4 Kilometers from the Suna Encampment
Eight hundred Konoha shinobi crouched in the jagged rock formations, blending into the gloom.
At the front, Sakumo Hatake crouched beside Fugaku Uchiha, Satoshi, and Ren.
"Report," Sakumo whispered, his voice barely audible over the wind.
Ren closed his eyes. He simply expanded his Reishi Perception. The spiritual particles in the air were his eyes. They floated through the enemy camp, touching every chakra signature, painting a 3D map in his mind.
"It's worse than we thought," Ren stated calmly, opening his eyes.
"Give me numbers," Fugaku asked, his voice low.
"Twelve hundred shinobi," Ren listed with mechanical precision. "Heavy puppet brigade signatures—likely Chiyo's unit. And in the center... a mass of chakra . That's the One-Tails."
Ren paused, his expression tightening slightly as he felt a specific, heavy pressure—like gravity had increased in one tent.
"But there's one more signature."
Sakumo's eyes narrowed. "The Third Kazekage."
A nearby Jonin swallowed hard, his face pale.
"Panic serves no one," Sakumo cut in sharply, his calm demeanor acting as an anchor for the men. "If the Kazekage is there, it means they are preparing for a decisive push. Ren, what is the status of the Jinchuriki?"
Ren focused his senses on the mass of malice.
"Unstable," Ren analyzed. "The Jinchuriki, Bunpuku, is an old man. His mental state is fraying. The seal is crude—design meant for temporary containment, not suppression. He isn't controlling the beast; he's barely holding the door shut."
Ren turned to the commanders, his mind working through the tactical implications.
"Suna's plan is obvious. They aren't going to use him as a soldier. He's too volatile for coordinated combat. They plan to march him to our main camp, release the seal, and let the One-tail rampage while they retreat. They intend to use him as a suicide attacker."
Satoshi grimaced. "We cannot allow them to reach the rendezvous point."
"So, what is the plan?" Satoshi asked, looking at the White Fang.
Ren looked at the distant lights of the Suna camp, flickering in the sandy rain. A cold, ruthless idea formed in his mind.
"We don't need to fight the beast, Dad," Ren said softly. "We just need to open the door."
Sakumo looked at Ren. The boy's eyes were devoid of hesitation.
Understanding dawned on Sakumo's face. It was a cruel tactic, one that would ensure chaos, but it was the only way to win.
"We trigger the rampage inside their own camp," Sakumo finished.
"Exactly," Ren nodded. "The Tail Beast hates humans. All humans. It doesn't distinguish between Suna and Konoha. If it wakes up now, it will attack the nearest chakra signatures.
Sakumo stood up, slowly drawing his White Light Chakra Sabre. The blade hummed with white energy, cutting through the gloom.
"This is a high-risk operation," Sakumo addressed the squad leaders. "We will split into two groups. The main force, led by me, will launch a diversionary attack on the West Gate. I will draw out the Kazekage and Chiyo."
He turned to Fugaku and Ren.
"The Uchiha elite unit will infiltrate from the East. Your objective is not to engage the army. It is to locate Bunpuku and cast the Genjutsu. Wake the sleeping giant."
"Understood," Fugaku nodded, his Sharingan spinning into life.
"Once the beast is loose," Sakumo continued, his face grim, "we retreat immediately. We let Suna deal with their own monster. Is that clear?"
"Yes, sir!" the Jonin whispered in unison.
Ren checked his pouch. He had his kunai, his wire, and his stack of Healing Tags.
"Move out," Sakumo ordered.
Eight hundred shadows melted into the rain, heading toward the sleeping nightmare.