Saving the Uchiha clan starts with becoming the clan leader.

"If splitting up the forces doesn't work, then send out more spies to keep watch! Maybe I'm just overthinking it."

Tu Tai said softly.

After much deliberation, he suppressed his unease and fully supported the Raikage's decision. It would be best to end this war, which had already become mired in a quagmire, as soon as possible, and taking some risks for it was only right.

"Then it's settled."

Ai had no intention of consulting with a third person for this operation.

The previous defeat has sparked considerable dissent within the military. It's impossible to say that there are no dissents in any village. Even when Onoki ruled Iwagakure for decades, there were still unruly figures like Rōshi.

Not to mention that Ai only served as the fourth generation for five or six years.

Relying on the prestige left by his father, his own formidable martial prowess, and the strong support of his sworn brother Killer Bee, he firmly held onto the position of Raikage, forcing ambitious individuals and opponents to cower in obediently until he was slapped in the face by Konoha and suffered a considerable loss.

If it weren't for A's still formidable strength, the mere fact that Killer Bee was captured by Konoha ninjas would have been enough to subject him to a barrage of criticism!

Calling a meeting now would only bring trouble and serve no benefit. It would be better to exercise the Raikage's power unilaterally. Tsuchikage also expressed his support for this, saying that more people do not necessarily mean more power, and most of the time it will only lead to more trouble.

"Tsuchidai, I'll leave the troop assembly to you. I'm going to check on Yukito."

The hardworking Tsuchida went to carry out the Raikage's orders, while Ai, accompanied by his secretary Mabui, personally went to the residence of the two Yugitos and found the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, who had been 'resting' in the house recently, sitting by the fireplace engrossed in reading a medical book.

"Yukito, are you learning medical ninjutsu?"

Ai glanced at the medical books in the hands of the two wooden figures, greeted them, and asked.

"Let's give it a try, we don't even know if it'll work!"

The two Yugitos welcomed Lord Raikage, but their attitude was not particularly enthusiastic.

Her temperament has changed, but that doesn't mean she's lost her mind. With her intelligence, she naturally understands that the Raikage's arrival is probably not specifically to inquire about her progress in learning medical ninjutsu. Being forced to stay in her room to recuperate recently has made her understand what it means to be powerless to control one's own destiny!

"I won't waste any more time on small talk. I've come to you because I need you to come to the front lines with me."

"Is another war about to break out?"

The two Yugito put down their medical books, a look of disgust appearing on their beautiful faces. "Lord Raikage, isn't there any room for negotiation?" Even though she knew there was little hope, she still stubbornly said something that would definitely not make Lord Raikage happy.

As she had predicted,

A's expression was extremely unpleasant. Anyone could sense the Raikage's deep displeasure and irritation. The Two-Tails Jinchuriki had been turned into this wretched state.

"This is an order, there is no room for discussion."

Ai gave the order decisively.

"Yes, the wooden man obeys."

Yugito closed her eyes and responded in a deep voice. Her loyalty to the village temporarily overwhelmed her aversion to war and killing. In any case, she deeply loved Kumogakure!

[Chapter 206. The Cloud Ninja Sounds the War Horn]

"Die!"

The blade flashed like a wheel, and decapitations were as easy as cutting leeks.

Two headless corpses were thrown onto the grass, their still-warm blood melting the snow and staining the soil red. The blank-faced heads rolled far away, and the cold air was tinged with a rusty, bloody stench. Fortunately, the weather was getting colder, so there was no need to worry about attracting mosquitoes.

Itachi Uchiha flicked his katana and took out a tissue to wipe away the remaining bloodstains.

"I've taken care of everything on my end too..."

Kimimaro walked over carrying two severed heads, blood dripping from the necks of the severed heads. He saw Uchiha Itachi sheathing his sword and immediately clicked his tongue, "Tch! Slow again? You're as fast as ever."

There was a third person beside them.

She was a fourteen-year-old girl with long yellow hair and a beautiful appearance. She was dressed in the standard uniform of a Konoha Chunin. Her name was Yamanaka Aoi, and she came from the Yamanaka clan. Currently, she was temporarily part of a team with Uchiha Itachi and Kaguya Kimimaro.

