How to Reduce Losses

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"I understand what Father means."

The battlefield is full of uncertainties. A sudden gust of wind may expose one's position, and in the heat of combat, even the strongest shinobi can fall to unforeseen dangers.

Even Muzan, as powerful as he is, knows his vulnerabilities.

"I have a plan to reduce casualties on the battlefield."

The loss of territory and the loss of lives are two different concepts. As long as there are enough shinobi, territory can be reclaimed. But lives lost are irreplaceable.

"We can arrange explosive tags in advance, simulate a retreat in our battle against Kumogakure, and then withdraw quickly."

Muzan paused for a moment, looking up at his father with slight hesitation.

"We must make them believe that we have been defeated. To do so, strong shinobi will need to remain behind, accepting the risk of casualties."

Dodai and Killer Bee are not easily deceived, especially Dodai, with his experience in war and his role as the Raikage's advisor. Deceiving them without paying a significant price is nearly impossible.

The first part of the plan is feasible. Whether it's Sakumo or the Ino-Shika-Cho formation, they have the ability to retreat on their own.

But the latter condition is harsh—a sacrifice of lives is inevitable.

This is non-negotiable.

Muzan noticed Sakumo's hesitation, and sighed inwardly. His father was an exceptional warrior but struggled as a commander. Orochimaru, on the other hand, would have supported Muzan's plan without hesitation, even volunteering to stay behind himself.

But Sakumo Hatake, a man who once abandoned an S-rank mission to save his comrades, could not easily accept sacrificing his men.

"Father, please don't hesitate. If necessary, I will stay behind!"

Sakumo looked into Muzan's determined eyes and sighed. After a moment of contemplation, his resolve hardened.

"Even my son can clearly see the cruelty of war, yet I hesitated at the critical moment. I'm ashamed of my weakness."

War demands sacrifice. There are no true winners, only those who lose less and gain more.

Sakumo, having grasped the gravity of the situation, made his decision.

"In that case, I will stay until the end and ensure they believe we have failed."

The specifics of the plan needed careful thought—an open area or even the abandonment of their current position would be necessary to set up the explosive tags.

Do not underestimate the explosive tags; in a chain reaction, even the strongest taijutsu users could be severely injured or killed.

War is about numbers. While a few elite jounin might escape, the chunin and genin would not be so fortunate.

Concealing the explosive tags wouldn't require Muzan's direct involvement. Sakumo, who had completed countless high-risk missions, was well-versed in such tactics.

"We can only inform a select few of our intentions to abandon the camp."

This is the crucial point Muzan had considered. The success of their plan hinged on secrecy. If the enemy discovered their intentions prematurely, Konoha would not only fail but suffer catastrophic losses in both manpower and territory.

"Call a meeting now and summon the elite jounin."

As the order was given, the elite jounin assembled.

Many had come to respect Muzan not merely as Sakumo's son but as a formidable shinobi in his own right, having proven himself in the eyes of his comrades.

Sakumo did not speak but looked at Muzan, deliberately stepping aside to allow him to take charge. War was an opportunity to earn respect and fame quickly.

Although Sakumo had no personal desire for the position of Hokage, that didn't mean his son couldn't pursue it. As a disciple of Orochimaru, Muzan was naturally aligned with the Hokage faction.

"I will lead this meeting."

Muzan spoke with confidence, undeterred by the eyes fixed on him. He boldly presented his plan, which shocked everyone present.

"If this plan succeeds, Kumogakure will suffer a significant blow."

"I personally agree with this plan. Sacrificing a few shinobi for the victory of the army is a worthy exchange!"

"I am willing to serve in the rearguard, even if it means sacrificing my life!"

The shinobi present, all veterans of the battlefield, were willing to risk everything for the village.

Though Muzan's plan was ruthless, it was undeniably effective. If successful, it would ease the pressure on the front lines, freeing up resources to support Orochimaru's efforts elsewhere.

Some hesitated, the moral weight of the plan burdening their consciences. Yet Muzan was resolute.

"War is destined to involve bloodshed and sacrifice. We must not hesitate. If we suffer too much, the other villages will attack together!"

Konoha had fought against four villages during the previous two wars. If the village showed any sign of weakness, its enemies would pounce.

The elite jounin, hardened by countless battles, understood the stakes. Though shaken by Muzan's cold pragmatism, they saw in him the shadow of Orochimaru—a commander who had led them to victory through calculated sacrifice.

"Everyone, let's start assigning tasks!"

Sakumo clapped his hands, snapping them out of their daze. The next phase required precise coordination.

Muzan, however, did not need to involve himself in every detail. He would not be at the center of the battlefield. Even with his regenerative abilities, there were still forces capable of countering him.

The hardest part of this negotiation was deciding what to sacrifice.

It was a dilemma they debated for an entire day.

When the full moon rose, Sakumo finally emerged from the tent, his face etched with rare exhaustion.

"Now, we only need to set up the explosive tags. They must be hidden from the shinobi in the camp, so I will send patrols to monitor the battlefield during this period."

The advantage of sending out patrols is twofold: it increases the tension on the front line and prevents Konoha's ninjas from noticing the true plan. This tactic can also serve to mislead their own troops, ensuring that only a select few are aware of the real objective.

After all, in the brutal reality of war, some are willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good. War's cruelty can push even the most loyal shinobi to the brink, risking betrayal. This strategy also aims to eliminate the possibility of such treachery.

