I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 501: The protection of the weak by the strong actually forces the weak to take sides.

"They actually succeeded in their operation. The casualty ratio was close to 1 to 11. That Nine-Tails Chakra Cloak combined with the Slug Split is really powerful."

In the command room of the Konoha camp on the northeastern border of the Land of Fire, Tatsuma looked at the statistics sent back by the village and couldn't help but marvel. Such a great victory was truly rare.

The ratio of one to eleven includes the number of injured. The total number of casualties in Konoha exceeds five hundred. Of course, many of these are only minor injuries. With the Nine-Tails' chakra and the slug's chakra, all non-fatal injuries can be reduced to minor injuries.

If we only consider the deaths, the ratio is almost 1 to 20. According to their estimates, the number of Iwa ninja who died directly or indirectly after this battle may exceed 2,000. Such a record would be a great victory no matter when it is mentioned.

After all, two thousand ninjas is not a small number for any ninja village. If it were Konoha, that would be nearly ten percent of its active ninjas. Although Iwagakure has more ninjas, it is still a significant blow.

The number of casualties is not the most important thing; what is more important is the blow to morale. In their own country, in their own camp, after being so badly wounded by the enemy, it is already remarkable that the camp can remain stable and not mutini.

This was also thanks to the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, who personally went to the front lines. Without the support of Onoki and many other comrades, the camp might have been disbanded.

Unfortunately, such a victory cannot be replicated; Konoha's preparations this time were unprecedented.

First, there was the method of the surprise attack: the airdrop of 5,000 people. Before this battle, even the most imaginative ninja could not have conceived of such a scene.

Secondly, there's the emergence of the Sannin, the three great holy lands, and Kushina. Regarding the Sannin, aside from Jiraiya's recent achievements, Tsunade and Orochimaru have been holding back their ultimate moves in the village.

After this battle, Tsunade's Hundred Healings Technique and Creation Rebirth will likely be unable to regain their former glory for a long time.

After the initial information gap is cleared, various countermeasures will likely be devised for Orochimaru's Orochimaru-style ninjutsu and taijutsu. Whether they will be effective is hard to say, but there will certainly be many.

On the contrary, Jiraiya Tatsuma frowned, flipped through the information again, and confirmed that Jiraiya had only shown his Sage Mode once and had not revealed much information. A strange look appeared on his face.

What is Jiraiya doing? Is he pretending to be a master? But this is good, at least he has preserved one last trick for the Sannin.

The summoning beasts of the three sacred sites also played an extremely crucial role. The healing power of Shikkotsu Forest, the combined offense and defense of Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave, along with their enormous size and strength, made them overwhelming for ordinary ninjas.

As for Kushina, she displayed a power far exceeding her previous training levels.

Thinking about the description in the intelligence report, Tatsuma thought of Kurama's ability to connect with others, and he really wanted it.

After regaining his senses, Tatsuma shook his head. Now was not the time to think about that. He began to consider how Orochimaru and the others should utilize these advantages.

There's no way we can do it again. After all, Onoki has come to the battlefield. It's hard to say what will happen to the Sannin, Minato, and Kushina, but the large-scale summoning jutsu from Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave will most likely be useless.

Moreover, with Rōshi's failed deployment, Iwagakure will likely send Han to the battlefield soon, which would completely erase Kushina's advantage and even allow her to be overtaken.

It's impossible for Tsunade, who is "weak," Orochimaru, who is not good at direct ninjutsu clashes, and Jiraiya, who has not revealed his trump cards, to repeat their old tricks. Perhaps they can pull off a feint.

The advantage on that battlefield cannot be maintained by the remaining means; external assistance is needed, such as indirect intimidation from other battlefields.

Tatsuma put away the documents, looked at Shikaku who was also studying the intelligence, and said, "Let's change the plan. No, in the original propaganda plan, with the quality of Konoha, we can at least fight three against one."

"Does 'one against three' both allude to the numerical disparity in the Northwest battlefield and metaphorically represent Konoha's current one-against-three situation? I understand."

Shikaku nodded. He and Tatsuma realized around the same time that Orochimaru's resources alone were not enough to maintain their advantage, let alone expand it further.

For example, there needs to be more evidence to support the argument that Konoha had the strength to win even if it faced three ninja villages at the same time.

The successive victories will further dampen the morale of ninjas from other villages besides Konoha, and may even lead to war-weariness. Only by lowering the level of other ninja villages can Konoha possibly make up for the gap in strength caused by the difference in numbers.

"Knock knock knock~"

Just then, there was a knock at the door. Lu Jiu frowned slightly, but still said, "Come in."

The door was pushed open, and a young man walked into the command room, bowed in the direction of Tatsuma, and said, "Lord Tatsuma, the Hokage sent me to report to you."

"Shin-chan, if I needed you to lead a team immediately, cross the border, and head straight for the Land of Lightning's territory, what would you think?"

Tatsuma looked at Shinnosuke as he entered and asked curiously, "Sending Shinnosuke here at this time is clearly not Hiruzen Sarutobi's usual practice. It's most likely Shinnosuke's own wish."

Since it was his own will, Shinnosuke must have thought about the war situation before coming here, and on his way here.

