Sarutobi Sasuke felt the weight of the world pressing down on his shoulders.
The three thousand Ninjas currently under his command were the Village's last remaining assets in the eastern front. Every decision he made would determine the survival of not only his troops but also the strategic position of Konoha. If this restructured Eastern Army were wiped out, victory in the Ninja World War would be a hollow one, a pyrrhic victory at best. The thought gnawed at him, leaving a cold sweat on his brow.
"Do you understand precisely what needs to be done after restructuring the Eastern Army?" Senju Tobirama asked, his voice calm yet carrying the weight of expectation.
"Strictly guard the fortresses and strongholds," Sasuke responded after a brief pause. "We should not engage the enemy in reckless battles outside our positions…" He hesitated for a moment, weighing his words carefully.
Tobirama's sharp gaze flickered with a mixture of caution and concern. "That idea is not entirely wrong," he said slowly, "but I can guarantee that if you merely stay put, the Eastern Army will likely repeat the same mistakes that led to its previous collapse. You cannot simply wait for the enemy to make errors—you must force the situation to your advantage."
Sasuke's face paled slightly. "Please… enlighten me, Hokage-sama," he said respectfully, eager to learn from his superior.
"Split the army into small squads," Tobirama instructed, his voice gaining intensity. "Send them out individually to raid supply lines, disrupt enemy operations, and hunt down isolated Hidden Mist squads. Only by striking quickly, unpredictably, and decisively can you regain control of the east. And if possible, recover any civilians who have been abducted—they are Konoha's foundation."
By the time Tobirama finished, his teeth were gritted with barely concealed hatred. These civilians were more than just ordinary people—they represented the future of Konoha. They could be trained as Ninjas, contribute to the Village's long-term strength, and provide the taxes needed to maintain and expand Konoha's power. And now, that foundation was being systematically snatched away by the cunning, ruthless Uchiha Su.
Yet even as his rage simmered, Tobirama found himself puzzled. The methods employed by Uchiha Su were unorthodox, almost alien to traditional Ninja warfare. Since the Sengoku period, the common approach was simple: seize property and kill any civilians who resisted, leaving no survivors to pose a threat. This cruel and direct method was designed to instill fear and eliminate potential enemies efficiently.
But Su's style was different. Instead of slaughtering, he incorporated, coerced, and manipulated. It was psychologically complex, methodical, and unnervingly effective. Tobirama could only shake his head in disbelief. Had he known that Su was actively persuading captured Konoha Ninjas to surrender, he would have likely erupted in sheer rage.
Sarutobi Sasuke wasted no time. He had been assigned three thousand of Konoha's finest surviving troops, and the first step was restructuring the Eastern Army.
He established command hierarchies, assigned officers, and reorganized squads. Each unit now had a clear chain of command, with Chunin-level leaders guiding three Genin per squad. Discipline, efficiency, and coordination would be critical, as these small squads would be expected to operate semi-independently across the eastern territories.
By late afternoon, Sasuke and his newly restructured army reached Miwacho.
Miwacho was a bustling, prosperous town—a microcosm of life and commerce. Its streets were lined with taverns, casinos, temples, and theaters. Lanterns hung above, casting a warm glow that made the town seem alive even as twilight approached. In the pleasure district, Oiran houses and tea salons shimmered with lavish decor, the fragrance of incense and food blending in the cool evening air.
The Town Mayor, Akabane Hikari, awaited him, smiling brightly. "Lord Sarutobi! You must experience the Oiran of Miwacho. She arrived from the Royal Capital last month—her skills are exquisite, and her beauty is unparalleled!"
Sasuke's gaze lingered briefly on the vibrant streets and bustling nightlife, but he quickly suppressed any personal indulgence. He had three thousand troops to oversee, and the threat of Hidden Mist incursions loomed heavily over the town. His duty was leadership and strategy, not personal pleasure.
"Mayor Hikari," Sasuke said sternly, "first, ensure accommodations are arranged for the Ninjas under my command. As for your kind offer… I must decline. Wartime leaves little room for indulgence. As a commander, I must lead by example."
An excellent Ninja, he believed, must possess self-control. If one could not manage their own desires, how could they hope to lead others in battle? The principle was simple: personal discipline reflected professional capability.
