After the overall strategy had been set, the next problem was how to divide the forces.
If the troops left behind to defend against Iwagakure's army failed to hold the line and were broken through, then the entire plan would collapse in an instant.
Therefore, the forces stationed at the border had to be strong enough to withstand Iwagakure's assault.
Nara Shikaku hesitated for half a second before offering his suggestion. "Fourth Hokage, I believe Lord Jiraiya must remain here to oversee the defense."
"Why?!" Jiraiya immediately protested, glaring at him. "According to the Fourth's strategy, the strike force heading straight for Iwagakure must be made up of elites. Otherwise, how could we possibly break through their defenses? What's the point of me staying here?"
Shikaku answered with a bitter smile. "Lord Jiraiya, let's consider it from the enemy's perspective. If Iwagakure's forces discover that the command of such a large garrison is held only by the head of the Nara clan, don't you think they'll find it suspicious?"
Hearing this, Jiraiya was struck speechless, his mouth opening but no words coming out. He muttered after a pause, "Even if that's true… what use is me staying behind?"
"It's useful. Very useful!"
Shikaku's tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt. "If you remain in command, you can create significant confusion for Iwagakure."
Jiraiya blinked, pointing at himself in disbelief. "Me? I have that much impact?"
"Of course, Lord Jiraiya." Shikaku then turned to Uchiha Sogetsu and spoke slowly.
"At present, Iwagakure has no idea about the Fourth Hokage's presence, nor about the reincarnation of Uchiha Madara. This is our greatest advantage, and it must be used to the fullest."
"Interesting. Go on."
Sogetsu's eyes glimmered with amusement as he looked at Shikaku. As expected of the Nara clan—the brain of the Hokage through every generation.
Although Sogetsu had laid out the grand strategy, when it came to execution, strategists and detailed planning were indispensable.
"I believe this is our chance. If Lord Jiraiya remains in the main camp, as one of the Legendary Sannin and Konoha's current strongest force, he can greatly mislead Iwagakure. At the same time, this will create the critical opening and time you need to lead your squad straight into Iwagakure."
Nara Shikaku was clearly handling this task to fill in the tactical details for Uchiha Sogetsu's strategy.
"Hmm, what you said makes sense."
Uchiha Sogetsu nodded slightly, approving of Shikaku's execution plan.
Having the "Sannin" stationed at the main base suited the current situation in Konoha.
Otherwise, even if the people from Iwagakure were fools, upon seeing the head of the Nara clan commanding the base, they would surely sense something was off.
"But…"
Jiraiya still felt a bit unwilling.
He wanted to follow Uchiha Sogetsu alone, like a hero, and charge straight into Iwagakure.
"Then it's settled."
Uchiha Sogetsu turned to Jiraiya and smiled. "Lord Jiraiya, please use the name of the 'Three Legendary Sannin' to your full advantage and stay here to draw Iwagakure's attention."
With the leader setting the tone, even Jiraiya had no choice but to reluctantly agree.
"In that case…"
Uchiha Sogetsu scanned the room, finally deciding on the team. "Kakashi Hatake, Might Guy, Neji Hyuga, Shino Aburame, Inoichi Yamanaka, and… two ANBU squads will form an infiltration team with me. We'll circle around and enter Iwagakure directly. The rest will stay at the main base. Understood?"
"Should we take a few more people, Fourth Hokage?"
Shikaku hesitated and asked. "I'm worried this team might not be enough."
After all, their mission was to bypass the Iwa ninja army and strike behind enemy lines. With so few people, if they were discovered, Sogetsu need not worry, but the rest… their survival was uncertain.
"The infiltration team doesn't need many people."
Uchiha Sogetsu shook his head. "This number is enough. More would only increase the risk of exposure."
"Alright then."
No one could argue further and had to accept the plan.
"Now, a few more words."
Uchiha Sogetsu tapped the table and looked at everyone calmly. "You may fail. You may lose. You may even achieve a small victory. But… you must never achieve a great victory."
The moment those words were spoken, everyone was shocked.
Even Nara Shikaku looked somewhat puzzled. "Fourth Hokage… what do you mean by 'cannot win completely'?"
"I mean that no matter what happens, even if you could annihilate them, you must not do it," Uchiha Sogetsu said calmly. "We are the 'weak.' We must always think from the position of the 'weak.' Only by acting as the weak can we avoid suspicion in any situation. Do you understand?"
Shikaku seemed to gain a faint understanding. "You mean… lure the enemy in?"
"Lure the enemy in? It's not that simple," Sogetsu replied.
Hyuga Hiashi frowned. "The people of Iwagakure aren't fools. If we try to lure them in without our main forces… wouldn't that just endanger ourselves?"
"It's neither luring the enemy in, nor showing weakness," Sogetsu said.
Shikaku nodded slowly. "I guess… what you mean is that you're worried we might be blinded by a temporary victory and fall into Iwagakure's trap, right?"
Sogetsu nodded slightly. "Exactly. I want you to clearly recognize who is truly in the weaker position. Do not think that a few victories mean we can wipe out Iwagakure. If you do, the result will only be that you fall into their trap and are completely annihilated."
"Rest assured, Fourth Hokage," Shikaku said seriously. "I will control the army and will not fall into the Iwagakure ninja's trap. But your actions must be swift. I estimate that within ten days at most, Iwagakure will discover the truth of our forces. When that happens, they will attack with all their strength."
The real challenge was not just sending in small squads. It was whether Konoha ninjas, stationed at the main base, could withstand the frenzied onslaught of Iwagakure once they learned the truth.
"I estimate we can hold out for at most fifteen days—no, it should be ten days," Shikaku Nara said, comparing the strength of both sides and giving a conservative guess. "It might even be less than ten, so your actions must be swift, Fourth Hokage!"
Shikaku's heartfelt words weighed heavily on everyone in the infiltration squad.
The tens of thousands of ninja remaining at Konoha's main base, the village behind them, and even the hopes of the entire shinobi world rested on their shoulders.
Speed was paramount in this mission. Stealth came second.
*******
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