Although Shigure had spent most of his adult life handling logistics, he possessed knowledge and a perspective unlike anyone else in this world.
He understood how shinobi fought and could clearly recognise the strengths and weaknesses of the different clans.
The first problem was the Kaguya Clan.
The Kaguya were nearly unstoppable in close combat.
Everyone present agreed that they could not be allowed to close the distance.
The most sensible approach was to hold them back and eliminate them with long-range attacks.
The Hōzuki Clan presented a different problem.
They specialised in Water Release, while their Hydrification Technique made them exceptionally difficult to kill when surrounded by the sea.
At first glance, the combination of the two clans appeared almost impossible to overcome.
However, every advantage came with a weakness that could be exploited.
“First, we let the enemy come ashore.” Shigure surveyed the assembled Uzumaki leaders, the faintest smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.
He had no interest in solving the Uzumaki Clan’s problems for nothing.
If Takamasa had not promised to grant him access to the clan’s fūinjutsu after the battle, Shigure would have washed his hands of the entire affair.
“What kind of strategy is that?” Uzumaki Hironari scoffed before Shigure could continue.
“It’s exactly what I suggested.” His contempt was plain for everyone to see.
“Be quiet and let Elder Shigure finish,” Nagakaze reprimanded him.
Nagakaze had grown increasingly frustrated with Hironari’s hostility towards outsiders.
He frowned before offering Shigure an apologetic nod.
Shigure waved dismissively.
“It’s quite all right.
With a liability like Hironari among your leaders, your clan already has my deepest sympathy.” Hironari flushed, then went pale with anger.
“Now, let us move on to the important part.” Shigure pointed towards the map of the coastline.
“We will abandon the beach and establish our defensive line one kilometre inland.
Before withdrawing, bury the first group of explosive tags beneath the sand near the shore.” Hironari frowned.
“Then the enemy will discover the trap before it can harm them.” “That is exactly what I want.” Shigure tapped the stretch of land between the beach and the second defensive line.
“The first trap is merely bait.
Once they discover it, they will believe they have already seen through our plan and advance with greater confidence.
The real explosive-tag field will be buried farther inland, along the route they must take to reach us.” Several Uzumaki leaders leaned closer to the map.
“Once the main field detonates, do not engage them in close combat.
Bombard them with explosive-tagged kunai while advancing together.
The Kaguya will be unable to exploit their advantage at close range, while the Hōzuki will have no opportunity to support them safely from a distance.” Shigure smiled faintly.
“Whether they continue advancing or retreat towards the sea, they will be moving exactly where we want them.” As each stage of the strategy was revealed, the Uzumaki leaders’ expressions gradually changed.
Their initial scepticism gave way to astonishment.
By the time Shigure finished, Uzumaki Ryōta clapped his hands together, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
“Brilliant!
Absolutely brilliant!” “I never imagined a shinobi battle could be planned with such precision,” another elder murmured.
“I’ve truly had my eyes opened today.” Nagakaze chuckled triumphantly.
“I told you Elder Shigure’s tactics were ingenious, but none of you believed me.” “Excellent,” Takamasa declared.
“We will proceed exactly as Shigure proposed.” Ignoring Hironari, whose face had turned an unhealthy shade of purple, Takamasa made the final decision.
The assembled leaders immediately left the council chamber to begin their preparations.
In the blink of an eye, only Takamasa and Shigure remained.
“We were discourteous to you earlier, Elder Shigure,” Takamasa said, his manner now far more deferential.
“I hope you won’t take it to heart.” “Just remember your promise.” Shigure gave the clan leader an amused look.
Takamasa’s attitude had changed remarkably quickly.
After offering a slight nod, Shigure turned to leave.
“Please wait, Elder Shigure.” Shigure glanced back.
“Is there something else?” “Would you be willing to accompany us to the coast?” Takamasa had been astounded by Shigure’s strategy.
However, if the man who had devised it personally commanded the battle, the plan would undoubtedly be far more effective than if the Uzumaki attempted to carry it out alone.
Shigure stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“And the fūinjutsu…?” Takamasa’s expression stiffened, a flash of displeasure crossing his eyes.
Even so, he quickly forced a smile.
“You may study all of it.” Does he truly believe anyone can master the Uzumaki Clan’s fūinjutsu simply by being allowed to study it?
Takamasa scoffed inwardly.
Let him look.
What difference will it make?
Three enormous ships sailed south across the boundless sea.
Their decks were crowded with shinobi.
At the bow of the leading ship stood two powerfully built men, gazing towards the faint outline of land on the southern horizon.
Before long, a piercing cry echoed from the sky.
A ninja hawk rapidly descended towards the ships.
“The report has arrived.” Gengetsu Hōzuki’s eyes brightened.
The hawk beat its wings several times before landing upon his shoulder.
“Secret Technique: Voice of the Demon Beast!” Gengetsu formed an unusual hand seal.
