Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 172: Susano'o-Clad Tailed Beast

After Uchiya Shinji and Chiyo left, Hatake Sakumo turned to Pakura.

"Are you sure leaving it to him is fine?"

"He has no other way out. He's on this path now and has to see it through."

Pakura nodded. "Leave it to him. Uchiya Shinji will handle things here."

"As long as you're confident." Hatake Sakumo found a spot to sit. "So, all we have to do now is wait, right?"

Pakura glanced out the window. "That's right."

Now, they just had to wait for the Land of Fire to mobilize its troops.

...

"Lady Hime, the Land of Wind has refused to return the bodies of Elder Koharu Utatane and the others. They've also detained all the envoys we sent."

A member of the Intelligence Division lowered his head as he reported the latest information to Tsunade, not daring to meet her gaze.

Tsunade was clad in a resplendent twelve-layered junihitoe. Each layer was crafted in different colors and patterns, transitioning from soft cherry blossom pink to deep indigo, creating a gradient reminiscent of the morning sun.

As a female daimyō—no, as a hime—Tsunade's attire was excessively lavish, perfectly complementing her mature presence. To look her directly in the eye seemed almost disrespectful.

As far as the intelligence officer knew, Tsunade had initially resisted wearing such cumbersome garments, but tradition was tradition, and it had to be observed on formal occasions.

Especially today, as the castle tower was filled with nobles.

The Intelligence Division officer's peripheral vision caught sight of the nobles seated stiffly on either side, their faces tense.

"I understand. You may leave."

A response came from above.

"Yes!"

The officer bowed and quickly departed.

At the head of the room, Tsunade slowly rose from her seat.

The hem of her robe, embroidered with intricate gold and silver threads depicting seasonal flowers and birds, swayed gently as she stood, almost as if the designs had come to life.

Those seated below her held their breath, fully aware of the agenda for the day and prepared for what was to come.

"What do you all think?"

Upon hearing Tsunade's question, Shikaku Nara, seated at the forefront, also rose and bowed.

"Lady Hime, the Land of Wind first murdered colleagues from the Land of Fire and then violated diplomatic etiquette."

Shikaku's voice was steady and resolute as he swept his gaze across the nobles present, seemingly seeking their support. "We must respond firmly!"

Most of these nobles were small-time lords who had been unable to rise to prominence under the previous daimyō. After Tsunade's ascension, they had quickly aligned with her, filling the administrative gaps left by the turmoil in the Land of Fire. They now formed an integral part of the nation's governing body.

"Indeed! The actions of the Land of Wind are a direct affront to Lady Hime and cannot be forgiven. Please, Lady Hime, issue the order to crush the Land of Wind!"

One noble spoke up, and the others quickly echoed his sentiment:

"Crush the Land of Wind!"

Listening to the chorus of support from the crowd below, Tsunade took a deep breath and said firmly:

"Mobilize the ninja army. Prepare for war!"

"Yes!"

...

At the forward military fortress near Moonlight Castle, the overseeing jōnin, Yamada Hidenori, approached Uchiya Shinji with urgency.

"Elder Shinji, why are we detaining Konoha's envoys and Elder Chiyo? The Land of Fire is already showing signs of large-scale troop movements along the border. They—"

Uchiya Shinji raised a hand, cutting Yamada Hidenori off mid-sentence. His voice was steady. "Didn't you also fail to stop this earlier? I've already explained—Elder Chiyo is not to be trusted!"

"All the Konoha shinobi stationed at their Sunagakure embassy were killed, and the perpetrators were our own people. There's no room for excuses. Yet Konoha allowed Elder Chiyo, someone capable of rallying Sunagakure's forces, to return. Do you really think there's no trap involved?"

Yamada Hidenori opened his mouth but ultimately sighed, saying nothing.

If he truly believed there was no issue, he wouldn't have gone along with Uchiya Shinji's actions in the first place.

He was, after all, the person in charge of this fortress and one of the first to pledge allegiance to the Wind Daimyō.

Without his agreement, Uchiya Shinji wouldn't have had the opportunity to meet with Chiyo and capture her as planned.

Noticing his hesitation, Uchiya Shinji pressed on. "Moreover, among the Konoha shinobi killed at the embassy were Koharu Utatane and Nara Shikayuan. The former was a peer of the Third Hokage, while the latter was the father of Nara Shikaku, the current military minister of the Land of Fire. We have no way out now."

"Besides, the daimyō himself has no objections. Don't let the Land of Fire's troop movements shake your resolve or disrupt your plans."

But that was precisely what felt off.

Some of the Wind Daimyō's decisions seemed reckless, but anyone with a basic understanding of past battles would know that the Land of Wind was no match for the Land of Fire.

Even if there was no way out, the daimyō didn't so much as raise a question before approving Yamada Hidenori's risky plan. Wasn't that a little too carefree?

Or did the Land of Wind have some hidden trump card to survive this ordeal?

Pondering this, Yamada Hidenori sighed and said quietly, "I understand. I'll leave the rest to you, Elder Shinji. My experience doesn't compare to yours, so I'll rely on your guidance. The daimyō mentioned that reinforcements will arrive in two days. We just need to hold out until then."

He had no hope of defeating the Land of Fire and was only focused on withstanding the initial assault long enough for the reinforcements to arrive and allow for a retreat to the rear.

In fact, he was already regretting his early allegiance to the daimyō.

Being entrusted with a significant role was one thing, but defending the border against the Land of Fire was undeniably a death sentence.

"Leave it to me," Uchiya Shinji replied with an unflinching expression, earning a trace of admiration from Yamada Hidenori.

Truly a seasoned elder, to remain so composed in the face of the mighty Land of Fire.

...

"I've never seen a fortress this well-built. Structures like this don't seem to exist within the Land of Fire," commented a Konoha ninja wearing a forehead protector as he gazed at the towering walls in the distance.

Ahead, amidst the endless desert, a massive military fortress rose from the sands.

Its outer walls, constructed from specially reinforced materials, reached twenty meters high and were layered for added durability. They could withstand explosive tags and various powerful ninjutsu while ensuring the absolute secrecy of the interior.

It was undoubtedly a stronghold.

"The biggest issue for the Wind Country's frontlines is supply, especially water. Without Moonlight Castle behind it, this fortress would be useless. Or rather, it's precisely because of Moonlight Castle serving as a supply hub that this fortress was possible," Kakashi explained as he walked over to stand beside the ninja.

"Moonlight Castle is also guarded by shinobi. This fortress is like a thorn in our side. If we don't remove it, we risk being caught in a pincer attack."

Hearing this, the Uchiha ninja, Yakumaru, who had spoken earlier, smirked slightly. "If we're leading this mission, doesn't that mean we're going for a direct assault rather than a roundabout strategy?"

"Of course!"

Kakashi nodded, his body beginning to transform as a tailed beast cloak appeared, shifting him toward his Three-Tails form.

Noticing this, Yakumaru's body emanated a crimson Susano'o skeleton.

Under the intense gazes of the ninja unit behind them, Yakumaru's Susano'o gradually encased the Three-Tails.

Armored Susano'o!

"Today, let the Land of Wind witness the meaning of absolute power!"

(End of Chapter)

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