremely large range. Combined with his fire and earth style ninjutsu, it is best suited for positional warfare that slows down the enemy's advance."

Sosuke agreed with the choice, adding, "Takaya Trading Company will provide 10,000 high-viscosity insulating glue bombs to the Tohoku line."

"Spread these glue bombs all over the entire position. If any of the Cloud Village's men dare to charge, let them get stuck in the mud."

Shikaku's eyes lit up.

Insulating adhesive can counteract lightning.

"The northeastern front is safe."

Shikaku finally felt half relieved.

He moved his finger to the southeast.

There lies a vast, azure ocean, connecting the Land of Tea and the Land of Fire.

"The final journey. The Land of Water, the Hidden Mist Village."

"The Land of Water is isolated overseas and cannot send a large army to invade. But they have dispatched their most elite assassination squad, and—the infamous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

"Intelligence indicates that they have taken advantage of the sea fog to land on the coast of the Land of Tea."

"They have two objectives. One is to infiltrate the heart of the Land of Fire and eliminate Konoha's key combat force. The other is—"

Shikaku looked up at Sousuke.

"Cut off Konoha's overseas supply lines."

Sousuke's eyes instantly turned cold.

Tea Country Route.

That was the Takaya Trading Company's lifeline at sea. It was the golden channel he used to do business with the black markets of the Land of Lightning and the Land of Water, as well as countries even further afield.

When Onoki and Killer Bee attacked Konoha, Sousuke could still treat it as official business.

But Kirigakure came to cut off his route.

This is taking his money, taking his core assets.

"These water rats."

Sousuke's voice was filled with murderous intent.

"Since they're courting death, then I'll grant their wish."

Tsunade glanced at him.

"You're going in person?"

"certainly."

"The northwest and northeast lines need to be filled by Konoha's regular troops. The southeast line, the village doesn't need to send a single person."

"I'll take my men with me."

Shikaku was stunned.

"Your men? Those guards from the Takaya Trading Company?"

"To deal with the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, ordinary guards would be sending themselves to their deaths."

"They are not ordinary guards."

Sosuke stood up.

"That's a matter for the Takaya Trading Company. I don't use Konoha's organizational structure."

He turned and walked towards the conference room door.

"Captain Shikaku, Lady Tsunade. I'm leaving the rear in your care."

The door closed.

Shikaku and Tsunade exchanged a glance.

"Can he really stop the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?" Shikaku asked with some concern.

Tsunade poured herself a cup of tea and took a sip.

"Don't underestimate that businessman."

"The monsters he keeps under his command are even more sinister than the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

Takaya Manor, training ground.

A group of soldiers stood in front of Sosuke.

Standing on the far left is Hyuga Katsumi.

He wore a wide white robe, his hands tucked into his sleeves. His pure, white eyes stared indifferently ahead.

Within him, the powers of Kaguya, Senju, and Uzumaki have perfectly merged. He is a true humanoid weapon.

Next to Hyuga Katsumi is Yokura.

She wore a backless combat suit, and her dark green hair swayed slightly in the wind.

Further to the right is Genzo. The metal prosthetic leg on his left leg gleamed coldly in the sunlight.

Behind him stood a hundred retired ninjas equipped with tactical prosthetics. This legion of crippled individuals had fanatical eyes. They were demons that Sousuke had reshaped with money and technology.

And at the very back of the line.

It was a dark blue square formation.

The Uchiha Special Operations Team. Twelve people. These twelve Uchiha were injected with the Uzumaki Life Factor. After the Yin and Yang were balanced, their chakra reserves were unfathomable.

The leader of the team was Uchiha Mikoto.

The clan chief is not to be acted upon lightly.

"Everyone is here."

Sosuke looked at the group of monsters.

This is the wealth he has accumulated little by little over the past two years.

"Boss, what about me?"

A loud voice rang out.

Matt Day.

He was wearing a green bodysuit and ran wildly into the training field.

Because they ran so fast, they kicked up a cloud of dust.

"Wear?"

Sosuke was somewhat surprised.