Moving To The Southern Sunagakure Front (1)

By the time Hikari left Kirigakure, he discovered that news of his victory over the Mizukage, along with detailed accounts of his unique abilities, had spread far beyond the village's borders somehow despite the utmost secrecy that Mei promised, especially concerning his shinobi abilities that were used that day.

The precision with which his tactics and powers were described, particularly his ability to manipulate natural energy with his taijutsu, came as an unwelcome surprise.

Hikari felt a surge of anger upon learning that such critical details of his capabilities were exposed, potentially compromising his tactical advantage.

However, as he considered the situation further, Hikari realized that the exposure of his skills might have been inevitable.

Even if his enemies were aware of his ability to manipulate natural energy and use it in fights, they would struggle to counter it unless they could harness and interact with it themselves and possess some other ability that would allow them to 'see' it like himself. But those are extremely rare possibilities. 

So they could, at most, attempt to dodge or repel his attacks, but they would've done that anyway.

So, the only significant loss was perhaps his ability to use this skill for surprise petrification attacks, which relied on the element of secrecy. They now knew that it could happen.

Suspecting who might be responsible for this leak, Hikari considered two likely sources. One possibility was Madara Uchiha and Zetsu, who might have spread the information to undermine him.

White Zetsu clone had observed part of the battle before being apprehended by his team, making it prime suspect.

Before it was fully taken, there was no way to know if it could've used his extensive underground network of roots to pass all the information it knew to other more distant clones.

Alternatively, the remnants of the previous Mizukage's loyalists, in a final act of defiance and seeking revenge, could have disclosed his fighting style either right before the Kirigakure fight ended or in the days after - before they were 100% rooted permanently and managed to hide or mask their previous affiliation in various ways.

Given their familiarity with similar techniques used by their leader, they were well-equipped to provide such detailed information to the outside world.

In the days that followed, as Hikari's name and exploits became increasingly recognized worldwide, he began to hear reports of his growing reputation.

He was now considered an S-class war elite figure, a prominent and formidable presence acknowledged globally, on the level of other prominent figures that always existed in all five great ninja villages.

His renown was such that he even earned the shinobi nickname "Byakugan Sage," reflecting both his prowess and the widespread knowledge of his unique abilities.

This acknowledgment, while unintended, marked him as a key player on the international stage, altering his strategic landscape significantly.

So, a week later, after finalizing their operations on Kirigakure and Konoha's Eastern Front, Hikari, Hiashi, Takumi, Hizashi, and a contingent of the Hyuga clan set out on a journey, in a hurry, through the Land of Fire. 

Their destination was near the Land of Rivers, spurred by urgent news from Kiyomi regarding Konoha's Southern Front.

There, the Uchiha allies were facing a threatening situation as Sunagakure appeared to be initiating a major invasion into the Land of Fire. 

That meant that Hikari didn't have time to rest there for a while to hone in on his newly established advancements in natural energy; he had to move right away.

As they advanced towards the Land of Rivers, Hikari mentally reviewed the strategic dynamics that shaped the looming conflict with Sunagakure.

He was aware that Land of Wind's and, hence, Sunagakure's inherent geographical and climatic challenges had always positioned it as the economically weakest among the shinobi villages.

The scarcity of water and arable land restricted its population growth and development, making it difficult to sustain a large and well-equipped shinobi force.

The harsh climate further exacerbated the costs of maintaining and constructing durable architecture.

In contrast, Kirigakure benefited from its rich maritime resources. The abundance of sea products and the convenience of trade facilitated by oceanic routes underscored its robust economy.

Moreover, the sea provided a cost-effective method for shipping goods, enhancing Kirigakure's economic stability.

While the Land of Water's geographical fragmentation led to some cultural divisions, its arable land supported a larger, more diverse population.

However, the very terrain that economically disadvantaged Sunagakure also fortified it against invasions.

The village was strategically nestled in a valley shielded by imposing rock cliffs, making any direct assault perilous.

