In war, if a team loses coordination and unity, the speed of defeat will be incredibly fast.
Whether integrating the ranks or dispersing against the enemy, immediate and reasonable arrangements are necessary; even a moment's delay could cause a sudden shift in the situation. The Land of Demons fundamentally disrupted the tactical arrangements of the Hidden Sand Ninja, and that's where Maki's despair lies.
Even now, if the Hidden Sand Ninja scatter, causing the Land of Demons' firepower to disperse to some extent, arranging it at this moment seems a bit late.
Maki watched as the aerial forces of the Land of Demons skillfully began bombing with Explosive Kunai from the outskirts inward, continuously shrinking the operational range of the Hidden Sand Ninja, intending to prevent their dispersion and concentrate them for a quick end to the battle.
Cut off communications equipment; how could the Land of Demons not anticipate this step?
They have already made comprehensive preparations and won't give the Hidden Sand Ninja any chance of counterattack.
...
Windmill Town, trapped in shellfire and dust, already had no place intact.
To end the battle this morning, this time employed high-intensity firepower suppression until the Hidden Sand Ninja completely lost the ability to resist, ceasing the attack only after that, unlike previous exercises that had time constraints.
Ayane, using the Byakugan from a distance, watched the smoking Windmill Town, its original appearance long gone.
On the scorched ruins lay countless fallen Hidden Sand Ninja corpses; some were still alive, painfully rolling and struggling on the ruins, barely breathing.
"Give the order, we can proceed with the final roundup. No need to attack those not dead yet, bring them all back to Shion City and lock them up in prison. Corpses are worthless."
"Yes."
After hearing this, the Jonin Squad Captain vanished from beside Ayane, leading people to Windmill Town to carry out the roundup.
◎
It was already three o'clock in the afternoon when returning to Shion City.
The unit Ayane belonged to, within less than a week, killed a total of seven hundred and thirty-one enemies, captured two hundred and sixty-nine prisoners, obtained various supplies, while losing forty-seven aircraft, with thirty-one slightly injured, three severely injured, and a zero casualty rate.
Although the duration was quite extended, achieving the death of seven hundred and thirty-one enemies on a zero casualty basis is a proud accomplishment.
This also demonstrates that the aerial unit's capability for containment and airstrikes is outstanding.
Their high mobility naturally leads one to imagine endless wonderful prospects for this unit's future.
After reviewing the report Ayane created, Hakushi nodded slightly, basically aligning with his own expectations as the duration and results were very close to his predictions.
The only regret is that the formal personnel of the aerial unit comprise only three hundred people.
Not only because of the cost issues of the latest combat type aircraft but also technical limitations.
After all, unlike Shuriken Shooter-type low-tech light weapons, military combat aircraft are extremely expensive.
Training flying personnel requires a substantial investment of time and cost as well.
Such a unit, before more powerful bomb-throwing weapons are developed, can serve as a surprise attack force, yielding many unexpected outcomes.
Once the enemy becomes familiar with the mechanism, the threat will be significantly reduced.
"Overall, this was a beautiful victory, thanks for your hard work. By the way, no issues with those prisoners?"
Hakushi brought up this matter.
"Rest assured, there was a Medical Ninja accompanying us on the return trip; the injuries of severely injured prisoners have stabilized. I've already ordered them to be locked up in prison, and once the war ends, let Hidden Sand come and pay for their people."
Ayane is already planning how to profit off Hidden Sand.
Especially with Hidden Sand's Jonin Maki, who has been honorably captured by them in the Land of Demons once again.
This favorite of the Fourth Kazekage presumably will fetch a good price then.
"There's no need to rush in such matters; having these prisoners in hand gives us the advantage, even in future negotiations, we will hold the dominant position."
Hakushi analyzed rationally.
"To shift the battlefield onto the negotiation table, we need to deliver a severe blow to Hidden Sand... Hmm, how is Ruri doing? Did she manage to eliminate the Fourth Kazekage?"
Ayane asked this.
Hakushi helplessly glanced at Ayane, sighing.
"Hey, what are you thinking? That's one of the Five Kage; if he dies, the issues will become very serious."
"What's so severe about it? The Third Raikage didn't ultimately perish on the Hidden Rock battlefield at the time."
Ayane was indifferent.
"It's now different from the Third Ninja World War period; each country seeks peace for self-recovery. For a village, the Kage not only represents strength but is also the core of leadership. At that time, to avenge the Kazekage, Hidden Sand might go all out against us, creating a mess."
"Just over ten thousand people; with the coordination of the three of us, we can fend them off without a problem."
Ayane simply compared strengths, with the three of them, aided by seven clones, even facing ten thousand ninja, they could engage head-on and even seize the final victory.
"What if they split their forces and directly attack the Land of Demons? The situation you described assumes they ignorantly engage us directly in combat as you wish. If they have any sense, they won't do that but will aim their forces straight at the Land of Demons' territory. At that time, countless towns would be destroyed, masses of displaced people would emerge, and the economy would directly shrink to the state it was ten years ago... This point is extremely fatal."