After receiving the message from the shadow clone in Infinite City, Uchiha Anlan—who had already "placed" Tsunade somewhere safe—was currently examining the item he had drawn earlier that day from the Azure-White Stone Gate.
[Item: "Cake War"]
[Evaluation: A debate by countless scholars about a single "cake." — Gentlemen, I love war!]
[Origin: Hellsing]
Using the reading speed he had developed from skimming endless filler texts in his previous life, Anlan flipped through more than fifty pages in mere moments.
The book's central idea could be summarized in one phrase—
The survivors become kings.
From the macro perspective of races and nations, it argued:
In war, the side that contributes the most effort does not necessarily receive the largest piece of the cake.
Instead, once its strength declines significantly, it may itself be placed on the table—becoming part of the cake.
This concept aligned closely with an ancient doctrine:
"Preserve the people and lose the land, and both people and land remain. Preserve the land but lose the people, and both land and people are lost."
Anlan's current war strategy in the ninja world followed the same logic.
Allowing the Konoha eastern army to be devoured by Kirigakure was part of that plan.
The weaker Konoha became—
The safer the Uchiha would be.
The stronger Konoha became—
The more the Uchiha would become a thorn in their side.
War was the best method of reshuffling power.
Konoha had to be weakened.
Just then—
"Anlan, we've received a distress call from the eastern army!"
The tent flap was lifted.
Cold night wind swept inside.
Bathed in moonlight, Uchiha Mikoto entered wearing crimson armor.
The candlelight reflected across her armor in dark red glimmers.
She walked straight toward Anlan and sat formally.
"The reconnaissance team estimates the Mist forces at fewer than three thousand."
"Fuguki Suikazan has completely surrounded the remaining Konoha troops."
"Only messenger summons are escaping."
Knowing the clan's strategy, Mikoto showed no intention of rescuing them.
Instead, her eyes shone with excitement.
"General… shall we begin the next step?"
Since the Uchiha established their independent settlement, this was their first large-scale war.
Every young Uchiha longed to prove themselves.
Before the expedition, even the children had stared eagerly—
Hoping to slaughter enemies and gain glory.
Scenes like Sasuke being paralyzed by Zabuza's killing intent would never happen here.
Which Three-Tomoe Uchiha wasn't stronger than the so-called Demon of the Mist?
"The plan proceeds as usual."
Anlan placed Cake War aside calmly.
"The Mist army is surrounding the eastern survivors without killing them."
"They want to lure reinforcements."
"We'll use 'preparing supplies' as an excuse not to assist."
He smiled faintly.
"The excuse Konoha once used when the Uzumaki Clan was destroyed works quite well here."
Mikoto nodded.
"If the Uzumaki hadn't fallen, the eastern army wouldn't be isolated today."
"Retribution always returns."
She continued analyzing.
"The Mist currently has three possible choices."
"First: split their forces."
"One unit maintains pressure on the eastern army."
"The other attacks Infinite City to seize the 'hundred-million supplies.'"
"Second: concentrate their strength."
"Destroy the eastern army first, then march on Infinite City with full force."
"Third: suspect a trap and ignore the bait."
She looked at Anlan.
"What do you think they'll choose?"
"If I were them?"
"I'd choose all three."
Anlan replied instantly.
"Keeping the eastern army trapped continuously drains Konoha's manpower and morale."
"That's a strategic move they won't abandon."
"As for Infinite City…"
"The bait of one hundred million supplies is too tempting."
He sneered.
"The Red Guard has only two hundred soldiers."
"Would Suikazan and Jūzō fear that?"
"Would the Bloody Mist fear that?"
"So the real question is—"
"How many troops they'll send."
"And how quickly they can swallow the bait."
Mikoto calculated calmly.
"The merchant guild security force has one thousand troops stationed inside the city."
"Explosive tag seals are already prepared."
"With the Red Guard as well…"
"Even if three thousand Mist ninja attack together, we can cripple them."
Among those three thousand—
Seventy percent were genin.
On open plains, genin could still contribute with ninjutsu and tools.
But in urban warfare—
They would barely have any opportunity.
Their only use would be exhausting the Red Guard's chakra.
Anlan silently considered another idea—
Let the enemy remain strong enough to balance Konoha.
But he didn't say it aloud.
Instead, he gave a new order.
"Recall all teams except the reconnaissance unit."
"Also keep monitoring Konoha's movements."
"We need to know what Hiruzen Sarutobi plans to do."
"I understand."
Mikoto brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
Then casually added,
"Oh, by the way."
"Chief Cat reported that Tsunade and Shizune were captured."
Her eyes lowered slightly.
"Anlan… do you have some special interest in Lady Tsunade?"
First there were the Uzumaki women.
Now Tsunade.
Considering Anlan had written quite a few… adult novels before, Mikoto couldn't help asking.
Anlan looked directly into her eyes.
"Tsunade's medical ninjutsu is unmatched."
"But she's completely loyal to the Hokage faction."
