May 7th
Frontlines in Kusagakure and Yugakure continued to escalate, not in full out war, but a silent one where squads faced off against each other in neutral fields, fields with no fuinjutsu or out of sensory ranges.
A month after Uzushio reinforcement departed, Tobirama himself decided to quickly take care of Iwa first.
Not to mention the fact that he received an intelligence report that Mu and Onoki left the village to join the front yesterday, It was clear that Iwa set their eyes to take both Tailed beasts from Kusa and Takigakure. Tobirama could not tolerate any of the major hidden villages holding more than one Tailed Beasts in their villages.
Tobirama originally thought that inadequate jinchurikis and weak fuinjutsus will frequently cause Tailed Beasts rampage in other villages and staunch their growth for some time. However, recent news and intelligence from Anbu showed that major villages began to develop techniques and methods to successfully seal Tailed Beasts a lot more quickly than he predicted. Tobirama recalculated that with next decade or two, jinchurikis will be able to control the Tailed Beasts' chakra to certain degree and create methods to train perfect Jinchurikis within 30 or 40 years.
Moreover, after listening to the reports of Kinkaku and Ginkaku powers, he misunderstood that Kumo successfully created a perfect Jinchuriki.
For Konoha to remain as the strongest in the world, he had to at least stop Iwa's attempt to seize Tailed Beasts. Kumo already seized the Two Tails.
Thankfully, Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mitokado Homura lived up to Tobirama's expectation and successfully repelled Iwa's attempt to seize the Kusagakure's Five Tails Jinchuriki on multiple occasions. However, recent intel that Anbu intercepted indicate that Iwa was giving up on Kusagakure and setting their eyes on Takigakure. Moreover, this time Tsuchikage and his disciple Onoki decided to participate in the war. Tobirama knew that Mu was a very tricky ninja, capable of hiding his presence and chakra signature easily from even expert sensors. To counter him, he thought that it is best for him to join Hiruzen in Kusa front.
Moreover, Kumo, for some reason was not as aggressive as Tobirama predicted.
In fact, since Kinkaku butai's initial charge, Kumogakure's aggression decreased significantly.
***
"Sensei, Second Hokage personally made his move this time. Should we proceed to Takigakure?"
Onoki and Mu brought extra 3,000 troops of elites, originally to invade Takigakure. However, receiving reports that Senju Tobirama mobilized to join the Kusagakure front, Mu began to contemplate seriously.
Casualties from frontline was piling up. Although Iwa overwhelmed Konoha in terms of number, the sheer number of elites and high-end combat powerhouse were still behind Konoha. Elites from Sarutobi, including the previous head Sarutobi Sasuke, Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clan head trios, and Yuhi clan head all joined Kusagakure front. Their combined efforts and secret techniques were enough to cover up for the disadvantage in number, not to mention Senju elites and Uzumaki reinforcements dispatched to the front contributed to filling the gap.
Currently Iwa suffered over more than 3,000 casualties, while Konoha suffered little less than 2,000 troops. They had 7,000 troops and now 3,000 with Mu and Onoki. Moreover, from the 3,000 troops there were 500 elites from famed Explosion Corps. Mu felt that the explosion corps, Onoki, and Himself can easily turn the tide and capture the Five tails, before Tobirama arrives with whatever reinforcement he mustered.
Mu made his decision.
"No, we are going to Kusa. Change the course, we are going to reach the frontline headquarters by tonight!"
"Yes, Sensei!"
Iwa reinforcement began to move rapidly at full speed while leaving behind 100 genins and 20 Chunins to slowly escort supplies and rations.
***
"Hiruzen! Sensei is coming to aid us!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen stood up from his seat and exclaimed.
"What! Did something happen? Have you heard something Homura?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Mitokado Homura were both wearing black combat armors reminiscent of Sengoku Era. They were custom made to match all six Hokage bodyguards/disciples.
