(Those Participating in this thread are unable to participate in 'Invasion force 2' or 'The Tip of the Spear' as they occur simultaneously.)

The exercise would be swift, 1500 ninja, volunteered from the land of Kirigakure would sail in a defensive formation using the cover of Kumo's sheer cliff faces to hide their progress, the ranks made entirely of ANBU, Hunter Ninja and Jounin from the Village Hidden in the Mist save for trusted volunteers that were amongst them. No man in the force ushered or ordered, and all with fury and determination in their eyes as they would don their own fatigues and attire. Approaching the country of Kumogakure from the shores at the South east and no particular location, they had their orders to be little more than a distraction fleet. The Mizukage from the moment the shore line was visible with those who were travelling with her had left this force, and penetrated deep into the heart of the county with her staggering speed, far faster than even the Jounin of her own village were able to perceive. The Forces were spread out tactically, at least 5 ANBU called the 'shield unit' were aboard each and every ship that consisted of an evenly mixed selection of ranks and forces.

The Forces had been ordered that their presence here was to to be a distraction force for Aya and her team that could not be ignored, and that the goal was to be seen, not kill, ninja of Kumo, they last thing they wanted was for this incident to be considered anything more than it already was. The fact that they were invading was already a big enough deal, but killing family members of people who had nothing to do with the regime was something else entirely. A simple engagement here was all that they needed to be successful, and with the numbers they had, and with the renowned training and equipment of Kirigakure ninja, Kumogakure would need an outlandish force to be able to rival them person for person.

Something they likely would not have clustered in place at a random location along their cliff-side.

It was also true that this was only half of the coming force, while a second group would come from the northern front by the aid of Akira, now known to be Tsuyo Hyuga. Once missing only to become the man who bought Iwagakure to greatness, though Akira himself would be cutting in and meeting Ayakashi in the very heart of the city that they were attacking, his force would also play their part. As the ships would get closer, the men in them would be ready for a anything, defensive techniques would be prepared in case of a volley towards the boats as they would approach closer and closer. It would not be until they were right before they were in range that they would make their move. All ninja whom had large shurikens were told to prepare their substitutions in advance, so that they would have their chance to escape should they need to.

Of all the things that could be felt in the air here, fear, was not one of them. The ninja here were seasoned veterans, all who had raised their hands to then be hand picked by the Kage and experienced in fighting other ninja from other nations. The Hunter ninja had been called in from across the globe, pooling their resources to be able to fight in this battle, each of them paid for their services in advance.

Alas, as soon as they were within 200m of the shoreline, the men on the ships would simply vanish from sight, each and every one of them using the body-flicker technique in a planned path to position themselves for the coming plan and to ensure that there would be no successful attacks on them while they were grouped on their vessels. The high speed ninja would move to strategic positions, moving inland and beginning the simultaneous blending in civilian outposts within their reach as well as monitoring any patrolling ninja force which may have come to meet them, using guerrilla tactics and paper-bombs on isolated areas to draw attention, keeping Kumo ninja away from the boats as well as Aya. The ANBU sensory technique working its magic as the high ranking ninja en masse would move to completely disorient any unit structure in their wake with sheer numbers as well as training and the element of surprise.

Rank Breakdown: