Chapter 196: Unified Strategy

196. Chapter 193: Unified Strategy

"Grandpa, teacher, good morning."

The next day, Shisui got up early, gave some guidance to Jin Huo and Ying Shu, and then had a meal with Sima Yi and Yan Shifan.

"You still have to go to the Hokage Building today to handle official business, right? I heard from the East Building that you can already handle these independently; you've grown quickly."

Sima Yi looked up and said, not sparing any praise.

Shisui chuckled, stating plainly: "It's all thanks to the teacher. If the teacher hadn't been guiding me, I probably would have made many mistakes when I first became Hokage."

Yan Shifan touched his mustache and said offhand, "It's all for the Uchiha."

"The East Building is still reassuring," Sima Yi nodded, seeming highly approving.

He knew Yan Shifan had other thoughts, but this world differs from the previous one; strength is crucial. Unless Yan Shifan is sent to Kyoto to climb the ranks, in this tiny piece of Leaf Village he cannot deal with Shisui, let alone overthrow him.

Yan Shifan also realized this, so he rarely devotes his energy to Leaf.

Shisui had many things to say to Sima Yi yesterday; today he could no longer hold back. After sitting down, he asked, "Grandpa, how are you faring in the north?"

Living on the border is naturally inconvenient everywhere, but Sima Yi was already accustomed, said little, briefly mentioned daily matters, then shifted the topic to military drills.

"Can the ninja's large‑scale corps combat method be implemented widely across Leaf?" Shisui asked curiously.

Sima Yi shook his head, saying softly, "The premise of corps‑level warfare is 'unity': unified training, unified ninja techniques, even unified equipment."

Especially unified ninja techniques. Ninjas are very obedient, but the techniques they know are all over the place; without unified techniques, joint techniques cannot be executed, making corps warfare meaningless and likely to increase casualties.

Because some ninja techniques and Tailed Beast orbs and other large‑scale lethal skills exist, ninjas grouping together easily lose mobility, which is very dangerous.

Shisui quickly understood Sima Yi's point: "Ninja techniques are still being advanced, but it will probably take some time."

"No rush; the resistance to spreading ninja techniques will be great, the ninja clan will inevitably block it with all their might, so handle it slowly."

The two kept talking about promoting ninja techniques for some time; the more Shisui talked, the more excited he became, so he simply let his clone take his place at the Hokage Building while he stayed behind.

Sima Yi and Yan Shifan had no objections; for a matter of a single town, there's no need to be personally involved.

After breakfast, the three went straight to the study; Shisui sighed, "It's been a long time since I studied here with Grandpa and the teacher, hehe~"

Sima Yi laughed, "I came back early this time also because of those matters you mentioned in your letter."

"Thank you, Grandpa, and it's my fault for learning little and forgetting much; the situation of each country is truly hard to discern."

"You're still young; just learn slowly."

Seeing the two showing filial piety, Yan Shifan sneered inwardly; he didn't believe Sima Yi returned to teach Shisui.

He thought it was probably because of this year's points.

It's already September, and there's more than a month left before the points can be obtained. Yan Shifan had thought Sima Yi wouldn't come back this year, and was even considering coaxing Shisui to use the points to strengthen him, after all he doesn't like cultivation, but this world is everywhere reliant on strength.

In the end, Sima Yi actually came back on a sudden pretext. Yan Shifan was still self‑aware; with this guy back, the points were certainly no longer his share. He had intended to maneuver behind the scenes, but didn't expect the other side to even deceive Shisui—none of the statements in the letter were true. His men crouched for a few days and only encountered a group of traveling merchants.

"Old fox!"

The three talked until noon, but since Sima Yi had just returned, he was unclear about many matters, so he didn't explain much. Only then did Shisui realize, and after lunch he went to the Hokage Building to handle official business, giving Sima Yi ample time.

Thus, three days later, Sima Yi had a rough understanding of what had happened in Leaf after his departure.

I must say, Yan Shifan's internal power struggles are quite capable, and Sima Yi also highly approves.

However, what interested him most were the matters of Obito and Kakuzu—one a Uchiha who should have died, the other a mysterious ninja who claims to have fought Madara Uchiha; even though he was twenty when he fought Madara, today he is already over seventy.

Moreover, the five hearts and the immortal body intrigue Sima Yi greatly.

"Since this Obito rescued Kakuzu, the two should later team up; have you gathered any information about them in the ninja world?"

Any pair of kaleidoscopes should be taken seriously, especially this kind of foe hostile to Leaf.

