In the end, it turns out Suna divided its forces, keeping only 10% of its total ninja force at each strategic point. The other 50% had gone to conquer the remaining point, which explains why we lost the first battle.
During our crossroads, we faced only a small percentage of what remained, as several had returned to the main hideout.
But that wasn't all the information we got from Malkia.
We also learned that the Kazekage commands Suna's ninja forces, honoring the tradition of Kage going out onto the battlefield, unlike in this war where the old monkey stayed completely in the village, staring at naked women and reading porn novels.
With a sigh, I sat down in the commander's chair and thought.
I should be with three brats doing stupid things and sleeping all day. Doing my biological research and learning jutsu, both known and new ones I want to create.
Being here at war is a waste of time for me. I know it's necessary, because without war, the world doesn't advance, since technology and futuristic advancements are a consequence of war. Without war, civilization stagnates.
But I should be like those billionaire politicians who travel to their unethical friends' islands and relax while only their subjects work to grow their wealth. That should be my current self, not on the battlefield racking my brain over strategies.
(Note: I have somewhat communist leanings, but I'm not actually affiliated with any political party; it's just that, being poor, I can empathize with the lower class and I mock the upper class, that's all.)
"THAT'S IT!" I shouted, having a revelation and startling Malkia, who was naked, her skin completely bandaged, missing an eye, tied up, and resting in a corner. "I forgot how powerful and influential I am. They can tell me what to do, but that doesn't mean I have to, since I currently hold the ultimate power and authority here."
With that, I left the campaign to find the head of the rearguard division to plan the next attack. And by plan, I mean give an order, which he absolutely has to carry out, or I'll dishonorably discharge him.
...
After a brief meeting to announce the plan, some people complained, but I ignored them and carried on as if nothing had happened. I left with the others, heading toward the strategic point that Suna had taken a few days earlier.
"It's been a week since I arrived here, and a lot has happened; I thought it would be faster for some reason," I muttered, opening my mouth.
"You can't have everything, Miss Commander, but you're already doing something, aren't you?" my new ninja maid said as she placed a grape in my mouth.
After chewing and savoring the grape, I swallowed it.
"You're right, it's time to make Konoha shine again," I said, speaking as if Hiruzen had mentally controlled me to avoid raising suspicion, since several ninjas were walking behind me.
"How much longer until we get there?" I heard someone complain not far from me.
"Shut up, or do you want us to be in worse shape?" I heard another voice say it.
I looked at my wheels, since from my perspective, that's what they were. There were four ninjas carrying the kago, which had been modified so that everyone could see me and someone could accompany me, especially a beautiful woman, whom I could admire and touch, all among friends, of course.
I could hear the whispers of the ninjas here, but I didn't really care. I'm the shogun here, and they had to respect me, and well, several of them were happy with just that. I could relax, at least for a while, as I deserved.
...
After several hours of walking, I reached a safe distance from the strategic point. Using my sensory abilities, I could sense a large number of enemy shinobi in a specific area, but I didn't care much about that, as I intended to finish this before I even started.
Focusing more deeply on my meditation, I concentrated all the natural energy I had been gathering during the journey and blended it with my chakra.
This would be the second time I activated full Sage Mode and the first time I used it in battle.
My body began to feel stronger and more resilient, and my already vast chakra reserves increased even further.
Not only did I feel stronger, but I also felt more attuned to my surroundings and nature; I could now more clearly sense the enemy camp and the positions of all the enemies. This was the peak of power I needed to defeat anyone in this current era.
I glanced at my body and saw some black lines running across my shoulders and chest; I couldn't see my face, but I suspected it was where the most marks were, similar to when Tsunade releases the Yin Seal or something like it.
Throughout the journey, I meditated, gathering natural chakra for this moment; it was the second reason for using the Kogan.
Standing up, I stood at the edge of the vehicle and looked at the assembled ninjas, who stared at me with curiosity and astonishment, especially because of the changes in my body. Many noticed the superficial, but others were able to see inside.
"Listen, my subordinates!" I raised my voice so everyone could hear me.
"Subordinates?"
"Have we returned to the times of the Warring States?"
"As far as I'm concerned, I'd be the subordinate and something more to the commander."
Ignoring the whispers of the various ninjas present, I continued my speech.
"Suna, one of the great villages and a rival of the Leaf Village, has always coveted the treasures and resources of our land, but I ask you, who asked you to build your village in a desert? No one threatened or forced you, and now you act as if that gives you the right to invade neighboring countries and establish military bases near our borders, ready to attack us at any moment."
"Yes, you're right."
