Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
On the battlefield, reconnaissance squads from both sides had already clashed multiple times.
Uchiha Yusuke had dispatched more than a dozen intel teams one after another—and Kumogakure had done roughly the same.
Konoha Camp
Inside the command tent.
Uchiha Yusuke and the other key figures gathered once more for a meeting.
"Continuing to probe like this won't lead to any results,"
someone finally said, breaking the silence.
"We might as well strike first!"
As soon as the meeting began, someone on Konoha's side proposed launching a proactive attack.
Having just gone through the Third Shinobi World War, both Konoha and Kumogakure's shinobi were extremely experienced.
Both camps were tightly defended—there was practically no chance for a sneak attack.
Even though only two days had passed, various supplies had already been noticeably consumed.
The battlefield in the Land of Frost was closer to the Land of Lightning.
Even if they defeated the three thousand troops led by Yugito Nii, Kumogakure could very well send reinforcements.
A prolonged stalemate would be unfavorable for Konoha.
Uchiha Yusuke had no intention of dragging things out any longer.
He rested his hand on his sword and swept his gaze across everyone present.
"I intend to send an elite unit to launch a direct assault on Kumogakure."
"Who's willing to go into battle with me?"
The moment he finished speaking, Uchiha Inabi, Uchiha Tekka, Uchiha Yashiro, and others immediately stood up.
"We are willing to follow the clan head!"
As soon as the Uchiha spoke, Hyuga Hiashi stood as well.
"I, Hyuga Hiashi, am willing to personally lead the vanguard!"
Uchiha Yusuke smiled slightly and nodded.
Since the march began, Hiashi had stayed very close to him.
Once this information reached Konoha's higher-ups, those people were probably going to get another headache.
What surprised Yusuke a little was that after Hiashi spoke, Nara Shikaku, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Akimichi Choza also stood up right after.
Yusuke cast a meaningful glance at Shikaku.
As expected of Konoha's future genius strategist—this guy really was sharp.
He had only just revealed a hint of potential, and Shikaku was already bold enough to invest.
That took guts.
Yusuke didn't refuse the goodwill shown by the Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
If he wanted to compete for the Hokage position in the future, support from Konoha's clans would be indispensable.
While Ino–Shika–Chō couldn't compare to the Uchiha or Hyuga, they still carried considerable influence among Konoha's clans.
Although they had decided on a frontal engagement, Yusuke still laid out a simple battle plan.
"Tonight, Hyuga Hiashi will lead part of the elite forces to feint an attack on Kumogakure's main camp."
"I will personally lead the main force and lie in ambush near the enemy camp, waiting for the right moment."
"The Ino–Shika–Chō clans will command a third unit to provide support from the flank."
"Everyone else will stay at their posts and defend the camp strictly, to prevent Kumogakure from exploiting an opening!"
Yusuke rose with his sword, his presence commanding as he issued the orders.
This arrangement was the result of careful consideration.
Konoha's main force should not be exposed on the front lines.
That was why Hiashi was assigned the feint, while Yusuke himself commanded the main body, overseeing the situation and ready to strike decisively.
The Hyuga clan excelled in both offense and defense.
Meanwhile, the Ino–Shika–Chō clans were less suited for frontal combat but outstanding in support roles.
This deployment maximized the strengths of each clan, leaving no one with reason to complain.
Kumogakure Camp – Command Center
"So we still haven't managed to infiltrate Konoha's camp?"
Yugito Nii asked.
"Uchiha Yusuke may be young, but he's quite capable."
She rubbed her tired eyes.
"I'll go rest for a bit."
"You handle things here."
"Tonight, I'll personally lead a force to raid Konoha's camp and meet that brat of an Uchiha clan head!"
After two days of probing, Yugito was starting to lose patience.
At first, she thought Uchiha Yusuke was all reputation and no substance.
But after two days, she still hadn't found a single opening.
If there was no opportunity—then she would create one.
Kumogakure's fighting style was famously aggressive.
If soft tactics didn't work, go hard.
If hard tactics didn't work, go even harder.
And if all else failed—overwhelm them with sheer force.
In the face of absolute power, all schemes were meaningless.
As a perfect jinchūriki fully synchronized with the Two-Tails, Yugito wasn't afraid of the Uchiha clan's so-called ability to control tailed beasts with the Sharingan.
Besides, Uchiha Yusuke was famous for Fire Release, not for overwhelming genjutsu like "Wicked Eye Fugaku" or "Shisui of the Body Flicker."
Play with fire in front of me?
Then I'll show you why fire burns the way it does.
Yugito had absolute confidence in her control over flames.
After all, the Two-Tails Matatabi was a flame-wielding cat yokai.
Nightfall
Both Kumogakure and Konoha withdrew their scouting teams.
But this was merely the calm before the storm.
Under the cover of darkness, Hyuga Hiashi led the advance force at full speed, directly reaching the outskirts of Kumogakure's camp.
"Eight Trigrams: Air Palm!"
Dozens of Hyuga shinobi struck at once, instantly shattering the outer defensive structures of the camp.
"Enemy attack!"
"Stay alert!"
Kumogakure's camp fell into chaos.
Yugito Nii, who had been resting, was jolted awake immediately.
Still furious from being woken up, Yugito stormed into the command tent like a gust of wind.
She had planned to launch a night raid on Konoha—but instead, Uchiha Yusuke had come knocking first.
"All units, prepare to engage!"
Yugito quickly assigned two elite jōnin to defend the camp, while she secretly organized a force of elites to circle around and attack from the rear.
Hyuga Hiashi continued to create chaos in the Kumogakure camp.
Yet Kumogakure calmly turtled up, refusing to come out for a direct fight.
Uchiha Yusuke immediately sensed something was wrong.
Given Kumogakure's combat style, they should have counterattacked instantly.
Choosing to stay defensive meant something was clearly amiss.
Yusuke immediately ordered his observers to investigate.
Before long, they discovered Yugito Nii leading a large force of Kumogakure shinobi, attempting a flanking maneuver.
Once the situation was clear, Yusuke's lips curled into a faint smile.
Two-Tails jinchūriki Yugito Nii—
This time, we've truly met on a narrow road.
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