Uchiha's personal opinion

"Tokumitsu-kun, Sakumo-kun, what else do you know about the situation in Sunagakure?"

Akimichi Torifu's first question is still the most crucial battle between Konoha and Sunagakure.

Uchiha Tokumitsu and Hatake Sakumo exchanged a glance.

"No, our intelligence comes from shared data between the dispatched army and the border troops," Sakumo Hatake replied.

"Oh?" Akimichi Torifu's expression looked somewhat strange. "Don't the mobile units conduct their own intelligence gathering?"

“No,” Uchiha Tokumitsu continued. “Because the Mobile Force has a small personnel structure, the headquarters has not developed any additional intelligence channels besides its daily patrols and defenses in the defense zone.”

“Besides…” Uchiha Tokumitsu paused, then continued, “If we had obtained exclusive information, we would have shared it with Senpai Tokifusa long ago.”

Akimichi Torifu laughed heartily.

For him, Uchiha Tokumitsu's words were enough.

As long as it is confirmed that the mobile forces led by Uchiha Tokumitsu and Hatake Sakumo are of one mind with you, there shouldn't be too many problems in the war.

"So, how are the preparations for the war zone in the land of rivers going? Is there anything we can help with?" Akimichi Torifu continued to ask.

“The number of ninja troops is seriously insufficient.” Mimura Yoru quickly took over the conversation and complained, “Currently, in the vast Land of Rivers, there are only a little over a thousand border troops and elite mobile forces deployed in various places. If faced with a sudden attack from the Sand Village’s large forces, we may not be able to cope in a short time. Therefore, we hope that we can recruit ninja troops to supplement and strengthen the army.”

“It’s probably not easy to conscript ninja from the village, and each border region has its own difficulties…” Akimichi Torifu said with some difficulty, “However, if the Land of Rivers war zone only has these ninja troops, it is indeed difficult to maintain such a large territorial defense…”

As he said this, Akimichi Torifu looked at Uchiha Tokumitsu.

“The Tokuko Red Guard is my private army and does not belong to the Konoha combat organization.” Uchiha Tokuko naturally understood what he meant.

Long before the battle in the Land of Rain began, Uchiha Tokumitsu, just in case, specially transferred a squad from the Tokumitsu Red Guard stationed at the Daimyo's residence in the Land of Grass, but they never had the chance to be used in the subsequent battles.

So it turns out that Akimichi Torifu had his eye on this powerful Uchiha ninja army.

“Tokumitsu-kun’s private army, ah, the young men are truly formidable.” Akimichi Torifu expressed very appropriate surprise. “Perhaps in a few days, we will have to call Tokumitsu-kun ‘Minister of Police’.”

Uchiha Tokumitsu did not argue, but simply nodded in return with a slightly reserved air.

Seeing this, Akimichi Tokifu naturally understood his goal and mindset.

"But the village is indeed facing difficulties at the moment."

Akimichi Torifuka addressed Mimura Yoru and Kōdō, saying, "Before receiving the imperial edict, the Hokage had already spoken with me, saying that we must take the existing ninja forces within our jurisdiction as the overall objective and carefully plan how to deal with any potential conflicts or even wars..."

Although the words were a bit roundabout, everyone understood the underlying meaning: Want to add more people? No way!

Mimura Yomi and Kime Kōdō's faces showed undisguised disappointment.

Uchiha Tokumitsu and Hatake Sakumo also frowned at the opportune moment.

"Of course, the main reason is that the movements of Sunagakure are still unclear. They are replenishing personnel and supplies on both the Land of Rivers and the Land of Rain, but they have not shown any particular focus."

Autumn Wind explained.

"The Country of Sichuan."

Uchiha Tokumitsu said without hesitation.

"Ok?"

“What I mean is, Sunagakure’s primary target should still be the Land of Rivers,” Uchiha Tokumitsu explained.

"Why?" Akimichi Torifu, Mimura Yoru, and Kime Kouta all seemed puzzled.

"Among the Sand Village raiding squad that the mobile force annihilated, there was the son and daughter-in-law of Elder Chiyo, a high-ranking member of Sand Village."

"That's it?"

Everyone felt it was somewhat unreliable.

After all, commanding the ninja army to launch a major war is an extremely important and cautious matter, and they find it hard to believe that Sunagakure would be so angry as to raise an army.

"Imagine if Shinnosuke were killed in the Land of Rain, fire..."

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Before Uchiha Tokumitsu could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a series of coughs from Hatake Sakumo.

Akimichi Torifu, on the other hand, looked like he didn't understand what she was saying.

"The environment and climate of the Land of Rain are actually not conducive to the Sand Village Ninja Army exerting its due strength. They will definitely be at a disadvantage in fighting against us. Moreover, they have also fought a protracted war with border troops in the Land of Rivers, so they are quite familiar with the terrain and environment. In addition, as Tokumitsu-kun said..."

Sakumo Hatake added.

Qiu Dao seemed lost in thought as he listened to the wind.

The tears on Mimura Yoru and Kime Kōdō's faces deepened.

If what Sakumo Hatake said is true, then the largest border defense force of the ninja army currently stationed in the Land of Rivers will surely face an exceptionally difficult and fierce battle.

"Lord Deguang, I have a request..."

After thinking for a while, Akimichi Torifu solemnly spoke to Uchiha Tokumitsu.

“Senior Tokikazu, please don’t be so polite. Speak frankly.” Uchiha Tokumitsu bowed slightly in response.

