The moment she saw Team Minato emerge from the forest, Kurenai's face lit up.
"Ren! Rin! Kakashi!" she called, waving enthusiastically from a distance. "It's really you! I didn't expect you to catch up with us this quickly!"
Ren was about to answer when Obito pushed forward indignantly.
"Hey! Why did you only call their names? What about me? Am I not a person?"
Asuma immediately frowned.
"Obito, why are you shouting at Kurenai?"
Kurenai handled the situation far more smoothly. She clasped her hands together and gave Obito an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, Obito. I accidentally forgot to include you. Please don't be angry."
Obito was the type who resisted force but completely surrendered to gentleness. The moment Kurenai apologized, most of his indignation disappeared, and he suddenly seemed embarrassed by his own outburst.
"Hmph. Well… as long as you understand."
Ren ignored Obito's performance and glanced over Team Asuma.
"Did you see Lord Orochimaru when you departed?"
Kurenai blinked.
"No. We thought he would be traveling with your team."
She looked around as though Orochimaru might suddenly emerge from behind a tree.
"But Lord Orochimaru is one of the Legendary Sannin. We probably don't need to worry about him, right? He may have already reached the rendezvous point."
"That's probably the case."
Ren did not dwell upon the matter.
Orochimaru traveling separately was actually beneficial for everyone else. His presence exerted tremendous pressure even when he was not deliberately intimidating anyone. If he accompanied them, Rin and the newly promoted Chūnin would undoubtedly become tense.
Without Orochimaru, the journey felt considerably more relaxed.
Aside from Shikaku, the two teams consisted almost entirely of teenagers. They laughed and talked while traveling through the forest, occasionally creating the strange impression that they were heading out for a picnic rather than marching toward a battlefield.
Kurenai frequently moved closer to Ren and asked him about the dangers they should expect on the front lines.
They had already discussed many of these subjects in Konoha. Team Minato was the only team among their graduating class with genuine battlefield experience and documented military achievements.
Ren, Rin, Obito, and Kakashi had fought Sunagakure's forces directly. They had encountered puppet users, survived poison attacks, and even confronted the formidable Elder Chiyo.
The lessons they had learned through blood and danger could not be acquired from textbooks.
Kurenai claimed she wanted Ren to repeat the information so she could remember it more clearly.
Asuma soon noticed how closely she was walking beside him.
"Kurenai, I know these things too," he said, attempting to draw her attention. "You can ask me."
"How could that be the same?"
Her gentle response struck Asuma far more effectively than any ninjutsu.
"Ren and the others fought Sunagakure's ninja in real battles. They even confronted Chiyo. Experience like that is completely different from fighting bandits and rogue ninja around Konoha."
Asuma's mouth opened, but no words came out.
Kurenai continued as if she had not noticed his wounded pride.
"The climate and terrain in the southwest are also different from the areas around Konoha. Since we'll be fighting there, we should understand everything we can in advance."
She looked up at Ren with admiring red eyes.
"As the old military saying goes, if you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. Isn't that right, Ren?"
"Right."
Ren's lips twitched slightly.
Kurenai's reasoning was perfectly sound. At the same time, her ulterior motive was not particularly difficult to recognize.
Still, who could refuse a beautiful girl looking at them with admiration and asking for guidance in a soft voice?
More importantly, the information could genuinely save lives.
Ren patiently explained how Sunagakure ninja used the dry terrain to conceal traps, how puppet masters manipulated the battlefield from a distance, and why even a minor scratch had to be treated as a potential case of poisoning.
Kakashi showed no interest in the situation. Whenever the group stopped to rest, he withdrew his small yellow book and read quietly away from everyone else.
Obito occasionally forced his way into the conversation, adding exaggerated accounts of his own glorious battlefield accomplishments.
According to his version of events, he had single-handedly frightened entire squads of Sand ninja into retreat.
Rin knew the truth, but she did not expose him.
She also noticed how frequently Kurenai remained beside Ren.
A faint sense of grievance appeared in her heart, though she said nothing. She simply focused upon preparing the team's food whenever they stopped, taking quiet satisfaction when Ren praised her cooking.
After two days of rapid travel, the combined group crossed much of the Land of Fire and entered the region surrounding Mount Kikyō.
The mountain had once occupied an important place in the nation's defenses.
Long before the shinobi villages were founded, this area marked the Land of Fire's border. Under the orders of the country's nobles, local clans and civilians constructed a strategic fortress within the mountain pass to defend against foreign invasion.
Over time, the Land of Fire's borders expanded by several dozen kilometers, eventually reaching the region near Wildfire Outpost.
Mount Kikyō's fortress lost its original purpose and was gradually abandoned. Only a few weathered stone chambers remained, occasionally serving as temporary shelter for ninja carrying out missions.
Yet Ren knew this place would not remain forgotten.
In the original timeline, the decisive confrontation between Konoha and Sunagakure during the Third Shinobi World War had taken place at Mount Kikyō.
Given the present circumstances, that battle was most likely connected to Orochimaru's current strategy.