Beyond the mere challenge of traversing the harsh desert, invaders had to contend with perilous sandworms and navigate the formidable natural defenses of the landscape. 

Navigating the harsh environment of the Land of Wind presented formidable challenges to any shinobi unaccustomed to desert warfare.

The perilous climate, scarcity of water, treacherous terrain, and the presence of poisonous creatures were just the beginning.

Sunagakure shinobi held a significant tactical advantage due to their familiarity with these harsh conditions.

They were adept at exploiting the landscape to their benefit, creating traps in the sand that were virtually undetectable to outsiders, making the desert a barrier and a lethal weapon in its own right.

These environmental hazards, coupled with the ingenious defensive strategies developed by Sunagakure, rendered conventional warfare tactics nearly obsolete on their territory.

This intrinsic defensive strength, born out of necessity and honed through generations of survival, empowered Sunagakure to assert itself boldly on the geopolitical stage despite its smaller population and economic disadvantages and maintain its status as one of the Five Great Ninja Villages - albeit still the weakest one 'offensively' outside of their own domains.

This fact was also partially why Konoha, led by the Uchiha clan, sent the fewest troops there. It stemmed from the understanding that Sunagakure, while formidable in defense, lacked the economic and numerical strength to mount a large-scale offensive.

Not to mention that Sunagakure is also partially involved in a war with the Iwagakure nowadays, albeit one of far lesser intensity than was the case with their war against Konoha. 

However, this underestimation soon proved problematic. The initial absence of elite and Kage-level shinobi in the Uchiha-led force left a gap that Sunagakure's elite units exploited.

Over time, these elite units of Sunagakure began to assert themselves more aggressively, not only holding their ground but also advancing offensively in a relatively short period.

They eventually expanded their control fully beyond their borders into the nearby, previously contested zone of the Land of Rivers and its hidden village, Tanigakure.

This expansion was a display of military strength and a strategic move to gain territorial control and influence in the region.

The Uchiha, faced with increasing pressure and a growing disadvantage due to the lack of high-level shinobi, found themselves in a precarious position. 

However, Sunagakure's advancements halted after they established control over Tanigakure two months ago because two Kage-level elite fighters had finally' emerged' amongst the Uchiha ranks by then.

Nevertheless, their offensive resumed a few days ago with renewed vigor and fiercer intensity for some unknown reason.

This time, their target was the actual territory of the Land of Fire. This sudden escalation was the reason Hikari and the others rushed to the area so urgently.

It would be pretty disastrous for one of their dual anti-Hokage coalition-led fronts to allow that to happen. 

Soon enough, a few days later, after a relentless journey across the Land of Fire, Hikari and his group finally reached their destination—a predetermined meeting point positioned on the opposite side of the country, directly facing Sunagakure and the recently conquered Tanigakure.

The specific coordinates were chosen for their proximity to one of Konoha's main secret barracks on this side of the front, which would serve as the venue for a crucial meeting.

Here, Hikari, Hiashi, and Takumi were set to meet with Kiyomi and Fugaku, the key figures in coordinating the defense efforts against Sunagakure's renewed offensive.

This gathering was crucial for strategizing a robust response to protect Land of Fire's territories and counteract Sunagakure's aggressive maneuvers as effectively as possible.

The cave they met was located on the edge of the Land of Fire, close to where it meets the Land of Rivers.

This strategic positioning was crucial, as the Land of Rivers then bordered the Land of Wind, forming a buffer zone that was now of significant tactical interest.

The geography here was marked by a transition from the lush, forested areas typical of the Land of Fire to the more varied terrains of the Land of Rivers, which featured patches of woodlands and sprawling river systems.

This diverse landscape provided natural barriers and multiple routes, offering both concealment and rapid access to different regions, making it an ideal spot for a strategic meeting regarding the defense of their territory.

The proximity to the Land of Rivers also allowed them to monitor any movements towards the Land of Wind and respond swiftly to shifts in the delicate balance of regional power.