A low, rippling murmur emerged from his throat.
The ninja hawk seemed to understand him.
It responded with a series of equally strange sounds.
After communicating with the bird for several moments, Gengetsu’s face filled with mockery.
“What did it report?” Kaguya Kōtetsu asked.
“The Uzumaki are urgently mobilising along the coast.
It appears they intend to intercept us the moment we reach the shore.” Gengetsu gave a derisive laugh.
Kōtetsu responded with an equally disdainful smile.
His eyes burned with anticipation as he stared at the approaching landmass.
“This time, we shall see what the Uzumaki Clan can possibly use to halt the Kaguya’s advance!” Kōtetsu possessed absolute confidence in their victory.
The two clans had come fully prepared.
This invasion was entirely different from the small raids they had conducted in the past.
Kōtetsu and Gengetsu both possessed combat power just below the Kage level.
More than three hundred jōnin from the Hōzuki and Kaguya clans formed the first wave of the invasion.
A second force would arrive with further reinforcements the following day.
Their objective was to secure a foothold along the coast and clear the way for the forces behind them.
Past battles had already demonstrated the effectiveness of their cooperation.
A single Hōzuki-Kaguya pair could hold off several Uzumaki shinobi.
The Kaguya dominated close combat, while the Hōzuki provided support and took advantage of the surrounding sea.
By combining their strengths, the two clans had pushed their advantage to its limit.
During their previous raids, the invaders had repeatedly killed several times their own number while suffering only minor losses.
Those victories had greatly encouraged the two clans, causing their attacks to grow larger and more frequent.
This invasion was their first genuine attempt to destroy the Uzumaki Clan completely.
At the Uzumaki Clan’s coastal encampment, shinobi were rushing back and forth as they prepared for battle.
“Clan Leader!” “Clan Leader!” “The clan leader is here!” The Uzumaki shinobi greeted Takamasa as he arrived.
However, they completely ignored Shigure walking beside him and continued with their work.
Shigure was not pleased.
“Takamasa, my boy, why do I get the feeling that I’m not very welcome here?” He stopped walking and adopted a thoroughly aggrieved expression.
Takamasa felt a shiver run through him at being addressed as “my boy”, but he could not afford to offend Shigure before the battle.
“You’re imagining things, Elder Shigure.
This is your first time here, so naturally, our clansmen do not recognise you.” “That makes sense.” Shigure narrowed his eyes and nodded.
Even so, he decided that this was the perfect opportunity to improve his reputation among the Uzumaki.
He stopped a passing shinobi and offered what he believed was a kind, elderly smile.
“Do you know who I am?” The confused shinobi shook his head and glanced towards Takamasa for help.
“Ahem.
In terms of seniority, even your clan leader ought to address me as Uncle.” Shigure nodded solemnly.
“You may call me Grandfather.” “Grandfather?” the shinobi repeated blankly.
“Yes?” “My grandfather died years ago!
Who the hell are you?” Shigure’s expression darkened.
“You dare insult me?” Before Shigure could lose his temper, Takamasa waved impatiently at the shinobi.
“Why are you still standing here?
Get back to work!” The shinobi hurried away.
Takamasa stared at Shigure with a deeply troubled expression.
He was genuinely impressed by the thickness of the man’s skin.
How shameless did someone have to be to demand that a complete stranger call him Grandfather?
No wonder the Senju Clan sent him here.
Although his first attempt at becoming famous had been ruined, Shigure was not discouraged in the slightest.
He began stopping one Uzumaki shinobi after another and chatting with them as though they were his juniors.
“How is the food here?
You’re still growing, so make sure you eat until you’re full.” He moved on to another shinobi.
“What happened to your arm?
Does your clan not have any medicinal herbs?” Another unfortunate clansman soon fell into his grasp.
“Your name is Uzumaki Shigure?
Did your parents name you after hearing about me?” When Shigure spotted Hironari trying to slip away, his face immediately lit up.
“Don’t walk away, Elder Hironari!
We seem destined to keep running into each other.” Hironari stared at him in horror.
“What is that look supposed to mean?
Shall I ask your clan leader to explain the importance of respecting your elders?” One Uzumaki shinobi after another was subjected to Shigure’s enthusiastic concern.
Throughout the entire process, Shigure behaved like a kindly elder inspecting the younger generation.
The Uzumaki shinobi could only look helplessly towards Takamasa, who walked beside Shigure in complete silence.
Before long, Shigure had become a menace whom everyone instinctively avoided.
Wherever he went, the surrounding shinobi immediately put as much distance between themselves and him as possible, afraid that he might begin asking about their parents next.
At that moment, three black specks appeared on the distant sea.
The Uzumaki’s preparations along the shore were also nearing completion.
Takamasa’s expression became solemn.
“Elder Shigure, we are relying on you to command the battle from this point onward.”
Add to library.
Send some Power Stones.