Uchiha's personal opinion

Masatoshi Hatake was somewhat embarrassed.

He came to the Land of Whirlpools to ask for help, but now the person in charge wants him to go back without saying when he plans to leave or how many people he will take. This is putting him in a difficult position.

“I will be leading two squads out tomorrow.” Uchiha Tokumitsu glanced at Hatake Masatoshi, understanding his thoughts, “but I won’t be meeting up with Sakumo-kun immediately.”

Hatake Masatoshi was somewhat disappointed; the two squads only had six ninjas, which was far too few for ninja operations.

However, Uchiha Tokumitsu's second sentence made his heart jump again.

"...Please enlighten me, Lord Deguang."

"I speak with utmost respect," said Masatoshi Hatake.

"I will lead men to infiltrate behind the lines of the Hidden Mist Village and search for its landing site, starting from the location where the eastern border defense forces were attacked."

Uchiha Tokumitsu drew a circle around the former Eastern Border Defense Force Command Post, which was marked on the map.

"If I have the chance, I will destroy the Hidden Mist's sea-crossing ships!"

"Thank you for your explanation, Lord Deguang. I understand now!"

Masatoshi Hatake bowed and replied.

"Also, after you go back, have Sakumo-kun launch a sustained offensive for three consecutive days starting tomorrow, and try to hold off Yagura Karatachi!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu pondered for a moment, then gave the order again.

"As ordered!"

Masatoshi Hatake responded solemnly.

Then, Uchiha Tokumitsu took out a letter, wrote down the battle plan and the necessary cooperation, signed and sealed it, and handed it to Hatake Masatoshi.

"Go back and report back!"

"Yes, sir. I shall take my leave!"

Hatake Masatoshi respectfully accepted Uchiha Tokumitsu's letter with both hands, then rose to take his leave.

Uchiha Tokumitsu continued to ponder the operational details of the raid behind enemy lines.

The Hidden Mist Village attacked in two parts. The First Army of the Hidden Mist Village, led by Suigetsu Hozuki, had been completely defeated, and most of the high-ranking commanders of the ninja army had been killed in battle. The small number of Hidden Mist Village remnants remaining in the Land of Fire were no longer a threat.

However, the Second Kirigakure Army, led by Yagura Karatachi, is engaged in a fierce battle with the forces of Sakumo Hatake and Orochimaru. Moreover, judging from the current situation, although the Konoha ninja army is not in the lead, the Kirigakure ninja army has not been able to advance any further.

Therefore, cutting off the rear of the Hidden Mist Ninja Army was a key point in changing the course of the battle.

Judging from the current battle situation, the three thousand Kirigakure ninja currently engaged in fierce fighting with Sakumo Hatake and Orochimaru's forces are not enough to break through the stalemate in a short period of time; therefore, if Kirigakure intends to continue fighting, it must continue to reinforce its troops, otherwise it will only be a waste of manpower and resources without any gains.

If Kirigakure were to send additional troops, their preferred landing site would naturally be the current landing anchorage of Kirigakure's Second Army.

Therefore, destroying the Kirigakure ninja army's anchorage and crossing ships would not only damage the morale of the Kirigakure Second Army, but also effectively delay any potential Kirigakure reinforcements that might arrive later.

The biggest challenge in raiding behind enemy lines lies in finding a place to anchor in a short time without disturbing the enemy's concealment.

As for destroying the ship's anchorage, it wouldn't be a difficult task for Uchiha ninjas who are skilled in fire-style techniques. Moreover, Uchiha Tokumitsu's Susanoo also possesses extremely strong destructive power.

With this in mind, Uchiha Tokumitsu immediately ordered a military meeting.

……

“Sakumo-kun has sent a letter requesting reinforcements, and I plan to send men with me to join the battle.”

After all the Jonin in charge of each department had arrived, Uchiha Tokumitsu got straight to the point and handed them the letter of appeal for help sent by Hatake Sakumo to read.

The Jonin simply circulated the letter silently, offering no comment.

Uchiha Tokumitsu was very satisfied with his subordinates' performance, which also shows that he had supreme authority in the ninja army.

"I plan to select a small team from each of the Uchiha and Hyuga ninjas to carry out operations behind enemy lines with me, in order to destroy the Kirigakure ninja army's rear anchorage and crossing ships."

Uchiha Tokumitsu explained his battle plan: "The rest of you will stay here to rest and eliminate the remaining forces of Kirigakure."

"Young Master Deguang, isn't leading only two squads a bit too few...?"

A Jonin from the Uchiha clan whispered, "Of course, I'm not questioning Young Master's strength, but to be on the safe side, perhaps..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone understood what he meant.

"It's alright. I'll have Sakumo-kun and Orochimaru launch a sustained offensive to hold back Yagura. As for the other Kirigakure ninja... they're not a threat!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu remained unmoved, but still spoke up to explain.

"In that case, I hope that Young Master will take the Jonin to provide support."

After exchanging glances and exchanging opinions, the group of Uchiha Jonin gave their suggestions.

After all, when carrying out a raid behind enemy lines, especially when the enemy's highest combat power is being tied down by friendly forces, mobility is of utmost importance.

Therefore, there is little need to bring too many people.

"Three Uchiha Jonin will be selected to accompany me into battle."

Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded, agreeing with his clansmen's suggestion.

He then turned to look at Hyuga Shuhiro.

"Shuhong-kun, please select three Byakugan ninjas to fight alongside me."

"As ordered!"

Hyuga Shuhiro rose and bowed.

The group of Uchiha Jonin were also somewhat surprised by Hyuga Shuhiro's unusually respectful attitude at this moment.

