At this thought, Nara Shikaku immediately winked at Akimichi Chōza and Yamanaka Inoichi.
Chōza and Inoichi instantly understood and swallowed the words they were about to say.
They had absolute trust in Nara Shikaku.
Konoha camp.
Allied Forces Command Center.
Uchiha Yusuke's words caused the room to fall into silence.
Although his speech had stirred a trace of fighting spirit in their hearts, facing Kumogakure in a decisive battle without reinforcements was no joke.
Even if the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara could easily deal with tailed beasts, how could people like them be compared to the legendary God of Shinobi and the Asura of the Ninja World?
The fame of Kumogakure's AB Combination was in no way inferior to Konoha's "Yellow Flash." Facing such powerful enemies, did they really have any chance of winning?
Everyone had different thoughts, and the silence in the room became almost suffocating.
Following Uchiha Yusuke to confront Kumogakure clearly carried enormous risk.
Not every ninja possessed fearless courage.
The alliance's sharpest mind, Nara Shikaku, was the first to break the silence.
"Since Lord Yusuke has made his decision, I, Nara Shikaku, am willing to follow him."
As soon as Shikaku finished speaking, Akimichi Chōza and Yamanaka Inoichi immediately voiced their support.
"My Akimichi (Yamanaka) clan is also willing to follow Lord Yusuke."
Hiashi Hyuga still had doubts. He looked at Uchiha Yusuke and asked in a deep voice,
"Yusuke, are you really confident?"
Uchiha Yusuke appeared completely relaxed.
"Of course."
"I never fight battles I'm not confident in."
Hiashi Hyuga nodded, the tension in his heart easing slightly.
"In that case, the Hyuga clan is willing to see this through to the end."
"I believe Yusuke will definitely lead us to final victory!"
With several key figures agreeing to continue the fight, the remaining ninja were also stirred by a surge of boldness.
"So what if we're outnumbered?"
"With Lord Yusuke here, what is there to fear?"
"Lord Yusuke defeated the Two-Tails—naturally the Eight-Tails and the Raikage are no exception!"
"They already lost to us once. Kumogakure isn't that impressive!"
…
Those who had made it to the front lines generally had resolve.
The Hyuga and Ino–Shika–Chō clans weren't afraid of fighting, so there was no reason for the others to back down either.
Everyone had two shoulders and one head—who was afraid of whom?
If they had to fight, then so be it.
Even if they died in battle, at least they would earn the title of hero.
That was far better than disobeying orders, becoming deserters, and living with heads held low for the rest of their lives.
With that thought, the ninja grew increasingly fired up.
"Lord Yusuke, you are the supreme commander."
"What do you need us to do?"
"Just give the order!"
Watching this scene, Uchiha Yusuke nodded inwardly.
At critical moments, Konoha's ninja still had backbone.
During Pain's attack on Konoha, many had shown their willingness to die rather than yield.
With everyone's support, Uchiha Yusuke finally had the strength to face Kumogakure head-on.
However, Kumogakure's overall strength still surpassed Konoha's.
To defeat them, an effective strategy was required.
Uchiha Yusuke looked at Nara Shikaku and said calmly,
"I'll handle the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki. The rest will need to find ways to restrain the enemy."
"You are the alliance's strategist. The plan to hold back the enemy will be your responsibility."
Nara Shikaku smiled and nodded.
Yusuke had taken on the heavy burden of facing the AB Combination.
Leaving the task of restraining the remaining Kumogakure forces to them was not particularly difficult.
Kumogakure might have the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, but the Ino–Shika–Chō clans, along with the Uchiha and Hyuga, were no pushovers either.
As long as Kumogakure was successfully held back, Uchiha Yusuke would claim first merit, and Nara Shikaku—who arranged the tactics—would naturally take second.
Shikaku had just extended goodwill, and Yusuke immediately returned it.
When two smart people worked together, things were simply smooth and effortless.
After brief consideration, Nara Shikaku proposed,
"I'll take Chōza and Inoichi to hold off the Two-Tails. Hiashi will lead the main force to provide support. What do you think, Yusuke?"
Uchiha Yusuke smiled and nodded.
Shikaku's arrangement perfectly matched Yusuke's own thoughts.
Hiashi Hyuga was highly respected, making him the obvious choice to command the allied forces in Yusuke's stead.
Having Ino–Shika–Chō restrain Yugito was also giving their all.
With these people assisting, holding back Kumogakure's army would not be a problem.
Whether the battle could be won would depend on whether Yusuke could defeat the AB Combination.
Uchiha Yusuke was full of confidence.
What Namikaze Minato had achieved back then, he could accomplish as well.
Two Kage-level opponents alone were not enough to leave him helpless.
Retreat was not an option.
Even if Yusuke wanted to retreat, the Konoha higher-ups might not give him the chance.
He could already foresee that the moment he withdrew, the leadership would spread rumors—
Claiming that Uchiha Yusuke fled without fighting, causing massive losses for Konoha, and so on.
Hatake Sakumo's fate was a stark warning. Yusuke had no intention of following in the White Fang's footsteps.
With Konoha's higher-ups pressing the Uchiha step by step, Yusuke had to strike back.
Didn't they want to use Kumogakure's hand to weaken the major clans?
He would unite the major clans and defeat Kumogakure instead!
If victory was achieved without reinforcements, then no matter how hard the leadership tried to nitpick, they would find nothing to criticize.
With the battle plan decided, all that remained was to wait for the enemy to strike.
Kumogakure's two armies had already joined forces. Given the Fourth Raikage's temperament, it wouldn't be long before he challenged Konoha head-on.
Uchiha Yusuke spoke calmly, issuing his orders.
"Everyone, return and rest well."
"When Kumogakure attacks, this single battle will decide victory or defeat!"
The crowd nodded and dispersed.
Although the tactics were set, the coming fight against Kumogakure would undoubtedly be brutal.
The Fourth Raikage would not have come all this way just to spectate.
The Konoha allied forces had now placed all their hopes on Uchiha Yusuke.
Shared glory or shared ruin.
If Yusuke won, they would all become heroes.
If Yusuke fell, they would all be buried with him.
Time passed like a galloping horse, and two days quickly slipped by.
After days of silence, the Fourth Raikage finally bared his fangs at Konoha.
Defeating Uchiha Yusuke was merely an appetizer.
Next, he intended to march straight into the Land of Fire and rewrite the history of the ninja world.
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