Chapter 46: There Must Be Something Fishy Here

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Land of Rice Fields – A Forest Near the River

Not far from the riverbank lay Konoha's temporary camp.

After submitting her mission report, Tsunade led Sasame, Kabuto, and Shizune to the central command tent, where several figures were already waiting.

"Lady Tsunade."

The first to speak wasn't Uchiha Fugaku, but Nara Shikaku—a man with a distinctive pineapple-shaped hairstyle.

He was the father of Nara Shikamaru (one of Konoha's future Twelve Guardians) and the current "Deer" of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio.

The Nara clan was renowned for their intellect, often serving as strategists or advisors—and this war was no exception.

"On behalf of the Ino-Shika-Chō alliance, I must thank you for rescuing Shitō. Without your timely intervention, he might never have been able to continue as a ninja."

Shikaku bowed slightly, his expression sincere.

The Ino-Shika-Chō trio shared an unbreakable bond—living and dying together.

His words carried the weight of their collective gratitude.

"Just doing my duty."

Tsunade waved it off and cut straight to the chase. "What's the current situation?"

"Not good."

Uchiha Fugaku's voice was grim. "In just one week, thirty of our outposts and strongholds have been wiped out."

"A full-scale assault?"

Though Tsunade had already received intel, the sheer scale still surprised her.

"Yes."

Fugaku nodded. "We were caught off guard and forced into a defensive retreat. But Shikaku noticed something… unusual."

Outposts and strongholds were crucial in war—they served as fortified positions to repel enemy attacks.

Without them, makeshift camps offered little protection against ninjutsu, leaving troops vulnerable to constant harassment.

"Take a look at the map."

Shikaku unfurled a detailed chart of the Land of Rice Fields. "Though the thirty destroyed outposts seem randomly scattered, we've unknowingly been pushed south—into this downstream region along the river."

He drew a large circle on the map.

"Could it just be coincidence?"

Tsunade scanned the area. "This zone is vast. Even if it's a trap, it'd be hard to execute effectively here."

"That's exactly what puzzles us, Lady Tsunade."

Shikaku nodded. "But we suspect the Fourth Raikage's ambitions extend beyond just outposts."

"Hmm."

Tsunade voiced her theory. "Kumo likely wants a major victory to force favorable terms in the upcoming negotiations—extracting greater concessions from us."

"Our analysis aligns with yours."

Fugaku's gaze flicked toward Hyūga Hiashi. "Hyūga scouts have confirmed neither of Kumo's Jinchūriki has moved. They remain in Kumogakure."

"Wiping out so many outposts in such a short time must have cost Kumo dearly too."

Hiashi met his stare coolly. "There must be something fishy here. I propose sending Hyūga operatives behind enemy lines for reconnaissance."

Risky? Yes. But if they uncovered critical intel, the rewards would be immense.

"The Byakugan is indeed ideal for scouting. But if detected without sufficient combat strength, it'd backfire spectacularly."

Fugaku's tone was pointed. "Unless Lord Hiashi volunteers personally, I can't endorse this plan."

Outsiders saw the Hyūga and Uchiha as Konoha's twin dojutsu clans—equals in prestige.

But within the Uchiha? That was never the consensus.

Fugaku, aware of the Mangekyō Sharingan's power, held particular disdain for the "inferior" Byakugan.

Hiashi's face darkened.

He couldn't go.

As the Hyūga main family head, he bore no Caged Bird Seal. If captured, his Byakugan would be stolen—just like during the Third War, when a Hyūga elder's eye was gouged out by Kiri's Ao, earning him the moniker "Byakugan Killer."

That precedent had made the main family paranoid.

Now, all high-risk missions were dumped on the branch family—their obedience enforced by the cursed seal.

"Then I'd love to hear Lord Fugaku's brilliant alternative."

Hiashi's voice dripped with frost.

"I propose Lady Tsunade lead an infiltration team, supported by Uchiha Shisui's squad."

Fugaku didn't hesitate—this was clearly premeditated.

Tsunade needed no explanation. Here, her status and strength were top-tier.

As for Shisui? His "Shunshin no Shisui" (Shisui of the Body Flicker) fame from the Third War had only grown.

Even without the Mangekyō, his current prowess dwarfed his past self.

"I have no objections."

After a brief pause, Tsunade agreed.

She'd joined this war to temper Sasame's group—and their performance against Toroi had impressed her.

A deep-strike mission was dangerous, but also the ultimate trial by fire.

"Understood."

Shisui stepped forward, accepting the assignment.

Standing among the Jonin, his shorter stature (thanks to his youth) had made him easy to overlook—until now.

"Shisui, you're a squad leader now?"

Tsunade studied him. "Who are your members?"

Two teams would go.

She trusted Sasame's group to pull their weight—but the other squad was a wild card.

Geniuses were rare, after all.

"The Hokage granted me special Jonin authority to lead."

Shisui smiled mildly. "My team consists of Orochimaru's three students—Uchiha Itachi, Mitarashi Anko, and Yūhi Kurenai."

"Orochimaru's disciples, huh?"

Tsunade's brow arched. "That snake holed up in the village won't budge, yet he's fine sending his students out?"

Shisui remained silent.

Best not get between legendary Sannin and their grudges.

In truth, he hadn't chosen this team—Orochimaru had assigned them.

The Sannin's motives eluded him entirely.

"Then we leave this to you, Lady Tsunade."

Fugaku spoke up once their exchange ended.

His gaze lingered on Shisui and Itachi—unspoken orders clear: Make the clan proud.

The Uchiha's internal turmoil had reached a boiling point, and Fugaku knew they stood at a precipice.

While tempering his radicals, he hoped Shisui and Itachi could glean the Hokage's true stance.

A two-pronged approach to find balance.

Fugaku didn't want a coup.

In the original timeline, only utter desperation had driven him to lead one—only to surrender without resistance when Itachi turned against them.

His passivity had effectively accelerated the Uchiha's demise.

And now?

As both a failed clan head and father, Fugaku remained oblivious to Shisui and Itachi's true loyalties.

His inaction wasn't just a misstep—it was stomping the gas pedal toward annihilation.

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