"Although this may not be appropriate, and it's not very fair to the Uchiha clan..." Akimichi Torifu said sincerely, "Could you please ask Tokumitsu-kun to dispatch the Red Guard private army to participate in this battle?"

"I know this request might be a bit excessive, but if you want to move up the ranks, you need to have some significant achievements to back you up, don't you think, Mr. Sakumo?"

Akimichi Tokimi's face showed some displeasure, and he quickly added.

This is practically an open declaration that they will support Sakumo Hatake in his bid for the Jonin squad leader position.

Although the three races of pig, deer, and butterfly are allies, they do not appear to be a completely monolithic entity now.

Since Akimichi Torifu was willing to say this, it means that there is still a small group of people within the Ino-Shika-Cho clans who are dissatisfied with the clansmen currently in power.

Uchiha Tokumitsu's expression instantly brightened.

Sakumo Hatake's expression relaxed at first, but then his brows furrowed immediately.

In this way, he would owe Uchiha Tokumitsu a huge favor.

"Furthermore, if Mr. Deguang has any ideas for reforming the police department in the future, I think I will support you without hesitation."

This statement was more explicit and more tempting to Uchiha Tokumitsu.

He was indeed very dissatisfied with the Uchiha clan's current situation of "begging for food while holding a golden bowl," and he also had a whole set of police department reform plans.

It must be said that the old master is indeed an old master. Although Akimichi Torifu has been 'retired' for a long time, his sense of smell and his skills are still as sharp as ever.

"In that case, I have no objection."

Uchiha Tokumitsu immediately agreed, "With Senior Tokuka's words, then I will boldly wage war against the enemy with my private army!"

"Then may I ask, Mr. Deguang, how many people are in the Red Guard?"

“There are currently over a hundred Red Guards lurking in the Land of Rivers,” Uchiha Tokumitsu said. “The First Division consists entirely of elite clan members who are Chunin or higher.”

"More than a hundred Uchiha..."

Akimichi was overjoyed, as were Mimura Yoru and Kime Kōdō.

Based on the Uchiha clan's historical combat strength, over one hundred Uchiha members, rounded up, are equivalent to the combat strength of five or six hundred ordinary ninjas.

"Tokumitsu-kun, you mean... the First Division?"

Akimichi Torifu realized that Uchiha Tokumitsu had mentioned the term "ninja army organization."

“Yes.” Uchiha Tokumitsu nodded reservedly. “I will order the Second Division to be transferred here, so that we will be absolutely sure of success.”

"That... the second squad..."

Mokume Kōdō asked cautiously.

"Hmm... It's similar to the First Division, consisting of over a hundred Chunin or higher ninjas from the Uchiha clan." Uchiha Tokumitsu wiped his chin, looking completely unconcerned, and said casually.

"That's over two hundred elite Uchiha!"

Akimichi Torifu smiled broadly.

"Yes." Uchiha Tokumitsu maintained his composed and unassuming demeanor.

Mimura Yoru and Kime Kōdō celebrated their victory.

"So, what are your thoughts on the upcoming battle, Sakumo-kun and Tokumitsu-kun?"

Now that the goal of conscripting men had been achieved, Akimichi Torifu didn't mind listening to the two men's opinions more on tactical command.

After all, for him, victory is all that matters; as long as he's in the position of general, he'll get all the credit.

“Sunagakure’s battlefield concealment is indeed very good.” Sakumo Hatake frowned, seemingly hesitant. “Small intelligence units have difficulty obtaining timely and accurate intelligence…”

"Therefore, instead of sitting here waiting for the Sand Village to attack, it would be better for our unit to take the initiative and launch an attack to disrupt all of the Sand Village's plans!"

Uchiha Tokumitsu took over Hatake Sakumo's words and said decisively.

Sakumo Hatake nodded in agreement.

Upon hearing this, Akimichi Torifu frowned, assessing the relative strengths of the two sides. Mimura Yomaki and Kime Kōtō, on the other hand, seemed somewhat tempted.

Nobody likes to sit idly by and wait for others to attack them.

Compared to defense, taking the initiative to attack is naturally more tempting.

In the past, Konoha was not in a dominant position in terms of the balance of power between the two sides on the border, and the Hokage had given instructions that "border incidents should not be stirred up." Therefore, when faced with minor border conflicts, the two of them usually adopted a conciliatory attitude and did not have too much of a dispute with Sunagakure.

However, although the Uchiha clan ninjas are arrogant and unruly, on the battlefield they are formidable and reassuring comrades-in-arms.

With the addition of two squads from Uchiha Tokumitsu's direct Red Guard, Mimura Yoru and Kime Kōtō's confidence soared. They were not opposed to taking the initiative to launch a war against Sunagakure, and had already begun to plan their battle route and the expected battle achievements.

"Does Deguang have confidence?"

Akimichi Torifu was clearly also somewhat tempted.

"You'll know once you fight. No amount of fancy words can compare to going to the battlefield!"

Chapter 101 Secret Meeting in the Dark

What the enemy can do, I will do too; what the enemy can go, I will go too!

Uchiha Tokumitsu has never had the habit of waiting for others to attack him. Whether it was the Land of Grass against Iwagakure or now against Sunagakure, he has no intention of indulging them.

He has no intention of appeasement or compromise as long as his strength allows.

If we take the initiative to attack and annihilate the enemy, then there will naturally be no problem with defense.