Chapter 50: A Remarkable Tactical Report
Konoha Village — Main Gate
Uchiha Gōenji, Aburame Fūjin, and a small group of shinobi arrived at the main gate of Konoha.
After registering with the guards, the group quickly dispersed.
"The second time."
Gōenji stared at the familiar village gates before turning toward the bustling streets, where ordinary civilians moved through the crowds while vendors loudly advertised their goods.
They had returned to Konoha once again, both carrying serious injuries.
There was no longer any need for wounded shinobi on the battlefield, so they had been sent back. Taking advantage of the fact that Kirigakure was no longer actively pursuing them, they had quickly returned to the village.
Fūjin looked at him curiously.
"What's the second time?"
"The second time I've returned to Konoha from a battlefield. Ordinary people aren't nearly as impressive as me, hahaha..."
Gōenji laughed heartily.
And he wasn't entirely wrong.
Under normal circumstances, if a shinobi survived multiple battlefields, achieved different accomplishments, and ultimately returned alive, they could already consider themselves extremely fortunate.
Fūjin watched him laugh and smiled knowingly.
"Keep working hard. You'll become even stronger, just like Minato-sama. You admire him a lot, don't you? You mention him all the time."
"I just consider him a goal."
Gōenji smiled.
"I want to be like him—dominate the battlefield and withdraw without a scratch, instead of ending up like us this time. Some people dead, others wounded."
Fūjin's genuine smile dispelled most of the gloom weighing on Gōenji's heart.
As for Namikaze Minato, his secondary goal was simple:
Dominate the battlefield and leave without ever tasting defeat.
Fūjin rolled her eyes at him.
"That's settled, then. We need to return Zē's belongings to his family and have Ryōma's belongings buried in the cemetery. That way, we can visit them later."
"All right, all right. I still have to submit a mission report."
Gōenji sighed.
"Honestly, the Hokage should come here personally. I'm injured, after all."
Although Konoha had its own communication system, the amount of paperwork required during wartime hadn't decreased at all.
Mission execution reports.
Incidents encountered.
Intelligence obtained.
Casualties.
Estimated recovery periods.
And countless other details.
There was practically no time to rest.
After all, this was wartime.
Fūjin snorted.
"Keep dreaming. The Hokage is probably so worried about the war that he already has panda eyes. Where would he find the time to come personally?"
"All right. Let's go."
Hokage's Office
A crystal ball glowed brightly.
Inside it, Hiruzen Sarutobi watched their movements.
He studied their lips.
"Honestly, with my abilities, how could I possibly develop panda eyes? These people really underestimate me as Hokage."
He paused.
"As for the report, come over and tell me yourselves. I'm glad to see that you still have enough energy to joke around."
He hadn't expected that checking on wounded shinobi returning from the front lines would lead to him witnessing them complaining about him.
Fortunately, as the Professor of Ninjutsu, he knew enough lip-reading to understand what they were saying.
Hiruzen glanced around his office.
Reports and documents were piled up like mountains.
His head began to ache.
But as Hokage, he still had to get to work.
If only Danzō's intentions were as pure as mine.
I could hand the Hokage position over to him and spend the rest of my life traveling around.
Unfortunately, Danzō's intentions aren't exactly pure.
It won't be much longer.
Once this war ends, it'll probably be time for me to step down.
Orochimaru should have accomplished enough by then, too.
Uchiha District
"Yo, Grandma Natsume. Still selling fruit?"
Passing by the entrance to his home, Gōenji spotted an old woman using a feather duster to chase flies away from her fruit stand.
When Grandma Natsume saw him, a smile spread across her wrinkled face.
She picked up an apple from the stall.
"Shisui... You're back so soon? Here, Grandma will give you an apple..."
Grandma, I'm Uchiha Gōenji. You don't have dementia, do you?
Gōenji knew perfectly well that she hadn't actually mistaken him for Shisui.
He simply couldn't resist teasing her.
Being around this old woman made him feel incredibly relaxed.
It was like getting a foot massage after working nonstop for countless days.
Refreshing.
Grandma Natsume paused.
A glint of intelligence flashed through her eyes.
"Of course I know you're Uchiha Gōenji. I was only joking with you. Your Grandma Natsume is still sharp enough not to mistake you for someone else."
She held out the apple.
"Here. Have an apple."
"Thank you, Grandma Natsume. I'm heading home now."
Gōenji accepted the apple without hesitation, took a bite, thanked her, and walked away.
Grandma Natsume remained standing there with her feather duster, looking confused.
"Shisui never seems to take my apples..."
She muttered to herself.
Meanwhile, Gōenji slowly made his way home.
He removed his shoes, entered his room, and went into his study.
Sitting down at his desk, he took out a blank scroll and began writing his report.
I. Background and Objectives
According to Combat Command Directive No. 345 from the Konoha Frontline Command, the Uchiha Gōenji Squad encountered a targeted assassination operation carried out by four elite jōnin from Kirigakure during a routine reconnaissance mission.
The enemy personnel were identified as:
One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist wielding the Explosive Blade, Shibuki.
An Ice Release user.
A member of the Hōzuki clan.
A member of the Kaguya clan possessing the Shikotsumyaku bloodline.
II. Actions and Execution
Initial Encounter:
The enemy initiated combat using Ice Release...
Reinforcement Intervention:
Our reinforcement, Uchiha Shisui, employed...
Post-Battle Cleanup:
Confirmed the death of the enemy Shikotsumyaku user and recovered a portion of the enemy's ninja tools and intelligence materials.
Our casualties were two chūnin—Ryōma and Zē.
Aburame Fūjin sustained severe injuries.
Uchiha Gōenji suffered severe chakra depletion and requires a short period of recuperation.
III. Problem Analysis and Responsibility Allocation
Problem Analysis
Insufficient intelligence and early warning.
Deficiencies in tactical coordination.
Delays in post-battle processing.
Responsibility Allocation
Squad Captain — Uchiha Gōenji:
Primary responsibility.
Failure in intelligence assessment and insufficient tactical coordination.
Intelligence Department:
Secondary responsibility.
Failure to detect the movements of Kirigakure's high-level combat personnel.
Medical and Logistics Department:
...
IV. Corrective Measures and Future Deployment
Correction:
Establish an emergency recovery squad to ensure that no bloodline remains are left behind on the battlefield.
Strategic Adjustment Recommendation:
Strengthen protection of the Uchiha clan and prevent the loss of kekkei genkai, using the theft of the Hyūga clan's Byakugan as a reference.
V. Conclusion
Although this operation failed to accomplish its primary objective, it successfully clarified Kirigakure's objectives and provided critical intelligence support for subsequent operations.
I will adopt a problem-oriented approach, deepen corrective measures, and resolutely implement the Hokage's operational principle of:
"Bloodlines First, Combat Strength Above All."
The goal is to maximize Konoha's interests.
Konoha Frontline Combat Command
Jōnin: Uchiha Gōenji
Konoha — Year X, Month X, Day X
Appendix: Analysis of Kirigakure — Tactical Characteristics of Bloodline Limits
Gōenji looked over the finished report.
"Hmm... Not bad."
A shameless smile appeared on his face.
"As expected of my work. Quite impressive."
He had deliberately inserted quite a few of his own opinions into the report.
For example, the importance of protecting the Uchiha clan.
And various clauses concerning the priority of bloodline abilities.
He felt that things should be handled this way.
I'll protect myself properly.
Once I gain enough authority, I'll eliminate Uchiha Madara and everyone else secretly stirring up wars.
That way, Konoha won't have to lose so many people.