Chapter 5: If I'd Known I'd Transmigrate, I Should've First Memorized Sun Tzu's Art of War and the Thirty-Six Stratagems
Examples of how the weak can triumph over the strong were glaringly obvious—especially since this world had just emerged from a savage Warring States era. Because of ninjutsu, battlefield tactics here usually came down to decapitation, frontal assaults, or sneak attacks. A slightly more sophisticated ploy might be "lure the tiger off its mountain."
But in a realm so strictly ranked by power, it's nearly impossible for the underdog to win. In the face of absolute might, all the schemes in the world seem pointless.
Now, the Land of Whirlpool could only hope to win by scheming. To execute any stratagem, you had to pit soldier against soldier, general against general—and then invoke the Sixteen-Character Mantra left by our ancestor. Only that might slow down Kirigakure's invasion.
Of course, if I'd actually learned the Thirty-Six Stratagems or Sun Tzu's Art of War, I could quote them by heart—maybe gain some hidden edge. But…
As a total shut-in, what did I really know? The only "stratagem" I could think of was the honey-trap—and "flight is the best tactic." Everything else was complete gibberish to me!
Uzushio is a small island nation, and we've barely settled half its shores. So…
"Use this coastline as the boundary, and draw all Kirigakure shinobi into this forested region," I said, pointing at the map. The trees here form a natural barrier to block the Mist Village's advance. We'll hide our forces in ghillie suits, combine our people-power with the terrain, and stall them—so we don't have to waste manpower guarding the rear. Evacuate every civilian and merchant district, raze the empty buildings, then relocate command and medical units to secret sites. If they've nothing to do, they stay put.
They'll only realize something's up when they see we've vanished—and then send scouts to find us.
I don't believe Kirigakure has more sensory ninjas than the Uzumaki. Once we confine them, we'll play cat-and-mouse.
I looked at everyone's uneasy faces and continued, "Remember: when they advance, we retreat; when they camp, we harass; when they tire, we strike; when they retreat, we pursue—use every ounce of our terrain advantage against them." My tone turned grave as I met their eyes. "This is our only path to victory. I expect every one of you to remember and obey. Failing to follow these orders, means you're out of the clan."
Inside, I was terrified these boneheads would get riled up, shout "For the honor of the Uzumaki!" and charge straight into death. We're already outnumbered—without terrain or tactics, I'd really have to run away with Kushina.
At my warning, everyone stiffened and replied in unison, "Yes, sir."
Satisfied, I nodded and added, "But this all rests on soldier versus soldier, general versus general. If you can't win, run. If you can…," I let a cold smile creep across my face, "kill them all!"
Even cannon-fodder must be wiped out. If they're sealable, seal them. If not, we'll simply overwhelm them with bodies later.
Heh heh—once the Mist Village sees its pawns butchered without any gain, their own ranks will grumble. Even the Mizukage can't withstand that; in the end, she'll have to share fate with the Tsuchikage. After all, cannon-fodder are shinobi too!
"Remember: if you can't win, retreat," I reminded them, "We will clear low-tier fighters first; save our best for later." Next, we must fragment their forces—because if a single Kage-class shinobi pushes in with his lackeys, this plan collapses. So at the outset, we give them a "welcome gift."
I smirked. "Shōta-brother, bring up what I've prepared."
Though I was young and often ignored, as heir-apparent to the Daimyō's seat, I've enjoyed certain freedoms. I never forgot to prepare for this war.
Uzumaki Shōta and the guards hauled up ten massive wooden crates.
"Open them!"
Crack—
A hush fell. Every shinobi gasped, even the Daimyō and clan elder stared in disbelief at the crates—packed to the brim with explosive seals. Where'd the money come from? Did that kid embezzle the treasury?
Seeing their stunned expressions, I nodded in satisfaction. These seals were what I'd scraped together over the years—plus a little "advance" on the treasury. If the country falls, someone else gets them anyway; might as well treat our invaders to a surprise gift. Though I collected far fewer than that pampered Konan, it's still a hefty stockpile.
"When they disembark, bury one hundred million of these explosive seals here," I said, tracing a ring around our landing zones. "A perfect opening-round smash." Who dares invade a transmigrator's country? They must want to die!
We must enrage and scatter them—only then can Uzushio-kuni stand a chance. And to keep them off guard, we'll plant seals in scattered clusters, making a tightening noose that leaves them no option but a head-on fight. The Mist Village prefers a quick victory; draw this out, and something will go wrong on their side. Agitate them, harass them—that's the only plan I can see.
I lifted my gaze to the clan elder. "Uncle, did you deliver the letter I asked you to bring to Grandma Mito?"