The meeting concluded quickly, and the group split into two teams, each gathering their assigned troops to march toward the targeted strongholds.
Qingming was assigned to the stronghold located farther away.
By the time he arrived, it was already noon.
At the site, a significant number of Konoha ninjas had already gathered.
Among them were not only the troops that had been laying siege to this stronghold but also reinforcements drawn from nearby outposts.
It was evident that Nara Kiko had made meticulous preparations to ensure the mission's success.
However, coordinating these efforts wasn't Qingming's concern; this operation had a designated commander.
Upon entering the command center, Qingming spotted a somewhat familiar face.
The person wasted no time and spoke directly, "You must be Uchiha Qingming. I'm Yūhi Shinku, the commander for this operation."
Indeed, this man was none other than Yūhi Shinku, the father of Yūhi Kurenai—a man whose stern demeanor belied his profound understanding of the Will of Fire.
In Qingming's memory, Shinku had courageously confronted the Nine-Tails during the disaster in Konoha, entrusting the village's future to young ninjas like Might Guy and Kakashi before sacrificing himself.
He was undeniably a figure deserving respect.
Thus, even Qingming lowered his posture slightly in Shinku's presence.
"I am Uchiha Qingming," he replied. "Please feel free to assign me any tasks."
"Good."
Shinku nodded approvingly at Qingming's response and said, "Take a seat for now. We'll begin once everyone is here."
Obeying the instructions, Qingming found a seat and quietly awaited the start of the meeting.
He didn't have to wait long. Soon, all the jonin and special jonin participating in the operation had arrived.
Wasting no time, Shinku began assigning roles and explaining the mission strategy.
It was clear that he had thoroughly studied Qingming's previous combat performances, as the tasks assigned to him were highly tailored to his capabilities.
"Jonin Qingming," Shinku began, "your mission is both straightforward and critical."
Straightening his posture, Qingming signaled his full attention.
Seeing this, Shinku continued, "We will be launching attacks from three directions—east, west, and north.
"However, remember this: the northern side is our primary offensive.
"Your task is to first fly over the western side of Saho City once the battle begins. Apply pressure on the Mist ninja stationed there and force them to shift their focus westward. The diversionary team on the western front will coordinate with your actions.
"Afterward, when the time is right, return to the northern sector, land inside the city, and draw the Mist ninja's attention from within. This will create opportunities for our main forces."
After a moment of thought, Qingming nodded in agreement.
Shinku's instructions were elaborate but essentially boiled down to two tactics: misdirection and pincer attack.
The first tactic leveraged Qingming's flight capabilities for high mobility.
The second tactic exploited his exceptional combat strength, which far exceeded that of an average jonin.
Few others could fulfill both requirements; even if someone could execute the first task, they might hesitate at the second.
Penetrating enemy lines solo was no small feat—only someone of Qingming's caliber, with proven strength, could take on such a pivotal role.
Qingming didn't consider this assignment exploitative.
Everyone shared the same goal, and as long as the tasks were within his abilities, he had no objections.
The briefing concluded, the tasks were assigned, and everyone went to prepare.
An hour later, after ensuring they were well-fed and ready, the troops advanced from three directions, initiating the assault on Saho City.
The Mist ninja within the city were naturally aware of such large-scale movements.
Though their spirits had waned over the past weeks, this didn't mean they would surrender without resistance.
They mobilized their forces promptly, preparing a staunch defense.
Thus, a direct confrontation ensued, where neither side held the advantage of surprise, leaving hard power to decide the outcome.
Before Konoha forces could get too close, a barrage of kunai and ninjutsu from both sides turned the battlefield into chaos.
Qingming's actions, however, disrupted this rhythm.
As soon as the battle erupted, he activated Wind Release: Wind Wings, Chakra Feather Cloak, and Earth Release: Hardening Technique. Taking flight, he headed toward the western skies above the city.
His speed was remarkable, leaving the Mist ninja with no time to react.
Having been holed up inside the city for some time, the Mist ninja's vigilance toward external threats had diminished.
Unaware that Qingming had arrived, they couldn't mount an effective response in time.
The sporadic attacks that did come his way were effortlessly deflected by his Chakra Feather Cloak and Earth Release: Hardening Technique.
Seizing the moment, Qingming swiftly formed hand seals, conjuring an enormous fireball over 30 meters in diameter.
It was a simple yet devastatingly effective Fire Release technique. Without prior preparation, few could counter it.
The Mist ninja scrambled to respond. Some hastily unleashed their own jutsu, but their fragmented efforts failed to halt the fireball.
More powerful jutsu, requiring longer preparation, weren't an option in the brief window available.
With no alternative, the Mist ninja commander had to order his troops to scatter while the elite jonin formed a defensive line using Water Release: Water Formation Wall to mitigate the fireball's impact.
The explosion that followed was intense, but the combined efforts of the Mist elite contained most of the damage.
As the flames dissipated, Qingming flapped his wings to reposition, avoiding retaliatory attacks.
By this point, the Mist ninja began to regroup and return to their posts.
But Qingming wasn't about to let them recover.
Dodging a few kunai, he targeted the fastest group of Mist ninja retreating and hurled a shuriken.
Activating the A-rank jutsu Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, the single shuriken multiplied into hundreds, raining down on the Mist ninja.
Forced to defend against the barrage, they halted to parry the attacks with their own weapons.
Taking advantage of the opening, Qingming unleashed Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire and Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets at other Mist ninja clusters.
These wide-area jutsu left the Mist ninja scrambling to defend, although casualties remained minimal.
But the real impact wasn't the damage—it was the distraction.
Meanwhile, the Konoha forces outside the city seized the opportunity and stormed in, initiating a brutal melee.
The battle for Saho City had begun.
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