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IUTT: Ch. 70
🕑 Added 2025-05-18 23:39:42 +0000 UTCOver the next hour, Shin gave a detailed explanation to the group, outlining his analysis of the war and how it should be fought. He concluded that the key to winning this war lay in the complete asymmetry of intelligence.
The Uzumaki clan was indeed powerful. As long as they could continuously obtain accurate intelligence about the enemy in real-time and coordinate effectively, the allied shinobi forces of various nations, despite their size, were not nearly as terrifying as the rumors suggested. They were far-flung, loosely organized, reckless, and burdened with massive logistical issues.
Moreover, ninjas were better suited to small team operations and rarely acted in large-scale formations. As long as they could consistently create localized numerical advantages, two squads surrounding one, with ambushes prepared in advance, they would hold the upper hand.
Over the years, he had conducted extensive research on battles in the shinobi world and found that his instructor's strategic thinking would be admired anywhere. Especially the concept of guerrilla warfare, it was practically tailor-made for the shinobi world.
After hearing his analysis, Mito had a moment of enlightenment, and Tsunade nodded repeatedly in agreement.
Torifu, on the other hand, was dumbfounded.
"So," Shin turned to Mito and said, "How much influence do you currently have within the Uzumaki clan? If we are to participate in this war, they must fully trust us from the planning stage onward. Otherwise, if we're held back by internal conflict and miss our timing, this war will become unwinnable."
"I haven't returned to the Uzumaki clan for years, but I've always maintained contact. It was my suggestion to bring Kushina here," Mito replied. "So I still have some say. But if you want them to completely trust you, you'll probably have to show something tangible."
"That's easy," Shin said confidently. "I haven't spent the past year researching for nothing. It's time to reveal some of the results."
"But!" Tsunade said, looking troubled, "Your body... you can't mobilize much chakra. I'm worried about your safety."
"Don't worry. I won't go to the battlefield or the front lines. I'll just be responsible for gathering intelligence and making strategic decisions."
Shin gave Tsunade a reassuring smile and pointed at the bracelet on his wrist, saying, "As long as I have enough chakra reserves, just using the Flying Thunder God Technique won't be a problem. Besides, the Land of Whirlpools isn't that big. The chakra cost won't be too excessive. If I run low, the Uzumaki ninjas can help replenish it."
He said all this to let Mito know how to communicate with the Uzumaki clan, and to show some real value. Otherwise, she would never allow Tsunade to go to war. She was indeed worried about the Land of Whirlpools, but how could she not worry about Tsunade?
If this were a suicide mission, she would rather risk her own crippled body than allow Tsunade to get involved. Otherwise, she could lose everything.
But now that a decision had been made, she could handle the diplomatic maneuvering on behalf of both Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools.
She may not hold actual power, but no one disrespected her, even if they were just putting on a show.
Shin and Tsunade only needed to focus on the war itself.
After the discussion, she immediately sent a message to the Land of Whirlpools, planning to speak with the high-ranking members of the clan.
---
Meanwhile, Shin and Tsunade went to the underground research lab. The research area of the lab had two floors, divided into eight sections. But there was also another underground level, just as large as the two above it.
However, it was not used for research, it served solely as a storage facility.
"Did you foresee the disaster that would befall the Land of Whirlpools today?" Orochimaru asked in shock as he stood in the strategic reserve warehouse, which took up a quarter of the space.
"I'm not that much of a prophet," Shin said with a shake of his head. Although he had known this would happen for a long time, he would never admit it. While checking supplies like ration pills, healing salves, antidotes, and various equipment, he continued to answer calmly. "I originally planned to bring these things out to help Tsunade once she became Hokage."
"But isn't this the perfect opportunity? So I figured I'd try them out in the Land of Whirlpools first, to test the viability of many tactics and strategies I've been working on in my head. If Konoha ends up in a war in the future, all of this will be invaluable experience."
"This is our entire year's worth of supplies," Orochimaru said, clearly reluctant. "You're planning to use it all up?"
"Since when did you become so petty? I never noticed that before," Shin said in disbelief.
"And you've got the nerve to talk?" Orochimaru was speechless. "Of course you're not heartbroken, none of this was made by you."
"Didn't we set up a small automated production line later? You only had to work hard for four months."
"…"
Orochimaru was utterly done. He didn't care about money, but this was the fruit of his labor!
"And you don't need to worry about these jars and containers," Shin said. "Trust me, if this helps the Land of Whirlpools win, the benefits we'll gain will far outweigh what we're giving up now. And weren't you just complaining recently about our lack of research funding? I'll pay you back double."
"Triple," Orochimaru held up three fingers, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Deal," Shin agreed without hesitation.
He said he'd repay Orochimaru, but really, all of this still belonged to him. He was just giving Orochimaru a sense of dignity, something to make him feel better.
Orochimaru knew that too. He was just venting, trying to make up for his lost effort and find some peace of mind.
"But how are we going to transport all this?" Tsunade asked, voicing her concern.
"Storage scrolls like these aren't exactly high-tech," Orochimaru said smugly, licking his lips. "With our research, we've managed to bring down the cost of making storage scrolls to practically nothing. So we can have as many as we need, no need to worry about running out."
Over the past year, he had been a lot more active. Mainly because Shin pushed him to the limit, and Shin surpassed him in almost every area of research. He had no choice but to accept it.
With nowhere to vent his frustration, he often bickered with Shin. Over time, it became a habit.
He also realized that venting his emotions in time and engaging in debates and arguments with Shin didn't hinder his research at all. On the contrary, it made his thinking more dynamic.
Compared to working alone in silence, his efficiency had improved significantly. That also changed his personality a great deal.
He used to be so gloomy because no one understood him, and no one could keep up with his research. But now, the person he worked with not only understood and supported him but could even lead him. That overwhelming sense of being appreciated had practically stunned him.
Over the next hour, Shin emptied out the entire warehouse, leaving behind only a pile of high-capacity storage scrolls arranged neatly on the shelves. However, he only planned to take one-quarter of the supplies initially, as the first wave of support.
Once that batch started running low, he'd send another, and then another when that ran out, repeat as needed.
The reason for this approach was simple: if he sent everything at once, they wouldn't be all that grateful. Worse, the people of the Land of Whirlpools might even start to suspect he had ulterior motives. To earn genuine appreciation, and secure generous funding support afterward, he had to play it smart.
For the sake of long-term research funding, he was going all in.
Besides, he had the Flying Thunder God Technique. He could return for more supplies anytime.
