Revitalizing the Uchiha clan starts with becoming a Kage.

The frontline commander of Kumogakure had no idea that Suzaku would launch such a massive offensive the day after arriving with reinforcements.

In the very first moment.

They were unable to react in time at all.

Not only were the outposts located within the Land of Hot Water subjected to a comprehensive attack, but even the main outpost—the Southern Fortress—was attacked by more than two hundred Konoha ninja. It was only because of their thorough daily preparations and the experienced Cloud Ninjas guarding the fortress that they were not caught off guard.

At least after the initial shock.

In the subsequent attacks by the Konoha side.

The Cloud Ninja can gradually achieve stable control and adjustment.

Suzaku, who was unable to break through in one go, was not in a hurry. In the end, the main goal of this counterattack plan was to eliminate as many of the Cloud Ninja’s strongholds in other areas as possible, and to expand the operational space of Konoha as much as possible.

If the southern fortress of the Cloud Ninja were really that easy to conquer.

Konoha had already pushed its battle lines to the border between the Land of Frost and the Land of Lightning long ago.

Therefore, Suzaku was not at all surprised that his attack was stopped.

On the contrary, they were deliberately controlling the pace and scale of the confrontation.

The subsequent surprise attack teams that were dispatched achieved remarkable results, destroying nearly ten strongholds of varying sizes.

Suzaku Nara also decisively chose to withdraw his troops.

The main force of Konoha advanced and retreated in alternating formations.

This left the Cloud Ninja with absolutely no opening to pursue them.

They could only watch helplessly as the Konoha ninjas safely retreated.

35. The enraged Cloud Ninja

This was the first large-scale clash since the Cloud Ninja had provoked the conflict three months ago. To be more precise, this was the biggest loss the Cloud Village had ever suffered. When there was a brief disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves, Nara Suzaku seized the opportunity decisively.

It wasn't just the southern fortress that suffered a severe blow.

The most important point is...

Because of war.

Two-thirds of the Cloud Village's strongholds, large and small, located within the Land of Hot Water were wiped out, and even two logistics supply points were destroyed. The number of Cloud Ninja killed in battle exceeded three digits, and the number of wounded was even greater. It can be said that the Cloud Ninja forces on the front line were truly crippled.

It should be noted that the number of Cloud Ninja originally distributed within the Land of Hot Water was only a mere thousand.

In the past three months of confrontation.

The number of Cloud Ninja who died in battle was only over two hundred. However, in today's clash, more than a hundred Cloud Ninja were lost. It must be said that when he learned the exact number, the Jonin Gin-taku, who was the front-line commander of Cloud Village, turned ashen-faced and his eyes were filled with rage.

In particular, the deaths of more than fifteen Jonin.

It was truly heartbreaking for Yin Zhuo.

Even considering the size of Kumogakure, fifteen Jonin was already a rather heavy price to pay.

And this is just in a small-scale war, yet so many losses have been incurred.

Yin Zhu didn't know how to report to the village or to his own Fourth Raikage.

However, no matter how angry.

Yin Zhuo could only endure it for the time being.

Prioritize sending personnel to re-establish and strengthen one's own defenses.

Then, special personnel were dispatched to relay the relevant intelligence back to the village. The most important point to emphasize was that reinforcements were needed at the front line.

The power possessed by Konoha already overwhelmed that of Kumogakure.

If they don't respond in time, the front lines really won't be able to hold on.

The news has just come out.

In the afternoon.

The Cloud Ninja's support troops arrived.

Moreover, the leader of the team was Tsuchidai, a Jonin who was in charge of important affairs for the entire village during the time of the Third Raikage.

I must say this.

The intelligence work of the Hidden Cloud Village is actually quite good.

As Konoha dispatched its support forces, the Fourth Raikage, A, also received the news. After holding an emergency high-level meeting and reaching a consensus, he also dispatched his own support forces, albeit a little slower than expected.

Suzaku Nara seized this tiny opportunity.

This inflicted extremely heavy losses on the Cloud Ninja forces deployed within the Land of Hot Water.

