NOVEL FROG Chapter 184: Impulsiveness is the Devil’s temptation.
Hiashi Hyuga, four years Fugaku Uchiha's younger, commanded the first army with a boldness that bordered on recklessness.
Rather than opting for a defensive stance, he launched a daring counterattack, falling headlong into the enemy's carefully laid trap. Surrounded and on the brink of defeat, his salvation came in the form of Tsume Inuzuka, who barely managed to extract him from the dire situation.
Though Hiashi was no average ninja, his skills couldn't shield him from the coordinated assault of four of the seven ninja swordsmen and a cadre of elite jonin sent by the enemy.
This impulsive behavior stemmed from his deep-seated rivalry with Fugaku Uchiha, leader of the Uchiha clan and contender for the position of Fourth Hokage.
The rivalry between them had its roots in their childhood, with each vying to prove their worth as the head of their respective clans. Hiashi, in particular, felt a burning desire to assert his dominance as the leader of the Hyuga clan, renowned as the strongest clan in Konoha.
Fuelled by jealousy over Fugaku's accomplishments and driven by the belief that he could outdo his rival, Hiashi's actions were driven by a desire to match or surpass Fugaku's achievements.
Their ongoing rivalry had garnered attention long before either assumed leadership of their clans.
In the heat of battle, Hiashi led a pursuit, hoping to turn the tide in Konoha's favor. However, the outcome proved disastrous...
Now, in the aftermath of Hiashi's ill-fated decision, Konoha's defenses lay in disarray.
Fugaku shook his head in disbelief as he read about Hiashi's impulsive actions.
"Doesn't he realize that impulses are the devil's temptation?" He muttered to himself, bemused by his colleague's lack of restraint.
The letter from the Hokage, however, brought a smirk to Fugaku's lips. It praised the Uchiha's contributions, acknowledged his merits, and even offered him three requests, one of which was a suggestion to step down.
Fugaku couldn't help but admire the political finesse of the old man, or rather, the Hokage. Despite their differences, Fugaku had to concede that the Third Hokage commanded respect, even from him.
"Akihiko, fetch me a fine katana and samurai armor," Fugaku commanded as he entered the tent, his mind already plotting his next move.
Uchiha Akihiko, inquire, "What's the plan?"
"Top secret mission, no questions asked," Fugaku replied cryptically, his mind already racing with strategic considerations.
Moments later, equipped with the gear provided by Akihiko, Fugaku carefully stowed them away in a scroll and slipped out of the camp, his intentions known to none but himself.
Nara Shikaku's psychological warfare tactics had proven effective, with the Tsuchikage and the jinchuriki hesitant to launch a major assault or leave the safety of their camp after several successful raids on the Iwa base.
Deciding to keep his signature abilities concealed for the time being, Fugaku focused on fortifying their defenses and strategically arranging their camp to counter any potential large-scale attacks from the enemy.
While lacking in high-level combat power, Shikaku's strategy and psychological warfare provided a temporary shield, buying them time until Hiashi Hyuga recovered from his injuries.
Despite Shikaku's advice to keep his abilities under wraps, Fugaku slipped away quietly, confident that his actions wouldn't disrupt Shikaku's plan.
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In the Land of Uzushiogakure, once home to a strong ninja village of the same name, it now lies in ruins. The remnants of Uzushiogakure Hidden Village, known for its people's longevity and fiery tempers, stood as a grim testament to the devastation wrought by war.
Renowned for their mastery of sealing techniques, the inhabitants of Uzushiogakure were both revered and feared by neighboring countries and clans. Yet, despite their formidable reputation, they could not withstand the onslaught of their united enemies during the conflict.
In the aftermath of the attack, only a handful of descendants managed to escape the village's destruction, scattering to the far corners of the world in search of refuge and survival.
Among them was Kushina, a native daughter whose roots now lay severed, her homeland reduced to mere memories.
Along the eastern coast, as dawn broke, faint outlines of tents could be seen scattered amidst the desolation.
"Hey, Jinpachi Munashi, why are we stuck camping with them? These battles are as dull as they come; it's infuriating," complained Kushimaru Kuriarare, with long, spiky yellow hair, a mask obscuring his face, and a needle sword strapped to his back.
Both he and his companion bore visible wounds from previous skirmishes.
Seated nearby, Jinpachi Munashi, his features concealed behind a black mask and bandages, offered a nonchalant shrug. "Beats me. It's Mizukage's orders. It seems he's got some fear of Konoha. Personally, I think he's just a coward and a wimp."
“Pfft, no way. We even managed to wound the supposed strongest clan head in Konoha. What's there to fear?"
Their conversation caught the attention of a third figure nearby, who chimed in with a sly grin. "Why don't we gather some men and launch another attack?"
"Exactly," the first ninja agreed eagerly. "They had some tough defenders last time, but with our numbers, we've got nothing to worry about!"
Their attention turned to the newcomer, Kobanza, who wielded a massive sword akin to an axe. "Kobanza? What's your take on this?" they inquired, curious to hear his thoughts.
"We outnumber them nearly two to one, with almost 20,000 against their 9,000. Yet here we are, playing it safe. It's pathetic," Kobanza asserted, his voice heavy with frustration. "And I'm not the only one who thinks so."
Shizuma Hoshigaki, wielding his sword, Samehada, grinned confidently as he voiced his proposal. "That's right, they're down to just eight thousand now. They're playing the same defensive game as us. Give me a few hundred men, and I'll tear through Konoha's defense."
Agreeing to his plan, the trio wasted no time rallying nearby ninjas from the surrounding camps. They managed to assemble a force in less than half a day.
Addressing the gathered crowd, Kobanza's voice rang out, echoing their shared frustrations. "We've been at this for months. Are we satisfied with these lackluster attacks?"
The response was unanimous. "Of course not!"
"If we're going to fight, let's make it worthwhile. What's the point of retreating after a day's battle?"
"I couldn't agree more."
"The war should've ended ages ago!"
"Exactly, it's dragging on for no reason!"
These sentiments resonated among the assembled ninjas, many of whom had lost comrades in previous skirmishes. They were driven by ruthless determination, fueled by a thirst for vengeance. They were the elite, forged in the crucible of conflict.
Despite being outnumbered among the Five Great Nations, with only around 18,000 soldiers and 2,000 lost in recent battles, they still possessed a considerable advantage over Konoha.
Yet, their Mizukage's orders for cautious, passive attacks had worn thin.
Shizuma listened to their grievances with a sneer, his resolve firm. "Enough talk. Tonight, we strike Konoha and crush them."
But a someone interjected, reminding them of protocol. "Wait! We can't disobey orders. We must inform Mizukage-sama before launching such an attack!"