"Suna is an outcast."
I started hearing words like that, but there were others I wasn't so sure about.
The best way to unite a community with a common enemy.
"This led us to the sad conclusion that we had to go and stop their misdeeds; that's why we're here, fighting to defend our country, but as a consequence, many of our comrades died at the hands of those evil Sunan shinobi, and it's very possible that the same could happen to you."
"Yes, my friend died because of them."
"I can't leave my family alone."
"I still have so much to live for; I haven't even read Jiraiya-sama's new novel yet."
Ignoring that last opinion, I continued my speech.
"But don't worry, because I'm here," and with that, I released my powerful chakra so the others could feel it. "As long as I'm here, I don't promise that anyone will die, but I will do everything possible to prevent it from happening, and above all, with me by your side, the goddess of fortune will always be with you, and we will always emerge victorious." With that said, I turned around, handing them my sword. "And I'll show you right now."
If I'm going to give a speech, I have to prove that what I say is true.
I quickly performed the hand seals, ending with the snake seal.
"Wood Release: Birth of a World of Trees!" I exclaimed.
A sea of trees erupted before me, sweeping away everything in its path, including the strategic point and, consequently, Suna's temporary encampment with all its shinobi.
Before, my Wood Release technique was already strong, capable of destroying an entire team along with everything around them, but now, with Sage Mode included, my technique is far more powerful and resilient than normal.
Most likely, even I wouldn't be able to cut down the trees, and that's why I attacked this way; if they didn't die, they'd be trapped.
I felt the numbers of the Suna ninjas dwindling, leaving a very small number, around 20 ninjas, in the end.
Well, my job is done.
"Wow, incredible."
"It's Wood Release, the lineage of the First Hokage."
"As expected of the commander, she ended the fight in a flash."
Yes, keep praising me; it'll give me more years of life.
Discarding Sage Mode, since I didn't need it, I sat down again to rest from all I'd done.
The place fell silent.
I realized this immediately.
"What are you waiting for? Go recover the enemy corpses, along with those who are still alive; don't expect me to do everything, do you?" Upon hearing this, the leader of each platoon reacted and quickly ordered his comrades to scout the strategic points, doing as I had instructed.
As the platoons moved toward the strategic point, this stopped a team that passed near me.
"Wait here, you two," I said quickly, getting their attention and tossing them the bingo book. I gave them the instructions. "I need you to identify if anyone among the camp's ninjas is listed in the bingo book, understood?"
"Yes, sir," they replied, book in hand, and set off.
"Phew, life's simple," I said as my maid began massaging my shoulders.
"How long will this take?" I heard one of my crew members say.
"I think I hear complaints; if so, I can remove you from there, but you'll be in charge of cleaning the bathrooms for the rest of your lives and sleeping with the Inuzuka dogs."
The four of them looked at each other, and the noise stopped.
Relaxing, I just had to wait for my subordinates to finish their work.
With my display of power, morale and enthusiasm among the ninja ranks improved considerably.
My reputation and the respect I commanded also increased significantly, making me a kunoichi on par with a Sannin, even someone who could rival the First Hokage, since no one could cut down the trees as I suspected. In the end, they had to identify the remaining ninja and, using Wood Release, manipulate the trees so the ninja could eliminate the enemy.
With that, the complaints and grievances of the other division leaders immediately ceased, as no one wanted to mess with me or get on my bad side, at least not while I was a commander.
This also stopped the Suna lunatics, since this overwhelming display of power was something they began to fear I might do, because if they left even a small area unattended, I could do something like this again.
The question is: Was I going to do anything? The truth is, no.
I've already done my part, and technically, I'm not a real commander.
I have the trust, admiration, and respect of this place, which was my goal; I just have to wait for my mother to arrive and take my place. In the meantime, I'll make excuses like we have to secure our bases first and improve our military power a bit more to buy time.
"But the real question is: what will I do with you?" I said to myself as I looked at Malkia.
She was bound and already somewhat clothed.
I had many ideas for her, but she was attractive enough that I couldn't leave her mutilated and attractive enough that I couldn't just throw her away.
I didn't care if I threw her away like ninjas to be used as they pleased. Many believe that when both parents are strong, then their offspring will be too. That's theoretical, but it has its basis. But I don't believe that's how it works.
I stared at her, and with her whole body bandaged, I couldn't recognize her as a kunoichi from Suna. Which gave me an idea.
To use her as a guinea pig for both a biological and psychological experiment.
"I believe this is the beginning of Project Winter Soldier."
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P.S. Sorry for the delay, academic stuff.