Arc VI Chapter 12
<strong><b>VI</b></strong>
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<strong><b>Arc VI Chapter </b></strong><strong><b>12</b></strong>
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Located in his improvisemand post, Noritada andhis staffleanedover a map of Konoha and evaluated theircurrent state. The situation on the ground was ...plicated for Suna''s invasion force.
Noritada clicked his tongue. This was supposed to be a simple invasion. Theirbined forces were supposed to catch Konoha by surprise, but that wasn’t the case.Konoha resisted. Their ninja fought stubbornly. Konoha responded with an organised defence. Theywereaware of the invasion, but how? Where did Konoha get this information from? Did Orochimaru double-cross them?
The entire operation had turned into a veritable meat grinder. Losses mounted as Konoha’s streets proved challenging. They were an endlessbyrinth of buildings, and his men made little progress. He ordered his brigade to take the eastern gate and the arena, but they failed spectacrly.
The1<sup>st</sup>Battalion got shredded by a giant explosion. They lost allcontact. Four entirepaniesjust vanished. The 2<sup>nd</sup>Battalion got decimated by a girl with afucking teddy bear. The creepygirl massacred his troops left and right, and the 2<sup>nd</sup>Battaliondisintegrated.
He thought this was some kind of a bad joke, but reality proved him wrong. Simr reports kepting in, and they all mentioned the murderous girl and her teddy bear.
The 3<sup>rd</sup>and 4<sup>th</sup>Battalionremainedrgely intactandkept in the reserve.In the meanwhile, his men got pounded across the entire front.They got bombed back intostone age the moment they stuck out their heads. The enemytargetedtheir movementswith surgical precision. Konoha''s firepower strangtedany advance.
The 5<sup>th</sup>Battalion secured the rear area,while Suna forces advanced deeper and deeperinto the vige. Suna''s forces were spread thin and their nks wereweak. Noritada feared they were too thin, too weak. The 5<sup>th</sup>Battalionalone guarded their retreat and prevented them from being encircled.
“General!” Asuka approached him.
Noritada looked up from the map. “What''s the matter, Asuka? Anything new?”
Asuka straightened her back. “Nothing.The frontstabilised, but we are still getting bombarded.”
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The walls trembled and the ground vibrated.Noritada didn''t look happy. “Ican hear that.”
Noritada set his eyes on the map. “Asuka, do you think theinvasion can stillseed?”
Asuka took her time. “Doubtful. Time ys against us and progress fell behind schedule. The battle isn''t lost yet, but the tides are definitely turning against us.”
“I agree.” Noritada nodded. He had to do something. They had to do something.
The tides of battle were turning against them. Their priority was now to minimise losses and conserve Suna’s forces, even if he had to use their Oto allies as cannon fodder.
“It''s timeto get out of this fucking vige. Inform General Yoshitaka that we willretreatsoon. Orderthe 2<sup>nd</sup>, 3<sup>rd</sup>and 4<sup>th</sup>Battalion to ceasefurther operationsand fall back. The 5<sup>th</sup>Battalionshallhold the line and secure our retreat path. They have to keep the corridoropen at all costs.”
Asukanodded. “I understand...”
“General.” Tokimunereported. “Otosent a messenger. He wants to speak with you. He brings direct orders from Orochimaru.”
Noritada grumbled.“Do they have nothing better to do than to bother me?Whatever, let him in ...”
“That''s not necessary.I am already here, General Noritada.” Amasked Oto-nin interrupted him. Guardsapanied him.
Noritada didn''t hide his annoyance. “So what are my special orders?”
The Oto-nin presentedhim a scroll.
Noritadaopened the scrond his face darkened. The orders didn''tamusehim.
Noritada looked up.“You can’tbeserious?These orders are beyond suicidal.”
“We are serious.” The Oto-nin confirmed his fears and wandered around. He approachedthe nearest window. “Orochimaru-sama orders ...”
Noritada mood worsened. “Please, for both our sakes, don’t getnear the window. You will save us a lot of trouble.”
“...” The Oto-nin raised his eyebrow.
Noritama ignored him and continued reading the scroll. “You are new here, my friend, but I don’t have the desire to change mymand post twicetoday. The area is dangerous.”
The Oto-nin resumed, “Orochimaru-sama orders an allout assault againstthe city centre together with all avable Oto forces.”
Noritada narrowed his eyes. “While we appreciate Orochimaru’s offensive spirit, I think we will decline hisgracious offer.”
“Are you sure,General?This is not an offer you can decline.” The Oto-nin stood before the windowand observe the vige. He grinned.
His guards handed Noritadaanotherscroll with the official seal of the Kazekage.
“The orders stem fromKazekage himself.”
Noritada didn’t believe his eyes, but it was the truth. The seal was real, and the orders weren''t forged. They were fucked.
The victorious Oto-nin grinned. “General Noritada, you are now officially under mymand ...”
“Hey, what are you doing?”
Noritada set the scroll afire. The scroll bruned in his hands until nothing remained but a pile of ash. “I am sorry, but I don’t know which orders you are talking about. Asuka, Tokimune, did you see perchance any orders from the Kazekage?”
Asuka shook her head and smiled.
The Oto-nin fumed. “General Noritada, I hope you are aware of the consequences of your actions.I will inform Orochimaru-sama and the Kazekage about this tant act of insubordination ...”
Noritada maintained his calm facade. “You are free to do so ...”
Noritada''s eye widened. The Oto-nin. He was near the window. He was near the window. “TAKE COVER!!!”
The first explosionhit. The detonation shredded the wall. Broken ss impaledthe Oto-nin and his guards like shrapnel.
Noritada emerged from a pile of debris and coughed. He told himso, don''t getnear the window. This was already the second time today he got almost sted to pieces.
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“What an idiot.” Asami sipped her tea at the eastern gate and enjoyed her mischief. ying artillery was fun. Nobody escaped her sharingan. Her eyes smote the enemy like tiny ants from above, showering the enemy with love.
Three ANBU appeared and knelt. The ANBU waited for her to finish her cup.
Asami ignoredthem untilshe deemed themworthy of her attention. “Fu, Torune, you made me wait.”
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