Yamanaka Aoi blinked, feeling like she was dreaming. This was too... Well, although she knew from the time they formed the team that the two boys, who were much younger than her, were very strong and were very talented, it seemed that one genius after another could not be directly equated with another genius!

This is completely different from the genius she knows!

"Hey, what are you spacing out for?"

Seeing Yamanaka Aoi standing there motionless like a wooden statue, Kimimaro called out.

"...Ah, no, um...I was checking if there were any other enemies around." Yamanaka Aoi snapped out of her reverie, realizing that not only had she not been of any use in the battle, but she had also been daydreaming... She felt a little embarrassed!

"Oh! Have you found anything?"

"No, no, there are no other enemies around for the time being."

As Yamanaka Aoi spoke, she closed her eyes, formed hand seals, and used the Yamanaka clan's spiritual secret technique to probe for possible chakra fluctuations within a radius of 800 meters, centered on herself. However, apart from her two teammates, she did not detect any other chakra fluctuations.

This is not surprising.

They have already wiped out four squads of Cloud Ninja stationed here, and the Cloud Ninja in this area have been almost completely wiped out, barring any unforeseen circumstances. Unfortunately, their orders were to defend, not attack. If the Cloud Ninja do not cross the border on their own initiative, they cannot actively pursue and kill them.

"Now that there are no enemies left, it's about time for lunch."

Kimimaro looked up at the gray and gloomy sky. It was difficult to tell the time accurately from the sky, but his rumbling stomach helped him confirm the time.

"Oh!"

Uchiha Itachi bit his thumb and summoned a flock of black crows. "Go keep an eye on them for me. Let me know if anything happens." These crows were ninja crows raised by Uchiha Shisui. As the youngest of Shisui's few friends, Itachi had also made a contract with these ninja crows, so he could summon them to help when needed.

For example, now,

With the ninja crows keeping watch, there's no need to take turns eating.

Not long after, the crows that had flown away returned.

Wow! Wow!

The crows' cawing was hoarse and unpleasant.

Uchiha Itachi, who was eating a rice ball, suddenly dropped it, stood up abruptly, and drew the small katana from his back. Kimimaro reacted just as quickly, standing side by side with Uchiha Itachi, with pale bones protruding from their palms.

"Aoi, investigate the situation in the northeast!"

"Uchiha Itachi shouted in a deep voice."

The ninja crows are intelligent, but they cannot speak or communicate with their contractors telepathically. Therefore, they can only provide general information. For detailed information, they rely on Aoi Yamanaka, the 'eye' that was specially placed for the two of them. Itachi Uchiha knew very well that this was a preferential treatment for them.

Ninjas from clans such as Hyuga, Yamanaka, and Inuzuka are highly sought after when forming teams.

On the war zone,

The importance of sensory ninjas goes without saying. Unless the opponent has an equally powerful sensory ninja, the initiative can be firmly in one's own hands. Therefore, whenever a sensory ninja is left alone and a new team is formed, it often causes quite a commotion.

Aoi Yamanaka's former teammates were killed in battle; another lost a leg to an explosive tag and was unable to continue fighting. They had no choice but to return to the village. While waiting for new teammates, Aoi Yamanaka was directly paired with Itachi Uchiha and Kimimaro Kaguya by Sogen.

before this,

Itachi and Kimimaro operated as a pair, and their team's fighting spirit was off the charts. They swept through the Chunin teams of the Cloud Ninja. The only drawback was the lack of sensory means. After all, the ninja crows summoned by Itachi Uchiha could not compare to proper sensory ninjas.

Compared to Itachi Uchiha and Kimimaro's lightning-fast reactions, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Aoi Yamanaka's reaction was slow.

However, with her teammates demonstrating their abilities, Yamanaka Aoi, who was no longer a novice on the battlefield, put down the food in her hands, formed hand seals with her greasy hands, and used her family's secret mental technique. Her perception range expanded instantly, and bright chakra fluctuations continuously rushed into her perception field.

His face immediately turned pale.

