Land of Rivers, frontline.
Inside the Land of Fire's command tent.
Kakashi was propping his chin with a helpless expression. Besides Shinji and Asuma, the only others present were the two Jonin in charge who had been stationed at the border. They were more familiar with the frontline situation, so Kakashi naturally invited them as well.
It was just that—
Kakashi looked at Asuma, who was intermittently eating chestnuts and constantly smoking next to him. His deadpan eyes just stared.
"I say, Asuma, Shinji's like this, but aren't you going to offer an opinion?"
Hearing this, Asuma, who was holding a cigarette in his mouth, paused. Then he spread his hands and said, "I just arrived. What can I say when I don't know the situation?"
He made so much sense—
Kakashi's deadpan eyes grew even more listless, while Shinji next to him twitched his lips.
The other two stationed officers exchanged glances. These three in front of them were at the center of the village's power. It was better for them not to get involved.
"Alright, Shinji, what are your thoughts?" Kakashi, feeling helpless, could only look at Shinji, who was pretending to be invisible.
Hmm?
Shinji, with his mouth full of chestnuts, paused and looked at Kakashi, who had addressed him.
"What thoughts?"
"What do you have to say about the Suna ninjas surrounding the Land of Rivers border but not engaging in battle?" Kakashi nodded.
He was also helpless. He had prepared for the Suna ninjas to attack directly upon arrival, making many preparations. However, after reaching the border, they surprisingly remained motionless.
Shinji said, "I don't think the Suna ninjas are fools. It's clearly an act to be a tool for Iwagakure. They wouldn't rush in recklessly."
The Suna ninjas' actions were not surprising.
Although he still didn't know the situation within Sunagakure, even if the Fourth Kazekage was truly unconscious, as long as there was no threat to his life, the elders currently commanding the battlefield would basically not charge first and bear Konoha's initial wave of wrath.
Actually, the main reason should be that there was still no news about the supplies they had transported. This left them in a dilemma, unable to move forward or backward.
At the very least, they could only deploy troops at the front to pressure the border, and then it would be a waiting game.
Kakashi naturally understood Shinji's words, but the village's order was to quickly resolve the front line.
At the very least, they couldn't let it drag on until Iwagakure also started a war. Even if Konoha wasn't afraid of fighting two great nations, it feared a two-front attack. After all, if the pressure was maximized, every step would have to be taken with caution.
"Is there any way?" Kakashi asked Shinji for his opinion.
After all, he was the overall commander, and Shinji was the deputy commander.
Shinji threw the chestnut shells in his hand into the bonfire in front of him and said, "Add some fuel to the fire and make them anxious themselves."
"Send out intelligence units to investigate the location of Sunagakure's current food supplies."
"At the same time, dispatch some small teams to continuously harass them, to buy time for the intelligence teams."
"And annoy them, by the way."
Inside the tent, everyone exchanged glances as they listened to Shinji's words. Although this method was simple, it was surprisingly effective.
After all, food supplies were the most crucial factor for starting a war. If Sunagakure's last food supplies were taken, even if their high command could remain calm, their troops might not be able to hold out.
"Oh, and we must take good care of our logistics. Otherwise, they might not get anxious, but we'll be the ones suffering first." Shinji reminded, as it was always better to be cautious.
Everyone knew that a cornered enemy would get frantic, and the Suna ninjas were currently in such a state.
"Has there been any news from Jiraiya-senpai's side?" Shinji asked Kakashi, remembering something.
"Jiraiya-sama's side is still quiet for now, and Iwagakure hasn't made any moves." Kakashi said. This was also information that had just arrived.
"I think it's best to pay attention. I'm afraid Iwagakure might borrow a path through the Land of Birds or the Land of Rain to join forces with the Suna ninjas." Shinji said calmly.
Kakashi's eyes widened upon hearing this, and he immediately stood up.
"Send a message to Jiraiya-sama, telling him to pay attention to the situation in Iwagakure."
Better safe than sorry. After all, Iwagakure's current border was being watched by Kumogakure and Konoha. As long as there were no unusual movements, everything would basically be fine.
However, if Iwagakure borrowed a path to join forces with the Suna ninjas, their side might not be able to hold out. And, this possibility was not low.
One of the border officials immediately stood up and walked out of the tent.
"Has Shikaku-senpai detected any information about the supplies Suna ninjas transported earlier?" Shinji asked.
If Iwagakure were truly to come here, one thing had to be paid attention to: Akatsuki.
Ōnoki was very fond of hiring these people to carry out some more difficult missions. Konoha's defense line could block an army. However, if it was the Akatsuki operating in pairs, it would probably be very easy for them to infiltrate.
"Not yet. Kijo's mouth is surprisingly tight. Even Inoichi hasn't been able to pry his mouth open yet." Kakashi shook his head and said.
Shinji lowered his eyes. This was normal. After all, once he spoke, it also meant his life entered a countdown.
Konoha was currently at war and could not allow such a great threat to live. If it were peacetime, they would definitely study his Kekkei Genkai thoroughly.
"Alright, Asuma, go and talk to the Hyuga people. Send a few more to join the intelligence unit and start investigating Sunagakure's logistics in small groups."
"And confirm whether there are any Iwagakure people in Sunagakure's forces."
"Okay." Asuma threw his cigarette butt into the bonfire and stood up, walking out of the tent. As he passed, he patted Shinji's shoulder.
Kakashi asked Shinji seriously, "Shinji, I know you're not bad in terms of speed. Do you have the confidence to harass Sunagakure's forces?"
Everyone knew Hiruzen's intention. Shinji's presence on the battlefield now was for military achievements. However, he couldn't always be at the forefront. After all, in the previous battle against Kumogakure, Shinji had already made a name for himself. Once he appeared on the battlefield, he would become the target of concentrated fire.
"No problem. After all, if I stay here any longer, I'll rust." Shinji rubbed his wrists and chuckled.
Although he couldn't refuse Hiruzen's care, he could still do what he was capable of. Besides, he wasn't weak.
"Good. Be extremely careful, and make Sunagakure suffer." Kakashi's expression became serious.
For such a mission, one careless mistake could lead to being surrounded. Moreover, it was inherently to cover up their own intelligence unit's activities, so they naturally had to go deeper.
"Don't worry, but I'll pick the team members." Shinji waved his hand.
This kind of mission required constant retreats, so it would be better to choose people who could cooperate well.
"You can choose the personnel here as you wish." Kakashi nodded, then began to issue other orders.