Front Lines — Land of Frost
A tense atmosphere blanketed the entire Konoha camp.
The Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki had joined forces with Yugito, bringing three thousand elite troops with them.
All the Konoha shinobi hoped reinforcements from the Land of Fire would arrive soon.
They had won the opening battle, but once the Raikage led his forces to the front, the balance on the battlefield had shifted.
At present, Kumogakure held the advantage—both in high-end combat power and overall strength.
The Raikage commanded three thousand elites. Yugito still had over a thousand remaining troops.
Combined, Kumogakure now fielded more than four thousand shinobi.
As for Konoha—
Though Uchiha Yusuke had secured victory in the first engagement, several hundred casualties had been taken.
At full count, Konoha's forces numbered fewer than two thousand five hundred—roughly half of Kumogakure's effective strength.
Central Command TentKonoha Allied Forces Headquarters
Uchiha Yusuke convened a meeting of the elite shinobi.
"Lord Yusuke, has the Third Hokage responded?"
"When will the village's reinforcements arrive?"
With no support in sight, anxiety had begun to take root.
The Raikage's army loomed menacingly. If this dragged on, the situation could become dire.
Yusuke, however, remained composed.
He had already prepared for the worst. Even if the Third Hokage refused to send reinforcements, he would still find a way to win this war.
As always—risk and opportunity coexisted.
If he could turn the tide against overwhelming odds, the rewards would multiply accordingly.
Defeating Kumogakure while outnumbered—
Uchiha Yusuke might become Konoha's next "Yellow Flash."
Minato Namikaze had earned immense prestige by single-handedly thwarting Iwagakure.
His youthful rise to the Hokage seat was inseparable from his glorious achievements.
The same would later be true of the future heir, Uzumaki Naruto.
In the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto's contributions had been paramount.
Midway through the meeting, a member of the Communications Unit hurried in.
"Lord Yusuke, this is the village's reply. Please review it."
Yusuke took the letter and skimmed it briefly.
A faint, almost playful smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Lord Yusuke, what did the Hokage say?"
"Are reinforcements on the way?"
Hearing that the letter had arrived, many shinobi looked hopeful.
Yusuke said nothing. He casually tossed the letter to Nara Shikaku.
"Strategist, please read the Hokage's reply aloud."
Shikaku glanced at the contents—
His face changed instantly.
He very much wanted to throw this hot potato away, but under Yusuke's command, he had no choice.
Clearing his throat, he read with difficulty.
"Regarding the Raikage's personal advance, I am aware of the danger at the front. However, there are signs that Sunagakure and Iwagakure are mobilizing forces near Konoha's borders. After repeated deliberation, the higher-ups have decided to dispatch troops to deter neighboring nations first. You are to hold the front and stall Kumogakure for several days while awaiting reinforcement…"
The short passage left Shikaku drenched in cold sweat.
Reading such an order aloud in a war council was sheer torment.
Even Shikaku found the higher-ups' conduct excessive.
The men were shedding blood at the front—
And the leadership was cutting off their retreat from behind.
Was this truly something a human would do?
If this continued, even the respected Third Hokage would inevitably lose the people's trust.
When Shikaku finished reading, many in the tent visibly changed color.
They had waited desperately for reinforcements—
Only to be told there would be none?
Who could accept that?
Akimichi Chōza was the first to step forward.
"In a situation like this, and still no reinforcements? What exactly is the Third Hokage thinking?"
Yamanaka Inoichi, normally composed, looked displeased.
"This decision is indeed inappropriate."
Hyūga Hiashi and Uchiha Shisui remained silent, but their expressions spoke volumes.
As a descendant of Uchiha Kagami, Shisui had always trusted the Third Hokage.
He had not expected such a move.
Without support, the allied forces were in grave danger.
At this critical moment, Shikaku finally exercised his role as strategist.
"Yusuke… since the village won't send reinforcements, we might consider fighting while retreating."
"Once the Hokage's troops arrive, we can launch a counteroffensive…"
Before he finished, Hiashi stepped forward.
"I agree with Shikaku. The outcome at the front is still undecided—why would Iwagakure or Sunagakure strike Konoha now?"
"The Third Hokage's actions this time are truly excessive."
After Hiashi spoke, two other core members voiced similar sentiments.
The consensus was clear.
They were deeply disappointed in Konoha's refusal to send aid.
Though Shikaku's words were subtle, Yusuke understood the implication.
If the allied forces retreated gradually, the fighting would eventually spill into the Land of Fire.
Once war reached home soil, the daimyō would pressure the Hokage.
At that point, Hiruzen would have no choice but to deploy troops.
It was a highly viable strategy.
However—
Yusuke had no intention of abandoning the battlefield.
He drew a steady breath and looked down at everyone.
"The higher-ups have their reasoning."
"Since the Hokage has ordered us to hold the line, we cannot simply retreat."
Shikaku's expression turned odd.
When had Uchiha Yusuke become so accommodating?
Defending the higher-ups?
This didn't fit his usual style.
A spark flashed in Shisui's eyes.
A nameless hero guarding the village from the shadows—
Was Yusuke truly the inheritor of the Will of Fire?
Yusuke smiled calmly and spoke with quiet pride.
"It is our duty to protect Konoha. Even if we are outnumbered, we will fight to the death."
"Two mere Tailed Beasts—once nothing more than playthings in the hands of the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara."
"I, Uchiha Yusuke, may be unworthy—but I will not disgrace our forebears."
Seeing this uncharacteristic resolve, Hiashi was about to object—
But the sharp-eyed Shikaku stopped him with a glance.
Shikaku had already sensed Yusuke's true intention.
He knew Yusuke intended to seize victory from peril.
Yusuke was always cautious. If he chose this path, he must have his own confidence.
Shikaku had long intended to draw closer to Uchiha Yusuke.
And at this very moment—
The opportunity had arrived.
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