"For us, she's extremely dangerous."
Mikoto met his gaze calmly.
Then Anlan suddenly smiled.
"If Sister Mikoto finds her dangerous…"
"Then just kill her."
"I only wanted her to study a virus I obtained."
"Perhaps the results could elevate the entire clan's power."
His straightforward words shocked Mikoto.
She felt slightly ashamed of her suspicion.
Everything Anlan had done—
Even writing those "forbidden books" to gain wealth and connections—
Was for the future of the Uchiha.
How could I doubt him…
At that thought—
Mikoto suddenly stood up.
In the next moment—
She leaned forward.
Her soft lips brushed lightly against the corner of Anlan's mouth.
The touch lasted only a second.
But left warmth and a faint fragrance.
"You've worked hard… for the clan."
"With you beside me, Sister Mikoto…"
"It doesn't feel hard."
Just as Anlan reached for her waist—
The tomoe appeared in Mikoto's eyes.
She flashed to the tent entrance.
Holding the curtain, she turned back.
Her finger tapped her soft red lips.
Her smile was seductive.
Then she vanished into the night.
Anlan took a deep breath.
He calmed his mind and resumed practicing the Summoning Technique.
Once the war stabilizes…
It will be the time when Mikoto removes her armor in shy surrender.
Meanwhile — Southwest Battlefield, Land of Rivers
Konoha reinforcements led by Sarutobi Shinnosuke finally arrived.
They joined forces with Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
The momentum of the entire front line changed instantly.
Konoha split into three formations.
Shinnosuke commanded the center.
Orochimaru flanked the left.
Jiraiya attacked from the right.
They launched the fiercest assault since the war began.
"Earth Release — Earth Flow Wall!"
"Fire Release — Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
"Wind Release — Great Breakthrough!"
Ninjutsu filled the sky like a deadly web.
Konoha advanced like a meat grinder.
Each step shattered the Sand Village defenses.
High above the battlefield—
Rasa watched with a dark expression.
Konoha treats us like the weakest prey.
Reinforcements keep coming endlessly.
"Magnet Release — Gold Dust Burial!"
A massive golden sand wave surged forward.
Dozens of Konoha ninja were swallowed instantly.
But—
"Not happening!"
Jiraiya formed hand seals.
"Summoning Technique — Toad Shop Crash!"
Gamabunta fell from the sky and smashed the golden wave.
At that moment—
Orochimaru slipped through the battlefield.
His Hidden Shadow Snake Hands targeted the black tea kettle beneath Rasa.
According to intelligence—
It might contain the sealed One-Tail, Shukaku.
"Get away!"
Pakura attacked with scorching fireballs, forcing Orochimaru back.
But the battlefield balance had already shifted.
Sand forces were retreating rapidly.
Even escape meant losing soldiers.
Rasa stared at Orochimaru's summoned Manda.
His eyes hardened.
He placed both hands on the kettle.
Seal patterns spread across it.
Is this the end…?
Pakura sensed the danger.
"Rasa!"
"Be careful!"
"Sand Village—retreat!"
"Seal Release!"
A deafening roar shook the battlefield.
The kettle opened.
A massive beast appeared.
Covered with purple markings—
Shukaku, the One-Tail, opened its violent eyes.
"Hahaha!"
"I'm finally free!"
"All of you humans deserve to die!"
Sandstorms erupted everywhere.
Konoha's offensive halted.
"A Tailed Beast!"
"Shukaku!"
Jiraiya shouted.
"Everyone scatter!"
Shukaku's attacks did not distinguish friend from foe.
Sand waves devoured both Konoha and Sand ninja.
Screams filled the battlefield.
"Retreat!"
Rasa roared.
"All troops return to the Land of Wind!"
The remaining Sand forces escaped under the chaos.
Konoha couldn't pursue.
"Jiraiya!"
"If we let it rampage, our casualties will grow!"
"I know!"
"Fire Release — Toad Oil Flame Bullet!"
Jiraiya and Gamabunta unleashed a sea of flames.
It temporarily suppressed Shukaku.
Then—
Manda lunged forward.
The giant snake wrapped around the tailed beast.
Shukaku roared and struck back.
The battle between snake and tailed beast shook the earth.
Jiraiya used Swamp of the Underworld to trap Shukaku.
Just as Shukaku began forming a Tailed Beast Bomb—
Manda slammed its head into Shukaku's mouth.
The unstable energy exploded prematurely.
Many Konoha ninja were caught in the blast.
Jiraiya's eyes burned with fury.
Then—
Another attack arrived from the sky.
"Magnet Release — Gold Dust Rain!"
Golden spears rained down.
Their target—
Was Konoha.
Orochimaru looked up.
Rasa had returned.
He could not allow Konoha to capture Shukaku.
Shukaku immediately counterattacked with Air Bullet.
Now—
A chaotic three-way battle erupted.
And the final report delivered to the ninja world was simple:
Shukaku escaped.
Rasa pursued the tailed beast.
Konoha's army movement—unknown.
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