Moreover, based on Sima Yi's understanding of the Uchiha, this kind of person with extreme personality swings is likely extraordinarily strong.

Shisui shook his head, and Sima Yi turned his gaze toward Yan Shifan.

Shisui was puzzled; he had no news, so how could Yan Shifan say, "Obito's whereabouts are hard to say, but Kakuzu seemed to have appeared in the Rain Country after that, though this information hasn't been verified."

Yan Shifan sipped tea and casually revealed information that shocked Shisui.

"Rain Country? How did the teacher learn this information?"

Shisui was baffled; he had sent so many people yet couldn't gather much intel in Rain Village, yet with the few people Yan Shifan had, they managed to find Kakuzu's information in Rain Country!

Yan Shifan let out a light laugh, taking it lightly.

"Rain Country is a small, sparsely populated nation, perpetually shrouded in rain, with little production; to sustain its people they must trade with the outside, and any contact creates opportunities. The people I sent are ordinary merchants, so ninjas wouldn't suspect them."

Moreover, I don't need them to deliberately investigate anything; they just need to record what they see and hear daily. As long as the scope is broad, intel naturally increases.

Of course, smuggling can also earn some money.

Anyway, those nobles also sell grain to enemy nations, so it's better for me to sell it; otherwise, relying on Shisui's limited budget to train his own ninjas—of course, that's not something to tell outsiders.

Shisui opened his mouth, looked at the two, and instantly realized there was still much for him to learn.

He sent only ninjas; though strong, for some reason Rain Village always quickly detects their infiltrating ninjas. If ordinary people could be used, perhaps—Yan Shifan immediately understood what Shisui was thinking and bluntly quashed his hope.

"Stop thinking about it; letting them gather some ordinary intel is fine, but trying to get close to those secrets will probably result in death without even knowing how they die."

Ordinary people survive inspections because of the ninjas' contempt, but once they act out of character, they are instantly wiped out, with no chance to resist.

"Alright."

Shisui, helpless, could only give up, then said, "Since Kakuzu appeared in Rain Country, Obito should be there too, but it's not the right time to act now."

Sima Yi merely frowned and said, "It's better to deal with Obito as soon as possible."

A Uchiha who can pass through a Barrier and is immensely powerful is truly dangerous; it makes him feel very insecure.

Someone who could kill the Fourth Hokage and his wife—Sima Yi doesn't think he can evade this person's assassination.

"Seems we still have to keep a low profile."

"We could use Rin Nohara's corpse or Kakashi Hatake to lure him out, though," Yan Shifan said, looking at Shisui. Shisui obviously couldn't agree; Rin died for Leaf, and Kakashi became this way because of Leaf—using the two to hang their former close friends, how could that work?

Seeing Sima Yi's expression, Shisui seemed uneasy and was about to explain, but Sima Yi said, "It's indeed inappropriate; let's think of another way."

Shisui breathed a sigh of relief and quickly said, "Grandpa, teacher, rest assured, I have already mastered the Fourth Hokage's improved Flying Thunder God Technique; as long as you have this item, I can appear by your side at any time."

Shisui said as he took out two special kunai, which were engraved with "Will of Fire".

The Flying Thunder God Technique was, of course, known to both, and Yan Shifan, even more curious, asked, "When did you learn the Flying Thunder God?"

Shisui recalled briefly and said, "Around April, I guess."

"It was during the time of the peace talks with Cloud Hidden, huh? I didn't expect Sima Yi had been there for so long." Yan Shifan sighed, as if reminiscing.

Shisui nodded, not having processed it, while Sima Yi opened his mouth to reproach: "It's understandable that your duties became busy after becoming Hokage, but next time you learn a new ninjutsu you should remember to tell your teacher; he needs to understand your abilities to help devise strategies for you."

Whoosh— After Sima Yi's reminder, Shisui finally realized that he had learned the Flying Thunder God so long ago yet never proactively left a safeguard for Yan Shifan.

"I'm sorry, teacher. After mastering the Flying Thunder God, I forged these two kunai, intending to hand them to you and Grandfather quickly, but then I started studying other contents of the Seal Scroll; as time passed and tasks accumulated, I forgot. Truly sorry!"

Shisui abruptly apologized; this was indeed his fault, and had Sima Yi not mentioned it today, he probably wouldn't have recalled it anytime soon.

Yan Shifan smiled and waved his hand, "No problem, I trust your character; I just felt a bit emotional, you needn't say more."

"Thank you, teacher, for forgiving me." Shisui finally breathed a sigh of relief; he didn't want these matters to cause a rift with Yan Shifan.

