Each Shadow Clone functioned as an independent sensory node, covering a region, scanning all activity, and then returning all gathered information to the main body upon dispelling.
Dozens of Shadow Clones operating simultaneously ant dozens of Byakugan working at once.
What did that amount to?
It ant that he alone was equivalent to an entire Hyuga reconnaissance unit using Byakugan.
And even the chakra cost of creating the Shadow Clones was borne by Isshin.
All he needed to do was process the information.
And with the enhancent of Genius and Clear Comprehension, the speed of his thought processes had long surpassed what ordinary people could understand.
The massive amount of information brought back by the Shadow Clones flowed into him like streams into a deep pool, rapidly filtered, categorized, and integrated.
Which routes had Village Hidden in the Cloud patrols? Which directions had large pursuing forces? Which areas were safe? Which routes were empty? Everything was clear at a glance.
Shinichi stood still with his eyes closed, yet within his mind, a massive dynamic map was rapidly taking shape.
...…
Konoha's northeast main camp, at the command headquarters.
The tent flap was suddenly thrown open as Danzo Shimura strode in, followed by several Root mbers, all with solemn expressions. He did not greet anyone, nor did he look at the others inside the tent, walking straight to the center.
The staff officers in the tent all looked up. So stood up instinctively; others froze, their pens suspended mid-air.
This Elder Danzo rarely appeared at the command headquarters. Anyone could tell sothing was wrong from his aggressive entrance today.
Shikaku Nara sat behind a desk in the corner, docunts spread out before him. He raised his head, exchanged a brief glance with Danzo Shimura, then set down his pen, stood up, took a prepared docunt from the desk, stepped forward, and spoke: "Elder Danzo, before executing this classified mission, Orochimaru-sama left a letter, instructing that if you inquired, this letter should be handed to you."
Danzo Shimura stared at him for two seconds, then let out a cold laugh. "Orochimaru is quite calculating."
He took the docunt expressionlessly and unfolded it.
The tent fell silent, and several staff lowered their heads and pretended to be busy themselves, eyes fixed on maps or docunts, not daring to look.
Danzo stood there motionless, only his gaze slowly moving across the page.
No one knew what was written in that letter, but Danzo's expression gradually darkened.
"Good! Very good!"
After finishing, Danzo crumpled the letter into a ball and slamd it onto the nearby desk, his voice exploding through the command center.
"This Orochimaru! What does he think war is? His personal experintal ground?"
"Utter lawlessness! No regard for discipline! Such a major operation, he discussed it with no one, reported to no one, and didn't even inform ! Does he even regard Konoha? Does he even respect the rules!"
No one in the tent dared to respond. Even their breathing beca quieter.
After venting, Danzo stopped. He took a deep breath, then suddenly turned his head, his gaze like a blade fixed on Shikaku Nara.
"But now is not the ti to talk about that! Since Village Hidden in the Cloud has begun retreating, it ans Orochimaru and that boy have succeeded in provoking the Eight-Tails' rampage and destroying Village Hidden in the Cloud's logistics and dical divisions!"
As his words fell, several suppressed gasps sounded in the tent. Staff officers exchanged glances, unable to hide their shock.
Village Hidden in the Cloud is retreating? The Eight-Tails rampaging? Their logistics and dical departnt are destroyed?
This was no ordinary tactical victory; it was a devastating blow capable of shifting the entire balance of the northeast front.
Shikaku Nara's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained composure.
He had anticipated that Orochimaru and Shinichi Higashino's mission would be significant, but he had not expected it to carry such weight.
Danzo paid no attention to their reactions. He stepped forward, staring down at Shikaku.
"Opportunity waits for no one! Since Orochimaru and that boy have stirred up the Village Hidden in the Cloud's hornet's nest and forced their main front-line forces to withdraw, this is a once-in-a-lifeti chance!"
"Shikaku Nara! I order you to imdiately command a full-scale attack on the Village Hidden in the Cloud!"
Shikaku showed a troubled expression, remained silent for a mont, then shook his head.
"Elder Danzo, I do not have that authority. The military command of the northeast front currently belongs entirely to Orochimaru-sama."
"And moreover…"
After a pause, Shikaku continued, "The information about the Eight-Tails' rampage and the destruction of the Village Hidden in the Cloud's logistics and dical departnt has not yet been fully confird. Orochimaru-sama and Captain Shinichi have not returned, and Jonin Minato Namikaze was urgently redeployed due to the situation with the Village Hidden in the Mist in the southeast. If the third Raikage turns back to attack us…"
"This is my order!" Danzo's voice suddenly rose, cutting him off. "I am a Konoha elder. I have the authority to make tactical decisions in ergencies!"
"Even so." Shikaku shook his head, his tone calm but unyielding. "According to warti regulations and the appointnt issued by the Hokage, the sole supre commander of the northeast army is Orochimaru-sama. Until he returns, issues clear instructions, or we receive a direct order from the Hokage, no one has the authority to mobilize front-line forces, including you."
After a pause, he added, "Elder Danzo, I will imdiately have soone contact the village so the Hokage…"
"How long will that take? By the ti ssages go back and forth and preparations are made, Village Hidden in the Cloud will have already withdrawn from the Land of Hot Water!" Danzo interrupted again.
Hearing this, Shikaku shook his head. "My apologies, Elder Danzo."
The air in the tent nearly froze. The staff held their breath, no one daring to make a sound.
Danzo stared at Shikaku, his gaze cold and sharp as a blade.
Shikaku stood there, sweat forming on his forehead. His posture was respectful, but he did not yield an inch.
"Good! Very good!" Danzo glared at him, lips moving as if to say more, but in the end, he only left those three words before turning and striding out of the command center.
The tent flap was lifted high and fell with a dull thud. Several Root mbers exchanged glances and hurried after him.
The command center returned to silence.
Shikaku stood in place for a mont, then bent down to pick up the crumpled letter. After scanning it quickly, he spoke: "Send orders: have the reconnaissance unit imdiately investigate Village Hidden in the Cloud's movents on the front line and confirm whether they are truly retreating. At the sa ti, contact all our intelligence points in the Land of Lightning, have them uncover the current situation in the Village Hidden in the Cloud at all costs. Compile all intelligence imdiately and send it back to the village!"
"Yes!"
…
'With that boy's ability, he should be able to return unscathed, right?'
Danzo paced back and forth in the tent, his steps heavy and rapid, producing dull thuds against the ground. His brows were tightly furrowed, his gaze shifting from the ground to the tent flap and back again.
That boy always acted with restraint, never fought unprepared battles. On the southwest battlefield, he alone lured away the Village Hidden in the Sand elites.
A month ago, he faced the third Raikage alone and still withdrew safely in the end.
But…
Danzo's steps suddenly halted.
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