"There is an intel that indicates that Tsuchikage and his disciple are joining the Kusa front."
"!!!" Hiruzen's youthful face turned serious. "No wonder, Sensei is personally acting… We must fortify our defenses. There is a rumor that Second Tsuchikage developed a Kekkei Tota jutsu; dust release. If only we had the specific detail of this jutsu…"
Homura patted Hiruzen's shoulder. "Don't worry Hiruzen, whatever it may be. We can definitely overcome it together!"
"Homura… hahaha! You are right! And with Sensei here, the war with Iwa should be over soon enough!"
Hiruzen and Homura had utmost confidence that Senju Tobirama can easily suppress Iwa once he arrives. As his students, they were well aware of Tobirama's capabilities. The arsenal of jutsus he carried in his head and Hiraishin jutsu made him invincible in battle.
"However, Tsuchikage isn't someone we can ignore. Let's double our defenses and increase patrol until sensei arrives."
"Got it Hiruzen."
***
"""Mu-sama!/Tsuchikage-Sama!"""
Iwa-nins greeted Mu and Onoki in hurry as they arrived earlier than their scheduled arrival.
"You may dispense with the pleasantries. What is the situation, Otsuchi?"
A large burly man wearing red clothes with grey combat armor saluted Mu as he reported the most recent events and situation of Iwa camp.
"Our attack in the afternoon was unsuccessful due to their Uzumaki sensors and Hyuga's Byakugan catching our movements. We lost 2 jonins 33 chunin and 3 genins from that attack. Overall, we have 464 Jonins and 5552 Chunins and 1054 genins at full strength, spread into three forces. One in Tenchi bridge with 182 Jonins and 2531 Chunins. Another in Kannabi bridge with 174 Jonins and 2140 Chunins. Here, within Kusagakure with 108 jonins and 881 Chunins and 1054 Genins here. We were waiting for your arrival, Tsuchikage-sama!"
"hmmm. There were no signs of Five Tails?"
"No, Tsuchikage-sama, the jinchuriki ran off on his own, away from Kusa when we took over. We've sent multiple search parties unitl two days ago we just received the news that they found a trace of the Jinchuriki. There will be good news soon."
"hmmm. Where is the Konoha's commander located?"
"They should be in Zasso 雑草village (Weed village)."
"? That border town?"
"Yes Tsuchikage-sama."
"That village is close to Land of Fire, but it lies in intersecting roads leading to Kannabi bridge and Tenchi bridge… a perfect place to support any side…. Hmmm, which of them have heavier defenses?"
"Tenchi bridge used to have more Konoha troops and defense. However, ever since we started to prepare to invade Taki, Konoha started to heavily fortify towards Kannabi bridge front. They've claimed the high ground and set up multiple Uzumaki fuinjutsu traps and formations. Our latest scouting report indicates that there are about 2,000 stationed in Tenchi bridge front, while about 5,000 stationed in Kannabi Bridge front."
"…. Kannabi bridge is far closer to Iwa than Tenchi bridge… Konoha is trying to pressure us to stop us from invading Taki."
Mu remained silent.
"Onoki."
"Yes sensei."
"All tactics can be categorized into two types. Do you know what they are?"
"….Offense and defensive tactics? Sensei?"
"Yes... That's also correct. But they can also be categorized into low risk and low return tactics and high risk and high return tactics. Or simply, orthodox and unorthodox tactics. Which style do you think yield better result?"
"…." Onoki pondered for a moment. "Orthodox and low risk and low return tactics should be the best. They are called orthodox because they were proven usful."
Mu smiled.
"indeed orthodox tactics are preferred. However, more often than not, the unorthodox tactics yield better results."
"?! But- sensei…"
"Orthodox tactics are simply… too predictable. While unorthodox tactics, only so few win big, while most… become losers and buried under the feet of the victors."
"…."
Mu then delivered his command.
"Deploy 100 jonins and all of our remaining troops to the Tenchi bridge front."
