V
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Arc V Chapter 1
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Once again, a treacherous hangover plagued Shikaku, Konoha’s famed Jonin Commander. He was supposed to meet a certain kunoichi and work together with her, but a terrible headache made his life difficult. His head hurt. What a drag, he was now a tutor for A ... A ... A ... What was her name again? He forgot.
“...” Shikaku didn’t remember her name, but he didn’t worry. He would remember it soon, probably. He rested on his office desk, turning his head away from the window. The morning sun annoyed him. The aggressive sunlight only worsened his migraine.
Sleepiness overcame Shikaku, clouding his mind. Staying awake proved far challenging than expected. His body demanded some well earned sleep. As it turns out, yesterday was a long night.
His eyelids closed, as he was taken away into the lands of dreams. But Shikaku resisted. He fought back with the sheer power of his will. “Get a grip of yourself, Shikaku. The village needs you.” He couldn’t allow himself to fall asleep. The meeting was important.
“...” Shikaku forced himself to soldier on, with modest success. The residual alcohol in his blood was still strong. “Damn Inoichi and his rounds.” He cursed his old friend. He was responsible for his miserable state. Once again, his drinking habits caused him more trouble than necessary.
Hadn’t Inoichi ordered a few rounds a week ago, he wouldn’t have turned up to the council meeting the next day, barely conscious. He would have actually bothered to read what the Hokage proposed. He wouldn’t have waved the proposal through just to end the meeting quickly.
“...” Shikaku sighed. This was going to be a lot of fun. Due to his negligence, he was now stuck with Asami, a girl vested despite her age with an unusual degree amount of power.
According to her ANBU dossier, Asami was a talented kunoichi without peer. Her character, however, left a lot to be desired. The girl was arrogant, prideful, assertive, and prone to insubordination and unnecessary violence. Her mental health was ... at times questionable, but such was the case for the majority of high ranking ninja. They were all a bit insane.
“...” Shikaku yawned, waiting for the girl to arrive. She was late.
A tired Shikaku turned his head. He regretted his decision immediately. He forgot about the sun. The brilliant sunlight ambushed him. His eyes surrendered to the onslaught of malicious brightness. “Stupid sun.”
Shikaku protected his eyes with his hands. His eyes adjusted to the brightness and his vision cleared up.
Amidst the brilliant light, there was sitting a girl on a chair, flanked by shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. The dawning sun cloaked her,
The girl throned on her chair, inspecting her polished nails. A bored expression bored adorned her face.
The girl smiled, clearly amused by his drunken state. “Shikaku, it seems that you have seen better days, haven't you?”
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Shikaku sprang into action. His mind, his senses, awakened from their alcoholic delirium, surprised by the fact that had she succeeded in sneaking up on him without him noticing? Granted, he might not be in his best condition, but he should have sensed her.
Shikaku scrutinised the girl. Black hair, black eyes, an aura of smug superiority. It was definitely her. It was Asami.
“You know, you are only half as funny as you think, Asami”, Shikaku grumbled. The battle had begun, a battle fought for intellectual dominance.
Asami smirked, played the dying black swan with near perfection. “Probably, but you hurt me. I always considered myself quite a funny person.”
Shikaku rolled his eyes. “Sure, but more important, how did you get in here? I didn’t see or hear you enter.”
Asami stroked her chin. “An excellent question, but to be honest, sneaking past a semi-comatose jonin was not much of a challenge. I was curious how long it would take you to notice my presence?”
Shikaku scratched his head in embarrassment. Her explanation made sense. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Oh my, I would never disturb your little nap, but I hope you slept well. I also hope you had an interesting read. As far as I know, I am quite special.” Asami tilted her head. Her dossier was lying in front of him, openly visible.
“...” Shikaku offered a weak laugh before letting her dossier disappear, hastily shoving it into a drawer. This was not his day. “Anyway, have you prepared anything for today? Any ideas? After all, we are here to discuss the defence of Konoha.” He changed topic. He succeeded.
