The Tragedy of a Small and Sparsely Populated Nation

It's widely known in the ninja world that the Uzumaki clan is like this – they get impatient after just a few words and want to start fighting. Perhaps this is due to the clan's nature of possessing vast chakra reserves but lacking in precise chakra control, affecting their temperament. Didn't you see how the Tailed Beasts behave? They put all their stats into chakra and neglect intelligence, strutting around with an arrogant demeanor. But when someone tries to discuss life with them, they cover their ears and say, "I'm not listening, I'm not listening." Then, they'll send you to meet the Shinigami with a Tailed Beast Ball.

Even though Ryuto's verbal evasion hasn't reached its full potential yet, when it does, he'll still charge in with a howl, shouting, "Attack!"

The Whirlpool Village ninjas shouted loudly, "Attack!" After all, they received orders from above to injure but not kill, and let the enemy escape, but not without sustaining injuries.

Ah! It was truly troublesome. They couldn't send too many or too few people, and they had to appear weak. Moreover, so many of them couldn't even defeat the Mist ninjas.

It was truly a headache for them to engage in a fake battle. They needed to know that the Uzumaki clan wasn't like this!

They... weren't afraid of any difficulties.

"Damn it, I really hate war," Tayu said anxiously as he blocked the charging Whirlpool Village ninjas. "So, why did the Second Hokage start this war?"

"Shut up," the squad leader shouted upon hearing Tayu's words. "What time is it now to say such demoralizing things? Do you want to go drink tea in the ANBU, or do you want the Mizukage to give you a cold shower?"

Fortunately, the Whirlpool Village ninjas weren't very strong. Intentionally, Konoha had left most of Whirlpool Village's powerful ninjas on the battlefield, unable to return.

It was unimaginable that the hypocritical Konoha still had such a loyal ally, but now? Heh heh... They would probably face national destruction and clan annihilation.

The Whirlpool Village ninjas exchanged cautious glances with their comrades, warning them not to go too far, especially some individuals who might get carried away and directly clash head-on!

That's right, they were just fighting, killing one or two people would suffice. As for the others, following Lord Ryuto's words, they needed to let them escape.

They continuously used ninjutsu, but no one employed sealing techniques. They used seemingly powerful ninjutsu, but the Mist ninjas inadvertently surpassed them.

"Keisuke!!" Tayu shouted loudly, seeing his comrade surrounded by Whirlpool ninjas after having his arm sliced off by a Wind Release technique.

"Quickly break through, Tayu," the squad leader said, also noticing their surrounded comrade. There was no need to look any further; Keisuke was doomed. Seeing Tayu wanting to help, he quickly stopped him, "Leave this place. Don't let Keisuke's sacrifice be in vain."

"But, but..." Tayu said with teary eyes, looking at the squad leader urgently.

"Leave this place," the squad leader sternly ordered. "Quickly break through, or else everyone will be doomed."

Tayu took a deep look at Keisuke, wiped away his tears, and resolutely turned his head, no longer looking back. He tightened his grip on the sword in his right hand and broke through with the squad leader. "I really hate war," he muttered silently in his heart.

...

"We received news from behind that the Mist Village lost two people, and then they all retreated," the second elder said to Ryuto Uzumaki and the clan leader. "What should we do next?"

"What about us? Did we suffer any casualties?" Ryuto asked. Their numbers were already low, so they couldn't afford too many losses.

"None. Because we had more people and followed your instructions, most used shadow clones, so there were no casualties. However, many were injured, around fifty or so."

Upon hearing the clan leader's words, Ryuto felt a sense of relief. If it was only injuries, then it was fine. Most members of the Uzumaki clan had powerful life forces and wouldn't die easily. After considering for a moment, he said, "Let them take care to conceal themselves. Don't let the Mist Village ninjas go there and set up an outpost."

"Also, quickly learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu and how to attach Explosive Tags."

Ryuto gazed at the fleeing Mist ninjas and sighed, "War is upon us."

"From now on, rely mainly on shadow clones. Remember the battle plan I arranged. Don't aim for kills, but ensure your safety and slowly wear down the Mist ninjas."

He didn't believe the Hidden Mist Village didn't need to eat. No matter how many food pills they had, he didn't believe they could last until the end of the war.

"Yes!" The second elder went to arrange the tactics after hearing Ryuto's instructions.

Ryuto gazed sadly in the direction of the Mist Village, which was quite far from the Land of Whirlpools. Their main force would likely arrive soon. He didn't know if the Land of Whirlpools could hold out until the end of the war.

"We're still too weak," Ryuto muttered softly. Being a small nation with few people was indeed a predicament!

To prevent the Mist Village from surrounding the Land of Whirlpools from all sides, and even worrying that other hidden villages might try to take advantage of the situation, Ryuto had already arranged for the Land of Whirlpools to abandon and conceal all unimportant items. Then, the Whirlpool Village ninjas would disperse and hide in various locations throughout the Land of Whirlpools, using the terrain to gain victory. As for the Explosive Tags? Shadow clones could be used, turning them into human bombs. Additionally, they could launch a barrage of Explosive Tag arrows. As for the remaining shadow clones, they just needed to charge forward with howls, perfectly suited to their nature. They could first launch an assault to exhaust the enemy, overwhelming them with sheer numbers. After all, the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu had the ability to reduce intelligence.

Even though their individual strength wasn't great, their numbers and presence were formidable! Just standing on the side and shouting "666" could boost morale, let alone a group of identical people charging forward with howls. It would terrify anyone.

Ryuto watched the fleeing Mist ninjas, who were still cautiously observing their surroundings. He sighed and muttered, "Let you escape this ordeal first!"

...

"Why? Why?" Tayu grabbed the squad leader's collar and cried loudly, "Why did you abandon Keisuke?"

"Why did you abandon Keisuke?"

The squad leader directly shoved Tayu away and coldly said, "Because this is war."

Hearing the squad leader's icy voice, tears fell from Tayu's eyes as he wailed, "Keisuke, Keisuke was our comrade!"

"Shut up," the squad leader said with a gruff tone, already in a foul mood due to being surrounded and losing a comrade. Tayu's tantrum only worsened the situation. He immediately grabbed Tayu's neck and stared at him with cold eyes, saying icily, "If you keep running your mouth, I'll kill you."

Tayu struggled, flailing his limbs in an attempt to break free from the squad leader's grip, but to no avail. His face turned red, and his vision gradually became blurred.

Noticing this, Ebby quickly intervened, "Squad leader, let go. If this continues, Tayu will die."

Hearing Ebby's words, the squad leader casually tossed Tayu aside and snorted before leaving with the squad to set up a watch.

Tayu regained his senses, gasping for air. He looked at the departing squad leader, especially his final words, "Keep running your mouth, and I'll kill you." Tayu could feel that the squad leader wasn't joking; that deep, cold killing intent made him fear suffocating. The squad leader... he was serious. Tayu lowered his head and muttered, "War is really hateful."

Ebby patted Tayu's back to help him catch his breath, looking at him with concern. "Are you alright?"

Tayu shook his head, saying nothing. Seeing this, Ebby opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. Finally, he sighed and said, "Don't blame the squad leader. He had no choice; this is war."

Tayu raised his head and silently looked at Ebby, then stood up and said in a low voice, "That's why I hate war."

"Why start a war?!"

"Everything was about to end."

"It's really hateful."

...

"How much longer until we arrive?"

(End of chapter)