Facing the ninja squad from the Land of Demons, Hidden Sand arranged their positions into a three-segment concentric circle formation, divided into three lines of defense from outside to inside.
The first line of defense stationed a total of one thousand Hidden Sand Ninja, primarily responsible for alerting and monitoring the enemy. Once the Ninja from the Land of Demons attack, the enemy's attack routes can be determined.
The fifteen hundred Hidden Sand Ninja positioned on the second line of defense would then move accordingly, always ready to support and block the enemy's invasion.
The third line of defense is located at the most central place, also serving as the last defense for Hidden Sand's formation, existing as the command center, with two thousand five hundred Hidden Sand Ninja stationed there, personally led by Fourth Kazekage Rasa.
In the core command area, vast amounts of supplies that Hidden Sand brought to the front line are stored, along with a makeshift field hospital that has been set up. These both belong to the key protection areas of Hidden Sand, and the defending force in these two areas is also the most ample.
In the meeting room set up with simple tents, Hidden Sand Ninja led by Kazekage Rasa and Konoha Ninja led by Jiraiya engaged in immensely rigorous tactical discussions.
Since the Land of Wind is Hidden Sand's home ground, Jiraiya could mostly only suggest supplementary strategies based on Hidden Sand's strategic arrangements, occasionally offering his opinions to fill gaps.
"According to eyewitness reports from the investigation group, the Ninja squad of the Land of Demons has already established a large-scale base thirty miles north of the camp, looking as though they intend to engage us in prolonged stalemate warfare."
Rasa took out a few photos and spread them on the table, showing the appearance of the base.
Judging by the base's scale, accommodating five thousand people for a long-term residence would be entirely feasible.
Furthermore, the exterior walls of the base are incredibly tall, with protective barriers set up in the sky and underground. Under the geographical advantage held by the Ninja of the Land of Demons, a direct assault on this base would be unwise, certainly resulting in tremendous casualties.
"Are they planning to delay until the war ends with such a stalemate?"
Jiraiya asked in surprise.
Though he couldn't say for sure, the strategic arrangements by the Land of Demons in the Land of Wind were bizarre, leaving one baffled.
"I'm not sure about such things, but from the beginning, we Hidden Sand fell into a trick of the Land of Demons, leading to a vanguard army composed of a thousand ninjas whose fate is now uncertain. Judging from the current situation, they are likely captured by the Land of Demons."
At the thought of the prisoners' fate, Rasa couldn't help but feel sorrowful.
In such turbulent times, prisoners have no human rights to speak of.
Even though a so-called humanitarian principle of non-killing prisoners was devised and approved by the Five Kage previously, this so-called rule of non-killing prisoners does not significantly constrain the ninja.
The so-called humanitarian non-killing of prisoners was just an anesthetic made by the Five Great Nations to comfort smaller countries.
In the Ninja Realm wars, wanton slaughter of enemy prisoners has long been an unspoken agreement among the Five Great Nations.
Except for some special prisoners who might receive favorable treatment, such as medical ninjas, most prisoners are merely tortured, dying tragically amidst endless suffering.
Therefore, Rasa highly suspects that the vanguard army led by Maki has been entirely wiped out, with no survivors.
Even if any survived, they must be in a fate worse than death; death would be more pleasant.
Jiraiya, after hearing this, also sighed lightly, showing a trace of gloom in his eyes.
He certainly knew what kind of treatment prisoners receive during wartime. Once their mouths are pried open and the desired intelligence is obtained, the treatment they receive is self-evident.
Especially some female ninjas, who meet an even more tragic fate than male ninjas after being captured.
Thinking of this, Jiraiya grew ever more averse to war, vowing to prevent these tragedies from happening.
If he could find the true Child of Prophecy and guide him onto the path of the Savior, wars could be averted, bringing true peace to the Ninja Realm, where no one would suffer from war ever again.
Just as Jiraiya was about to say something, the sound of a firecracker suddenly echoed outside, and fireworks patterns were projected onto the tent cloth.
This scene was self-explanatory.
Rasa immediately said to Jiraiya sternly, "Jiraiya Jonin, please have everyone use Transformation Jutsu immediately to transform into Hidden Sand Ninja, and move to a safe place. Under no circumstances can your movements and identities be discovered by the Land of Demons at this time. Otherwise, our surprise attack plan will be in vain."
The alliance with Konoha was conducted secretly and not publicly announced.
Jiraiya and others entered the Hidden Sand Camp with the same caution, avoiding the Land of Demons' attention.
They came as a surprise attack force, meant for the most crucial moment.
If discovered by the ninjas from the Land of Demons at this time, it would also affect Hidden Sand's subsequent arrangements.
The surprise attack's arrangements would be entirely meaningless.
Jiraiya, knowing the importance of this, nodded solemnly to Rasa.
Then, he and Sarutobi Ryu and Sarutobi Linko used Transformation Jutsu, following Rasa's instructions, transforming into the appearance of Hidden Sand Ninja.
Following a Hidden Sand Ninja, they left the tent and went to where the other Konoha Ninja were located, instructing them to also use Transformation Jutsu to change their original appearances and steer clear of the imminent battlefield to avoid getting entangled in the battle and having their identities exposed.