Ren's thoughts were interrupted by an unusual rustling from the bushes ahead.
The entire group slowed.
Something was approaching through the undergrowth.
Obito moved first. He rushed forward, pushed aside the branches, and activated his Sharingan.
His expression immediately brightened.
"Whoa! What a huge snake!"
A kunai appeared in his hand.
"Dinner is taken care of!"
The weapon left his fingers before anyone could stop him.
Shikaku suddenly remembered something and appeared beside Obito with a Body Flicker.
"Wait! That's Lord Orochimaru's summoning snake!"
Obito froze.
"Why didn't you say that sooner? I already threw the kunai!"
The small white-scaled snake had come to deliver information.
Unfortunately, Obito's hunting instincts brought its mission to an abrupt and tragic end.
At least the group could still follow the marks its body had left behind. The trail led them toward several stone chambers hidden among the ruins of the old fortress.
Orochimaru was already waiting there.
Two additional teams had arrived before them.
Their members were noticeably older than Ren and the others. Most appeared to be at least sixteen or seventeen, and several wore the expressions of experienced battlefield ninja.
One man stood out immediately.
He had graying hair, appeared more than fifty years old, and carried an enormous clay pot upon his back. His posture looked slightly unsteady beneath the weight.
At first glance, he resembled an elderly civilian climbing the mountain to collect firewood rather than a ninja assigned to an elite combat unit.
Obito's natural kindness immediately overcame his usual lack of caution.
He hurried toward the man.
"Grandpa, let me help you with that! Why are you still working as a ninja at your age? And why would the village send you somewhere this dangerous?"
Obito reached for the pot.
"This is completely unreasonable!"
The old man smiled without taking offense.
"Thank you, young man, but these old bones are still quite strong. I hope to contribute to the village for another ten years or so."
His gaze passed over Obito and the other young ninja.
"You children, on the other hand, look as though you graduated from the academy only recently. Aren't you afraid to enter the battlefield at such a young age?"
Obito straightened proudly.
"Of course not! I'm Uchiha Obito, an official Chūnin of Konoha!"
The old man chuckled.
"My name is Kosuke."
Ren, who was standing a short distance away, raised an eyebrow.
"Kosuke?"
No wonder the man's face looked familiar.
This was Kosuke Maruboshi—the Eternal Genin.
Kosuke belonged to approximately the same generation as Hiruzen. In his youth, he had carried out missions under the Second Hokage himself.
During one mission, a mistake in Kosuke's judgment had caused the death of a teammate. Consumed by guilt, he rejected every subsequent promotion and remained a Genin for decades.
His official rank concealed his true ability.
Kosuke had long possessed combat power comparable to a Jōnin. More importantly, Tobirama had personally taught him the Water Dragon Bullet and Water Formation Wall Techniques.
He was one of the few living ninja capable of using the Second Hokage's simplified Water Release.
If Ren had not obtained Tobirama's research scrolls from Tsunade, he might have tried to learn something from Kosuke during this operation.
Ren looked around the gathering more carefully.
Among the four teams, there were at least three or four people with Jōnin-level combat strength. Orochimaru himself stood at the Kage level.
Although the unit was small, its overall combat power was exceptional.
It truly deserved to be called an elite force.
Shikaku stepped forward and gave a respectful nod.
"Lord Orochimaru, all the designated teams have arrived. May I ask what arrangements you have made for us?"
Orochimaru released his familiar sinister chuckle.
His serpentine gaze passed over Shikaku and the group of newly promoted Chūnin behind him.
"I intend to establish an ambush around Mount Kikyō and intercept Sunagakure's army here."
The chamber fell silent.
Obito scratched his head, visibly trying to use his brain for once.
"If we're setting an ambush, shouldn't we do it near Wildfire Outpost, where Lord Jiraiya is stationed?"
He looked around the abandoned fortress.
"This place is far inside the Land of Fire."
Asuma nodded.
"He's right. Sunagakure's army would have to break through the border and advance a considerable distance to reach us."
Shikaku's brow furrowed.
He did not speak immediately, but his eyes moved across the region marked upon Orochimaru's map.
Ren had already guessed the answer.
The moment he learned that their rendezvous point was Mount Kikyō, he had begun to suspect Orochimaru's intention. The abandoned fortress's location and the historical battle associated with it made the strategy almost obvious.
Orochimaru noticed his expression.
"It seems our genius Special Jōnin has already reached a conclusion."
His golden eyes fixed upon Ren.
"Am I correct?"
"I have an idea," Ren answered, "although I can't be entirely certain without knowing the complete deployment."
Every gaze in the chamber turned toward him.
Rin and Kurenai looked especially attentive.
Ren stepped closer to the map.
"If I'm correct, Lord Orochimaru intends to lure Sunagakure deep into the Land of Fire."
Obito stared blankly at him.
Ren pointed toward the border.
"Sunagakure has prepared for this offensive for a long time. They even transferred forces from their northern border—the troops normally responsible for guarding against Iwagakure."
