With the barrier technique matter settled, Kazuyama Gekkō began laying out his plans.
Hearing his ideas, the four of them stared wide-eyed, speechless for a long while.
"What? Think it's off?"
"Heh heh heh. If you think it's off, it just means you're still too young."
"Truly striking back at a village isn't as simple as charging in for a fight."
"You must strike at their very roots."
Kazuyama Gekkō flashed a wicked grin, his entire demeanor radiating malice. His four disciples were still processing his words.
"Sensei, are you suggesting we first seize control of the Kumogakure's entrance?"
"Then figure out their supply routes?"
"And finally rob them???"
Obito Uchiha voiced his confusion. He'd listened for ages but still hadn't grasped Kazuyama Gekkō's plan.
As for Kakashi and the others, they were deep in thought, trying to make sense of the master's strategy.
"Hehehe, Obito, it's an entire village. Even if we want revenge, we can't just charge in and start a fight, right?"
"That would truly spark a war."
"Are you familiar with the terrain of the Kumogakure?"
"Built amidst the mountains, clinging to the slopes."
"The routes into the village are extremely limited."
By this point, Kakashi had grasped his teacher's plan and exhaled heavily.
"Sensei, you intend to sever all of the Kumogakure's supply lines and wage a war of attrition against them?"
"But there are only five of us."
"If Kumogakure discovers us and launches a full-scale assault..."
Kakashi's concerns were perfectly reasonable. After all, they'd be facing an entire village's military might. Would they be able to withstand such overwhelming pressure?
"What's there to fear! Kumogakure has pushed us too far—we won't stand for it!"
"Let's do it!"
Obito Uchiha felt his brain cells were nearly depleted, so he decided to stop overthinking it. Who cares? It's just a fight, right?
His antics instantly lightened the previously heavy atmosphere.
"Don't worry, I know what you're concerned about."
"There are four main access routes into Kumogakure."
"They can't bypass these routes unless they cross the mountains, but no one would attempt that."
Kazuyama Gekkō produced a map—the Kumo map—with the four routes clearly marked.
"The sea routes are mine. Not a single ship will dock."
"The four Yamaka paths are yours. I'll have Kinrin and the others accompany each of you."
"If any caravans enter the mountains, raid them all. Not a single rice ball is to enter Kumogakure."
"Have Kinrin and the others dig tunnels to move all supplies underground."
"The Four-Direction Sealing Array I just taught you—learn it quickly. I'll leave each of you a batch of crystals to serve as array cores."
"Use the Four-Direction Sealing Array to seal the supplies. That way, even if they find you, they won't find the supplies."
The series of instructions left the four staring at each other in bewilderment once more. They never imagined the response would be like this. How ruthless!
"Understood, sensei. When do we depart?"
"Departure will be in a day. You have one day to master the barrier."
"We'll set out early the day after tomorrow."
Though the Four-Corner Sealing Barrier wasn't an exceptionally difficult barrier technique, it still required time to learn. Kazuyama Gekkō wasn't in a rush. After all, they could simply use Flying Thunder God Technique to enter the Land of Lightning. Time was plentiful.
Once the four young ones had departed, Pakura emerged from the side.
"You, always coming up with these bizarre ideas. But this move of yours is going to make things very uncomfortable for the Kumo village."
"Hmph. Stealing my daughter? If I don't make those four Lightning Bro sick to their stomachs, I'll admit defeat."
Kazuyama Gekkō knew full well the strength of Kumogakure. Though they'd lost the Two-Tails, they still had the Eight-Tails, Killer Bee. Moreover, the entire village was fiercely united, the undisputed martial powerhouse among the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
"Be extremely cautious."
"Don't worry. I've got this covered."
...
Two days later, in a mountain hollow within the Land of Lightning.
"Remember your mission: not a single thing must enter Kumogakure."
"Not even messenger pigeons or fish for food!"
"The moment Kumogakure dispatches a convoy, conceal yourselves immediately. Target only the cargo."
"If they have ninja escorts, knock out small groups and toss them into ravines. For larger groups, have Kinrin and the others handle them—just secure the goods. Got it?"
Kazuyama Gekkō gave his final instructions to his disciples, distributing four scrolls among them.
The blue scroll was for Yulín, the gold for Kinrin, the yellow for Korin, and the green for Seirin.
These four scrolls served as the mediums for summoning the Four Serpent Spirits—the allies Kazuyama Gekkō granted them.
"Huh? Sensei, why not assign Kinrin to me?"
"The two of us would absolutely complete the mission flawlessly!"
Obito stared at the yellow scroll in his hand, momentarily driven to distraction.
In response, Kazuyama Gekkō kicked him, snapping, "I'm afraid you'll anger Kinrin and end up devoured by her!"
"Enough. The four key routes are yours."
The four young disciples watched Kazuyama Gekkō depart via Flying Thunder God Technique, each wearing a solemn expression.
"Everyone, stay safe."
"Make sure you have the sensei's kunai with you."
As the team leader, Kakashi gave a final speech before declaring the operation underway.
...
As for Kazuyama Gekkō, he now stood on the easternmost coast of the Land of Lightning, gazing out at the boundless ocean.
Coastal nations all had their own fishing industries, and the Land of Lightning was no exception. To suppress Kumogakure, it was necessary to first cripple these industries.
Soaring toward the horizon, Kazuyama Gekkō watched the land gradually blur into the distance.
"Shomei, it's been a while since I let you out."
"Fancy getting some exercise?"
The chakra belonging to the Seven-Tails Chōmei began to seep out. Out on the open sea, there was no risk of anyone detecting it.
"Sounds good. What do you want me to do, Kazuyama?"
"Create a tsunami. With your abilities, it should be no problem."
"Easy. I can either interfere with the seawater using chakra or dive in myself to generate the tsunami."
Soon, the Tailed Beast synchronization activated, and Chōmei's form began to materialize beside Kazuyama Gekkō.
The reappeared Chōmei let out a roar.
"Ah! It's been ages since I last moved around. Feels great!"
"Too bad it's just an energy form. Otherwise, I'd really love to dive in for a bath."
The colossal insect began radiating chakra.
"Heh heh, a mere tsunami? Simple as pie!"
As Chōmei plunged into the sea, the surrounding waters began churning violently.