"Dong Lou's magnanimity is also Shisui's blessing."

"Sima Yi's false praise."

The two exchanged a polite remark and then set the matter aside.

Then, Sima Yi opened his mouth to temporarily set aside the matter of Obito, turning instead to discuss Konoha's future development direction.

"Konoha is ultimately just a village, and relying solely on its manpower and material resources to develop is somewhat difficult.

I and Dong Lou often discuss, and we already have a general direction that can help you break free of constraints."

"Thank you, Grandfather, teacher, for your effort."

Shisui sat up straight and listened quietly.

Yan Shifan, seeing this, began to explain, "Konoha's development lies in manpower, material resources, and the Great Cause.

The doctrine of the Great Cause, I presume you already understand, so I will not elaborate further. Within Konoha, the Great Cause is embodied by the Hokage; within the Fire Country, the Great Cause is embodied by the Great Lord.

Unless Konoha possesses the power to dominate the Ninja World, we cannot move against the Great Lord, but the Great Lord is merely a constraint for Konoha.

For Konoha to develop, shedding the Great Lord's shackles is the primary task.

I and Sima Yi already have a plan; once the timing is right, we can raise troops. You need not ask for details; just listen for now."

Seeing Shisui fidget, Yan Shifan directly crushed his curiosity.

Shisui, helpless, could only look at Sima Yi, who simply said, "The world changes unpredictably; we cannot claim to control everything, we can only tell you once results appear."

"Alright."

Yan Shifan, seeing this, continued, "After seizing the Great Cause, we will begin to seize manpower and material resources, and both are in the hands of the nobles; they will not submit easily. This will become a nationwide upheaval, as fierce as the Warring States period, but we will pre‑emptively weaken those nobles' strength."

Shisui listened, feeling a bit bewildered; occupying the Great Cause then snatching manpower and resources sounds simple—just two steps—but the complexity and danger made his scalp tingle.

"Do not feel lost; you will have amassed enough experience before then," Sima Yi said softly, hinting.

Shisui was startled, chewing over Sima Yi's meaning for a long time; his brow relaxed, and excitedly he said, "Isn't this exactly what I've been doing in Konoha?"

Gather the people's hearts, seize the Great Cause, usurp the clan head's position, and take manpower and resources from the elders.

Gather the people's hearts, seize the Great Cause, seize the Hokage's position, and take manpower and resources from the ninja clan.

Of course, these processes and goals cannot be identical, but there are similarities for Shisui to reference.

"Hahaha, not bad, so internal matters of Konoha, unless necessary, Dong Lou and I will not intervene."

Matters within the clan are demonstrations; matters within the village are verification and trials.

Shisui's expression changed; he quickly bowed.

"Thank you, Grandfather, teacher!"

Yan Shifan nodded, then looked at Sima Yi, who continued, "That was domestic development. If you wish to unify the Ninja World, the other four obstacles must also be dealt with."

However, there are differences between nations; we must set a strategic direction and not attack blindly.

"Grandfather, please speak!"

"I have reviewed the detailed accounts of the three Ninja Wars and found that Cloud Hidden's strength ranks just below Konoha, followed by Rock Hidden, while Sand Hidden is the weakest."

"Moreover, successive Raikage have been quite ambitious, maintain good relations with the Great Lord of the Lightning Country, develop rapidly, and given their geography, Cloud Hidden can be called Konoha's number one adversary."

"The teacher means we should first deal with Cloud Hidden?"

"No!"

Sima Yi waved his hand, his expression serious, and said, "Cloud Hidden cannot be destroyed, only weakened. The first we must deal with is Rock Hidden, or rather the Tsuchikage, Da Ye Mu."

From Rock Hidden's actions in the Grass Country this time, one can see that Da Ye Mu is a person with great ideas and vision; should Cloud Hidden fall into a national extinction crisis, he would set aside his prejudices and send troops to help, but if the situation improves, Rock Hidden would gladly see it resolved.

Throughout the Ninja Wars, Konoha has been besieged and had no mind to attend to these matters; Sima Yi's words seemed to open a new world for Shisui.

"I see!"

"As for the other two nations, we can proceed gradually."

The other two are both useless; one is a desert of sand—better not fight it; the other hangs isolated overseas, making travel difficult. Sima Yi doesn't think their existence impacts the battle situation.

"Of course, this is only a provisional strategy; today it merely gives us a sense of direction, so develop peacefully."

"I understand. Thank you, Grandfather and teacher, for your effort." (End of chapter)