Asami nodded. “Yes, as a matter of fact, I have.” Her answer surprised him.
“You do?”
Asami nodded once again. “My task is to protect Konoha. I to counter our threat, to assure victory on the battlefield.” Her words didn’t lack confidence.
Shikaku raised an eyebrow. “Elaborate.”
Asami chuckled. “I will. We should better wait for my secretary to arrive, though. He carries most of the material, but I guess that we can already start with the basics.”
Asami moved to the window overlooking the village, her black kimono following her. Konoha's streets were full of life, crowded by masses of people, crowded by young and old. The village lived. A lovely scene, almost worthy of her protection. “Tell me, Shikaku, have you ever heard about the concept of the battle of annihilation?”
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If you liked this chapter, check out my other novel and give it a try!
Schwarz -‖- Der Wille zur Macht
Villainess, noble girl, princess.
Reincarnation is a fickle matter, unpredictable and capricious, uncaring and unforgiving in nature. Stranded in unknown lands, in a different time and age by the mysterious forces of magic, Aurora is reborn as the sole heiress of the ancient noble House von Schwarz, destined to enter the game of kings and queens, armed with pride, deceit, and an adorable doll.
Oh dear, she'll bleed her enemies dry, huh? a ruthless but efficient tactic if properly executed. After all, a nation cannot fight without soldiers. Now, I wonder if the politicians will efficiently use this correctly. Though I may sound optimistic that Asami-hime and co will win, I am... more of pragmatic about the chances as a rule of the thumb. But, plot armor and main character halo are there. Fortunately, it is going to be spectacular solely based on our dear author's track record.
Hmm, a guess of mine but have you've read/watch Youjo no Senki/ The Saga of Tanya the Evil?
Thanks.
And, yes, I read the light novel. But unfortunately, the authors knowledge about the Wehrmacht is cursory at best and I disagree with many of his points.
@Assurbanipal_II And that explained the certain things I found somewhat familiar (in an excellent way, mind you) yet fresh about Asami-hime. Unfortunately, I am not much of the historian study but I do take everything the author writes with a grain of salt. At any rate, I eagerly await the unfolding of Case Yellow. Thanks for the good work as always~
@Nekomimik Hm, care to explain because I indeed treat similar topics but with a different aand more "historically correct" mindset. And the author was just unlucky that he met with me a history buff and specialist of WWI and WWII. From what I can see, he isn't entirely wrong, but some of his information about the German army is either "dated" or "misleading" to be euphemistic. Furthermore, he practices a very un-German logical approach when it comes to warfare and German operational doctrine, but this is a rather specific topic. So, in short, the author is good and seems "complex" if your background knowledge is limited. But otherwise, Youjo no Senki is rather "simplistic" I would say.
Nice to know, Case Yellow was the code name of the more famous "sickle cut" that was employed during the Fall of France.
@Assurbanipal_II Rather than comparing Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum vs Youjo no Senki, it is between Tanya vs Asami. Mind you, this is a rather light comparison of the two characters that are mostly for fun than to criticize. The comparison starts between their mindset that's radical compared to their surroundings and ends at their climb of power in their respective military. Oh, there's their nom de guerre that when spoken, results in terrible, terrible, teerrriiible shivers~
Though I do say, I am thankful for sharing your thoughts about Youjo no Senki and a bit of historical trivia. I do want to ask more about the comparison between the real-life germans and their operational doctrine versus what the author wrote buuuut~ that's pretty much diverging from what this comment section meant for.
@Nekomimik Comment sections exist for the strangest of reasons, which includes talking about German operational doctrine in anime and manga. Unfortunately, I can't remember that much as I read the light novel already two or three years ago, so it will be a bit superficial.
