The Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru wore identical, grim expressions.
Konoha's situation was dire.
If war broke out now, all four of the other major villages could attack simultaneously. Konoha would be surrounded, fighting on all fronts.
Hiruzen began discussing counter-strategies with Orochimaru. Qianyu remained silent. He was only here because he was Orochimaru's student. As a mere genin, he had no right to speak—being allowed to listen was privilege enough.
Hiruzen's voice was cold. "Intelligence reports confirm the Third Mizukage of Kirigakure has initiated a new policy: the 'Blood Mist Village.' He's permitting bloody combat between his own ninja. Clearly, he's training them for the coming war. No wonder they refused all diplomatic overtures. They were already colluding with Kumo and Iwa. Enemy agents have already infiltrated Konoha. Who knows how many more lurk in our shadows. War is a spark away. Orochimaru, given the current situation, does Konoha have the capacity to fight?"
Orochimaru shook his head, his tone merciless. "If a full-scale war erupts now, Konoha's defeat is certain. Against just Kumo and Iwa, we might hold our ground with difficulty. But with Kiri entering the fray, we'd have to split our forces. And let's not forget Suna, watching us like a hawk from the sidelines. Our total manpower is finite. Stretching it across multiple fronts would cripple any effective counterattack. We'd be bled dry, slowly."
Hiruzen fell into deep thought.
Orochimaru's assessment matched his own perfectly.
No matter how strong Konoha was, it couldn't withstand a coordinated assault from four Great Villages.
The question now was how to find a path forward in this seemingly hopeless deadlock.
"Orochimaru," Hiruzen asked, "how do you suggest we break this stalemate?"
Orochimaru had been pondering the same question. "The only viable tactic I see is delay. The later the war begins, the more advantageous it is for Konoha."
"But we don't hold the initiative," Hiruzen countered, frowning. "They can start the war whenever they choose."
Orochimaru picked up a pen. He drew circles on the map over the Land of Grass, the Land of Hot Water, the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Waves.
He set the pen down. "The four villages are still in a probing phase. First, we must immediately root out and eliminate all enemy spies within Konoha. Cut off their intelligence. Second, we preemptively deploy our forces. We station ninja in these four buffer nations I've marked." He tapped the circles. "We engage the enemy there. We contain the fighting here, keeping it out of the Land of Fire."
He leaned forward, snake-like eyes scanning the map. "Their alliance is one of convenience, not ironclad loyalty. If Konoha shows no fear—if we project absolute resolve to fight them to the last—they will hesitate. They all understand one thing: if pushed to the brink, Konoha possesses the strength to launch a desperate, all-out assault on any one of their home villages. None of them can afford to bear that cost alone. If Konoha falls, the other victors would immediately turn on the village we devastated. It's a mutual deterrent."
He paused, letting the logic sink in. "As long as it remains a series of limited, contained conflicts, Konoha can sustain it. Our reserves and resources are deep. We can outlast them. Time is our weapon. Prolonged stalemate will breed frustration. Their fragile alliance will crack from within."
A faint, knowing smirk touched his lips. "I once asked Qianyu a hypothetical question: how would he break a siege by four villages. His answer was to use differing interests to turn two of them against each other. That principle applies perfectly now. By delaying total war, we create the conditions for their internal strife. Then, we can exploit those cracks. Offer incentives. Potentially turn one village against the others. We might not just survive, but counter-attack and reclaim everything we've lost."
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Hiruzen's fingers drummed a slow rhythm on the desk as he weighed the plan's feasibility.
Qianyu shot a surprised glance at Orochimaru. He hadn't expected to be mentioned.
But the plan… it sounded solid. The four villages united for profit. If the war dragged on with no gains, they'd recalculate. Was this really worth it? That's when Konoha could step in. Offer a sweeter deal. Turning one of them was a real possibility.
Another thought crystalized in Qianyu's mind.
If Orochimaru's plan moved forward… he'd be going to the front lines.
Fighting in the Land of Grass, Hot Water, Rivers, and Waves against Iwa, Kumo, Suna, and Kiri. Holding them at the border would require splitting Konoha's forces. With finite manpower, nearly every able-bodied ninja would be deployed.
After a long silence, Hiruzen nodded. The plan was risky, but Konoha, backed into a corner, had few other choices.
"Very well," Hiruzen said, his voice heavy with decision. "We proceed with your strategy, Orochimaru. Tomorrow, I will mobilize the ANBU, coordinated with Danzō's Root, to purge the enemy infiltrators. As for the fronts… Suna is the least immediate threat. Our current garrison in the Land of Rivers should suffice to contain them for now. For Kiri in the Land of Waves, I'll first send a small reconnaissance team to assess their strength. We must conserve every fighter. Iwa… Onoki is too shrewd. He won't commit to heavy casualties before the real war starts. Sakumo's leadership on that front will be enough."
His gaze sharpened. "The greatest threat is Kumo. In the Land of Hot Water, Jiraiya and his forces have clashed with Kumogakure ninja countless times. The fighting there is most intense, and Kumo is constantly reinforcing that theater. If we are to project unwavering strength, we must hold the line in Hot Water. Therefore, Orochimaru, I am sending you there. Join forces with Jiraiya. What is your opinion?"
Orochimaru inclined his head. "Understood. I will depart for the Land of Hot Water tomorrow. I also request to take Qianyu with me."
A stern, almost proud smile broke through Hiruzen's solemn expression. "Granted. I intended the same. I've heard reports that Jiraiya's student, Minato, has been making a name for himself on that very battlefield. If Qianyu undergoes similar tempering, I have no doubt he will also shine brightly and become a ninja who can stand on his own."
A surge of adrenaline—cold, sharp, edged with killing intent—coursed through Qianyu.
So soon.
He'd get to face the Cloud ninja. The ones who took Miyuki Uzumaki.
He'd been waiting to settle that debt. He would collect it. In blood.