After the meeting ended, many Ninja grumbled about the operation's code name. They were sending over a thousand Ninja, yet it was still called the Hundred-Ninja War. It seemed Sensei Uchiha Hayashi had died too young.
An elder from one of the clans shook his head. "Our family alone sent more than a hundred Ninja, and they still call it the Hundred-Ninja War. How unambitious!"
Despite the complaints, the operation had to continue.
Two days later, on the sea-lane between the Land of Waves and the Land of Hot Springs, a Konoha Jonin named Fujihara, accompanied by three Genin under his command, planted sea mines and underwater explosive tags. They worked from small, slow boats; the faster ship they had arrived on was assigned to a team heading to deeper waters.
Wartime offered no leisure. Alongside supervising the Genin, Jonin had to provide manpower themselves.
"Sensei Fujihara, will these mines and explosive tags really work?" asked a short-haired boy, surfacing beside the boat.
Fujihara, soaked from head to toe, nodded. "They will. These contact mines are highly unstable. Once triggered, they set off a chain reaction. Against large vessels—even iron ships—they're lethal. Against Ninja, they might not be enough."
"Not because Ninja are stronger, just faster."
"So they won't actually kill enemy Ninja?" The Genin, new to battle, frowned. To him, eliminating enemy Ninja was the true measure of efficiency.
"That's not the only way to see it," Fujihara said with a small laugh. "Let me explain something."
"Go ahead, sir."
"The Land of Water is far from here. Besides Ninja, what else do Hidden Mist ships carry?"
"Supplies, weapons, food," the Genin answered after a moment.
"Exactly. We can't be sure their ships will pass through here, but that's what a blockade is. You can't guarantee prey walks into a trap, but if they do—even if we don't defeat the enemy Ninja—we can still destroy their cargo. That's a victory of sorts."
The black-haired Genin nodded thoughtfully.
"All right, enough talk. It's getting late. Finish up so we can head back."
"Yes, sir." The Genin dove back into the water.
Fujihara gazed at the dark sea, the winter chill biting through his clothes. He thought of the battlefield ahead. "With commanders Lord Sakumo and Lord Hayashi leading us, it should be fine," he muttered.
The two were revered among ordinary Ninja for their achievements. With them around, the war seemed less terrifying.
Three days of nonstop work by Konoha Ninja completed the trap line. Supreme commander Hayashi arrived at the battlefield, leaving the Land of Waves sector to Shikumo for emergency intel. A number of Konoha Ninja remained stationed there as a garrison.
Hayashi moved with only a small escort; most forces were spread across the ocean. The real strength lay in the mines and explosive tags lining the defensive sea belt.
Two hours later, Hayashi reached the sector patrolled by Hyuga Ninja.
"How's the situation?" he asked Yamashiro, a young Hyuga Jonin.
"No Hidden Mist ships have entered the recon zone yet. Judging by their speed, they won't reach our area until tonight," Yamashiro said, hesitating. "Can we be sure they'll come through here?"
"Nothing is ever certain on a battlefield. If they want to land in the Land of Hot Springs, they must cross this stretch of sea. A detour wastes time and food, and Sakumo and I are prepared for that."
Hayashi showed no concern about Hidden Mist spies. Even if the enemy knew Konoha planned an ambush, they would still risk sending ships—they could not rely on Kumogakure for supplies.
It was like history's great wars: even when convoys were attacked, supply lines had to continue. Without them, victory was impossible.
Reassured by Hayashi's presence, the young Hyuga resumed his Byakugan scouting. For three days straight, he watched the sea, never resting unless relieved. Some Ninja fought not for politics, but out of loyalty to the Village itself.
"Sir… ships spotted!" Yamashiro exclaimed several days later, excitement in his voice.
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