After all, the Uchiha and Hyuga clans have long been at odds. Although they don't have any conflicts during wartime, they rarely interact in private. In the past, when they met, it was only for official business. Why are they so obedient and respectful now?

"Also, prepare more explosive tags for the logistics department; I'll need them," Uchiha Tokumitsu said to the Uchiha Jonin in charge of supplies.

"Yes, sir!" The Uchiha Jonin immediately stood up and replied, "There are still 70,000 explosive tags in the warehouse, including 7,000 specially made explosive tags made by the clan. If you intend to use them for the summoning detonation of the Mutual Explosive Tags Technique, I will immediately collect more specially made explosive tags from various departments."

"No need for recycling, just give me those seven thousand special detonating tags."

Uchiha Tokumitsu thought for a moment and, considering that Kirigakure had already figured out how to counter his multiplicative explosive tags, their effectiveness in breaking formations in battle was no longer as great, so he did not request too many explosive tags.

"In addition, after I go into battle, the task of guarding the camp will be taken over by Jonin Chongxin."

Uchiha Tokumitsu pointed to a mature and composed middle-aged Uchiha ninja.

"As ordered!"

Uchiha Sukinobu stood up and accepted the order.

"The task of eliminating the remnants of Kirigakure in the Land of Whirlpools cannot be relaxed; it will still be handled by Jonin Shuhiro!"

"I will do my utmost to complete the mission and will never fail Lord Deguang's trust!"

Hyuga Shuhiro immediately stood up and replied.

These words also drew the attention of the Uchiha Jonin.

It's so much more sophisticated than just saying "Yes, sir!" It sounds so much better!

The Uchiha Jonin secretly glanced at Uchiha Tokumitsu's satisfied expression and silently noted down the 'advanced vocabulary' that Hyuga Shuhiro had used.

"If there are no other issues, then proceed in sequence!" Uchiha Tokumitsu ordered. "Tomorrow morning, all personnel going into battle will depart with me!"

"As ordered!"

The group of Jonin in charge responded with a chorus of agreement, then rose, bowed, and left.

……

The seven thousand specially made explosive tags prepared by the logistics department were quickly delivered. Uchiha Tokumitsu branded each tag with the summoning mark of the mutual multiplication explosive tags and then sealed them all into a scroll.

Including Uchiha Tokumitsu's previous stockpile, he brought over 20,000 summoning explosive tags and over 1,000 ordinary explosive tags for this battle. He also prepared a considerable amount of other ninja tools such as kunai, shuriken, Uchiha-made steel wire, and soldier rations.

When conducting raids behind enemy lines, it is essential to be fully prepared. Even if the preparations are not needed, it is better to be unprepared.

Early the next morning, Uchiha Tokumitsu led his troops toward the Land of Fire.

Tsugaru Gorge is located in the northwest of the Land of Whirlpools, guarding the eastern sea outlet of the Land of Fire. It is a relatively steep gorge, and the Tsugaru Waterway that runs through it is also the main river in the eastern region of the Land of Fire. Going upstream from the mouth of Tsugaru Gorge, one can reach the eastern main city of the Land of Fire.

According to the battle report of the Eastern Border Defense Force, there are four bays around Tsugaru Gorge, where their troops were attacked, which can be used as landing sites. Uchiha Tokumitsu's target for the raid behind enemy lines was within this area.

Instead of taking the land route, Uchiha Tokumitsu chose a leapfrog tactic, using the various scattered islands at sea as springboards for periodic rests, gradually infiltrating the target area. Meanwhile, three Hyuga ninjas took turns activating their Byakugan, constantly monitoring the movement on the sea surface to evade the eyes and ears of Kirigakure.

However, it was only thanks to the fact that the two squads accompanying the army were all Jonin that they were able to sustain such a long-distance raid across the sea.

"Gentlemen, please prepare to rest for an hour before officially landing!"

After reaching the last small island on their marching route, Uchiha Tokumitsu ordered everyone to rest.

After the three Hyuga ninjas activated their Byakugan to investigate, they found nothing unusual.

This place is 400 kilometers away from the target area, Tsugaru Gorge.

Even with the speed of a ninja, it would only take about three hours to travel across water and sea.

"No trace of the Hidden Mist Ninja Army has been found?"

Uchiha Tokumitsu frowned.

Generally, during large-scale ninja operations, multiple reconnaissance squads are deployed to patrol the perimeter to prevent surprise attacks from enemy elite ninja forces.

However, according to the reports from the Hyuga ninjas, no signs of Kirigakure ninja activity have been found along the way, and there are no Kirigakure ninjas stationed on the various islands, which is very unusual.

"Lord Tokumitsu, if that's the case, why don't we first conduct reconnaissance towards Tsugaru Gorge and the Tajima Peninsula in the Land of Iron, and then report back after discovering any trace of Kirigakure?"

"This was stated by Hyuga Takazawa, who was in charge of commanding the reconnaissance mission."

Tajima Peninsula?

Uchiha Tokumitsu had a flash of inspiration and quickly located the Tajima Peninsula on the map.

"The Land of Iron..."

Uchiha Tokumitsu lightly tapped the location of the Tajima Peninsula on the map.

The Tajima Peninsula is located in the southeast of the Land of Iron, facing the Land of Fire across the sea. According to the scale on the map, it is about 200 kilometers away from Tsugaru Gorge.

"Although the Tajima Peninsula is under the jurisdiction of the neutral Iron Country, the region is mostly saline wasteland and has always been an uninhabited area. Only a small number of pirates occupy some strategic locations, so it is possible that Kirigakure has set up an anchorage there..."

Hinata Takasawa explained.

"But there are no other islands along the way. Can you walk on the water for that long?"

"Uchiha Tokumitsu asked."