May 31st
The Konoha–Uzushio reinforcement fleet filled the harbor, ships cycling in and out as they unloaded troops, crates, and tents. Only the flagship docked directly at the port, allowing the commanders and officers to disembark.
Uchiha Sosuke, Senju Kenichi, and twenty accompanying shinobi followed Uzumaki Koshina toward the center of Uzushiogakure. Eisuke, Fukashi, and Shinichi were among them.
***
Uzushiogakure was unlike any village Shinichi had ever seen.
Tall, rectangular buildings — most ten stories high — spiraled around the village like the coils of a whirlpool. From the outside, it looked enormous. But in truth, the entire village covered less than a tenth of Konoha's area.
At the center lay a small island, roughly the size of the Uchiha compound, where the Uzumaki Main Branch resided. And at its core, it held the tallest tower, crowned with the whirlpool emblem, served as the Uzukage's office.
Normally, Konoha envoys walked the spiral path to appreciate the village's unique design. But today, urgency overrode tradition. They took the direct route to the center.
As they passed through the streets, Shinichi immediately noticed the atmosphere; the adults whispered in hushed tones, workers moved with tense urgency. Even the children played quietly, glancing at their parents to read the mood.
Even children could smell war.
Shinichi watched them and felt a faint ache, reminding him a memory of a past childhood he never truly had. A childhood stolen and replaced with training, discipline, and blood.
'If this village falls... what will happen to these children? Will they also end up as brainwashed tools for war? .... I'm lucky my family is in Konoha. At least we won't lose our home.'
But he felt no sympathy for Uzushio. He was here to complete a mission and nothing more. His loyalty was to Konoha and the Uchiha, not to this island or the Uzumaki.
He collected his thoughts and he followed the envoys into the Uzukage's office.
***
A red-haired old man greeted them with hearty laughter and open arms.
"Hahahaha! I knew we could count on Konoha! Welcome, friends of Uzumaki!"
Uchiha Sosuke stepped forward, greeting in response.
"As commander of Konoha force, I, Uchiha Sosuke greet you, Uzukage-dono. Konoha has deployed over 4,130 Shinobis to aid Uzushio."
Senju Kenichi added respectfully,
"Granduncle Kyoto, Uchiha clan mobilized total of 112 Jonins, 1672 Chunins, and 92 Genins. Senju clan deployed 121 jonins and 1200 chunins and 150 genins. Combined with othe clans, Konoha deployed total of 251 Jonins, 3505 Chunins, and 374 Genins to aid Uzushio."
Uzukage smile widened. Hundred jonins from Uchiha and hundred jonins from Senju gave enough assurance for him.
"Excellent. We received reports that Kiri began preparations two weeks ago. And their vanguard detachment departed three days ago. Yesterday, we also confirmed that the main invasion fleet has set sail."
Sosuke nodded.
"Given their numbers and distance, the vanguard fleet should arrive tomorrow or the day after."
Kyoto nodded, "That's what we deduced as well."
Sosuke asked, "Uzukage-dono, what defensive measures does Uzushio have in place?"
Kyoto sighed.
"Our population is small. Our clan numbers 223 jonin, 4,407 chunin, and 5,239 genin. But we sent most of our elites — 100 jonin, 3,000 chunin, and 2,000 genin — to support Konoha. Our current defenses have holes."
He continued.
"We have 123 jonin and 1,407 chunin left. Along with 53 non‑Uzumaki jonin and 1,502 chunin. We've set up barrier traps and seal formations along the coast and major sentry points. Each trap can eliminate small to medium forces. But if jonin are involved… the outcome is uncertain."
Sosuke's brows arched in surprise. Uzushio's numbers were far larger than expected.
Uzukage noticed Sosuke's reaction and smiled.
"Our Uzumaki clan is not as mighty as the Uchiha or Senju, but our Kekkei genkai and fuinjutsu is something that we take pride in."
Sosuke snorted as his face turned a shade darker.
"Hng! Of course. We know that. Too well... for my liking." He crossed his arms and asked, "What of your Three Tails Jinchuriki?"
"About that…" Kyoto hesitated as he averted Sosuke's gaze. "Our jinchuriki cannot utilize the Three Tails' power."
"? What? How is that possible?... We know you Uzumaki well enough. Your Kekkai genkai and fuinjutsus are not just for a show!"
Kyoto explained.
"You are right in that our kekkai genkai allows us to suppress the Tailed Beasts easily. But drawing its power requires cooperation from the Beast. Forceful extraction cost tremendous chakra. And if the jinchuriki exhausts her chakra... the seal will weaken and the Three-Tails could break free."
"So she cannot fight."
"No. We cannot rely on her."
"I see." Sosuke lowered his head as he recalculated their strength.
Kenichi stepped in and asked, "So do you have any strategies in mind Uncle Kyoto?"
Kyoto turned to the map and traced his finger along the coastline of Land of Whirlpool.
"The Land of Whirlpool is not that big. With Uzushiogakure at its center, we can deploy about hundred shinobis to each sentry points. Then establish flares and communication team to alert the main force when and where Kiri will arrive. And subsequently deal with them."
He then turned toward the room.
"We must strike them as they land. Do not let them establish a foothold. They should be tired from long distance travel. We best not let them rest or recover."
"Sounds good enough."
"Alright then."
Before they could conclude, Shinichi stepped forward.
