"I think we should divide our forces," Mokgetsu said as the Jonin debated endlessly.
Mokgetsu believed that defeating Karatachi Yagura and his Hidden Mist Squad was not difficult; the challenge was in making Yagura willing to engage in direct battle.
Based on the current intelligence, the strategy of the Hidden Mist is mainly to exhaust Konoha's resources, only engaging in large-scale battles when victory is assured.
If they advance with a large force, Karatachi Yagura will certainly avoid the fight.
The balanced situation shifted after Mokgetsu spoke.
As the commander of the entire squad, Mokgetsu held absolute authority within the ranks.
Some of the Jonin who opposed splitting forces fell silent.
"But dividing our forces could easily..." Mimura Hamaki still felt that separating the troops was unreliable.
"Wasn't the last defeat primarily due to being overwhelmed in intelligence? This time, the village has dispatched more resources, so such a situation shouldn't arise," a Jonin who supported the division countered.
Although Mimura Hamaki was the deputy commander, Mokgetsu, who shared the same opinion, remained the chief commander.
Mimura Hamaki opened his mouth, unsure of how to counter.
Questioning Konoha's intelligence capabilities? If they are outmatched in intelligence on home ground by the Hidden Mist, it would severely underestimate Konoha's intelligence prowess, and even without the division, it would be difficult to fight.
Ultimately, Mimura Hamaki fell silent, and the plan for division was approved.
Mokgetsu chose a division strategy similar to Mitokado Homura's, letting Teacher Chen, who was both skilled and experienced, lead half of the forces to sweep through the Hidden Mist.
Mokgetsu's thought process was simple. Since Karatachi Yagura dared to attack Mitokado Homura's forces, then by employing the same strategy as Homura, Yagura would naturally dare to attack him too.
After all, Mokgetsu might be the number one of the younger generation in Konoha, but it's still the younger generation. Someone who wouldn't flinch before the Sannin, Yagura undoubtedly wouldn't flinch before Mokgetsu.
However, after the plan was drafted, Mokgetsu didn't proceed immediately. Instead, he sent out squads to eliminate the Hidden Mist squads near his forces, while awaiting reports from the intelligence team.
Even though Mokgetsu knew Konoha couldn't surpass the Hidden Mist in intelligence due to Uchiha Madara's support, he still needed to wait for intelligence before proceeding.
Since the other Jonin wouldn't allow Mokgetsu to charge in recklessly with a strategy similar to Mitokado Homura's, from their perspective, it would be futile.
Once the intelligence team clarified the current situation of the Hidden Mist and located Karatachi Yagura's squad, Mokgetsu then led the troops into action.
"Commander Mokgetsu, although it might not be appropriate, I have an ominous feeling," Mimura Hamaki said to Mokgetsu on the march.
"Perhaps we've underestimated the intelligence capabilities of the Hidden Mist."
The further the plan progressed, the more Mimura Hamaki felt a peculiar sense of déjà vu. Upon reflection, isn't this identical to Mitokado Homura's script, just with another batch of ninja?
"Let's trust our comrades," Mokgetsu replied with a smile.
Mokgetsu certainly hadn't underestimated the intelligence capabilities of the Hidden Mist. Given White Zetsu's assistance, it would be unusual if they couldn't surpass Konoha in intelligence.
From the start, Mokgetsu aimed to defeat the Hidden Mist Ninja Squad using only half of his forces.
The Hidden Mist's labyrinth formation requires manpower, not a complete large squad, likely retaining around ninety percent of the original forces.
With Mokgetsu's current prowess, even without utilizing full strength, neutralizing seventy to eighty percent of the Hidden Mist Squad is achievable. Wouldn't the remaining eight hundred Konoha ninja handle the leftover ten percent?
Mimura Hamaki sighed slightly, ceasing further speech.
After all, did Mokgetsu say so? What else could he rebut?
"Youthful arrogance remains somewhat lacking in stability," Mimura Hamaki lamented inwardly.
He didn't feel any aversion towards Mokgetsu because of this, but merely felt that life's too smooth sailing might not be desirable, with Mokgetsu shining in the ninja world and garnering Hokage's favor at a young age, inevitably fostering some pride.
"Hopefully, my intuition is wrong," Mimura Hamaki raised his vigilance while progressing.
Perhaps the world is too cruel, the more you dread something from happening, the more it insists on occurring.
The Konoha Ninja Squad successfully located Karatachi Yagura's hidden troop positions following the intelligence.
However, awaiting them was not a small Hidden Mist squad, but a ninja force sufficient to encircle them.
"Habu Mokgetsu, it seems I truly overestimated you. Don't you understand the lessons from your predecessors?" Karatachi Yagura couldn't help but laugh and said.
Upon learning that Mokgetsu was leading the ninja troop in an attack, Karatachi Yagura immediately treated it with utmost concern, devising numerous countermeasures.
To his astonishment, Mokgetsu executed the same operation as Mitokado Homura.
Initially, Karatachi Yagura suspected it to be a trap, believing that even if Mokgetsu wasn't adept in tactics, his assisting ninja certainly would be.
Yet, the intelligence from the team contradicted his assumptions.
Given the intelligence team's recent successes, Karatachi Yagura trusted their information, overturning his supposition.
And the intelligence team did not betray his trust; they were about to secure another victory.
"It's a trap, launch the signal bullet now!" Mimura Hamaki urgently shouted, seeing the masses of Hidden Mist surrounding them.
The signal bullet shot into the sky, its dazzling brilliance exploding in the air.
"Could it truly be this time?" Kakashi swiftly unsheathed the White Fang Short Blade, donning a grave expression unlike ever before.