Akabane Hikari's smile faltered, replaced by a subtle expression of annoyance. Yet he dared not defy Sarutobi Sasuke. Outside Miwacho, thousands of armed Ninjas now watched silently, ready to enforce their commander's will.
Sasuke moved into the mansion Hikari had provided, establishing a temporary command post with his staff. Maps were immediately unfurled, and strategic points were marked according to the latest intelligence.
"According to scouts," Nara Tetsuya reported, stepping forward. "The nearest Hidden Mist squad is less than twenty li from Miwacho. If no actions are taken tonight, the enemy will surely discover our presence by morning."
Tetsuya's voice carried a quiet intensity, reflecting both his loyalty and his personal vendetta—his older cousin, Nara Ryusei, had fallen in battle, and this mission was as much about vengeance as it was about military strategy.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Deploy one hundred squads immediately. Hunt down all surrounding Hidden Mist units. If possible, eliminate them. If elimination is not feasible, drive them away and disrupt their operations. We cannot allow them to consolidate control."
The morale of the Eastern Army was fragile. Recent defeats had left lingering fear and hesitation, making full commitment to combat unlikely. Sasuke knew that expecting heroics from ordinary squads would be unrealistic. Each squad had its own way of fighting—ordinary tactics, basic formations—but careful leadership and clear objectives could compensate for lack of morale.
Tetsuya nodded. "Understood. I will organize the squads and ensure orders are communicated clearly. The missions will commence immediately."
Meanwhile, far from Miwacho, Uchiha Su's sharp eyes traced the town's name on his strategic map.
"Miwacho," he murmured, fingertips brushing the place name with quiet precision. Behind him, Uchiha Nami reported the latest intelligence.
"It has been confirmed," she said, bowing slightly, "that Sarutobi Sasuke has restructured the Eastern Army and stationed several thousand Ninjas at Miwacho. They arrived last night. Our scout squads are engaging Konoha's forward units."
"Additionally," Nami continued, "we have abducted a total of 35,472 people from the Land of Fire. They have been transported back to the Land of Water and are located near the Village. This proximity allows us to collect taxes efficiently and identify potential Ninja talent among the captives."
The Hidden Mist Village had no legitimate right to levy taxes beyond its borders. Ninja Villages traditionally relied on three sources of income: mission rewards, allocations from the Daimyo, and internal commercial taxes. Uchiha Su had long avoided interfering with the Land of Water's Daimyo to prevent political fallout, limiting his taxation to the Village's internal commerce.
But now, the war had begun. Su's ambitions no longer allowed for restraint. If he failed to seize economic control during wartime, he risked undermining the very purpose of initiating the Ninja World War. "If we do not act now," he muttered to himself, "then wasn't all this war started for nothing?"
He turned to Uchiha Nami. "Call Uchiha En. I have a task for him—one that requires absolute discretion and commitment."
Nami left swiftly, returning moments later with Uchiha En in tow. Su gestured, and Nami remained outside the door, guarding it to ensure privacy.
"En," Su said, lowering his voice. "I have a mission for you. You must first decide if you are willing to accept it. Once you do, there will be no room for hesitation or regret."
"I will listen, Young Lord," En replied, clenching his teeth. "As long as it is your command, I will carry it out, no matter the cost."
Su's expression remained cold and unreadable. "I want you to assassinate the Daimyo of the Land of Water. It must be done cleanly, without arousing suspicion. Let the world believe the Daimyo died suddenly of natural causes."
En's eyes widened slightly, a mixture of resolve and tension flashing across his face. The task was immense, with consequences that extended far beyond the act itself. Yet he nodded, steel entering his gaze. Duty and loyalty were paramount.
The Hidden Mist's plan, ruthless and meticulous, was now fully in motion. The wheels of war had shifted irrevocably. Every decision, every maneuver, would have repercussions across the entire Ninja World. And for Konoha, the Eastern Army's survival—and the fate of thousands of civilians—hung precariously in the balance.
Sarutobi Sasuke, stationed in Miwacho, remained unaware of the full scale of Uchiha Su's schemes. His task was immediate: rebuild the Eastern Army, fortify the town, and defend the people in his care. Yet even as he prepared for the coming battles, a shadow loomed over every strategic decision—a shadow cast by the cunning and merciless Uchiha whose ambitions now threatened the entire Ninja World.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)