At this moment, Yagura actually very much hoped that this opponent, called Shinichi Higashino, would appear on the southeastern battlefield and engage in a direct strategic duel with him across the sea.
To truly clash once with such an opponent on the strategic and tactical level might be something extremely interesting.
However, Yagura was also uncertain whether the other party would appear.
After all, Shinichi Higashino possessed extraordinarily advanced Medical Ninjutsu attainments, and the southwestern front facing Chiyo of the Village Hidden in the Sand was precisely where top-tier Medical Ninja were most needed.
Konoha's upper leadership would very likely prioritize sending him there.
Thinking of this, a complex emotion mixing anticipation and regret involuntarily arose within Yagura's heart.
He anticipated meeting such an opponent, yet regretted that he might miss this opportunity.
...
Meanwhile, the furious Memaro Kaguya strode back to the temporary camp of the Kaguya Clan.
Inside the tents were gathered nothing but burly men dressed similarly to him, all with tied-up hair buns and a striking cinnabar-red dot painted above each eyebrow, every single one of them radiating violent and savage auras.
"Clan Head! How did it go?! What did that little sissy Yagura say?!"
The moment he returned, a Kaguya Clansman immediately roared impatiently, while the others also crowded around.
"Five days later! At dawn!"
Memaro Kaguya grinned widely, exposing his pale white teeth.
"At White Sand Bay! I'll take you all there to feast properly! Let those weak-legged Konoha trash experience the terror of the Kaguya Clan!"
"Hahahahaha!"
"It should've been like this long ago! My bone blade has been thirsty for battle for ages!"
"Kill! Rip out their intestines and wrap them around their necks!"
"Tear them apart! Pull out their bones one by one!"
"Then smash the bones piece by piece! Only that sound is satisfying enough!"
"Who cares whether they're ninja or civilians? Kill every single one we see! Leave none alive!!"
"Kill! Kill!! Kill!!!"
Upon hearing this, the Kaguya Clansmen instantly erupted into thunderous savage laughter and roars. The killing intent almost became tangible, spreading and rolling through the air, while the smiles on their faces appeared terrifyingly horrifying.
Seeing his clansmen so murderous and impatient for battle instantly scattered away the slight displeasure Memaro Kaguya had felt because of Yagura.
Replacing it was boundless anticipation for the coming war.
In this battle, he would achieve heaven-shaking merit!
He would make everyone at the Village Hidden in the Mist… No!
He would make the entire Shinobi World understand who the true strongest was!
Among Village Hidden in the Mist's three great clans, the Hozuki Clan had produced a Mizukage, and the Yuki Clan had also produced the current Mizukage.
Following the order, the next turn should naturally belong to the Kaguya Clan, to him, Memaro Kaguya!
Once he sat upon the Mizukage seat!
At that time, Yagura… no!
Those people who refused to submit, those pretentious brats like Yagura, and those Hozuki and Yuki bastards acting all superior, in short, everyone who dared defy him or block his path just needed to be slaughtered!
Their blood and bones would pave the stairway beneath his Mizukage throne!
Thinking of such a scene caused the smile on Memaro Kaguya's face to become increasingly ferocious and horrifying.
He turned his head and looked toward the southwest, toward the direction of the Land of Fire.
"Konoha ninja…"
He muttered softly to himself, his voice soaked with cruel delight.
"Cry! Scream! Then obediently die!"
"Use your blood and wails… as the first congratulatory gift for my future ascension to the Mizukage position!"
...
At the same time, outside the southeastern frontline command headquarters of Konoha.
Shinichi had just handed the detailed tactical guidance document explaining the elastic defense system to Koharu Utatane and learned from her about his defense zone and mission.
After leaving the headquarters, Shinichi had only walked a few steps before suddenly stopping and thoughtfully raising his head to gaze toward the boundless sea in the distance.
"Shinichi-kun? What's wrong?"
Seeing Shinichi suddenly stop and stare, Fugaku Uchiha, who had walked out beside him and had likewise just received his mission assignment, slightly paused his steps and asked.
According to Koharu Utatane's deployment, Shinichi and Fugaku Uchiha would be responsible for the left defensive sector of the main camp. (The northern side, relative to the opposing Village Hidden in the Mist forces, this was the right side.)
Shinichi would personally lead troops to guard the most critical and most likely targeted preset battlefield, White Sand Bay.
Meanwhile, Fugaku Uchiha would defend another section of coastline somewhat farther away but equally important, forming a horn formation with Shinichi from the flank.
These two defensive zones were both locations Shinichi's analysis judged as highly likely primary landing points for the Village Hidden in the Mist, making them extremely critical.
Between their two defense zones, and across the broader coastline, numerous reconnaissance squads and guard posts composed of Konoha ninja, represented by the Hyuga and Uchiha Clans, were distributed, forming a tight early-warning network.
Once either side came under attack, reinforcements from the other side could arrive within a day, while elite vanguard mobile units composed of Jonin could even cut into the battlefield within half a day.
As for powerhouses on Shinichi and Fugaku's level, their full-speed reinforcement response would only be even faster.
"It's nothing."
Hearing Fugaku Uchiha's question, Shinichi withdrew his gaze from the sea and smiled faintly.
Seeing this, Fugaku Uchiha nodded without pursuing the matter further.
"Shinichi-kun."
After the two walked side by side for several more steps, he suddenly spoke again.
"This defensive operation places your sector adjacent to mine. If a battle breaks out, we will need to support one another."
The words sounded somewhat stiff; clearly, given Fugaku Uchiha's identity and temperament, he was not accustomed to saying such things proactively.
Hearing this, Shinichi glanced sideways at him before nodding.
"That is only natural. Clan Head Fugaku, you and I are both members of Konoha. Since we are jointly defending the left wing, mutually supporting one another and resisting foreign enemies together is simply our duty."
His words were smooth and natural, easily dissolving the slight awkwardness in Fugaku Uchiha's heart.
Upon hearing this, Fugaku Uchiha relaxed somewhat internally.
Although he had long known that this young man before him possessed an excellent reputation within the village and was publicly recognized as gentle and easy to get along with, he had even privately asked some younger clan members who had interacted with Shinichi, and the evaluations he received were basically things like, not arrogant at all, surprisingly easy to talk to, and extremely steady and reassuring.
But hearing about it was ultimately different from experiencing it personally. Only through direct contact did he truly feel that naturally refreshing sensation like a spring breeze.
"Then I'll be relying on you, Shinichi-kun."
"You flatter me, Clan Head Fugaku." Shinichi smiled slightly. "As a senior, your experience is abundant. It is I who should be seeking more guidance from you."
"You are too polite, Shinichi-kun."
Fugaku Uchiha nodded, then once more fell silent. Neither spoke again, leaving only the sound of footsteps intertwined with the distant crashing of sea waves.
After walking a few more steps, Fugaku spoke once more. This time, however, the question was somewhat unexpected.
"Shinichi-kun, have you ever considered becoming a Jonin leader after the war?"
Hm?
A Jonin leader?
Shinichi's heart stirred slightly.
Could this guy possibly be planning to have him guide Itachi Uchiha?