shadow hokage dark moon

Chapter 67: Strategic Defense

Uchiha Tsukiko had been deep in thought, weighing all possible options.

Suddenly, he voiced his proposal:

"Since we already know Amegakure's movements, we can take the initiative. However, Iwagakure clearly won't let us off easily, so we must take precautions against another ambush."

He continued, "I suggest leaving an elite force behind to guard our current position and prevent another sneak attack from Iwagakure. I can lead this group to secure our rear. Meanwhile, the main force, led by Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, can carry out the offensive against the Land of Rain. This way, we can focus on both battles while reducing the risk of being caught in a two-front war."

Tsunade nodded in agreement. "Tsukiko is right. Amegakure poses a greater immediate threat, but Iwagakure remains a lurking danger. Splitting our forces is risky, but it's our best option right now."

Jiraiya and Orochimaru also concurred, acknowledging that Uchiha Tsukiko's proposal was the most viable tactical approach.

The four quickly devised a detailed battle plan. The army was split into two units: one led by Uchiha Tsukiko, tasked with defending their position against Iwagakure's potential attacks, and the other led by Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, which would launch an offensive against Amegakure's main force, directly targeting Hanzo of the Salamander.

Once the strategy was finalized, Uchiha Tsukiko exchanged determined glances with the others. They all understood that this would be a grueling battle, but it was also a pivotal moment that could decide the war's outcome.

Despite a slight sense of unease, Uchiha Tsukiko remained resolute. He knew that protecting Konoha and maintaining peace in the shinobi world was a responsibility he and his comrades had to bear.

After the meeting, both units swiftly moved according to plan.

Uchiha Tsukiko and his elite force fortified their defenses, staying vigilant and ready for any potential attack from Iwagakure.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade led the main force into the Land of Rain, preparing for a deadly confrontation with Hanzo of the Salamander.

Dark clouds of war gathered overhead. The Konoha shinobi knew that this battle would determine not only their own fate but also the balance of power in the shinobi world.

—

Amegakure had risen rapidly under Hanzo's reforms, becoming a formidable force in the ninja world.

Through countless battles, its shinobi had gained exceptional combat experience. Under Hanzo's leadership, the village underwent extensive military restructuring, significantly enhancing its overall combat strength.

This newfound power was what gave Hanzo the confidence to challenge major nations like Konoha and Sunagakure.

The Konoha army, led by Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Tsunade, advanced swiftly to the frontlines of the Land of Rain.

However, upon clashing with Amegakure's forces, they were immediately met with overwhelming resistance.

The Amegakure shinobi demonstrated astonishing combat prowess. Not only were they highly familiar with the complex terrain of the Land of Rain, but they also displayed exceptional tactical discipline and powerful jutsu.

Leveraging the terrain and their wealth of battle experience, Amegakure's forces launched relentless ambushes and guerrilla assaults, inflicting significant casualties on Konoha's troops.

The persistent rain in the region created an ideal battlefield for Amegakure's shinobi, allowing them to wield their Water Release techniques with unparalleled efficiency.

Faced with this elite enemy force, Konoha's troops found themselves on the defensive, their frontline slowly being pushed back. Anxiety spread among the Konoha shinobi as their battle formations began to shrink.

—

Meanwhile, Uchiha Tsukiko and his elite unit at the rear were suddenly harassed by Iwagakure's ninja.

Iwagakure shinobi, proficient in Earth Release techniques, repeatedly launched underground assaults and manipulated the terrain to carry out surprise attacks, attempting to break Konoha's defenses.

However, Uchiha Tsukiko, with his keen tactical acumen and formidable personal strength, swiftly countered their attacks.

Using Wood Release, he erected sturdy defensive barriers that thwarted multiple assaults. At the same time, employing the Flying Thunder God Technique, he rapidly maneuvered across the battlefield, reinforcing key positions and halting the enemy's advances.

Though Iwagakure's persistent skirmishes posed a nuisance, under Tsukiko's command, Konoha's forces managed to maintain their ground, suffering only minimal losses.

—

However, as the battle progressed, the pressure on Konoha's forces continued to mount.

Orochimaru, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Uchiha Tsukiko soon realized that Amegakure's forces were far stronger than anticipated. Combined with Iwagakure's relentless interference, Konoha's army found itself caught between two enemies.

To minimize further casualties, they decided to shift to a strategic defensive stance, conserving their strength while seeking an opportunity to turn the tide.

On the frontlines in the Land of Rain, Konoha's forces quickly adjusted their strategy, constructing fortified defenses and using the terrain to their advantage.

Although temporarily forced into a defensive posture, the four commanders remained steadfast. They understood that only through patience and calculated decision-making could they lay the groundwork for ultimate victory.

—

The war's complexity deepened.

Amegakure's newfound strength, Iwagakure's persistent harassment, and Konoha's defensive strategies all contributed to an increasingly unpredictable situation.

Uchiha Tsukiko and his comrades knew this would be a long and arduous conflict, and they were prepared to give everything for Konoha's survival.

Over the following months, Uchiha Tsukiko, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya worked tirelessly to fortify Konoha's position in the Land of Rain.

Through a combination of wisdom and courage, they led their troops through a series of intense battles against Amegakure and Iwagakure's forces.

Each battle tested their leadership and strength, but they faced every challenge with unwavering determination.

They led the Konoha forces through dozens of engagements, ranging from small skirmishes to full-scale assaults.

These battles varied in nature—some aimed at disrupting enemy supply lines, while others focused on swift, surgical strikes or all-out offensives.

Every conflict was meticulously planned, taking terrain and weather conditions into account, while employing various strategic maneuvers to maximize their gains.

Despite the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the war, Uchiha Tsukiko, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya demonstrated exceptional leadership and combat prowess.

They not only maintained a firm grasp on battlefield dynamics but also adjusted their tactics accordingly to ensure Konoha's forces retained the upper hand.

Their outstanding performance secured numerous victories for Konoha, gradually solidifying their foothold in the Land of Rain.

—

During these clashes, Uchiha Tsukiko and his comrades repeatedly encountered Hanzo of the Salamander, Amegakure's formidable leader.

With Kage-level strength, Hanzo's mastery of the sword and his lethal poison-based techniques made him a fearsome opponent.

His toxic attacks caused significant trouble for Konoha's forces. If not for concerns about his own troops' safety, Hanzo might have summoned his giant salamander to unleash a devastating poison fog, dealing catastrophic damage to Konoha's army.

As a result, Konoha's shinobi had to remain constantly vigilant to avoid being poisoned.

Moreover, Hanzo's swordsmanship was unparalleled—one misstep could mean instant death.

Fortunately, Tsunade, as a top-tier medical ninja, led her medical corps in developing an antidote, significantly reducing the effectiveness of Hanzo's poison and lowering Konoha's casualties.

Although Hanzo demonstrated overwhelming power on the battlefield, he did not go all-out against Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya.

His attention was divided—on another front, he was engaged in a fierce battle against Sunagakure's Chiyo.

Thus, the war raged on, with Konoha, Amegakure, and Iwagakure all locked in a deadly struggle, each seeking an advantage in this ever-shifting conflict.

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You can read advance chapters ahead on patreon.com/fishkiss69, I will upload 1 extra chapter every day there.

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