"Gentle means? Do you think Kumogakure will accept that?" Shimura Danzo said angrily. "Whatever gestures they make, anyone with a discerning eye can see through them. Mild means only serve to weaken the enemy and will not help at all."
"Peace is hard-won. Before war truly begins, I think we should do our out most to reach out to Kumogakure to avoid conflict. But if they insist on launching a war, Konoha will not sit back and be slaughtered," the Third Hokage said solemnly.
"Hokage!" Seeing that the two could not hold back, Chao Yanqian stood up and said, "I think both your stance and Elder Danzo's have merit. Kumogakure has already made its hostile intentions clear right now, they're simply trying to gauge Konoha's reaction. But the fact is, Kumogakure-nin have already entered the Land of Fire. If we want to maintain national security, conflict with them is already inevitable."
In terms of age, Chao Yanqian was unlikely to be appointed as commander. However, once Konoha and Kumogakure went to war, the medical ninja unit and elite shinobi who could deter Kumogakure's forces would be indispensable including him.
In terms of seniority, this kind of high-level jōnin meeting would normally not be a place for Chao Yanqian to speak. But in terms of strength and standing, no one could ignore his words.
Upon hearing Chao Yanqian's analysis, the Third Hokage's brow furrowed slightly. Although he had always advocated for a peaceful resolution to conflicts between nations, the fact that Kumogakure had already crossed into Fire Country territory was significant. The Hokage hadn't brought that point up earlier clearly, he intended to publicly pursue "friendly negotiations," while secretly preparing for conflict.
In past incidents, the Third Hokage often left the underhanded tactics to Shimura Danzo, maintaining his benevolent image while covert operations were carried out.
Seeing the Hokage's expression, Chao Yanqian smiled and continued: "We might as well issue a formal statement demanding Kumogakure withdraw from Fire Country territory. That alone could force them into a reactive stance. If they then take the initiative to attack, we can set a trap and ambush their forces."
Chao Yanqian's proposal was not meant to challenge the Third Hokage, but to contribute a strategy based on the Hokage's stance.
If implemented, the Third Hokage could preserve his reputation as a peace-seeking leader, while Konoha remained ready to capitalize on any aggression and gain the upper hand.
Moreover, with Hyuga Hiashi observing silently, this proposal served to demonstrate that Chao Yanqian was not only powerful, but also tactically astute strengthening the Hyuga Clan's trust in him.
Seeing the room focused on his words, Chao Yanqian continued: "Of course, in addition to a formal statement, we need to leak information to demonstrate that Konoha remains strong. If Kumogakure withdraws, then war can be avoided. But if they continue to provoke or escalate the situation, we can use the terrain of the Land of Fire to ambush their forces."
Upon hearing this, the Third Hokage nodded and asked: "To ambush Kumogakure's forces, intelligence must come first. If we fail to grasp the timing, they'll break through our defenses. Is that what you have in mind?"
"For intelligence," Chao Yanqian replied, "I can use the Flying Thunder God Technique. As long as there's any movement in Kumogakure, I can instantly transmit information back to Konoha. In addition, once I enter Sage Mode, I can use natural energy to sense their movements from afar they'll never detect me."
"Chao Yanqian! Can Sage Mode really monitor Kumogakure from that far away?" Nara Shikaku asked.
"Yes!" Chao Yanqian nodded. "In Sage Mode, my sensory range covers all of Konoha and even farther!" He flexed slightly in the direction of the Hyuga Clan. "Though I can't match your Byakugan, my sensing isn't far off."
The perception ability of Sage Mode wasn't particularly secret. Given Konoha's rich history, it was surely documented after all, Hashirama Senju had used Sage Mode. And based on his character, such things would have been properly recorded.
Since the Third Hokage already understood some of Sage Mode's abilities, Chao Yanqian openly revealing it showed he harbored no personal agenda proving his loyalty to Konoha.
"I also agree with Chao Yanqian's strategy," Shikaku said, "but if we spread information, we must also establish two layers of defense one overt, one covert at the border. The visible line is meant to lure the enemy, the hidden line for the ambush. For intelligence transmission, I can coordinate with Inoichi. But monitoring Kumogakure will fall to Chao Yanqian and the Hyuga Clan."
"I'm ready!" Chao Yanqian said.
"We are as well," Hyuga Hiashi added.
The strategy proposed by Chao Yanqian aimed to make Kumogakure unsure of Konoha's strength. Shikaku's suggestion refined that strategy: lure the enemy in deep, then trap them. Though only a slight modification, it showed his tactical brilliance.
"Very well. I agree," Koharu Utatane said after exchanging a glance with Homura Mitokado.
"Hmph." Shimura Danzo's expression remained dark. First, he had been overruled by the Third Hokage. Now, even the Hokage's plan served to benefit his own image maintaining the "peaceful" façade while others executed the real work. The more brilliant the contributors, the more people remembered the Hokage's "guidance and wisdom."
Danzo, inwardly resentful, felt deeply uncomfortable.
"Since there are no objections, we will proceed according to the plans of Chao Yanqian and Shikaku," the Third Hokage declared. "This meeting is classified as top secret. No one is permitted to disclose its contents."
"Understood!" the group of ninja responded in unison.
"Chao Yanqian, Shikaku you two remain. We need to finalize the details of this operation," said the Third Hokage.
"Yes!"
The operation's deployment was mostly handled by Nara Shikaku. While Chao Yanqian had watched some war-related films in his past life, he only understood general tactics detailed planning was still difficult.
But Shikaku father of the genius Nara Shikamaru proved his brilliance. With a few adjustments, he laid out a full strategic blueprint.
First, they would publicly denounce Kumogakure and set up a "weak" defense along the Fire Country border. At the same time, they would spread rumors that Konoha remained strong that the Nine-Tails incident had not weakened them.
In secret, however, Konoha would dispatch elite shinobi to hide near the border. If Kumogakure attacked, the surface defense would fall quickly, luring the enemy into a pre-planned ambush for a devastating counterstrike.
In this plan, Chao Yanqian would use Sage Mode's natural sensing to monitor Kumogakure, and would coordinate with other scouts including several Hyuga jōnin.
The surveillance team would monitor Kumogakure 24/7. Once the enemy made a move, Yanqian would immediately relay the information using the Flying Thunder God Technique, allowing Shikaku to initiate the ambush deployment.
If successful, Konoha would wipe out Kumogakure's vanguard and gain the upper hand in the coming war.
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