Shibi coughed and spoke in a calm and formal voice. "Konoha is thankful that Suna had agreed for the joint mission. Let us proceed with the discussion on how to proceed."
The Aburame clan head looked at both squads and waited for everyone to focus on the shared goal. Maps of the Land of Water and simple notes already lay on the table between them.
Hizashi Hyuga added the main purpose of their work. "Our primary objective is to cause more destabilization in Kiri so that they have no choice but to withdraw from our borders."
The plan was not to conquer the Mist Village. The plan was to make continued fighting too costly for them.
Baki gave his own view on the enemy leader. "The Fourth Mizukage does not look like someone who backs out of fights."
Shota agreed with that assessment but he had his own private doubts. From what he remembered from the anime at some point of time the Fourth Mizukage was in Obito's genjutsu and controlled by him.
The young jinchuriki had been turned into a tool for Obito's plans. But if he was not wrong the Fourth Mizukage himself was cruel and started the Bloody Mist and the hunt for Kekkei Genkai users without Obito doing anything.
The village's dark policies had begun under his rule long before any outside control. So the question was if currently the Mizukage was in Obito's control or not.
If he was then it would be easy to end this conflict if Shota could get his eyes on him and thus break the genjutsu placed on him. But if he was not then that meant that the Mizukage was doing all of this on his own whims.
Spider offered a practical target list. "We should hunt the remaining members of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. If I am not wrong Konoha's Might Duy managed to kill four of them with only three of them left."
Shibi corrected the numbers with newer information. "While that is true our intel says that they have got new recruits for the other swords. And Juzo and Raiga Kurosuki have defected from the village. So there are currently five Swordsmen of the Mist. Although the new ones are not as skilled as their previous counterparts."
Aoba added one more important name. "One of the new ones though is a prodigy named Mangetsu Hozuki wielder of Hiramekarei."
Shota listened to all the information and then gave his own summary. "Well then that settles our first target. But I do not think that would be enough to stop the Kiri rampage."
Killing a few elite swordsmen would hurt the village but it would not end the larger policy of violence. He continued with a deeper idea. "I do not think that every Kiri shinobi would be happy about the Fourth Mizukage policies. There is bound to be some resistance group formed."
The harsh hunts against bloodline users must have created enemies inside the village itself.
He explained further. "And if there is a resistance group then that means it would be formed of the Kekkei Genkai clans of Kirigakure. They would not just sit back and let the Mizukage and his forces just kill them. Terumi, Yuki and Kaguya clans should be the ones in this."
The three famous bloodline families had the most reason to fight back. 'Let's hope Mei and her gang is strong already to face the Mizukage. And let's hope that she is already opposing him because if she is still following the orders of the Mizukage then it would be pretty tough to take down the Mizukage.' Shota thought.
The future Fifth Mizukage and her allies would be valuable if they already stood against the current leadership.
Aoba shared fresh news. "Speaking of Kirigakure clans, Konoha have just received some intel about that. The Kaguya clan has been wiped off after they attacked Kirigakure in full force."
Apna told how the entire clan had charged the village in open war and had been destroyed to the last fighter. Only a few children or survivors might remain in hiding. The once proud family that could harden their bones into weapons no longer existed as a force.
Suna shinobi eyes widened as Kaguya was a clan that was widely popular even in the Warring States Period as one of the clans that regularly fought the Uchiha and the Senju. Hearing that such a strong group had been erased in one battle showed how far the Bloody Mist policies had gone.
Spider spoke next. "Well that makes things easy for us. Those motherfuckers would not have gone down easily. They should have done a lot of damage to Kirigakure. And their security should be a little compromised. We might be able to infiltrate the village easily."
The losses from the Kaguya attack would leave gaps in the guard rotations and sensor networks. A small team could slip through if they moved carefully.
Shibi nodded at that idea. "Yes by infiltrating we might be able to get useful intel about Kirigakure and which targets we should strike and prioritize. But all of us going inside would alert their sensors and if we are found it would spell disaster for us. How about one from each of our squads?"
The suggestion kept the risk low. Only two people would enter the dangerous streets of the Mist Village while the others stayed ready outside.
Shota agreed at once. "Agreed. I volunteer Spider san for this." He spoke the name with a light smile. Spider's eyes bulged in shock and he answered loudly. "Oi brat why are you sending me to my death?!" The older man did not like the sudden nomination for the most dangerous part of the plan.
Shota chuckled and explained the real reason. "I just wanted to make you experience how it feels to send someone to a dangerous mission. Do not worry senpai. I will go myself."
Spider gave a phew of relief as Shota chuckled again. The Konoha squad looked at the carefree Eraserhead of Suna who was joking while they were in an S rank mission. The calm attitude of the young Suna Jonin surprised them.
Shisui spoke next with clear confidence. "Then I would accompany you. With my Sharingan I would be able to help get intel easily and with my Body Flicker Jutsu I would be able to escape if things go south."
The combination of Erasure and Sharingan would give the pair strong tools for both gathering information and staying alive.
Shota nodded and everyone else also did the same in agreement. The plan was set. Shota of Suna and Shisui of Konoha would enter Kirigakure together while the remaining six Jonin prepared support and escape routes outside the village.
--------Author Notes---------
Y'all can now read the next 20 chapters of the fanfic on my pat*reon.
Pat*reon.com/Charizard6
[No star]
Thankyou for your support!