"They have committed almost everything they possess."
His finger traced the defensive line near Wildfire Outpost.
"If Konoha confronts them directly at the border, we may still win. But it would become a brutal war of attrition. Even victory would cost us an enormous number of ninja."
He moved his hand toward Mount Kikyō.
"Konoha possesses several advantages. Our supply lines are shorter, our logistics are stronger, and we have enough territory behind the border to exchange space for time."
"Rather than collide with Sunagakure's strongest formation, we can deliberately allow them to advance."
Kurenai's eyes widened as she understood.
Ren continued, "Once their army enters the Mount Kikyō region, we can use the terrain to close a net around them. Cut off their retreat, sever their supply line, and attack from multiple directions."
His gaze shifted toward Orochimaru.
"You intend to transform Mount Kikyō into an enormous trap and annihilate Sunagakure's main force inside it."
A brief silence followed.
Then Orochimaru smiled.
"As expected of you, Ren. Your judgment is remarkably sharp."
He moved beside the map.
"Sunagakure's combat style has always been aggressive. Its leaders are especially poor at maintaining discipline when the situation appears favorable."
His finger tapped Konoha's front line.
"They started this war to redirect their internal conflicts and seize the Land of Fire's resources, territory, and population. If they believe they have broken through our defenses, their caution will disappear."
Orochimaru's smile became colder.
"An arrogant army is destined to lose."
He traced the predicted route of Sunagakure's advance.
"We will allow them to exhaust themselves while pursuing Konoha's retreating forces. Once they enter Mount Kikyō, we will close the mouth of the bag behind them."
"Their supplies will be cut off. Their reinforcements will be unable to reach them, and their frontline army will be trapped between our forces."
Then his hand closed into a fist.
"At that moment, we will concentrate our superior forces and destroy them."
The temperature within the stone chamber seemed to fall.
"If this operation succeeds, Sunagakure will lose hundreds of ninja—most of them experienced fighters in the prime of their lives."
"A loss of that scale cannot be replaced quickly. For the next ten years, Sunagakure will be incapable of threatening Konoha."
Orochimaru's voice rose, carrying a chilling certainty that filled every corner of the chamber.
"They will have only one option left."
"Surrender."
He swept one hand across the map, as though erasing Sunagakure's entire army.
"The opening battle will also be the decisive battle. With one victory, we will secure the realm!"
Shock appeared upon the faces of the surrounding ninja.
Shikaku, Kakashi, and the experienced members of the unit were astonished by the sheer boldness of the plan. Their minds immediately began examining every detail, searching for flaws and calculating the likelihood of success.
Rin and Kurenai were equally surprised by how quickly Ren had understood Orochimaru's strategy.
Obito understood considerably less.
He stood at the back, scratching his cheek and silently wondering what an arrogant army had to do with a bag.
After studying the map, Shikaku chose his words carefully.
"Lord Orochimaru, isn't this strategy too aggressive?"
Orochimaru looked toward him.
"Feigning defeat carries enormous risks," Shikaku continued. "If our forces retreat too easily, Sunagakure may recognize the trap. But if the retreat becomes too chaotic, Konoha could suffer losses beyond our ability to control."
His finger moved along the expected route.
"There is also no guarantee that Sunagakure will advance toward Mount Kikyō exactly as planned. If they change direction, divide their forces, or stop before entering the encirclement—"
Orochimaru sneered softly.
"When has warfare ever offered absolute certainty?"
Shikaku fell silent.
"If we follow conventional tactics and confront Sunagakure directly, will that prevent casualties?" Orochimaru asked. "Of course not."
He looked around the chamber.
"Under the current circumstances, this operation offers the highest probability of victory with the fewest overall losses."
"As for those who die during the false retreat…"
Orochimaru's eyes became utterly emotionless.
"Their sacrifice will be necessary for victory in the decisive battle."
A heavy silence descended.
From a purely strategic perspective, Orochimaru's reasoning was sound.
War was a contest in which lives became pieces upon a board. Unless one side possessed overwhelming power, achieving victory without casualties was impossible.
A commander who maintained a favorable casualty ratio would already be considered competent.
But Asuma, Kurenai, and the other newly promoted Chūnin had never fully experienced the brutality of a large-scale war.
The idea of knowingly sending Konoha ninja into a battle they were expected to lose filled them with anger, resistance, and an instinctive trace of fear.
Obito's expression gradually changed as he finally understood what Orochimaru meant.
"Wait. I disagree—"
Ren coughed lightly, cutting him off.
Orochimaru slowly turned his head.
His golden, snake-like eyes settled upon Obito with unsettling intensity.
"Your name is Uchiha Obito, correct?"
Obito stiffened.
"What were you about to say?"
Before Obito could open his mouth again, Ren answered calmly on his behalf.
"He said that Lord Orochimaru's strategy is brilliant."
Obito whipped his head toward him in disbelief.
Ren did not even blink.
Across the chamber, Orochimaru's thin smile slowly widened.
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