Chapter 356: Rasa Considers Retreat
Fire Country's vast plains witnessed the four-nation alliance army advancing like a tidal flood.
The Raikage brothers led at the very front, accompanied by Cloud Village's loyal Shadow Guard unit.
Several guard members attracted attention—each carried unusual tools on their backs.
Not far to the side, other village contingents marched parallel, maintaining separation while remaining within mutual support range.
Though the four nations cooperated under Daimyo orders, years of bloodshed had bred hatred and distrust. Without protagonist talk-no-jutsu smoothing tensions, maintaining appropriate distance prevented friction and friendly fire incidents.
As they advanced, a figure suddenly rushed from the rear, quickly reaching the Raikage and matching his pace.
"Lord Raikage, according to intelligence from operatives inside Konoha Village, Uchiha Yasushi has already departed with forces. He plans intercepting us midway to prevent battle from reaching Konoha."
"Is the intelligence reliable?" A asked without breaking stride.
"Uchiha Yasushi made no attempt at concealment—deployed openly. Every spy in Konoha Village should have witnessed it. The other four nations have likely received intelligence already."
"This actually simplifies matters—saves me dispatching notification runners."
A glanced sideways toward other village contingents before continuing his questions:
"Who accompanied him?"
"Is Konoha Village's interior currently vulnerable?"
"Specific personnel cannot be completely confirmed, but according to operative investigations, the Uchiha Police Force previously active in the village has been replaced entirely by living ninja on duty."
"The Edo Tensei legions usually busy with construction and bandit suppression have all disappeared."
"Rough judgment suggests most Edo Tensei legions were mobilized for battle."
"Additionally, the Hyūga clan quieted down. Laboratory activity ceased. Orochimaru likely joined the campaign as well."
"However, workshops remain operational. Seimei from Takumi Village still operates his shop. Other Takumi Village ninja haven't participated in combat."
"Though Konoha Village's interior has become much quieter, it cannot be called vulnerable—because Edo Tensei Uchiha Madara now serves as gatekeeper, standing guard at the main entrance all day."
"Uchiha Madara..." Hearing that name again, the Raikage's expression darkened considerably.
After witnessing Uchiha Yasushi's overwhelming power, he no longer dared dismiss historical records as exaggeration.
"Seems this new Hokage hasn't lost his head. He clearly understands what his declarations represent and prepared accordingly."
"Rear ambush strategies won't work. We're facing brutal warfare ahead."
"Since we cannot push battle to Konoha's gates, continuing wastes stamina unnecessarily."
A abruptly halted, gesturing for the army behind him to stop.
"Relay orders—all national forces stop immediately. Establish camp on site. We'll conduct decisive battle on these plains against Konoha Village."
"Also, summon the three nations' Kage to my location for pre-battle conference."
"Yes!" Shadow Guard members immediately dispersed to deliver messages to other villages.
Shortly after, the other three nations' Kage arrived with their retinues.
Tsuchikage Kurotsuchi brought Deidara. Mizukage Ao brought the surviving Three Ninja Swordsmen. Kazekage Rasa brought his son Kankuro and daughter Temari.
After everyone entered the hastily constructed tent and took seats, A spoke first:
"I don't know how much you understand about Uchiha Yasushi, but I've fought him directly."
"Frankly speaking, my brother and I combined couldn't breach Uchiha Yasushi's complete Susanoo defense. We couldn't harm him whatsoever."
"If you believe this war resembles previous conflicts with Konoha Village, abandon that notion immediately."
Following A's words, Mabui distributed prepared intelligence reports to the other three Kage.
After receiving intelligence, Rasa reciprocated:
"Sunagakure also possesses Susanoo intelligence—not only Uchiha Yasushi's but also Uchiha Itachi's, plus combat reports from Elder Chiyo fighting against Susanoo. We can share those as well."
He glanced back at Temari, who withdrew scrolls from her robes and distributed additional intelligence for collective review.
For some time, only rustling paper filled the tent, occasionally punctuated by involuntary gasps or throat-clearing.
Every face transformed during reading—gravity, shock, disbelief finally settling into ashen silence.
Eventually, Rasa lowered the intelligence first, his expression extremely troubled.
"This complete form... isn't this excessively exaggerated?"
"Can humans truly accomplish such things?"
His voice emerged dry, carrying barely detectable trembling. The intelligence content far exceeded his comprehension.
A sighed heavily:
"If I hadn't witnessed it personally and tested that thing's defensive capability with these fists, I wouldn't believe such things existed either."
"But unfortunately... every word in these reports is true!"
That defeat and helplessness transmitted clearly to everyone present through his words.
After listening, Rasa's hands began trembling uncontrollably.
He'd assumed complete Susanoo was merely larger than regular Susanoo. How much larger could it possibly be?
Years ago, Elder Chiyo had used targeted tactics to restrain Susanoo. Now, adding three more villages, their strategies would be tenfold richer. Surely they could eliminate Uchiha Yasushi!
But reviewing this intelligence—where were the gaps mere tactics could overcome?
Talk of washing away humiliation? Self-inflicted humiliation seemed more accurate!
Knowing this, he would never have agreed to the Daimyo's reckless orders or come here courting death.
Someone willing to send village heroes into enemy encirclement for personal power—how could such a person be expected to show village loyalty?
He and Danzo shared little difference—merely serving different villages.
Regret and cold dread intertwined, crawling continuously up Rasa's spine, darkening his gaze into obscurity.
He regretted everything!
He wanted to retreat!
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