"In theory, Village Hidden in the Mist indeed has the capability to dispatch small elite units to conduct infiltration, reconnaissance, or sabotage landings at any point along our vast coastline."
"However, note that this is limited only to small-unit surprise attacks. If they wish to launch large-scale corps-level landing operations capable of tearing through our defensive lines, advancing deep inland, and ultimately achieving strategic objectives…"
"Then their landing locations will inevitably face severe limitations! Because such operations require stable and efficient large-scale logistics support close to the landing site!"
"These are things that absolutely cannot be solved with just a few small boats or temporary camps!"
At this point, Shinichi once again pointed toward the Land of Waves and the surrounding islands controlled by the Village Hidden in the Mist on the map.
"The Land of Waves, along with the small number of surrounding large islands under their control that possess the necessary conditions, are their only reliable forward bases and springboards. The launching points of their large-scale amphibious offensives and the primary flow of their logistical supplies will inevitably revolve tightly around these core nodes!"
"Based on my judgment, aside from the Rinkai City where we currently stand, there are only these few areas…"
Shinichi tapped several locations on the map.
As everyone followed his fingertip and thought for a moment, they quickly nodded one after another.
"And the core of so-called elastic defense lies precisely in this, abandoning the fantasy of defending the entire coastline, acknowledging our disadvantage in total troop numbers during the initial stage, and withdrawing the overwhelming majority of our mobile forces and defensive focus from the endless coastline to concentrate deployment in these few key regions most likely to face the enemy's main assault."
"To summarize, there are four points: forward warning, layered defense in depth, mobile standby forces, and concentrated counterattacks…"
Shinichi slowly laid out the strategic deployment in his mind, one point at a time. The more everyone listened, the brighter their eyes became.
Especially Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, whose lips even curled into smiles, as though they had recalled some interesting memories.
"This kind of elastic defense is essentially exchanging space for time, exchanging precise intelligence for local superiority, and exchanging delayed maneuvering for the initiative in counterattack. We acknowledge that we cannot contend against the Village Hidden in the Mist at every point in the initial stage, but through strict early warning and efficient maneuverability, we can drag them into preset battlefields of our choosing and neutralize the enemy's offensive initiative!"
"The ultimate objective is to, under conditions favorable to us, delay their strategic progress through one or several decisive counterattack operations, thereby creating conditions for us to eventually uncover the core of their logistics lifeline or discover other strategic opportunities!"
The command headquarters fell into silence.
Everyone was digesting the defensive concept Shinichi had proposed.
Afterward, almost simultaneously, they all looked toward the map, recalling his earlier explanation in their minds, as though scenes of offensive-defensive transitions and mobile annihilation battles were already unfolding before their eyes.
The concept of elastic defense was not entirely unheard of in the Shinobi World.
After all, the ninja's innate high mobility meant that rigidly holding a single point was often not the optimal solution. In past wars, there had been no shortage of examples where flexible maneuvering, rapid troop redeployment, and concentrating force to strike weak points in the enemy line achieved victory.
However, for someone like Shinichi to refine scattered experience into a layered and interconnected systematic theory, from early warning, deployment, maneuvering, to counterattack, giving every step a clear definition and supporting principles, was unprecedented.
As expected of a top-tier strategist!
Everyone sighed inwardly.
Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado exchanged glances, each seeing the meaning in the other's eyes.
"A very ingenious concept."
Koharu Utatane slowly spoke, her sharp gaze sweeping across everyone present. "Then, based on Shinichi's elastic defense framework, we will now proceed to formulate in detail the deployment regions of each unit, the warning systems, maneuver routes, and the fortification construction plans for the preset battlefields."
"Time waits for no one. Before Village Hidden in the Mist completes its final preparations, we must establish our defensive system first!"
Finally, she turned her gaze toward Shinichi and smiled faintly. "By the way, Shinichi, after the meeting, you are to systematically organize the elastic defense theory you explained today into a complete tactical guidance document, combining it with the specific conditions of the southeastern battlefield. Once completed, hand it to me. I will distribute it afterward to the middle and lower-level commanders of every unit so they can thoroughly study, understand, and implement this tactical philosophy."
"Understood, elder Koharu." Shinichi calmly accepted the order.
Thus, Konoha's overall strategic defensive doctrine against the Village Hidden in the Mist's offensive was established during this meeting.
After the meeting ended, the entire southeastern army corps began operating at high speed around this strategic deployment.
...
Meanwhile, far away in Akazonae City of the Land of Iron, before the Ashina Dojo.
"Teacher, may fortune favor your martial path!"
Yamagami Genya bowed deeply.
As Isshin's earliest student, Yamagami Genya's personality was upright, and he respected his teacher's swordsmanship and character the most. Compared to two years ago, his physique had become much sturdier, and his aura was far sharper and more restrained.
"Teacher, when you go to the capital this time, you absolutely must let those stubborn old fools properly witness the greatness of the Ashina Style!"
This was Tadayoshi Yagyu; compared to when he first entered the dojo, his body had become even more massive. He had already grown to two meters and thirty centimeters tall, practically a little giant.
"Teacher, have a safe journey. Please take good care of yourself." The Uzumaki couple said.
Not long after being rescued by Isshin through a fortunate coincidence, the Uzumaki couple had both entered under Isshin's tutelage.
However, Dosaku mainly followed Isshin to study medicine. After deeper contact, he was shocked to discover that, aside from swordsmanship, his teacher's attainments on the medical path were also unfathomably profound, worthy of being called a master. This only deepened his admiration, causing him to study even harder.
Kicho Uzumaki, meanwhile, had undergone subtle changes from her formerly gentle and graceful image. Ever since surviving that brush with death, something resilient and even sharp deep within her had awakened, much like her future daughter.
Her diligence in learning swordsmanship under Isshin caused even the other three male students to look at her differently.
Not only that, but she had also deeply studied various hidden weapons, such as shuriken, kunai, and Senbon throwing techniques, combining them with her naturally powerful sensory ability, chakra control, and the unique methods of force application she learned from Isshin.
This formed a unique combat style of her own, swift, concealed, and precise, like the silent dance of a butterfly capable of unleashing lethal sharpness in an instant.
During this period, she had already made quite a name for herself in Akazonae City and the surrounding regions, earning the title Phantom Butterfly!
"Enough!"
Isshin waved his hand, cutting off more farewell words from his students. Then he turned and strode toward the gate as though merely heading out for an ordinary walk.
"Let's go, chairman." After leaving the gate, Isshin smiled as he spoke to Soichiro Yagyu, who seemed to have been waiting for a long time.
"Hmph!" Soichiro Yagyu snorted coldly. "This time, you'd better restrain yourself a little! Stop being so unconventional! Got it? This is the National Swordsmanship Tournament!"
"Yeah, yeah, I know already," Isshin replied perfunctorily. Before Soichiro Yagyu could react, he had already taken the lead and strode forward.
"Then! Off to the capital!"
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