Chapter 77 - 7

Chapter 7: Many Wives, Many Blessings! Strategy Meeting!Day one, tactical meeting.The five members of Mei Terumī's team sat in a circle on the floor of the training room."First, let's analyze the combat strength of both sides," Temari said, drawing on the ground with a branch. "Team B's biggest advantage is age. Mabuiis twelve and Samui is thirteen; they're both three years older than Hebiichigo, who is the oldest on our side. This means more training time, more mature Chakra control, and richer combat experience."Hebiichigo nodded. "Moreover, Mabui is skilled in tactical analysis, and Samui has the most combat experience. If those two coordinate, they'll be very troublesome.""Then... then what should we do?" Hinata asked in a small voice.Everyone looked at Naruto.Naruto sat cross-legged with his face resting in his hands, looking like he was in deep thought.After spending four years together, everyone on the team had a vague feeling.This little guy had things in his head that far exceeded his age."Age is an advantage, but it's also a disadvantage," Naruto began. "Mabui and Samui are older than us, so they will underestimate us. Especially toward five-year-olds like me, Hinata, Sakura, and Kurotsuchi."Temari raised an eyebrow. "And so?""So we have to exploit their overconfidence." Naruto's eyes lit up. "Sister Izumi, what level has your Sharingan reached?"Izumi was taken aback for a moment. "Single Tomoe, but it's not stable yet...""That's enough." Naruto turned to Hebiichigo. "Sister Hebiichigo, how is your Stitching Ninjutsucoming along?""I've attained some mastery; given enough time, I can use it for camouflage.""Excellent." Naruto looked at Hinata again. "Hinata, how far can your Byakugan see Chakra flow?"Hinata's face turned red. "A-About fifty meters... but if I concentrate, I can see the strength of Chakrawithin a hundred meters..."Temari couldn't help herself. "Hey, hey, you haven't already come up with a tactic, have you?"Naruto grinned. In that smile, there was the innocence of a five-year-old child, but also a certain cunning that transcended his years."Sister Temari, how thick of a tree can your fan's maximum wind power blow down?""For training purposes... about the width of a bowl.""In that case," Naruto stood up and brushed the dust off his pants, "I have a plan. But I'll need everyone's cooperation, and also, a little bit of acting."Mei Terumī leaned against the doorframe, listening to the children's discussion, a smile curling at the corner of her mouth."This child... is he really only five years old?"...Meanwhile, in Team B's training room.Kurenai Yuhi was analyzing tactics. "The biggest variable in Team A is Naruto. Master Kushinaspecifically mentioned that the child's tactical mind... is extraordinary."Mabui pushed up her glasses. "Data shows that in simulated training over the past three years, Naruto's success rate in commanding small teams is sixty-seven percent. He has shown extraordinary command abilities since the age of two! But he is only five after all; physical stamina and on-the-spot response are his weaknesses."Samui was expressionless. "I can neutralize him first. Five years old, no threat.""Don't underestimate him." Kurenai Yuhi shook her head. "He has Izumi's Sharingan by his side, Temari's long-range support, Hebiichigo's close-quarters protection, and Hinata's Byakugan for reconnaissance. This is a complete tactical squad configuration."Kurotsuchi shouted, "Then we'll take out his support first! This lady's Lava Release is nothing to sneeze at!"Sakura Haruno weakly raised her hand. "Um... I've only just started learning Medical Ninjutsu, I might not be able to help much..."Saya said softly, "M-My puppets can set traps..."Kurenai Yuhi looked at this group of teammates with such disparate ages and sighed inwardly.The age gap was too large; coordination would be an issue. Mabui and Samui were used to operating independently, Kurotsuchi was impulsive, while Sakura and Saya lacked confidence..."Listen." She crouched down, meeting all the team members at eye level. "In this match, the key to victory is not individual ability, but teamwork. Mabui, Samui, you two need to put aside your seniority and truly treat Kurotsuchi, Sakura, and Saya as teammates."Mabui and Samui glanced at each other and nodded."Now, let's start formulating a tactic," Kurenai Yuhisaid. "First, we need to predict what Naruto will do..."...The next day, practical training.Team A was practicing their tactics in the forest."Sister Izumi, now!" Naruto shouted.Izumi opened her eyes, her single-tomoe Sharinganspinning. "Genjutsu: Temple of Nirvana Technique! Target, the marker twenty meters ahead!"An invisible wave of Genjutsu spread out.Though it was only a basic D-rank Genjutsu, with the enhancement of the Sharingan, it was enough to cause the target to experience several seconds of terrifying hallucinations."Sister Temari, wind!"Temari unfolded her fan. "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"A violent wind kicked up fallen leaves, obscuring the field of vision."Sister Hebiichigo, set the trap!"Hebiichigo pulled out large sewing needles and performed a series of rapid stitches."Hinata, report positions!"Hinata activated her Byakugan. "F-Front left, thirty meters. The simulated enemy's Chakra signature is moving... now twenty-five meters... twenty meters..."Naruto nodded, then performed an action no one expected.He turned around, his back to the direction of the 'enemy', and began... tying his shoelaces."Naruto, what are you doing?!" Temari said urgently."If we're going to act, we have to go all out." Naruto finished tying his laces and slowly turned around. "Alright, the 'enemy' should have entered the trap zone by now. Sister Hebiichigo?"Hebiichigo pressed her hands together. "Mending Technique!"A large net suddenly shot out from the ground, entangling the simulated target.The entire process was seamless—from Genjutsu interference to Wind Style obscuration, then to the net ambush and finally capturing the target—it took less than fifteen seconds.Mei Terumī walked out clapping. "Not bad. But a real opponent won't walk into a trap as obediently as a target."Naruto scratched his head and laughed. "That's why we need a backup plan. Sister Izumi, what if the Genjutsu is seen through?""Then I'll use a Substitution Jutsu combined with Kunai throwing to create a second wave of interference.""Sister Temari, what if the Wind Style is countered?""Close combat. My fan can be used as a blunt weapon.""Sister Hebiichigo, what if the trap is discovered beforehand?""Then I'll just set more traps.""Hinata..."Hinata's face was red, but she still said firmly, "I-I will use the Gentle Fist to protect Naruto-kun!"Mei Terumī nodded in satisfaction. "Then, the final question. Naruto, what do you do yourself?"Naruto blinked. "I'm responsible for... being the bait."Everyone: "Eh?!"