Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
On the battlefield, the reconnaissance squads from both sides had already clashed multiple times.
Yusuke had sent out over a dozen intel teams in succession. Kumogakure had done the same.
Konoha Camp — Command Tent
The key leaders gathered once more.
After days of probing, tension had begun to build.
Someone finally spoke up.
"If we keep testing each other like this, nothing will come of it."
"We should strike first."
The Third Great Ninja War was still fresh in everyone's memories. Both Konoha and Kumogakure's shinobi were veterans.
Their defenses were airtight—no easy surprise attack was possible.
Only two days had passed, but supplies were already being consumed at a noticeable rate.
And the Frost Country battlefield lay closer to the Land of Lightning.
Even if they defeated Yugito's three thousand troops, Kumogakure could reinforce quickly.
A prolonged stalemate favored Kumo.
Yusuke had no intention of dragging this out.
He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword and swept his gaze across the tent.
"I propose we dispatch an elite strike team."
"A direct assault."
"Who will follow me into battle?"
The response was immediate.
Uchiha Inabi.
Uchiha Tekka.
Uchiha Yashiro.
"We will follow the Clan Head!"
The Uchiha had barely finished when Hiashi stepped forward.
"I, Hyuga Hiashi, will personally lead the vanguard."
Yusuke smiled slightly and nodded.
Since departure, Hiashi had stayed close to him.
The news of that alone would likely give Konoha's higher-ups a headache.
What surprised Yusuke more was what happened next.
After Hiashi spoke, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Chōza stepped forward as well.
Yusuke glanced meaningfully at Shikaku.
The future genius strategist of Konoha truly had sharp instincts.
He had seen only a glimpse of potential—and was already investing boldly.
It took nerve to move early.
Yusuke did not reject goodwill.
If he intended to compete for Hokage one day, he would need clan support.
Ino–Shika–Cho might not match Uchiha or Hyuga in raw power, but their influence in Konoha was significant.
The Plan
Though it would be a frontal engagement, Yusuke still crafted a layered strategy.
"Tonight, Hiashi will lead select elites in a feigned assault on Kumogakure's camp."
"I will personally lead the main force and lie in ambush nearby."
"Ino–Shika–Cho will form a third unit to provide flanking support."
"The remaining forces will guard our camp and prevent a counter-raid."
He rose, sword drawn slightly from its sheath, issuing commands with full authority.
The arrangement was deliberate.
Konoha's main strength should not be exposed on the front line.
Hiashi's Hyuga, versatile in both offense and defense, were ideal for a controlled feint.
Ino–Shika–Cho were better suited for support and coordination than direct assault.
This deployment maximized each clan's strengths.
No one objected.
Kumogakure Camp — Command Post
"Still no infiltration into Konoha's camp?"
Yugito rubbed her eyes.
"That Uchiha brat may be young… but he's capable."
She stood up.
"I'm going to rest."
"Tonight, I'll personally lead a raid on Konoha's camp."
"I want to see this Uchiha clan head for myself."
Two days of probing had yielded no openings.
Yugito had initially dismissed Yusuke as overhyped.
But she hadn't found a single weakness.
If opportunity didn't appear—
She would create it.
Kumogakure's style was famous.
If soft didn't work—go hard.
If hard didn't work—go brutal.
Absolute power crushed schemes.
Yugito was a perfect jinchūriki, fully synchronized with the Two-Tails.
She did not fear the Sharingan's rumored control over tailed beasts.
And Yusuke was famous for Fire Release.
But unlike "Wicked-Eyed" Fugaku or "Shunshin" Shisui, he wasn't known for powerful genjutsu.
Want to play with fire in front of her?
She'd show him why flames burned red.
After all—
The Two-Tails Matatabi was a blazing cat spirit.
In terms of fire—
She was unmatched.
Night Falls
Both sides withdrew their scouting teams.
But this was merely the calm before the storm.
Under the cover of darkness, Hiashi led the Hyuga vanguard straight toward Kumogakure's perimeter.
"Eight Trigrams: Vacuum Palm!"
Dozens of Hyuga struck simultaneously, shattering defensive fortifications along the camp's edge.
"Enemy attack!"
"Defensive positions!"
Chaos erupted within the Kumo camp.
Yugito snapped awake instantly.
Irritated and furious, she stormed into the command tent.
She had planned to raid Konoha.
Instead—
Yusuke had come knocking first.
"Prepare to engage!"
She left two elite jōnin to guard the camp, then quietly assembled a strike team.
Her plan was simple:
Circle around.
Strike from the rear.
Meanwhile, Hiashi continued sowing chaos.
Yet something felt wrong.
Kumogakure did not counterattack immediately.
They pulled inward.
Defensive.
Uncharacteristic.
Yusuke sensed it instantly.
This wasn't Kumo's style.
They should have retaliated head-on.
Why were they holding?
There had to be a trap.
He ordered his hidden observers to widen their sweep.
Soon—
They spotted Yugito.
She was leading a sizable elite unit, attempting to flank.
Yusuke's lips curved faintly.
So that's it.
The Two-Tails jinchūriki herself.
He rested his hand firmly on his sword.
"Yugito Nii…"
"This time…"
"Our paths finally cross."
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