Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Konoha's frontline outpost.

Inside the military tent, Akimichi Touya waved his hand, and the Chunin who was reporting bowed and withdrew.

"Seventeen were killed in action, more than thirty were seriously wounded, and many more were slightly wounded."

He breathed a deep sigh of relief: "Thanks to the timely support of the Shadow Guard, otherwise everyone in the temporary camp would probably have been killed in battle."

Hearing this, Hongdou quietly swallowed. Is this what a battlefield is like? Her comrades in the village were gone just like that, leaving only a string of cold numbers.

Qingwu seemed to sense something and turned back to give Hongdou a reassuring look.

He didn't speak, as such meticulous arrangements for a major battle were not his area of ​​expertise.

The military tent fell silent for a moment.

A moment later...

"Lord Tofu is not here at a time like this!" Akimichi Tōtō's tone was full of anxiety.

He was very distressed by the thought of Yunyin's aggressive approach this time.

Aburame Shiro chimed in:

"Let's leave that aside for now. According to intelligence, there haven't been any new developments from the Cloud Village. They've been quiet since their retreat. That old fox, Tsuchida, is probably plotting something."

At this moment, Suzaku Nara, who had been deep in thought in front of the sand table, suddenly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of doubt:

"Lord Tangdong, Captain Qingwu, I have a feeling... that something is not quite right about Yunyin's attack this time."

"Oh? Suzaku, tell me about it." Akimichi Tangdong looked at him.

Suzaku Nara pointed to the location of the border of Ueda Province on the sand table:

"The Cloud Village's attack this time used the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, and it was very powerful. It seemed that they were determined to break through our defenses in one fell swoop."

"However... the conventional forces they deployed, while elite, did not seem to be large enough to launch a full-scale attack."

"Furthermore, Yugito initially launched a surprise attack in a half-tailed beast form, but after being stopped by Captain Seigo, he surprisingly chose to forcibly transform into a full tailed beast form despite Tsuchikage's explicit order to retreat..."

He paused, then continued:

"This is not in line with Tu Tai's consistent calm and competitive command style."

"According to the intelligence we have, although Yugito Nii has the potential to become a perfect Jinchūriki, forcibly transforming into a Tailed Beast would be a huge burden on her."

"Unless she was forced into a corner or had absolute certainty, Tu Tai would not have let her take this risk so easily."

"But at that time, the Cloud Village was not at an absolute disadvantage. The decision by the Wood Man to fully transform into a tailed beast was more like... a desperate gamble."

"Or rather, it is to achieve a goal that must be achieved in a short period of time, such as quickly destroying our frontline defense nodes and creating huge chaos and panic."

Aburame Shiro added in a low voice:

“My insects have also gathered some intelligence. There seem to be unusual signs of personnel and supply movements in the Cloud Hidden camp, unlike the fact that they are all concentrated in front of us.”

Qiu Daotang frowned: "You mean, Yunyin's strong attack this time might be a feint? Or at least, it's not the only main attack?"

Suzaku Nara's finger slowly moved northwest from the border of the Land of Rice Fields.

Finally, the conclusion was drawn to a point on the long coastline of the Frost Country: "I suspect that the true target of the Hidden Cloud Village may not be here."

Qingwu looked at the map thoughtfully. After Nara Suzaku's analysis, he also found it strange.

Logically speaking, since a Jinchūriki was deployed, the number of troops "matching" the Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village) should indeed be somewhat inappropriate.

"The Two-Tails Jinchuriki's aggressive attack may be an attempt to draw all our attention and restrain our most elite forces."

Suzaku Nara's voice was steady:

"Of course, they probably didn't expect the Shadow Guard and Captain Qingwu to be so powerful, which caused the plan to fall through."

"In short, if they land from elsewhere, such as the relatively weakly defended coastline of the Frost Kingdom, and then quickly infiltrate..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone in the tent felt a chill run down their spines.

Although the Frost Country also has defenses deployed by Konoha and its allies, its troop strength is far less than that of the Land of Rice Fields, and the defense line is long, making it easy to break through at any point.

"Immediately dispatch additional reconnaissance teams to focus on the coastal areas of the Frost Country, especially locations that may be suitable for large ships to land or cross by sea."

Akimichi Toudou quickly gave the order: "At the same time, contact Takigakure Village and Lord Shikaku to inquire if there is anything unusual on his end."

"Yes!" came the reply from outside the tent, and the footsteps faded into the distance.

Akimichi Touya paced back and forth, growing increasingly anxious as he thought about it. The possibility that Nara Suzaku had analyzed was very high.

However, before the reconnaissance team could send back a message,

Even worse news came after nightfall, brought back to the base by a communications ninja covered in blood and almost completely exhausted.

"Lord Tangdong! The Yunyin...Yunyin's main force numbers at least three thousand!"

