While the battle raged, spies from every hidden village worked tirelessly, gathering intelligence—
Konoha: no fewer than three thousand shinobi. Leading them were one of the Sannin, Orochimaru—summoner of Manda from Ryūchi Cave—and Jiraiya, who summoned Gamabunta of Mount Myōboku.
Sunagakure: no fewer than three thousand shinobi. Commanded by two bloodline users—Magnet Release wielder Rasa, and Scorch Release wielder Pakura.
Outcome: Konoha reinforcements arrived and launched a nighttime assault on Sunagakure's encampment. The result—Konoha forces withdrew, while Sunagakure maintained their position.
This report spread with astonishing speed, arriving on the desks of every Kage just as the morning sun rose.
…
Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
The entire village was embedded within jagged mountain ranges. Layers of stone structures stacked upon one another, forming what resembled a natural fortress.
At the highest point, inside the Tsuchikage's office, Ōnoki hovered in midair.
The intelligence in his hands could shape the direction of war. A calculating gleam flashed in his aged eyes.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen… just as I expected. He chose the softest target."
"Surrounded on all sides, and he still wants to concentrate his forces to tear open a breach through Sunagakure. A cautious move—very much his style."
"But lacking the strength to follow through… he'll soon pay the price."
Ōnoki muttered to himself.
Weakening Konoha was a shared goal among the great villages.
But given the opportunity—
None of them would hesitate to stab their "allies" in the back.
Alliance and opposition. Betrayal and compromise.
Such was the eternal rhythm among the Five Great Nations.
What mattered most—
Was how to extract the greatest benefit for Iwagakure.
Now that Konoha had deployed its reserves to the southwestern front in the Land of Rivers—
The opportunity had arrived.
But impatience would be fatal.
Ōnoki looked toward the ANBU before him and issued a command.
"Send orders to Higashi Shitotsu, stationed in the Land of Grass. Maintain the plan—advance steadily toward the Land of Fire's border."
He emphasized the word deliberately.
"Steadily. Without my command, no direct engagement with Konoha's main forces is permitted."
"What we need to do is use our numerical advantage—press forward like true stone. Slowly. Relentlessly. Force Konoha's northwestern defenses to contract inward."
"At the same time, dispatch elite squads. Break them into small units and send them deep into the Land of Fire."
"Their objective is not to break through defenses—but to harass supply lines."
"And to gather… wealth."
His tone turned colder.
"Especially bloodline users."
The Third Tsuchikage's voice carried both the stubborn resilience of Iwagakure and the ruthless pragmatism of a shinobi.
"Strike when he's weak. But the killing must be done like erosion—slow, precise, step by step."
As the ANBU departed, Ōnoki gazed toward the Land of Fire, his eyes distant.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen… how will you handle the Uchiha?"
In his youth, he had witnessed the godlike power of Uchiha Madara.
Now, settling back into his seat, age weighing heavily on him, he let out a faint breath.
'Iwagakure lacks successors… if only the Uchiha belonged to us.'
A trace of mockery curled at his lips.
Whether he was ridiculing Hiruzen's poor judgment—or envying Konoha's abundance of talent—
Even he wasn't sure.
—
Meanwhile, at the border of the Land of Hot Water.
The Kumogakure forward camp stretched across the mountains, black banners bearing white clouds snapping violently in the wind.
Thousands of Kumogakure shinobi gathered here, their training shouts and the clang of metal echoing endlessly through the valley. The air itself felt heavy with killing intent.
Inside the command tent, the Third Raikage, A, stood before a massive war map.
His towering, muscular frame resembled a fortress of steel. Even standing still, he exuded overwhelming pressure.
His original plan had been to march southwest, cross the mountains, and strike directly at Sunagakure—then weakened by the disappearance of the Third Kazekage.
But now—
In his rough hand, he held freshly delivered intelligence.
His eyes scanned it rapidly.
Then—
His lips twitched.
A moment later, booming laughter exploded from him, shaking the entire tent.
"So those sand-eating bastards actually have some bite!"
His fingers tightened, lightning chakra instantly reducing the scroll to dust.
"Most of Konoha's top forces are tied down in that swamp called the Land of Rivers. Their homeland defenses must be weakened!"
"A heaven-sent opportunity—how could we let it slip?"
"Pass my orders!"
His voice roared like thunder, drowning out every sound beyond the tent.
"The entire army moves out. Target—the Land of Fire. Advance south—capture the monkey!"
"This time, I'll personally tear open Konoha's so-called impenetrable shell!"
"And I'll see for myself—this 'Strongest Hokage' Sarutobi Hiruzen they boast about…"
"How does he compare to the blood-soaked Senju Tobirama of the last war?"
His gaze seemed to pierce through the tent, already fixed on the fertile lands to the south.
"And while we're at it—take everything."
"Plunder. Seize. Bring every treasure of the Land of Fire back to Kumogakure!"
The order struck like a drawn lightning blade, igniting the entire camp.
—
To the east of the continent, the salty sea wind swept across the towering Mizukage building.
The Third Mizukage stood silently by the window, his thin frame half-hidden in shadow.
Only his dark eyes reflected the scene beyond—
In the misty harbor, more than a dozen black warships lay in silent formation like slumbering beasts.
Suddenly—
A pool of pitch-black liquid seeped from the ground at his feet, writhing upward against all logic.
It twisted and expanded, forming something like a grotesque black flower.
At its center—
A strange humanoid figure appeared, half black, half white.
"Begin."
Black Zetsu's voice slithered through the room, cold and hoarse.
Not long after—
Kirigakure forces gathered at the docks, transforming into streaks of shadow as they boarded their ships.
Ropes were cut.
Sails billowed under chakra.
The fleet departed the harbor—
Like a moving shadow of death—
Sailing westward, toward the Land of Fire.
—
The storm of war, sparked by the unresolved clash in the Land of Rivers, began to converge rapidly over the Land of Fire.
Inside the Hokage Tower, Sarutobi Hiruzen took a long drag from his pipe.
Then—
"Go. Invite the Uchiha clan for a talk."
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