Chapter 348: Surprise Attack on the Sand
More than half a month passed quickly. Under the leadership of Uchiha Cho, the Southwestern Army Corps established a base within the Land of Rivers.
Meanwhile, the Sand forces slowly advanced to a plain several dozen kilometers from the Konoha encampment, where they set up their own camp.
After all, Konoha's situation seemed hopeless to everyone. No matter how powerful Kyosuke was, he couldn't face the combined forces of four ninja villages alone, especially with the Ninshu powerhouses watching his every move.
In light of this, the Sand decided to play the role of the opportunistic fisherman. They planned to wait until the other villages had invaded the Land of Fire before launching their all-out attack, thereby minimizing their own losses.
However, to the surprise of everyone, including Mr. Mon, the Konoha Southwestern Army Corps rested for only a single day before launching an attack—and it was a full-scale assault with all forces mobilized.
Sand Camp, Commander's Tent.
"Damn Konoha! Have they lost their minds?" Rasa roared, his face twisted in anger as he read the latest intelligence report.
Rasa wasn't the only one confused; Mr. Mon and the others also harbored significant doubts.
Such tactics were rarely seen in warfare. Rashly entering enemy territory without clear intelligence could easily lead to one's own forces being surrounded and annihilated.
Rasa and the others racked their brains but couldn't understand the Southwestern Army Corps' behavior.
Just then, a communications ninja delivered another report. Its contents made Rasa sneer repeatedly in anger.
Handing the report to the others, Rasa scoffed, "That woman named Uchiha Cho is incredibly arrogant. Does she think she's Uchiha Kyosuke? To advance with such a formation... she doesn't know the meaning of death."
It turned out the Southwestern Army Corps, currently charging toward the Sand camp, hadn't employed any diversionary tactics or split their forces. Instead, they had consolidated their troops, using powerful ninja like Uchiha Cho as the spearhead, and were rushing straight at them.
In past wars, only the Cloud Village dared to use such tactics. But that was only possible due to the Third Raikage's unparalleled strength. As for the current Southwestern Army Corps... Rasa felt the unknown commander was severely underestimating the Sand.
Suddenly, Ebizo spoke up. "Do you think... Uchiha Kyosuke might be hiding within the Southwestern Army? Is that why..." He paused, shaking his head. "No, that's not right. If that were the case, they should have adopted a more conservative approach to deceive us."
"You are correct. I also do not believe Uchiha Kyosuke is among the enemy ranks," Mr. Mon nodded, agreeing with Ebizo's analysis.
If it were him, he would have approached cautiously, waiting for the enemy's main force to gather before launching a fatal surprise attack. He wouldn't act like this, making it obvious he wanted a quick battle. Anyone would suspect a trap.
After thinking carefully, Ebizo turned to Kazekage Rasa. "However, this is just speculation. Although the enemy's actions seem reckless, I don't believe Konoha's high command would send a fool to lead an army. Just to be safe, when the battle starts, we should send a force led by my sister to test them first."
Rasa looked around at the others. Seeing their agreement, he nodded, signaling to proceed with Ebizo's plan.
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Mr. Mon, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly laughed. Under everyone's gaze, he spoke calmly. "Everyone, there is no need to worry. Even if Uchiha Kyosuke comes here personally, it might not be a bad thing."
"How so?" Rasa asked curiously.
"Because the leader of my Ninshu has decided that if Kyosuke dares to step one foot out of Konoha, he will not return alive." Mr. Mon's words successfully calmed the nervous crowd.
The news of Kyosuke single-handedly annihilating the Cloud forces had already reached them. Who could be confident of surviving an encounter with him?
Rasa and the others knew that even surrounded by an army of ten thousand, they would be powerless against Kyosuke. Mr. Mon's assurance finally allowed them to relax.
"Then, we leave everything to you, Mr. Mon," Rasa said respectfully.
The Next Day.
As dawn broke, the Southwestern Army Corps, led by Uchiha Cho, approached the Sand camp.
According to yesterday's plan, Chiyo led a probing force to engage the seemingly reckless Southwestern Army. Once they understood the situation, they would adjust tactics based on Ebizo's analysis.
It must be said, Chiyo and the others had good intentions, but they made a critical error: they underestimated the true trump card of the Southwestern Army Corps.
As soon as the massive armies clashed, the Sand forces showed signs of collapse.
Terrified Sand ninja discovered that many Konoha ninja, including Genin, were unleashing a variety of ninjutsu attacks upon contact. The attributes and power varied wildly.
Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Lightning—the flashes of five-element ninjutsu in the sky almost instantly dazed the Sand forces. Some Sand members even realized that their own mastery of Wind Release was inferior to that of many Konoha ninja.
Within fifteen minutes, the two-thousand-strong force was routed by the Southwestern Army Corps. Only Chiyo and a few others were struggling to hold the line.
Ten kilometers away, Ebizo and the others finally realized the truth upon hearing the news. The Southwestern Army Corps wasn't relying on a single powerhouse, but on a fundamental strength far superior to the Sand's.
Imagine it: 4,000 ninja releasing ninjutsu simultaneously. What a spectacular sight! Even if many of them hadn't mastered their jutsu perfectly, the sheer volume was enough to create a qualitative change.
"Sigh, this was my miscalculation. Who would have thought the Ninjutsu Library, which we thought was a joke, would cause us such losses? Truly..." Ebizo lamented with self-blame.
"...Elder, there is no need for this. Now that we know the Southwestern Army's trump card, we have plenty of ways to turn the tide," Rasa quickly comforted him, knowing Ebizo's assistance was crucial for future troop deployments.
"Thank you for your understanding, Kazekage." Ebizo composed himself, about to speak further, when the latest intelligence report left him stunned on the spot.
"Report! The enemy commander has taken action! Elder Chiyo has been defeated and captured!"