"Tsuchikage-sama?"
"Rest of the jonins, Onoki, explosion corps, and I will take on the Kannabi bridge front. Otsuchi, attack with full force! Draw Konoha's attention and draw their attention as much as you can!"
"!! Yes Tsuchikage-sama!"
"Alright! Deploy the troops early in the morning with great fanfare. It does not matter if they think it is diversion, Konoha will not be able to ignore the 6,500 shinobis attacking Tenchi bridge. Attack with ninjutsus, bombard them from distance before advancing forward. We cannot afford to lose more ninjas."
"Yes Tsuchikage-sama!"
***
"Commander! Iwa is attacking the Tenchi Bridge Front! They need reinforcement!"
"Calm down! What is the situation how many troops did Iwa deploy?"
"They deployed over 6,000 troops. The frontline is collapsing as we speak!"
"WHAT!! Gather the troops! We are going to Tenchi Bridge!"
"Calm down Homura! This is different from their usual pattern… Why would Iwa suddenly attack like this with 6,000 troops? Is there any news from Kannabi bridge?"
"Hiruzen? What are you waiting for! We need to stop Iwa, if Tenchi front falls, then Iwa has a straight open path to Land of Fire!"
"Something doesn't add up... where did they draw 6,000 troops from? Can they afford to give up Kannabi bridge, which can lead straight into Land of Earth?"
Despite Homura's anxious cry, Hiruzen remained calm and carefully thought this through and asked the ANBU Tobirama sent here to support Hiruzen.
"Was there any troop movement from Kannabi bridge?"
"No commander. There was no change in Iwa troops there."
"Then that means that either Kannabi bridge forces are decoys and fake or Tsuchikage arrived to Kusa earlier than we expected..."
""!!!""
"Bear! Send this message to Hokage-sama! Homura! Send message to Kannabi bridge to evacuate the camp and frontline immediately! If I am right then Tsuchikage should be attacking them soon! Order their retreat! I will go to the Tenchi bridge and cover for our forces there! You lead the jonins and anbu squads here to rescue Kannabi bridge detachment!"
""??!!!""
"WHAT ARE YOU DAZING OFF FOR! MOVE!"
"""YES COMMANDER!"""
Hiruzen did not hesitate and directly summoned his partner with a puff of smoke.
Kuchiyose no Jutsu 口寄せの術(Summoning Technique)
"Enma! Time is of essence! Switch to Bo Staff!"
Tall monkey frowned for a bit but followed Hiruzen's request right away.
"Got it Hiruzen!"
Hiruzen held on to the obsidian-colored bo staff and turned around to face rest of Konoha-nins.
"Rest of you, genins remain behind to pack this camp. Chunins regroup on the Land of Fire border closest to Tenchi Bridge and build a defensive line!"
"Enma, extend!"
The bo staff extended rapidly and pole vaulted Hiruzen towards Tenchi Bridge front.
***
"Tsuchikage-sama! Otsuchi began to attack the Tenchi bridge."
"Should we also attack?"
"Was there any movement from their headquarters?"
"Apologies! Tsuchikage-sama! We were not able to bypass the Uzumaki sensors or Hyuga's Byakugan to gain enough information!"
"..."
Mu, Onoki, Iwa-anbu, and explosion corps commander were sitting in a tent, waiting for news.
"Tsuchikage-sama! The Konoha camp is starting to retreat!"
"!!! Hoh~ Sarutobi Hiruzen… It seems like he noticed that I have arrived. There is no need to check if they caught the bait. Proceed as planned. Attack Konoha's camp and take over the Kannabi Bridge front!"
"""Hai!"""
Everyone exited the tent with a shunshin and quickly mobilized their troops.
Mu followed slowly, exiting the tent with composure.
"Now, Tobirama… What can you do! It is only right that we take the Five Tails! Kusa does not deserve to keep them!"