"It's a large force, a large force of Cloud Ninja! More than twenty of them are already heading towards us, and there are many more behind them... It's a large force of Cloud Ninja! The Cloud Ninja are about to start another great battle!"

"Kimimaro, Aoi, retreat immediately."

Upon hearing Yamanaka Aoi's sensory results, Uchiha Itachi decisively issued the order. There were only three of them. If it was just three or five small teams infiltrating, he was confident he could put up a fight. However, if it was a large force of Cloud Ninja coming, they would not be able to withstand the Cloud Ninja's rampage.

"Whoosh~~~"

The signal flare soared into the sky.

Meanwhile, he inserted a note with the word "Enemy Attack" written on it into the letter tube on the leg of a ninja crow. The ninja crow flapped its wings and flew away to find Uchiha Shisui. After doing all this, Uchiha Itachi and his companions retreated. However, no matter how nimble he was, it still took some time.

The Cloud Ninja have arrived!

Even Kimimaro could clearly sense the murderous aura emanating from the northeastern approach.

"Weasel?"

Kimimaro, who was running at full speed, glanced at Uchiha Itachi.

Given the current situation, it will be difficult for them to escape the Cloud Ninja smoothly, and contact with the Cloud Ninja is probably unavoidable.

"Fight as you go, don't get surrounded. Aoi, you go first and contact reinforcements. Kimimaro and I will stay behind to cover our retreat." Itachi Uchiha was very clear-headed. At this moment, they absolutely could not be entangled by the Cloud Ninja. Once they were surrounded by the main force of the Cloud Ninja, the Cloud Ninja could overwhelm them like ants killing an elephant. Moreover, he and Kimimaro were not even worthy of being called 'elephants'.

However, simply running away won't work; you can't ignore the shurikens and other such things flying from behind.

We can only fight as we go, and hold out until reinforcements arrive from the rear. Then we can turn around and fight to our hearts' content!

"I understand."

Yamanaka Aoi readily agreed.

She had fully realized the strength of her teammates, Itachi Uchiha and Kimimaro Kaguya, who were both much younger than her, and understood that she might not be able to help them much in this battle. Fighting alongside them might even become a hindrance. At this point, she should obediently follow the command of Itachi Uchiha, their captain.

She ignored the approaching murderous aura behind her, focused her eyes on the front, and ran forward with her head down.

Uchiha Itachi and Kimimaro did not stop either, but unlike Yamanaka Aoi who was running at full speed, they always held back some of their strength to be wary of the killing intent coming from behind. Suddenly, a bright light burst out, and the dazzling light made Kimimaro blink involuntarily.

In the very next second,

Itachi Uchiha reached out and slapped him, his chakra seeping into Kimimaro's body. Only then did Kimimaro realize that he had stopped without noticing. Coming to his senses, he immediately started running again. "What was that just now?"

"It's an illusion!"

"Itachi Uchiha replied."

"A very clever genjutsu, using bright light as a deception, making people mistake it for a ninjutsu that obstructs their vision, thus naturally falling into the genjutsu." It's just a pity that the person who used the genjutsu didn't realize that there was an Uchiha here, and... a Sharingan with three tomoe.

Three jet-black tomoe swirled in Itachi Uchiha's crimson eyes.

With those eyes, he broke through the Cloud Ninja's illusion and saw the person who used the illusion attack—a handsome man with blond hair.

"Illusion?"

Kimimaro frowned.

He secretly pondered to himself that he needed to continue to strengthen his training in breaking genjutsu, because he had already suffered from Itachi Uchiha's genjutsu in daily sparring. He had not relaxed his training in breaking genjutsu these days, but it was still too early to see any results.

Here they come again, watch out.

As Itachi ran, he swung his katana, deflecting the shuriken. The flying shuriken then knocked away the kunai with explosive tags hanging from them, igniting bursts of flame behind them. Soon, the Cloud Ninja realized that using explosive tags would only hinder their own actions, so they immediately stopped using them and continued to attack Itachi and Kimimaro with shuriken and kunai.

[Ten Fingers Piercing the Bullet]