The matter of the barrier technique came to a temporary conclusion, and Gekko Chizan began to lay out everything he intended to do.
After hearing his idea, the four of them stared wide-eyed, unable to say a single word for a long while.
"What's wrong? Think something feels off?"
"Hehehe, if you think it feels off, then it just means you're still too young."
"To truly strike back at a village, it's not as simple as rushing in and fighting them head-on."
"You have to restrain them at the root."
Gekko Chizan revealed a trace of an evil smile, making his entire presence seem brimming with malice.
Meanwhile, his four disciples were still digesting what Gekko Chizan had just said.
"Sensei, do you mean we first control the key entry points into Kumogakure?"
"Then figure out Kumogakure's supply routes?"
"And finally… rob them???"
Uchiha Obito voiced his thoughts. After listening for so long, he still hadn't understood Gekko Chizan's meaning at all.
As for Kakashi and the other two, they fell into deep thought, carefully considering Gekko Chizan's plan.
"Hehehe, Obito, after all, it's an entire village. Even if we want revenge, we can't just rush in and fight them, right?"
"If we do that, it would truly turn into a war."
"Do you know Kumogakure's terrain?"
"Built among mountain ranges, relying on the mountains."
"There are very limited routes to enter the village."
At this point, Kakashi had already understood his teacher's intent. He let out a heavy breath.
"Sensei, you want to cut off all of Kumogakure's supply lines and fight them in a war of attrition?"
"But there are only five of us."
"Once Kumogakure discovers this and launches a suppression operation against us…"
Kakashi's concern was perfectly reasonable. After all, doing this meant facing the military force of an entire village.
When the time came, would they really be able to withstand that pressure?
"What's there to be afraid of! Kumogakure has already bullied us. We can't endure that!"
"Just do it!"
Uchiha Obito felt like his brain cells were already almost completely exhausted, so he simply stopped thinking.
Who cares who it is—just fight!
The somewhat heavy atmosphere was instantly eased by his outburst.
"Don't worry. I know what you're concerned about."
"There are four total roads leading into Kumogakure."
"If they don't use these roads, the only option is crossing the high mountains, which ordinary people generally won't do."
Gekko Chizan took out a map—Kumogakure's map—with four routes clearly marked on it.
"The sea route will be handled by me. I won't let a single ship dock."
"The four mountain routes will be left to you. I'll have Jinlin and the others accompany each of you."
"Once any merchant caravan enters the mountains, intercept them all. Not a single ryo is allowed to enter Kumogakure."
"Have Jinlin and the others dig tunnels and move all supplies underground."
"The Four-Corner Sealing Barrier I just gave you—learn it quickly. When the time comes, I'll leave each of you a batch of crystals to serve as the formation cores."
"Use the Four-Corner Sealing Barrier to seal the supplies. That way, even if they discover you, they won't be able to find the supplies."
This series of operations once again left the four of them staring at each other.
They had never imagined the countermeasure would be like this. It was far too ruthless.
"Understood, Sensei. Then when do we set out?"
"If we're leaving, then one day from now. I'll give you one day to learn the barrier techniques."
"The morning after tomorrow, we depart."
Although the Four-Corner Sealing Barrier wasn't a particularly difficult barrier technique, it still required some time to learn.
Gekko Chizan wasn't in a hurry. After all, he could directly use Flying Thunder God to enter the Land of Lightning when the time came.
Time was more than sufficient.
After the four youngsters had all left, Pakura walked out from the side.
"You really can always come up with some strange ideas. But once you make a move like this, Kumogakure is definitely going to have a hard time."
"Hmph. They stole my daughter. If I don't disgust this Four Raikage to death, I'll consider it my loss."
Gekko Chizan knew Kumogakure's strength very well. Although they had lost the Two-Tails, they still had the Eight-Tails, Killer B.
Moreover, the entire village was extremely united, an absolute hardline faction among the Five Great Ninja Villages.
"Be careful."
"Don't worry. I'm solid as a rock."
...
Two days later, in the Land of Lightning, within a mountain hollow.
"Remember your mission. Don't let a single thing enter Kumogakure."
"Once Kumogakure dispatches a team, hide yourselves immediately. Only target the goods."
"If there are ninja escorts, knock them out and throw them into a ditch if there are few; if there are many, let Jinlin and the others act. Just leave the goods behind. Understood?"
Gekko Chizan gave his disciples a final reminder and handed each of them a scroll.
The blue scroll was Urokohane, the golden scroll was Jinlin, the yellow scroll was Yamoryū, and the green scroll was Kurohebi.
These four scrolls were the mediums for summoning the four serpents, and also the helpers Gekko Chizan had given them.
"Huh? Sensei, why didn't you give Jinlin to me?"
"The two of us would absolutely complete the mission perfectly!"
Obito stared at the yellow scroll in his hand, feeling a bit frantic.
In response, Gekko Chizan kicked him and shouted angrily,
"I'm afraid you'll anger Jinlin and end up getting eaten in one bite!"
"Alright. The four main routes are in your hands."
The four youngsters watched as Gekko Chizan vanished using Flying Thunder God, each of them revealing a trace of seriousness.
"Everyone, stay safe."
"Make sure to keep Sensei's formula kunai with you."
As the team leader, Kakashi gave a final statement before announcing the start of the operation.
...
As for Gekko Chizan, he was now standing on the easternmost coastline of the Land of Lightning, gazing at the endless sea.
Coastal nations all had their own fishing industries, and the Land of Lightning was no exception.
To suppress Kumogakure, suppressing these industries first was also necessary.
Flying toward the sea horizon, Gekko Chizan watched as the land gradually became blurred.
"Chōmei, it's been a long time since I let you out."
"Want to come out and stretch a bit?"
Belonging to the Seven-Tails Chōmei, chakra slowly seeped out.
Since they were out at sea, there was no fear of anyone sensing it.
"Sure. How do you want me to do it, Chizan?"
"Create a tsunami. With your ability, that shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Easy. I can disrupt the seawater with chakra, or I can personally dive into the sea and create a tsunami."
Soon, tailed-beast synchronization activated, and Chōmei's body gradually appeared beside Gekko Chizan.
The reemerged Chōmei let out a furious roar.
"Ah! It's been so long since I last came out to move around. Feels great!"
"Too bad it's only an energy body. Otherwise, I'd really like to go down and take a bath."
The massive insect began to radiate chakra.
"Hehehe, a mere tsunami. Easy as can be!"
As Chōmei entered the sea, the surrounding seawater began to surge violently.