Tsuyu entered the medic tent, her eyes darted to Sakura and Sasuke at the side. Then at the medic nin healing Naruto's injury. His side where he got kneed was purplish. Though, it visibly gets better with help of the medic nin applying medical ninjutsu.
Tsuyu wasn't worried at all given his healing factor. For Sasuke, his eyes contained begrudging respect. But Sakura on the other hand felt timid, as if she's afraid she would be chewed alive.
"Nii-san, I know your body. You would heal in the next hour completely. Don't take it to heart. Remember, your team leader is to be respected and listened to. They maintain order, and often they are leaders because they are experienced and know better than you do. Unless proven otherwise." Tsuyu's words were calm, and she genuinely is saying this as his little sister, not as a Vice Commander. Others would never have the privilege of an after-talk after a beating.
Naruto remained quiet, refusing to look at Tsuyu.
"Hey…" Tsuyu frowned slightly, seeing Naruto not giving her a look at all.
"Just leave me alone…"
"... Fine. I will leave. But I hope you won't disobey orders next time. I will kick you out of here if you fail. I won't play favourites." Tsuyu felt irritated. It wasn't even that bad wasn't it. And he's still talking back to her.
She looks at Sasuke, tilting her head to signal him to come talk outside.
Sasuke nods and goes out of the medic tent.
"I assume you are the squad leader?"
"Yeah. I am more reliable than him."
"Good. What role have you selected?"
"Assault Division. As for placement they are still discussing. I personally would want to go to sector 2, where the main battlefield was. Naruto and I are stronger than most genins here already, it would be a piece of cake for us to break through enemy defenses and go straight to their base. Sakura would play a support role, ensuring safe retreat, taking care of our behind and our sides, supporting with traps placements and genjutsu if a difficult opponent comes."
"Straight to their base huh… given your strength and Naruto's, it's feasible. But only if you had cooperation from others. Both of you wouldn't last against many enemies. Besides, you need to hold the captured base for 24 hours for a victory. Reinforcements would drown you both in time."
Sasuke went quiet, realising this problem.
"The adults and older genins were taking control of the placements and taking the leader positions. Not sure if they would trust my squad to be stationed at the main front and follow what I had in mind." After all, they are a bunch of 11 year old kids.
Sasuke shrugs as he says this, helpless over the situation.
"Unless you can convince them, Vice General."
Tsuyu huffed in amusement at being called by her title at this moment. Sasuke learns fast, she likes it.
"Me and Jiraiya are only here to give rough guidance and won't force a decision. If I make a move myself to arrange everything you guys could capture their base tomorrow and by the day after tomorrow Heaven's side would have won. There's no point in this exam then. I will only highlight the core principles, what's important to focus on. How they strategize is up to them freely."
"I see…"
"I will head out to see each of the Head of Division. Do your best."
"Yes, Vice General. We would not disappoint."
Tsuyu smirked slightly. "I believe you guys won't."
Tsuyu turned around, flickered in a flash to the Command Center where Divisions are being distributed and decided at the moment. Jiraiya is overseeing their Divisions, giving his suggestions on how many people needed in each and highlighting the responsibility of each of the appointed Head of Division.
Different groups of people consisting of 20 to 30 people are grouped into separate divisions. The Assault Division and Defense Division is the largest group consisting of close to 40 people more than the other.
Her eyes flickered to the group of Recon Division consisting of more or less 20 people, currently trying to get familiar with each other. A familiar trio was among them - Kiba, Hinata and… the Aburame.
Jiraiya talked to one of the older genin appointed to be the Recon Head.
"Head of Recon and Deputy Head, you are responsible for disseminating intel-gathering missions and map updates. You two will be the painter of the whole battlefield. Find the spots you need to paint first, use the people under you and send them where you want them to gather info. Intel gathering is the FIRST priority at the very beginning. Your Division will work closely with the Command Division, and be highly tied together. Set schedules, rotations, and set relay paths for the squads to follow… your Division will have to move as soon as you have completed delegating the squads to their locations. You don't have to wait until dusk to start moving. I will come back later to check on you two."
Jiraiya then headed to the Logistics Division, also giving explanations to the respective Head and Deputy.
Jiraiya taught them seriously, giving a rough idea on how to Head a particular division, giving a guideline to follow. The specifics however are left to the appointed leaders to figure out. But as adults, they quickly absorbed and applied immediately.