"At dusk, using large ships, we will forcefully land at multiple locations along the eastern coast of the Frost Kingdom!"

"Our coastal defense forces are outnumbered and have suffered heavy losses; the defensive line has been breached!"

boom!

The news struck like a thunderbolt within the military tent.

A feint! The real killing move is here!

Suzaku Nara quickly unfolded the map to view it:

"Based on intelligence analysis, the Cloud Village that landed in the Land of Frost will likely split its forces into two groups!"

"They're heading straight for us. If they circle around to the rear border, they'll form a pincer movement with the Cloud Village forces on the front lines!"

"Another route could easily break through from the southeast, its attack arrow... aimed directly at the Land of Fire!"

"..."

Qingwu secretly admired them; the Nara family were indeed all intelligent people.

Even though they weren't present, they probably analyzed almost everything about the battle plan devised by the Hidden Cloud Village.

However, there are also capable people on the Cloud Hidden side.

Not to mention that they mobilized so many ninja troops in a short period of time, like a war machine.

This tactic of feigning one move while secretly advancing another is truly masterful—using the Two-Tails Jinchuriki's powerful attack to draw Konoha's full attention, even at the cost of putting the Jinchuriki in danger.

The real purpose, however, was to cover the surprise attack by this force that had landed from the Frost Kingdom!

If this elite force of the Hidden Cloud Village were to infiltrate the heart of the Land of Fire, the consequences would be unimaginable!

They can sabotage logistics lines, attack towns, create panic, and even threaten the capital of the Land of Fire and Konoha Village!

At that time, the main battlefield of the Land of Fields will fall into chaos without a fight!

"That old fox, Tu Tai!"

Qiu Daotang slammed his fist on the edge of the map, his face turning ashen.

Having been in a border standoff for many years, he knew how difficult Tuotai was to deal with, and this layer-by-layer tactic was most likely the work of Tuotai.

"How many troops can the main camp spare to intercept them?" Nara Suzaku asked urgently.

If his guess is correct, he can't control the other Cloud Village unit anymore, and can only hope that Shikaku, who is fighting against Iwagakure, can make the right judgment.

What Suzaku Nara was truly worried about was the Cloud Village force that was heading their way.

If we are attacked from both sides, we may suffer the biggest defeat since the border friction began!

Qiu Daotang shook his head, his face pale.

"The main force defending the front line against the main force of Kumogakure is already stretched thin, and Shikaku's side has to deal with Iwagakure, so it's impossible to spare too many troops..."

Chapter 202 Finally, something worthwhile was done in the village.

Qingwu stared at the red arrow markers drawn on the map.

That was the route that Suzaku Nara had analyzed that the Hidden Cloud Village might take to flank them.

He put the mask back on.

His eyes, hidden beneath the mask, remained calm and undisturbed: "Seniors, I'll leave this Cloud Hidden Army to my Shadow Guard!"

Qiu Daotangdong suddenly looked up: "Captain Qingwu, that's a Yunyin force of three thousand men."

A large ninja army, through quantitative change, can lead to qualitative change. The fact that the Third Raikage was worn down and killed by tens of thousands of Iwagakure troops is still fresh in our minds...

"Three thousand men... I'd run away the moment I saw them!"

Qingwu's voice was steady: "But Senior Zhuque said they would divide their forces, and I estimate that less than half of the people coming to our side will come."

Although he wasn't good at seeing the big picture, Suzaku Nara's analysis was clear enough.

Since Kumogakure might split its forces, the larger force will likely be closer to Takigakure.

Qiu Daotang looked at the calm eyes beneath the Qingwu mask, then at the red arrow on the map that seemed like a venomous snake ready to strike at any moment.

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

Qingwu's words made sense. If Yunyin really wanted to form a pincer attack, they wouldn't send all their forces to this side, because there was still the main force of the earthen platform on the front.

On the contrary, the surprise force that intends to penetrate deep into the Land of Fire must be much larger.

But should the Shadow Guard really be left to deal with the current crisis...?

"Captain Qingwu, are you confident?" Qiu Daotang asked in a deep voice.

“Even if we split up, the number of Cloud Ninja coming here will probably be no less than a thousand, and they will definitely be elites. You only have four people.”

Although it was already known that Qingwu possessed the ability to fight against Jinchuriki and even Tailed Beasts.

But... Akimichi Touto always felt it wasn't real—

Could a boy who is not even 15 years old really possess the ability to single-handedly change the course of a battle like Minato?

As Minato Namikaze's former teammate, he truly witnessed just how talented Minato was!

I wouldn't dare say I'm 100% sure.

Qingwu looked calmly at Qiudaotangdong, "But delaying, harassing, and even defeating a part of them to reduce the pressure on the front line can be done."

He didn't make any absolute statements.