At the Uchiha Red Armor camp—
After receiving updates from the Infinite City shadow clone and confirming that Tsunade had been "secured," Uchiha Ren sat calmly, examining the item he had just drawn from the pale stone gate.
A thin booklet rested in his hand.
Fifty pages.
He skimmed through it in moments.
Its core idea was simple:
The survivor takes all.
War was not about effort—but outcome.
The strongest contributor might not get the biggest share.
Instead, they might become part of the "cake."
A harsh truth.
But one that aligned perfectly with his thinking.
Let Konoha weaken.
Let others bleed.
Only then would the Uchiha be safe.
War—
It was the ultimate reshuffle.
—
The tent flap lifted.
Mikoto Uchiha stepped in, armor still on, carrying the chill of the night.
"The eastern army has sent a distress signal."
"Surrounded. Heavy losses."
She knelt before him.
"Estimated enemy force—under three thousand."
"Kisame Hoshigaki is encircling them. Only messenger beasts are escaping."
No hesitation.
No pity.
Only calculation.
"Shall we proceed to the next phase?" she asked softly.
—
"Proceed as planned."
Ren's tone was calm.
"They're baiting reinforcements."
"So we won't take it."
He smiled faintly.
"Konoha once ignored Uzushiogakure's destruction."
"Now they can taste the same logic."
Mikoto nodded.
"Then the enemy has three options…"
She analyzed clearly:
"Divide forces—pressure the eastern army while raiding Infinite City."
"Crush the eastern army first—then advance."
"Or suspect a trap—and do nothing."
She looked at him.
"What do you think they'll choose?"
—
Ren chuckled.
"If I were them?"
"I'd take everything."
"Maintain the siege."
"Split forces."
"Take the bait."
His eyes gleamed coldly.
"They outnumber us."
"Two hundred Uchiha."
"Do you think they'd be afraid?"
—
Mikoto calculated quickly.
"One thousand security forces inside the city."
"Explosive seal arrays prepared."
"With the Red Armor—"
"Even three thousand Mist shinobi…"
"We can cripple them."
—
Ren said nothing.
But his thoughts were deeper.
Crippling them… isn't always the best outcome.
Sometimes—
You let enemies live.
To remain useful.
—
"Recall all teams except reconnaissance."
"Monitor Konoha."
"I want to know what Hiruzen Sarutobi plans."
Mikoto nodded.
Then—
Casually—
"By the way… Tsunade and her apprentice have been captured."
She looked at him carefully.
"…Do you have any intentions toward her?"
—
Ren met her gaze.
"She's valuable."
"But dangerous."
"If you don't like her—"
"We can kill her."
No hesitation.
No softness.
"Her medical knowledge matters."
"I have something… interesting."
"A virus."
"Perhaps she can unlock its potential."
—
Mikoto froze.
Then—
Guilt flickered in her eyes.
He's always been working for the clan.
How could I doubt him?
—
She stood.
Stepped forward.
Pressed a soft kiss to his lips.
"For the clan… you've worked hard."
—
"Not with you here."
He reached for her—
But she vanished.
Sharingan flashing—
She reappeared by the tent flap.
Looking back.
Smiling.
Fingers touching her lips.
Then—
Gone.
—
Ren exhaled slowly.
Calmed himself.
Returned to training.
When the war settles…
That will be the moment she sets aside her armor.
—
Meanwhile—
In the Land of Rivers—
Konoha reinforcements arrived.
Led by Hiruzen Sarutobi's son.
Joining Orochimaru and Jiraiya.
Three-pronged assault.
The battlefield ignited.
—
Earth walls rose.
Fire dragons roared.
Wind tore through defenses.
Sand collapsed.
—
Rasa stood above the battlefield, face dark.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Funeral!"
Golden sand surged—
Crushing Konoha troops.
But—
"Not so fast!"
Jiraiya summoned Gamabunta.
The battlefield shook.
—
Orochimaru struck.
Target—
The sealed container.
Inside—
A tailed beast.
—
"Back off!"
Pakura countered with Scorch Release.
The battle tilted.
Sand forces collapsed.
—
Rasa clenched his teeth.
Placed both hands on the container.
No more holding back.
"Release!"
—
A roar split the sky.
Shukaku emerged.
Chaos incarnate.
Sandstorms exploded outward.
Friend and foe alike—
Crushed.
—
"Scatter!" Jiraiya shouted.
But it was too late.
—
Shukaku rampaged.
Indiscriminately.
—
Oil and fire surged.
Gamabunta fought.
Orochimaru's serpent wrapped the beast.
The battlefield turned into madness.
—
Then—
From above—
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Rain!"
Rasa returned.
Attacking—
Not Shukaku—
But Konoha.
—
Three sides.
Total chaos.
—
Shukaku roared.
Attacked everyone.
—
In the end—
The battlefield dissolved into disorder.
Reports later summarized it simply:
Shukaku escaped.
Rasa pursued.
Konoha's movements—
Unknown.
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