Upon arriving at the site and learning of this news from Gintoki, the highly experienced full-time Raikage 'chief of staff' also frowned.

"They really know how to seize opportunities, those guys from Konoha. Hmph, Gintoki, immediately send the appropriate personnel to reinforce the previously established outposts. These locations cannot be abandoned, otherwise our operational space will be greatly limited. Replenish supplies locally and don't worry about the details. Also, send someone to Yuhara Castle and have the Land of Hot Springs send over a batch of supplies!"

Tutai snorted coldly and said to Yinzhu beside him.

"Yes, Lord Todai!"

After bowing his head in response, Yin Zhuo immediately turned and left to carry out Tu Tai's orders without any doubt or resistance.

The war between the five great powers was just like that.

They never care about the opinions of small countries. If we have to say, the Land of Fire and Konoha are relatively benevolent. During the Second Hokage's time, they established a rule that, in principle, would not harm civilians, but in reality, it was impossible to enforce it 100%.

Not to mention other ninja villages in other countries.

Looting civilians' supplies was commonplace.

The fact that Tsuchitai directly sent people to the capital of the Land of Hot Springs to demand war supplies and then swaggered around on their territory was so commonplace that it couldn't be more so.

This has almost become standard practice among the ninjas of the five great nations.

Tsuchikage needs to consider how to win the war and suppress Konoha as much as possible.

As for the losses of the Land of Hot Springs and the miserable lives of its common people, what does that have to do with the Cloud Ninja?

They serve only the interests of Kumogakure and the Land of Lightning.

Even in the eyes of some bigwigs in major countries, allowing these small countries to exist is already a great act of kindness.

have to say.

This is the cruelest, darkest, yet most real side of this world.

Weak nations will never have a voice.

The Cloud Ninja need to be readjusted.

The Konoha ninja who successfully retreated.

The two sides will once again enter a more intense confrontation.

Nara Suzaku learned of the arrival of the Cloud Ninja reinforcements from his scouts while leading his army back to the Yusenyama base.

At that moment, Suzaku raised an eyebrow and quietly breathed a sigh of relief from an angle unnoticed by others. Fortunately, he had seized the opportunity well; if he had been any slower, Konoha would have been the loser in this battle.

Although risks do exist, the final result is excellent. Moreover, Suzaku had prepared corresponding contingency plans in advance, and now everything is going according to plan. Next, they need to completely switch to a defensive posture.

The one who needs to be anxious is the Hidden Cloud Village.

Instead of Konoha.

This was the only request that Hiruzen Sarutobi gave to Suzaku before they set off.

Suzaku also acts in accordance with this core requirement.

The initial attack is also for the purpose of better defense later.

of course.

The special operations team, Suzaku, will not be canceled.

The Cloud Ninja will inevitably rebuild their defenses and reconnaissance outposts.

This is the opportunity for the action team to be dispatched. With Suzaku's wisdom, it is clear that before their own Hokage and the Fourth Raikage make a real decision, the two countries will likely be locked in a tug-of-war at this border for one or two years.

It depends on the situation.

It might even last longer.

Until one party truly can't hold on any longer, or until a third party intervenes or unexpected factors arise.

Strengthen your own basic defenses.

This is the most important.

The Akimichi Motoyasu squad returned to the Yusensan base even earlier than the main force led by Suzaku and others.

In this raid.

Two of his comrades died in the battle to capture the last supply depot.

And the price paid for Aburame Shiki, a Jonin, being ambushed and seriously injured by Cloud Ninja.

Apart from that, it was a resounding victory.

Compared to the other three teams.

Akimichi Motoyasu's squad had the smoothest progress.

Although Konoha has not yet compiled statistics, the raiding squad in the northwest not only achieved very few victories, but also paid a considerable price.

36. Return to the Base (Please add to your favorites)

This comparison.

This further highlights the outstanding achievements of their squad.

What is the reason why our team has achieved such a great record?

Akimichi Motoyasu was just as clear about it.

One of the key points is that Uchiha Shoji was an 'unexpected Jonin'.

otherwise.

It was just that one encounter.