He wasn't averse to Shinnosuke's arrival; in fact, he was somewhat pleased. After all, Shinnosuke's background was impeccably righteous, and if used properly, it could provide numerous advantages for the war effort.

Shinnosuke nodded and said, "Lord Tatsuma wants to anger the Cloud Ninja and force them to take action, but Konoha needs more and faster victories, and as a Konoha ninja, I have an inescapable responsibility."

Meaning he was willing, Tatsuma nodded. Of course, he couldn't just wave his hand and say, "That's settled then," but instead asked, "So, how do you think we should reach the border of the Land of Lightning?"

Upon hearing this, Shinnosuke frowned. He wanted to answer that he should directly enter the borders of the Land of Frost or the Land of Iron and "borrow a route" to travel through them, but clearly, this was not the answer Tatsuma wanted.

Seeing Shinnosuke getting hesitant, Tatsuma didn't urge him on, nor was he going to wait. Instead, he looked at Shikaku and said, "Shikaku, draft a protection contract and have Shinnosuke personally deliver it to the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Frost."

Konoha treats everyone equally. Since the Land of Rivers and the Land of Grass are both in war zones, Konoha provides them with protection. Naturally, it will not stand idly by while the people of the Land of Frost are engulfed in war. Within three days, Konoha ninjas will be stationed in the Land of Frost to provide necessary protection for all its members.

As for Shinnosuke, has he never openly used your father's name since becoming a ninja?

Shinnosuke nodded and said, "My father's honors may give me a halo, but they won't really change my strength and talent. They might even be a burden. Therefore, my father and I have always tried to avoid them."

"Hmm, but now there's a mission that requires the title of the Third Hokage's son, to use the Third Hokage's influence. Would you refuse?"

As Tatsuma spoke, he revealed an extremely infectious smile, instantly erasing the subconscious resistance that Shinnosuke felt, while Shikaku revealed a malicious smile.

Tatsuma Sakamoto has tricked someone again! Luckily, this time it wasn't him! Was he also assigned a mission?! Tatsuma Sakamoto is truly born evil!

As Shikaku suppressed his smile, about to expose Tatsuma's scheme, Shinnosuke nodded firmly and said, "This is something that benefits the village, Father won't refuse! And I won't refuse either!"

How foolish!

Shikaku slapped his thigh. What an innocent young man! He was led astray by Tatsuma's few words!

"Okay!" Tatsuma looked at Shikaku and said, "You and Shinnosuke arrange this matter, and at the same time inform everyone to prepare for departure."

".good."

Shikaku said through gritted teeth. Shinnosuke, with his clear, foolish, and fanatical expression, immediately moved closer to Shikaku and began to discuss with him how to take advantage of his father's name.

Tatsuma left the command room and went to the communications team. After all, he was using Hiruzen Sarutobi's matter, so he had to report it. Anyway, Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't refuse, so he just treated it as going through the motions.

Inside the communications unit, a real-time communication was made to the Hokage Building. After Tatsuma answered, he briefly explained his thoughts.

"Hahaha~ If my reputation is still of any use, you may do as you please. In any case, I estimate that in a while, your own reputation will be much more useful than mine."

And please, don't deliberately protect Shinnosuke just because of me. That kid has great talent, of course, not compared to you or Minato. He needs some trials to further realize his talent. Do you understand what I mean?

Even through the communicator, Tatsuma could picture Hiruzen Sarutobi's face glowing with health, yet also showing concern for his son. He replied, "Don't worry, Hokage-sama. I can't take care of Shinnosuke, let alone look after or protect him."

"You little brat"

Hiruzen Sarutobi knew that Tatsuma was just joking, and said, "I'm leaving the front lines to you. Go ahead and do your job. I'll take care of things back home."

Tatsuma suddenly frowned. Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone had changed strangely. Had something happened in the village? Tatsuma pursed his lips and still asked:

"If there are any problems in the rear, you can also let me or Minato know. We have the Flying Thunder God Technique, so going back and returning to the battlefield will be very easy."

"Well, don't underestimate me. After all, I am still the Hokage of Konoha. Even if things are alright now, I will protect the village if something really happens."

Hiruzen Sarutobi paused for a moment, then said, "Sakumo and Torifu have come to me several times about leading the team. Are you still sticking to your own ideas?"

"Well, I'm not in a hurry. Besides, leading the team would only distract me. You know the whole village is on my shoulders now, haha."

"That's true. Then I'll help you stall for a little longer, but you still have to lead the team, otherwise it won't be proper."

"I understand. I won't make things difficult for you or the others. I have other things to arrange, so I won't chat any longer."

Tatsuma returned the communicator to Inoichi, who hung up. Then, looking at Tatsuma with envy, Inoichi said sarcastically, "That's great, the privileged class, no, the privileges of the Hokage."

"Got nothing better to do, huh? Let's go to the Land of Frost with Shinnosuke and come up with a new communication plan while we're at it."

Chenma gave Haiyi a disapproving look and turned to leave. He needed to find a quiet place to think things through and figure out what had happened in the rear and whether it would affect the front lines.

(End of this chapter)