At the far end of the long table sat Yagura Karatachi. To an outsider, the Fourth Mizukage looked little more than a child, a boy stuck in time in the perpetual innocence of youth. But the staff he held and the cold unyielding eyes told a far different story. Around him gathered the apex of Kirigakure's military might... an assembly of prodigies, and veterans.
Mei Terumī, just twenty years old but already radiating authority second only to Mizukage, leaned against a pillar.
Beside her stood the heavyweights: Jūzō Biwa (26), held the Executioner blade; Fuguki Suikazan (31), one of the two who survived against Might Duy; and the young Zabuza Momochi (19), held sewing blade.
Kisame Hoshigaki (21) stood quietly, with a massive bandaged form of Samehada resting on his shoulder... a weapon he had rightfully wrested from Fuguki, shifting the hierarchy of the Mist's swordsmen.
The brilliant Mangetsu Hōzuki (20), the veteran Ao (34), the aloof Jinchūriki Utakata (16), and the bloodthirsty representatives of the Kaguya and Yuki clans, Kyōkotsu Kaguya and Mizore Yuki, gathered around.
"We are entering the true phase of the war," Yagura announced, his voice carrying an eerie calm. "I have personally destroyed the Fūinjutsu array that was disrupting our confrontation against Kumogakure."
Mei's lips curled into a mocking smile. "Finally," she purred, her eyes flashing with anticipation. "We will show those Cloud brats who the real boss is."
"Not so fast," Yagura interrupted, unrolling a massive scroll on the central table. "I have secured comprehensive intelligence regarding their entire military strength. My sources within Konoha and other covert networks have given us a complete breakdown... to their signature jutsu." As he spoke, an imperceptible flicker passed through Yagura's eyes. Deep down, he wondered how exactly he had acquired such flawless data. But the thought dissolved as quickly as it came, overridden by another will.
"To simplify our strategy, I have classified their high-value targets using a star system based on threat capability," Yagura continued. "The Raikage and Killer Bee... the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki... are ranked at five stars. Benihime, the young Ay, and Aya are four stars. En Oyashiro, Fugaku, and Mikoto stand at three stars. Finally, Dodai, Yushiro, Sayami, Yugito, and Pakura of the Sand are classified as two stars."
He flicked his wrist, sending detailed scrolls sliding across the table to his elites. These papers contained precise breakdowns of the enemy's signature jutsu, affinities, and combat habits. It was the kind of god-tier espionage that usually cost thousands of shinobi lives to compile just on one.
Ao, the ANBU's strategist, narrowed his eyes as he scanned the data. "This is absurdly detailed," he muttered, his lone visible eye scanning the text. "Even a two-star shinobi on this list possesses combat power that rivals or eclipses an elite Jōnin. And why is Pakura of the Sunagakure fighting alongside the Cloud?"
Zabuza scoffed, flipping through his own scroll with a dismissive grunt. "Looking at these numbers, is this war even winnable? We're marching into a slaughterhouse."
Mangetsu Hōzuki turned his head his sharp gaze. "Zabuza, you stand in the presence of the Mizukage. Your disrespect is a punishable offense."
Zabuza met the prodigy swordsman's eyes, as bitterness swirled in his gut. He knew firsthand the terrifying gap between them; Mangetsu had humbled him in training multiple times without even drawing half his strength. "Tch... I'm just being realistic," Zabuza growled. "Most of us in this room would rank as three or two-star threats, except for the Mizukage and Mei-senpai."
Kisame let out a low chuckle, shifting the living sword on his shoulder. "Heh... speak for yourself, Zabuza. With Samehada by my side, my rank scales a higher than you think."
"Enough of this idle chatter," Yagura commanded, slamming his palm onto the table. The room instantly fell silent. "The entire purpose of this data is to give us an undisputed advantage. We know everything about them; they know nothing about us. Furthermore, you must exercise extreme caution regarding Kumo's possession of the Sage of Six Paths' treasured sealing tools."
Yagura's gaze swept over the gathered killers. "Kumo has also plundered multiple forbidden techniques from Konoha, including the most dangerous one of all: the Reanimation Jutsu. Therefore, your orders are absolute. When you kill a star-ranked shinobi, you do not leave a corpse. Secure their bodies, seal them away immediately and leave no DNA traces. Do not let them become weapons against us."
Kaguya Kyōkotsu let out a loud laugh, cracking his knuckles. "Let's stop these pointless lectures! Strategy and calculations don't suit the Kaguya. We only allied with Kirigakure because you promised us a glorious bloody war. Let's just go out there and paint the shores red."
Yuki Mizore nodded coldly in agreement. "I agree. Relying too heavily on intellect is a fool's errand. A shinobi's worth is proven in blood not star ratings."
"Then the Kaguya and Yuki clans will form our vanguard," Yagura decided. "However, to protect our village's assets, every soldier will be implanted with a cremation pill. If you fall, you burn leaving no DNA. Kumo will get none of our secrets."
With blinding speed, Yagura's hands blurred through a sequence of seals.
"Water Release: Aqua Mirror Jutsu!"
A shimmering wall of mirror water materialized in the center of the room. "Ao, step forward," the Mizukage commanded. Ao obeyed, stepping in front of the smooth reflection. Suddenly, the mirror rippled, and ten identical clones of Ao stepped out into the room.
"Each of your main divisions will be assigned one of these clones," Yagura explained. "His Byakugan will be the lynchpin of our maneuvers. Use his sight to target low-star shinobi, or to coordinate an escape if a five-star or four-star threat descends upon your position. Choose the fights you can and completely destroy, gang up on them if you have to."
Mei Terumī stepped forward and said as she was the one handling logistics.. "The ship fleet has been prepared for a very long time. Logistics are entirely secure."
"Excellent. Mei Terumī, you will serve as the Commander of this campaign," Yagura declared. "Fuguki Sukikazan will act as the Vice Commander."
~~
A/N: Kiri has complete detailed information of Kumo's elite from the emo dude. And every elite Kiri is assigned an Ao clone with his Byakugan attacking and escaping will be become very easy.
How do you think this will play out for Kumo? Btw there is more to this attack.
Kimimaro, suigestu and chojuro are too young.
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