"We need to split our forces."
The room turned to him.
"If I were, the Kiri's commander, I'd divide into two groups. One with large force to land openly from the northeast with wide beaches for easy deployment. And an elite infiltration team from the south where cliffs and rocky terrains are perfect for stealth."
The Meeting room turned silent as they listened to Shinichi's analysis.
Kyoto scratched his cheek as he asked.
"Ummm. Who is this child?"
Kenichi answered quickly. "This is Uchiha Shinichi. Jonin of Konoha."
Sosuke studied Shinichi with newfound interest.
Kyoto, on the other hand, glanced around skeptically. Whether it be Sosuke or Kenichi, or Fukashi or other Konoha ninjas, they did not step up to stop Shinichi. And he found that strange yet interesting.
"I see. Then Jonin Shinichi," Kyoto spoke as he approached, "how are you certain?"
"I sent shadow clones to scout the coastline. Those two points appeared to be the most optimal points for invasion."
"…You scanned the entire coastline just now?"
"Yes. But that is not the point. I think it is best for us to divide our forces into two. One to face Kiri's main force and another select group of elites as a reserve to counter Kiri's sneak attack."
Uzumaki Kyoto glanced at Uchiha Sosuke and Kenichi, then back to Shinichi.
"You do have a point there kid. But, our home defense sensory formation covers up to 16 km away from our island. We will detect any chakra signatures approaching the island. So there's no need to be anxious."
He smiled. "Still, keeping reserves is wise."
He turned to face rest of the crowd, asking confirmation.
"What do you all think."
Senju Kenichi stroked his chin as he answered.
"I agree. We have the home advantage with better knowledge of terrain and aid of defensive barriers and seal traps. There's no need to commit everything to the front. Reserving some elites for variables is a wise move."
Uchiha Sosuke nodded.
Uzumaki clan, as an ancient clan with history that rivals Senju and Uchiha, had plenty of records on battle and warfare. However, Uzushio had never fought a war on its own soil. For centuries, since there relocation into Land of Whirlpool and becoming the only ninja clan and also the Daimyo of this land, they never faced an invasion of this scale in their life.
Senju has acted as a barrier that protected Uzumaki clan from invasion from mainland threats. As for threat from the sea, their island was located far away from other islands of Land of Water that no one took interest to attack them. And no clans were strong enough to attack them.
This was their first true invasion.
Moreover, due to the prolonged peace, the Uzumaki today lacked combat experiences. Although Uzumaki clan has many ninjas on paper, but they are more productive forces than warriors. They spend most of their time researching Fuinjutsu, juinjutsu, and formations.
Just as Kyoto was about to dismiss the meeting, again, Shinichi continued.
"Kiri's main objective in this invasion should be the Three‑Tails. At worst, if the pressure becomes too much, then we can surrender the beast."
The room froze as Kyoto's expression contorted significantly. He ever so slightly tilted his head and questioned, as if doubting what he just heard.
"What did you say?"
Shinichi frowned in confusion.
"Kumo invaded Yugakure, but not the Shimogakure. Iwa invaded Kusagakure and seems like they are planning to invade Takigakure as well. All major nations are targeting minor nations with the tailed beasts. The cause of this conflict lies with the tailed beasts distributed to the minor nations."
Sosuke and Fukashi stepped in front of Shinichi as Kyoto started to walk toward him. Kyoto's voice growled in dangerous tone.
"… Then do you know what it means to hand over Three Tails to Kirigakure, Boy?"
The Uchihas in the room frowned. They did not have a comprehensive knowledge of how Jinchurikis worked. They only knew that they are powerful weapons that could potentially injure the likes of Hashirama and Madara.
Shinichi shuffled his way forward and matched his eyes with Kyoto.
"Isn't it just giving up a Tailed Beast? Negotiate a right price. Konoha can help pressure Kiri into paying more. What good is there to keep a weapon you can't utilize at the cost of your own people?"
Kenichi quickly intervened holding his hands out to stop Kyoto and Shinichi.
"Shinichi-kun… extracting a tailed beast... kills the jinchūriki."
Shinichi's eyes widened.
"So this is the truth of Jinchuriki? To sacrifice a person to become the vessel of Tailed Beast till death? What a barbaric practice."
His cheek twitched with disgust and his eyes filled with disdain.
"Hah! What a fitting name, the power of human sacrifice! Ridiculous! It would be better to use Mangekyo Sharingan to tame them than to create this... abomination."
The room turned silent for a different reason.
'This… Is this Uchiha Madara?'
Everyone knew of Madara's feat of taming Nine Tails into mere summoned beast. They instinctively connected Shinichi's words with Madara.
However, Shinichi's rant did not stop there. His tone was mixed with disgust and a sense of betrayal in them.
"To rely on the death of one person to maintain national power… This is the peace the First Hokage envisioned? A balance built on human sacrifice?"
Fukashi quickly grabbed him and pulled him back.
"Haha! Don't mind him. He's just a child, Uzukage‑dono."
Kyoto stared at Shinichi with a deep, unreadable expression.
"… no harm done Fukashi-dono…"
As the silence ensued, Kenichi cleared his throat and concluded the meeting.
"…Regardless, Shinichi's strategic points are sound. Let's prepare accordingly."
The meeting ended and Konoha-nins were escorted to guest's living quarters. By the time they stepped outside, the sun had reached its zenith.