Uchiha Ryun had explained the strategy very clearly, and even Jiraiya had grasped the specific implementation method.
Thus, Tsunade led the Senju clan to block the eastern gate, preventing the enemy forces from attacking Konoha Village.
Jiraiya took the Uchiha clan to guard the southern gate, stopping the enemy from making contact and collaborating with Sunagakure. Orochimaru led the elite members of various clans to hold the northern gate, preventing the enemy from launching a flanking attack on Konoha Village.
The three teams openly stationed themselves within the enemy's line of sight but outside the range of shuriken throws.
Every supply convoy heading from nearby towns to Amegakure was intercepted by squads of elite shinobi dispatched by the three, without exception, all successfully.
Hanzō of the Salamander naturally realized something was wrong with this situation, so he led his troops out of the city gates, charging straight toward Tsunade. Seeing the gates open, Tsunade immediately ordered, "Everyone, retreat!" and fired a green signal flare.
The Senju forces withdrew in an orderly manner, while the Rain-nin pursued relentlessly. However, in a dense forest, they fell into traps set by Konoha-nin, with explosive tags and ground spikes everywhere.
The screams that followed made even Hanzō's face twitch in anger. Damn Konoha-nin, if I catch you, I'll skin you alive!
With bloodshot eyes, he glared at Tsunade in the distance, who simply watched him without advancing a single step.
As Uchiha Ryun had put it, this was guerrilla warfare: "When the enemy advances, we retreat. When the enemy camps, we harass. When the enemy tires, we strike. When the enemy retreats, we pursue."
No matter what, a direct confrontation was out of the question. These sixteen words of wisdom, proposed by a great strategist, spoke volumes about their effectiveness.
Hanzō, watching his Rain-nin die one after another, began to lose control. He channeled all his chakra into his speed, determined to tear Tsunade to pieces!
But at that moment, Jiraiya and Orochimaru at the southern and northern gates launched their assault on the city. The sounds of battle cries erupted, and a signal arrow was immediately fired from Amegakure.
Whoosh! The arrow cut through the air with a piercing screech.
This sound snapped Hanzō out of his bloodlust. He turned to look at Amegakure behind him, and his heart sank.
This was bad. This was just a diversion—their real target was Amegakure, his stronghold! If he continued chasing Tsunade, even if he killed her, losing his base would mean total defeat without further fighting.
Gritting his teeth, Hanzō shouted, "Men, we'll settle the score with them next time! Back to the city!"
"Yes!" The Rain-nin were filled with frustration. Not only were their supply lines cut off, but the enemy refused to fight head-on, retreating constantly while setting traps and ambushes. Was this the conduct of a great village?
If Uchiha Ryun knew what they were thinking, he would probably scoff. "A bunch of reckless fools, let me show you what real strategy looks like!"
Seeing Hanzō's forces retreat, Tsunade's unit fired a red signal flare. Upon seeing it, Orochimaru and Jiraiya immediately led their troops back to their original positions.
When Hanzō returned to the city, all he saw was devastation—the walls scarred by explosive tags, the gates nearly shattered.
Looking up, the city walls were littered with corpses—his own Rain-nin defenders. Faced with this scene, even the so-called "Demigod" Hanzō was at a loss.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Ryun remained in the command center, where a sandbox lay before him with three flags representing Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya.
Based on scout reports, he moved the flags to observe the situation. As the saying goes, "Plan strategies from a command tent, secure victory from a thousand miles away."
Outside the command center stood Uchiha Kiyoshi and other Uchiha clansmen, who insisted on protecting Uchiha Ryun. Seeing their determination, Tsunade had no choice but to agree.
Now, apart from Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru, not even the Hokage could enter the command center without permission.
Another scout returned, and Uchiha Kiyoshi brought the report inside. Sitting in his chair with his eyes closed, Uchiha Ryun said, "Hanzō retreated back to the city and has gone quiet, hasn't he?"
The scout immediately knelt. "Sir, you're brilliant! Following your strategy, our casualties were fewer than 200, while the enemy lost at least 800!"
The scout's eyes shone with admiration as he looked at Uchiha Ryun. A 1:4 casualty ratio—what an incredible feat of strategy and tactics! To witness it firsthand and even play a part as a messenger was an honor!
Uchiha Kiyoshi opened his mouth to speak but found his voice stuck in his throat as he gazed at Uchiha Ryun's figure.
His speechlessness was understandable. Throughout the Warring States Period, the highest casualty ratio any clan had achieved was 1:2. Now, it had doubled!
Having observed Uchiha Ryun's tactics firsthand, Uchiha Kiyoshi felt a mix of emotions. His eyes filled with respect.
At the same time, anger burned within him. He wanted to ask the clansmen who had once bullied Uchiha Ryun: How dare you mistreat such a talent? Are you even worthy?
Forget Uchiha Ryun's terrifying combat talent—just his strategic mind alone was beyond what those simple-minded clansmen could comprehend.
This was just... this was just...
"Kiyoshi, Kiyoshi, Uchiha Kiyoshi, are you listening?" Uchiha Ryun waved his hand, frowning. This guy seemed reliable, so why was he spacing out?
Uchiha Kiyoshi snapped back to reality and dropped to one knee, his movements natural. "My apologies, Commander. I was distracted. Please punish me!"
Uchiha Ryun waved it off. "It's fine, Kiyoshi. No need to be so tense. It's nothing major, just..." He leaned in and whispered into Uchiha Kiyoshi's ear...
"T-That's not appropriate." Uchiha Kiyoshi's lips twitched. Damn, he wanted to take back his earlier praise. Uchiha Ryun was just a shameless rogue.
Uchiha Ryun rolled his eyes. "What do you know? In war, the best strategy is to outmaneuver the enemy, the next is diplomacy, and the last resort is siege. If we can resolve this without a single casualty, isn't that better?"
"Hurry up, don't delay military affairs!" Uchiha Ryun glared at him before crossing his legs and humming a tune.
Uchiha Kiyoshi took a deep breath, then bowed and accepted the order, heading straight for Tsunade's unit at the front lines.
Tsunade was still observing Amegakure in the distance when a subordinate reported, "Lady Tsunade, Uchiha Kiyoshi requests an audience!"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. Uchiha Kiyoshi? Then her expression relaxed. He must have been sent by Ryun. Was there urgent news?
She said, "Bring him in!"