Chapter 17: Quite the boast
They arrived near the Sand Village camp.
Four Konoha ninja squads, including the Souji squad, are observing the Sunagakure camp from afar.
The group was about four or five kilometers away from the Sand Village camp.
It wasn't that they didn't want to get closer, but the Sand Village camp was surrounded by barren land, almost devoid of vegetation, with no cover whatsoever, and would be immediately discovered by the Sand Village.
Looking towards the Sand Village's encirclement of their camp, with earthen walls over ten meters high, a Jonin said in a deep voice:
"As you can see, the Sand Village camp is surrounded by nothing but open space, making it very difficult to approach. This is the first challenge we face."
"Then Sunagakure adopted a completely defensive strategy, with ample fortifications and traps. If they were destroyed, they would alert the enemy, but if they were not destroyed, it would be difficult to attack Sunagakure. This is the second problem."
"There's also the comparison of numbers between the two sides. Sunagakure has about 4,000 people, while Konoha has 2,800. In addition, some of them were sent to the defense line and the garrison. The actual number of people participating in the attack is estimated to be only 2,000. The ratio of enemy to friendly forces is two to one. Furthermore, Sunagakure has been on high alert. This is the third problem."
"Finally, the enemy may have special Jonin, or even Jonin-level powerhouses, appearing at any time. This is the fourth problem."
"Breaking through these four major challenges and effectively eliminating Sunagakure is the objective of our mission."
All the ninjas nodded solemnly.
This task is far more difficult than initially imagined.
The Sand Village's defenses were too thorough; it was difficult to even get close, let alone face traps and earthen walls.
Only after solving these two problems can we begin to launch an effective attack on Sunagakure. Not only are there many Sunagakure members, but they are also always on guard, and we may even encounter powerful Jonin from Sunagakure at any time.
Special Jonin are already elites selected from one in ten Chunin, and Jonin must meet extremely high standards in all aspects; they are the elite among elites.
If a Jonin were to fight a Chunin, it would be an absolute one-sided crushing defeat.
Of the four teams present, there were two Jonin and Souji, a special Jonin; the rest were all Chunin and Genin.
The four squads take turns on missions, with only one squad attacking at a time. If they encounter enemy Jonin, it will be extremely dangerous.
Every Konoha ninja present frowned, feeling that this mission was extremely difficult.
Normally, such a high-difficulty mission should only be participated in by elite members who are at least special Jonin. However, that would be too small a number to achieve the effect of continuous harassment and pressure. Therefore, Chunin and some capable Genin have to participate as well.
However, this would put Chunin and Genin in considerable danger.
Fortunately, this mission doesn't have any strict requirements, such as how many Sand Villages you must kill or how much destruction you must cause.
Originally, this was just a compromise solution with a try-it-out mentality. Shinnosuke probably knew how difficult the attack would be, so he didn't have high expectations and could change his strategy at any time.
This matter is known to a few high-ranking members, including the Special Jonin and the Jonin, but of course, no one would openly admit to this passive attitude that amounts to cowardice.
After discussion, the order of action was determined, with the Commander's squad as the third shift.
The first two teams were led by Jonin and were very powerful, so they were placed in front to try the attack first.
The four members of Class One used a transformation spell and turned into four lizards common in the area.
Transformation Technique, Substitution Technique, and Clone Technique are collectively known as the Three Body Techniques, which are the most fundamental of ninjutsu.
However, the Three-Body Technique, though basic, is effective.
For example, with transformation techniques, even a Kage-level ninja cannot directly see through the transformation of an ordinary ninja without special sensory abilities.
The four lizards they transformed into were small and difficult to spot. With their experience as Jonin, they were able to see through and avoid the traps on the road.
The first bus arrived near the earthen wall without incident.
But problems arose in the next step.
As soon as the transformation technique was dispelled, Sunagakure launched an attack on them, sending dozens of kunai and shuriken, as well as at least ten ninjutsu attacks at them!
The four of them had no choice but to flee in panic.
The others were basically useless. In this situation, they didn't even have time to form hand seals, and could only throw some kunai and shuriken randomly, but they didn't hit Sunagakure.
Only that Jonin managed to use Earth Release: Earth Pillar Explosion, which blasted a section of the earthen wall down.
However, this earthen wall was originally constructed using Earth Release ninjutsu, and someone immediately went over, clapped their hands, and easily repaired it.
After a period of time, the second bus also set off.
However, the results were similar. Using the Transformation Technique, getting close was not difficult, but facing the Sand Village on the earthen wall, there was no good way to attack. They could only rely on others to assist them. The Jonin could at least use a ninjutsu to blow up the earthen wall, and then they could only retreat immediately.
A ten-meter-high earthen wall is an excellent defensive height for ninjas, allowing them to observe the surroundings from above and easily dodge attacks from enemies below.
After retreating, the two Jonin gave a wry smile, showing no dissatisfaction with the outcome.
The original goal was simply to harass and exert pressure, so this already achieves the objective and there's nothing wrong with it.
Meanwhile, the Sand Village faction was also facing multiple battles.
Approximately 2,000 people from Konoha participated in the attack, forming teams of four, totaling about 500 squads.
These 500 squads attacked from all directions in turn, and Sunagakure faced attacks from at least 10 squads almost every moment.
While offense is indeed fraught with difficulties, defense is no easy task either.
Faced with Konoha's relentless attacks, Sunagakure had to maintain a high level of alert across the entire camp, and the ninja tools and chakra they used were constantly being depleted.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke's strategy was effective; Sunagakure was indeed running around in circles, and it would be difficult to sustain in the long run.
"However, this would be a war of attrition, and it would take a considerable amount of time to wear down Sunagakure," Souji thought to himself.
After another period of time, it was the third shift's turn.
"Everyone, I'll repeat myself. We'll transform into sand rats and sneak over there, then emerge from the ground to deactivate the transformation. I'll then use kunai to kill the Sand Village. You cover me and help me block the attacks, understand?" Souji said to the three.
"Yes!" The three nodded in agreement.
The two Jonin listened from the side, their expressions turning slightly cold, thinking to themselves that the other person was quite arrogant.
It's not about attacking, it's about killing; these are two completely different things.
Even if those two Jonin damaged the earthen wall, it would at most cause minor injuries to two or three Sunagakure ninjas.
Mochizuki Souji... a newly promoted special jonin, yet he dares to say he'll kill him.
He's been in the limelight a lot lately, and with all the praise he's received, he's really starting to think highly of himself!
The two Jonin were dissatisfied, but they didn't show it. They were just waiting to see Souji make a fool of himself.
Souji, along with Asuma and the other two, transformed into four sand rats.
Sand rats are also common creatures in this area, and they can burrow into the sand and move underground, making them very convenient creatures to sneak around.
End of this chapter...