Chapter 298: Suicide Mission
The active chakra provided by the Hashirama cellular regeneration core was like a spring that nourished the soul's life force, precisely the ideal energy source to power the "Soul Chip."
"Now, the two key problems have been solved. The Hashirama cellular regeneration core perfectly meets this requirement!"
A hint of passion for scientific research burned in his eyes. Now, it only remained to overcome the difficulty of firmly sealing the soul chip in the metallic body and connecting it mentally. Once solved, creating an army of intelligent puppets would no longer be a fantasy. By then, an operation with a thousand machines would not be a problem.
However, sealing the soul chip in the metallic puppet was, without a doubt, a difficult task. His mind quickly went through the schools of sealing techniques, and finally a name emerged: the Uzumaki clan of the Land of Whirlpools!
"As heirs of the most powerful sealing techniques, their secret techniques are the only ones that can solve the problem."
Thinking about the Land of Whirlpools, Sasuke calmed down. The Uzumaki clan possessed powerful perception abilities like the "Kagura Mind's Eye." Stealing their techniques would be almost impossible. In addition, they must have extremely strict protections for their secrets.
He tapped his fingers on the table, his gaze shadowed. "A deal could be a good idea, but the Uzumaki clan does not lack wealth. We need to find something they cannot refuse."
According to the information gathered, Kumogakure had already begun to covet the Uzumaki clan's sealing technique. If the situation in Iwagakure worsened, or if Kumo found an opportunity, the Uzumaki clan would be annihilated.
"This matter requires long-term planning," Sasuke suppressed his thoughts.
After a final review of the progress of each experiment, he unleashed the Flying Thunder God Technique and returned to the front-line camp in Kawanokuni. He intended to continue guiding Chōmi, Tobirama, and Inu in their training, but the atmosphere in the camp was a little strange.
As soon as he entered the command center, Shikaku came out to greet him. "Commander, you've returned just in time," he said with a chuckle, handing him a document. "The Mitokado clan has sent more than sixty ninjas, all their elite troops, claiming to be 'supporting' the front. They are led by Mitokado Tian. They said they were following Elder Homura's orders to familiarize themselves with the troops."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Tian is here in person. Where is he?"
"They have arranged to stay in a temporary base in the northwest corner," Shikaku scoffed. "But they don't seem to be very popular. The reform policies they have implemented have already taken root in people's hearts, and the ninjas detest the old problems in the logistics department. These Mitokado ninjas arrived arrogant and bossy, but they were lovingly received by our people and are now much more obedient."
Sasuke immediately understood. The Iron Wall Army was now united. Homura wanted to seize military power, but it was a pipe dream. Sending Tian was simply asking for death.
"Since they have arrived, we naturally cannot leave them idle," Sasuke's voice was calm, but with an unquestionable authority. "Transmit the order: the ninjas of the Mitokado clan must be incorporated into the 'Special Assault Team,' personally commanded by Yeshan. They are ordered to prepare for an important mission this morning. The objective is to assault the advance post of the Red Sand Fort. This fortress controls a key route. We must eliminate it at all costs!"
The order was quickly transmitted.
Mitokado Tian, a middle-aged jōnin, looked at the order with a livid face and banged on the table. "Ridiculous! This is outrageous!", he roared at the ninja who had given him the order. "Red Sand Fort! It's a heavily guarded fortress. Sending us, with so few men, to assault it is a self-sacrificial farce! That scoundrel Sasuke is seeking revenge! I refuse to comply with such a suicidal order!"
The messenger ninja remained expressionless. He simply wrote in his notebook: "Jōnin Mitokado Tian refused to comply with the orders. This act of insubordination has been recorded and will be reported to headquarters and the Military Court." With that, he turned and left.
However, shortly after, Shikaku arrived in person. "Master Tian! An urgent S-rank mission has been assigned!", he said with anxiety. "The latest information shows that Master Sakumo and Commander Sasuke, after carrying out a mission to annihilate a nation, have been pursued by Elder Chiyo and her elite unit. The situation is extremely critical!"
Then, he presented a new document. "The command has ordered: the special assault team must depart immediately. At all costs, head at full speed to the designated location to meet with them."
Tian felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him. This mission was even more desperate. Against Chiyo and her feared puppeteers, his more than sixty men would not even be enough to cover the gaps. Worse still, he had just openly disobeyed an order. Now, this new order was perfectly reasonable and legal. If he dared to say "no" again, Sasuke would not hesitate to enforce discipline on the battlefield, accusing him of crimes such as "continuous disobedience" and "desertion." Desperation washed over him. For the first time, he felt so clearly that he had fallen into a carefully designed dead end.
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