The author gets a lot of things right when it comes to tactics and technology, albeit you can feel a very Japanese influence in the sense that Tanya is way too much focused on the newest and best gear, discipline in the officer corps is overemphasized - too "Prussian" - and orders are followed too faithfully with little flexibility. And I always they were the inventors of Führen mit Auftrag a not practitioners of order type-tactics.
But when we are talking about strategy and operational doctrine Tanya's view are predomiantely "American" and center around superiority in firepower - set-piece battles - despite describing the Empire's alleged use of maneuver warfare and mobile warfare she is far too concerned about supplies and logistics with little offensive spirit. What do Germans when desperate, they attack and counterattack whenever possible just to keep up the pressure. Her primary focus seems to outnumber, outarm, outsupply the enemy and not outmanouver them.
Furthermore, Tanya represents the classical staff officer, she would be a good one, and is occupied overly with planning and the illusion of the "perfect" plan. Her operations are works of art and clockwork precision with no room for failure, creativity and improvisation, which is very un-German. Uncertainty and chaos is where German operational art shines and not in pitched battles.
Or as Moltke the Elder rightfully and representative for German doctrine remarked,
"The tactical result of an engagement forms the base for new strategic decisions because victory or defeat in a battle changes the situation to such a degree that no human acumen is able to see beyond the first battle. In this sense one should understand Napoleon's saying: "I have never had a plan of operations.
Therefore, no plan of operations extends with any certainty beyond the first contact with the main hostile force. Only the layman thinks that he can see in the course of the campaign the consequent execution of an original idea with all details thought in advance and adhered to until the very end."
Truppenführung, 1933, German Field Manual
Introduction
1. The conduct of War is an art, depending upon free, creative activity, scientifically grounded. It makes the highest demands on the personality.
2. The conduct of war is based on continuous development. New means of warfare call forth ever changing employment. Their use must be anticipated, their influence must be correctly estimated and quickly utilized.
3. Situations in war are of unlimited variety. They change often and suddenly and only rarely are from the first discernible. Incalculable elements are often of great influence. The independent will of the enemy is pitted against ours, friction and mistakes are of every day occurrence,
4. Teaching of the conduct of war cannot be concentrated exhaustively in regulations. The principles so enunciated must be employed dependent upon the situation. Simplicity of conduct, logically carried through, will most surely attain the objective.
5. War is the severest test of spiritual and bodily strength. In war, character outweighs intellect. Many stand forth on the field of battle who in peace would remain unnoticed.
6. Armies as well as lesser units demand leaders of good judgment, clear thinking and far seeing, leaders with independence and decisive resolution, leaders with perseverance and energy, leaders not emotionally moved by the varying fortunes of war, leaders with a high sense of responsibility.
7. The officer is a leader and a teacher Besides his knowledge of men and his sense of justice he must be distinguished by his superior knowledge and experience, his earnestness, his self-control and high courage.
8. The example and personal conduct of officers and non-commissioned officers are of decisive influence on the troops. The officer who in the face of the enemy is cold-blooded, decisive and courageous inspire his troops onward. The officer must likewise find the way to the hearts of his subordinates end gain their trust through an understanding of their feelings and thoughts and through never ceasing care of their needs. Mutual trust is the surest basis of discipline in necessity and danger.
9. In all situations every leader must exert, without evasion of responsibility, his whole personality. Willing and joyful acceptance of responsibility is the distinguishing characteristic of leadership. This does not mean that the subordinate should seek an arbitrary decision without proper consideration of the whole or that he should not obey orders precisely or that he should let his feeling of greater knowledge tale precedence over obedience. Independence of action should never be based upon contrariness. Independence of action, properly used, is often tho basis of great success,
In spite of technique, the worth of man is the decisive factor. Its significance is increased in group combat.
The emptiness of the battle field demands independently thinking and acting fighters, who, considering such situation, are dominated by the conviction, boldly and decisively to act, and determined to arrive at success.
Being accustomed to physical accomplishments, lack of consideration of self, will power, self confidence, and courage qualify a man to master the most difficult situations.