SEC Chapter 168 The Root Division Commander's "Better Luck Than Bad Luck"
Chapter 168 The Root Division Commander's "Better Luck Than Bad Luck"
The wind in the woods brought a new chess score.
"That guy Yan... he couldn't sit still either."
Uchiha Kagami's voice carried a complex sense of nostalgia.
In his mind, he could still vaguely recall his teammate from back then, who always carried a bunch of reels, insisted on data and precedents in everything, and was so steady that he was almost rigid.
Unexpectedly, the flame hidden beneath reason and conservatism was ultimately rekindled by Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen really hasn't changed at all."
Jing's lips involuntarily curled upwards.
It's still the same as it was back then.
That guy always managed to use his unwavering will to unite everyone, regardless of their personality or beliefs, into a single force, driving them relentlessly toward the same goal.
Whether radical or conservative.
Whether they yearn for light or are rooted in darkness.
"That guy's inner fire has never been extinguished."
Danzo Shimura, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, his voice low and deep.
His gaze remained fixed on the receding shadows of the trees ahead, but his words seemed to be a response to the mirror, or perhaps a monologue to himself.
Danzo's steps did not falter in the slightest, but the cold and heavy aura around him seemed to undergo a subtle qualitative change due to Hiruzen's extremely arrogant chessboard.
Sharper, and purer.
"Hand over the village to the head of the Nara family..."
Danzo turned his head, his sharp gaze sweeping over Uchiha Kagami. "That was a good move."
"puff."
A very soft laugh came from the side.
He was Uchiha Kagami, who was always gentle and refined.
He chuckled, a rare occurrence for him, and shook his head, his face displaying a complex expression of mixed emotions—a mixture of amusement and bewilderment, yet also a sense of entitlement.
"That guy... is probably hiding in the Hokage's office right now, complaining about how troublesome it is, but he also has to handle everything in an orderly manner."
"What the rear needs during wartime is not a sharp sword, but a brain that can process countless complex pieces of information and find the optimal solution from them."
Behind every large-scale war lies a complex and intricate system of logistical coordination, intelligence gathering, and personnel arrangements.
Those things are exhausting.
For example, letting Qu Feng handle these matters would only create a mess.
But if you put Nara Shikano, that guy who hates trouble to the core, he'll actually handle everything in the fastest and most organized way so he can go back to sleep as soon as possible.
Uchiha Kagami's tone carried a hint of teasing, but more so, it reflected his understanding and trust in Shikanobu.
Yes, looking across the entire Hidden Leaf Village, only that man, who is afraid of trouble to the core, possesses the terrifying ability to instantly sort out the situation and find the best solution in a chaotic situation.
Hiruzen's appointment was absolutely brilliant.
Just then, Danzo turned his gaze to Uchiha Tokumitsu, who had been silently following beside him.
"How are the ships on the east coast preparing?"
He began to inquire about the details of the mission.
The grand strategy he had just learned from De Guang made Danzo realize that they needed to move even faster.
Uchiha Tokumitsu did not pause for a moment; like a highly precise machine, he immediately began to report.
"Reporting back to Lord Danzo."
"Everything is ready."
De Guang's voice was very low, yet it reached the two people's ears clearly.
"Even before we set off, the Root Team, which was in charge of the infiltration base in Heishi Village on the east coast, had already sent back the final confirmation information."
"A fleet large enough to carry our vanguard and the main force that follows is ready."
Uchiha Kagami raised an eyebrow.
fleet?
Danzo's face remained expressionless, but his slightly narrowed eyes showed that he was listening intently.
De Guang's voice continued, stating a fact without a trace of emotion.
"Heisho Village is located on the most inconspicuous section of the eastern coastline of the Land of Fire. To the east lies the waterway leading to the Land of Whirlpools and even further to the Land of Water."
"This outpost was established when you ordered a thorough investigation and reinforcement of all border defense systems in the Land of Fire after World War I."
"The person in charge of this base is a ninja from a branch of the Nara clan, Nara Naofū."
Nara clan.
Upon hearing this surname, Uchiha Kagami immediately understood.
Only a family with deep-seated foresight could make such a comprehensive arrangement.
Deguang's report continued.
"Nara Naokaze, considering the possibility of future naval battles, used deep-sea fishing as a cover, and with the regular funds allocated by the village and special channels provided by Root, he has purchased, modified, and secretly built a total of ten large ships in the past few years."
"Three of them are flagship-class vessels, sufficient to serve as wartime command centers."
"The remaining seven ships are all made of high-strength ironwood, which is sufficient to withstand large winds and waves, and have reserved array nodes for the installation of defensive spells."
"??!!"
With each word Deguang spoke, Yubo Jing's shock deepened.
This is no longer just about being prepared.
This was essentially taking into account a large-scale war spanning the entire eastern sea area from the very beginning.
"All the ships are coated with a special paint that our root technical team has just developed, which increases their stealth during navigation at sea."
Danzo listened quietly to Deko's report. Finally, a slight smile spread uncontrollably from the corner of his mouth on his face, which was as hard as a rock.
"very good."
He uttered two words.
"Nara Naofū... did a great job."
This was the first time he had praised a subordinate so openly.
Because Nara Naofuka understood and executed his will perfectly, even beyond expectations.
This is the root!
Deeply rooted in every inch of the ninja world, in places unknown to anyone, they draw nourishment from the towering tree of Konoha, strengthening its foundation, and are always ready to transform into the sharpest root thorns... Guardians!
"This is the foundation of the village."
Danzo suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but firm and resounding.
"It's not just about being a powerful ninja, but also about this kind of unwavering preparation that permeates every detail."
"War never begins from the moment it is declared."
Hiruzen...
What distant future do you see?
How can I, Danzo Shimura, catch up with you?
No.
wrong.
Danzo's lips curled into a slight smile.
I don't need to catch up with him.
All I need to do is... become the sharpest knife in his hand.
Cut off all obstacles in his path!
"Since that's the case..."
Danzo's voice was low and hoarse, yet it carried an undeniable resolve.
"We pioneers must move even faster."
His gaze pierced through the layers of tree shadows, looking towards the distant east.
That was the eye of the storm.
That place is the battlefield where the sword called Konoha is about to drink blood.
"A sharp knife can't be duller than anyone else's!"
boom!
An invisible fighting spirit erupted from Danzo's body.
"Everyone, speed up!"
The order, carried by a gust of cold wind, instantly spread throughout the entire unit.
The thunderous response did not echo through the forest.
Only the dull whistling of wind brought by streaks of black shadows.
Swish-!
At this moment, the speed of the entire vanguard force was pushed to its limit.
All the ninjas, whether from Root or Anbu, seemed to have been infused with new power. Their figures blurred into afterimages as they surged toward the eastern coastline of the Land of Fire.
Uchiha Kagami stared at the figure leading the way ahead, paused for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile.
This guy...
Without further thought, he unleashed his chakra and instantly followed.
The wind in the woods grew even noisier.