"We have to wait for them to make the first move," Muzan suggested. "If Kumogakure initiates the attack and Konoha is forced to respond, it will further deceive them and inflate their confidence."

Sakumo nodded in agreement. Allowing the enemy to start the battle could indeed work to their advantage. The loss of a genin might be enough to escalate the situation into an inevitable conflict.

"Suddenly, I feel my age catching up with me," Sakumo mused. "But seeing you grow into a capable leader is a comfort, Muzan. I wouldn't be surprised if you one day vied for the title of Fifth or Sixth Hokage."

Muzan acknowledged this with a silent nod. As a time traveler, he knew he had the potential to become Hokage. If that path were closed to him, he might follow Orochimaru's example and forge his own village.

With Sakumo increasing the number of patrols and doing so openly, Kumogakure was put on high alert. Their recent clash with Konoha had only deepened the animosity between the two sides.

"Hmph! Seems like those Konoha bastards still haven't learned their lesson. Let me finish the job!" A snarled, his arm still bandaged from the wound inflicted by Konoha's White Fang. Sakumo's Hatake Kenjutsu had left its mark, though A's rigorous training had saved his arm from permanent damage.

"I'll gather the troops and drive those Konoha scum out!"

As A fumed, Killer Bee didn't immediately intervene. Something about the situation felt off to him. Reflecting on their battle, he pondered the weaknesses in Hatake's swordsmanship—primarily its difficulty in targeting larger foes like his fully transformed tailed beast form.

But instead of tightening their defenses, Konoha was sending more ninjas to patrol the borders, with some even encroaching on the edges of the Land of Lightning.

"They must have stationed a new powerhouse capable of countering my tailed beast transformation," Killer Bee deduced, his gaze shifting to Dodai. Unlike A's impulsiveness, Dodai's tactical experience as the Third Raikage's advisor made him the de facto strategist.

"My thoughts align with Killer Bee's," Dodai remarked. "It seems Konoha has brought in a new heavy hitter."

While the A-B Combo held considerable sway, the ultimate decisions lay with Dodai.

"Konoha must have a reason for this behavior. We need to proceed with caution, but even if they have someone strong, they won't be much stronger than us."

Dodai's confidence stemmed from his experience in the previous ninja wars. In those conflicts, the decisive battles were often fought between the elite shinobi of each village.

Even though Dodai had seen countless battles, Muzan's insight, coupled with Sakumo's contributions and the elite jōnin's strategies, gave Konoha a distinct edge in this situation.

"Have our spies investigate how many high-level shinobi Konoha has brought this time."

Dodai believed his plan was flawless, and even Killer Bee couldn't find any gaps. The principle of "soldiers against soldiers, generals against generals" had stood the test of time.

"Hmph! You're too cautious, Dodai. Just charge in and crush them all!" A grumbled.

"Brother, this is war, not a one-on-one fight. We need to be more strategic."

They ignored A's outburst, but a sense of unease lingered, hinting that something had indeed gone wrong.

With Konoha's increased troop movements and the arrival of reinforcements from the rear, including the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, it was clear that a significant battle was on the horizon. Muzan's plan was so intricate that it even fooled some of their own.

Muzan himself led a team to patrol the area, carefully observing the situation.

They encountered numerous strong shinobi. While their official mission was to patrol the borders, their real task was to identify potential escape routes to retreat from the battlefield swiftly.

"Why are there so many people?" Anko asked, her eyes wide as they surveyed the area. The three of them were patrolling as a team, but this time, the mission was anything but a covert operation. There were ninjas everywhere—teams spaced out every few meters, and figures flitting through the stone forest.

All of them were jōnin.

These shinobi were scanning their surroundings, ready to spring into action at the slightest sign of trouble.

Konoha's strategy of engaging in skirmishes along the front lines had already led to clashes in several locations, causing casualties on both sides.

"The war is coming soon," Muzan warned. "Your skills aren't yet strong enough for the main battle. When the fighting starts, stick close to me. Our mission is to fight on the periphery."

"Don't be reckless!"

Muzan understood the dangers all too well. He didn't want his companions taking unnecessary risks, especially with the impending battle. Their priority would be to escape and regroup, avoiding any congestion that could slow their retreat.

"Looks like a lot of people are going to die," Mari muttered, his eyes reflecting the gravity of the situation. He watched the busy ninjas setting traps and heard the distant sounds of fighting. His concern only deepened Anko's own anxiety.

"If even you're worried, then when the battle begins, you'll hide behind me," Anko declared, gripping her kunai with determination. Her spirited speech might have been more impactful if her teammates had applauded, but they were too focused on the task at hand.

"You deserve it for not being able to find a girlfriend!" Anko snapped, clearly frustrated by the lack of response.

Muzan and Mari exchanged confused glances, wondering what they had done to annoy her. Dealing with Anko could be more daunting than facing an enemy shinobi.

"Sakumo-sama's orders are to set traps in this area. Make sure to mark them carefully."

To make the feint convincing, everything had to follow the protocols of an actual battle.

A sharp observer might notice something off, though, as most of the traps were set with kunai rather than the more lethal explosive tags.

"Idiot! I'm not an idiot!" Anko huffed, but her outburst only drew more puzzled looks from her teammates.

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