Tsuyu heads to Command Division, curious how these genins would strategize initially. The location of their camps, bases, recon towers, supply replenishment points, are all known for their side naturally. But on the enemy side, there's almost nothing since the Recon Division hasn't made its move yet. Tsuyu does know roughly as she's the proctor but that would be cheating if she just points it out.
"Head Command, Deputy Command, come see me."
From the tens of people 2 people stepped forward. Both of them are in their 20s, and they had calm composure in them. Outwardly Tsuyu nods.
"You two, report your names."
"Head of Command, Takeru Mori!"
"Deputy Head of Command, Yuu Asano!"
"Tell me, what is your first plan now?"
Takeru stepped forward, his eyes filled with respect after seeing Tsuyu's action previously.
"We will make intensive checks on all divisions and troop placements on key locations to make sure everything is going well. Today is everyone's first day so mistakes may happen."
"Good. Stabilising and securing our own bases first is almost too basic and generally the Head of each Division would be responsible - but for you newbies it's crucial for a double check. Afterwards?"
"It's intelligence gathering. We would have Recon Division prioritise finding out enemy movements and locations of their important structures and camps nearby. Only then we can plan the next move."
"Good. You have the basics down. Remember, just as you will gather intel on the enemy, the enemy will gather intel from you too. Use this to your advantage. Highlighting possible routes and paths the enemy could take to gather intelligence on our side - lead them by the nose to a fake objective, intercept them, or even follow their steps that would lead to their nearest Command Center. Giving fake intelligence, lying and deceit is a part of war. As for the specifics and how it's out of scope for me to tell. If you want to be more honest in your strategy, that's up to you two. Remember, you two are the ones in charge of the overall movements of Heaven side - along with Recon Division that's just as important, a missed information means a missed command."
Takeru and Yuu look at each other in bewilderment. They were both honest people and suddenly they were injected with some ideas.
"We understand, Vice General Tsuyu!"
"Good." Tsuyu nods, satisfied that they listen well. She's looking forward to what they will be cooking.
Oh… Tsuyu decided to give these two some tips on what to do with the only information they had at the moment and an obvious terrain advantage they had.
"Hm~ there's only a single river here… ah, our supply of food and water is limited. I guess I am going to get a drink from there~"
Tsuyu left with those words, making those two confused.
Takeru doesn't seem to notice the hint. On the other hand… Yuu poke Takeru's side, seemingly he understood something.
"Does she mean we could control the water source?"
"Hm? You mean…"
"If the river is heading downstream from our side to Earth's side… we could block it. Make a dam or have a group of Earth release users build the block."
"Huh… that's… wouldn't they have no water to drink for days then… that's a bit…"
"I don't think they ever said that it's not. They only do not allow killing intentionally, and they can surrender and withdraw."
Takeru seemed a little reluctant. But they still decided to send the command to the Logistic Division since they are responsible to have people gather water from the river already and let them take anyone with Earth Release to build the blockade. Yuu added they are given authority to draw people from other Divisions and request for Earth Release users if they lack them.
"Oh right. I think we can set traps since it's expected the enemy will react once they realise it. We can allow the Logistic Division to draw from the Defense Division when needed. Let's have the Recon Division put a little bit more attention to guard this dam once it's built." Yuu, the deputy head blabbered in one single breath.
"Hey. You become the Head…" Takeru passed his hat.
***
Meanwhile, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura are assigned to the Assault Division, at the East base camp with the main task of flanking the Earth side from the East as well as capturing opponents base and structure in that direction. Their task also includes disrupting their supply line and information line. They are asked to monitor the perimeter and scout the surrounding area until further notice since the Recon Division haven't had enough intel to move them so far.'
"When are we going to fight? I can't wait!"
"Be serious for a second dobe. We need to wait for orders, besides, we don't know where the enemy might come from and where their bases are yet."
Sasuke thought for a second.
"Naruto, use your shadow clones and just send them out. If you find an enemy, have one engage, the other hide and observe to track their movements and maybe we may find their bases and camps. We can report it directly after."
"Sheesh! You are talking so much." Naruto grumbled.
"Fine… Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Tens of shadow clones spread out.
After tens of minutes, Naruto suddenly gasped.
"My shadow clone beat someone! And that person ran away and led it to the camp!"
"Good, draw it on the map."
Naruto takes the map, holding it and staring intently at it. He looked at Sasuke, blinking his bright blue eyes as if in confusion.
"Uh… I don't know exactly where my clones were… the forest looks just the same-ttebayo!"
"This idiot…!"
***