Naruto: The Hidden Shadow Style

In a way, the biggest gain from Sunagakure's previous surprise attack was Kagami Uchiha. This wasn't just because Kagami served as Konoha's frontline commander, but also because his Uchiha heritage offered plenty of room for manipulation.

Whether or not Konoha's later schemes were started by Suna, Kagami Uchiha's death alone held the potential to permanently break the Uchiha from Konoha. If that actually happened, Konoha would be on the brink of collapse. You could say no matter how the war went, Suna had made sure it would never lose.

Now that this threat had been eliminated, however, the advantage previously gained by Suna significantly diminished.

The Third Hokage had already resolved to launch an operation. As a result, Konoha teams scattered throughout the Land of Rivers were recalled, leaving behind only small reconnaissance units to monitor Suna's movements. The majority of Konoha's frontline forces had concentrated at its headquarters. Anyone could see this maneuver didn't mean Konoha was abandoning its initiative in frontline combat or giving up all previous gains—it was a temporary strategic consolidation, gathering scattered strength into one solid fist.

This kind of large-scale movement couldn't possibly escape Suna's notice, and Konoha hadn't even tried to hide it. Deception and ambush tactics might achieve some success temporarily, but on the battlefield, the one thing impossible to prevent or counter was precisely this kind of open, impending assault. Once Konoha displayed such intentions, the best Suna could do was respond with comparable troop deployments.

This "decisive battle"-style arrangement even earned the young Hokage some admiration from the Second Kazekage—the boy had indeed struck back swiftly and powerfully.

Therefore, to match Konoha move for move, Suna's frontlines mobilized accordingly.

These strategic decisions and tactical plans flowed down the chain of command until they reached squad leaders like Haseo, who then passed the operation details to every ninja on the frontlines.

"The upcoming operational plan and advance directives have been finalized… Within two days, non-combat units currently positioned at the frontline will withdraw from their camps, temporarily relocating toward the Land of Fire. On the third day, the Hidden Leaf will launch a full-scale offensive against Sunagakure."

"In other words," Chichio asked, "will medical staff, supply units, and other logistics pull back before the fighting starts?"

"Precisely," Haseo confirmed.

This withdrawal stemmed from organizational constraints—should the Hidden Leaf's entire frontline advance simultaneously, unprotected non-combat units would be left vulnerable, representing easily-targeted weak points liable to destruction. Hence, they could only retreat rearward… Unless medical ninjas are assigned at the team level, such an aggressive operation would inevitably create shortages in professional medical support.

"Listen carefully—once battle begins, our squad will accompany the Hokage directly. Protecting him is our primary mission. Enemy elimination comes second."

"However, in this battle, I estimate Hokage will charge straight to the front lines without hesitation. Unless he decides not to participate at all, once Hokage appears on the battlefield—regardless of timing or position—he'll have no choice but to charge straight into the enemy's core. Therefore, we must prepare ourselves for deep combat within enemy ranks," Haseo continued.

"Is this part of command headquarters' official directive?"

"No, it's just my personal speculation."

Information about Hokage's movements could never be revealed beforehand, so what he had just said was purely Haseo's own guesswork. Yet there was no doubt that his assumption was highly plausible. If Hiruzen Sarutobi were the Second Hokage, he might choose either central command or leading from the front. But as the new Hokage—a young leader—he had no choice but to move forward.

A Hokage willing to lead charges inspired Leaf ninja far more than one who hid at the rear.

Therefore, although ninja tasked with protecting the Hokage normally operated in mid-to-rear positions—relatively safe roles—in this upcoming battle, the situation would be completely reversed.

Hokage had to wear armor and fight first; those around him had to do the same. Even if the Third Hokage had to die, he should die charging forward. It was exactly like the saying, "Even a general can lose his command, but the will of a man cannot be stolen."

People might doubt a young tactician's plan, but they sure knew how to rally behind youthful courage.

This operation's success depended largely on just how strong the young Third Hokage really was. He had to keep charging forward—if he could pierce straight into Sunagakure's command core and shatter their formation, then Konoha would win. Otherwise, Konoha would suffer complete defeat.

It sounded like a high-stakes gamble, but if the Third Hokage made this call, he must believe in his odds.

When comparing the individual strengths of the Second Kazekage versus the Third Hokage—could experience withstand youthful vigor? Only the battlefield would tell.

Currently, the Third Hokage faced no chakra depletion issues. He was still rising in strength, firmly within his prime as a ninja. Among the Second Hokage's disciples, he was the strongest, easily overpowering even someone like Kagami Uchiha.

He was no battlefield novice by any means—far from it.

So how far could Hiruzen Sarutobi really go on the battlefield? Haseo couldn't wait to see.

Understanding the heavy burden, difficult circumstances, and immense pressure upon themselves, members of Haseo's squad fell silent. After a while, Nara spoke again.

"How many guards will protect the Hokage when the battle begins?"

"Who knows? This kind of information wouldn't reach me anyway. But judging from past patterns, there must be quite a few. Our unit will probably only serve as supplementary forces," Haseo replied.

Their squad wasn't exactly known for strength. It was obvious—this was just cannon fodder, the kind of team they brought along to pad the ranks. Of course, there would be other teams too—made up of elite ninja—tasked with guarding the Hokage.

Hearing that the Hokage's safety didn't rest on their shoulders, the members of Haseo's squad all heaved a sigh of relief. Such a responsibility was simply beyond their ability to bear.

"If that's the case, then why are lower-rank ninja like us accompanying the Hokage on this mission? What's the point?" Chichio asked.

Strong fighters were needed for the Hokage's protection, but they were just scrubs—that's why Chichio had his doubts.

"Of course it matters… even if our only role is to drain the enemy's chakra." Haseo's voice carried a hint of detachment.

That's what war was like. It didn't see people—only numbers. Lives meant nothing; only the exchange of power mattered.

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