While the great battle raged on the frontlines, intelligence flowed ceaselessly between the hidden villages.
Every movement—
Every clash—
Every outcome—
Was being watched.
Konoha's Forces:Over three thousand ninja deployed.Commanded by one of the Sannin, Orochimaru—alongside his Ryūchi Cave summon, Manda—and Jiraiya, with the Mount Myōboku summon, Gamabunta.
Sunagakure's Forces:No fewer than three thousand as well.Led by Magnet Release user Rasa and Scorch Release wielder Pakura.
Battle Result:Konoha launched a night assault.Sunagakure held its ground.Konoha retreated.
The report spread like wildfire.
By dawn—
It had reached every major village.
And with it—
The balance of war shifted.
Land of Earth — Iwagakure
The village stood embedded within layers of stone, a natural fortress carved into the mountains.
At its peak—
Inside the Tsuchikage's office—
Ōnoki of the Two Scales floated silently in midair.
The intelligence scroll rested in his hands.
His aged eyes gleamed.
Sharp.
Calculating.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi…"
His voice was low.
"As expected… you chose the weakest point to break first."
"To focus your strength and tear open Sunagakure, despite being surrounded…"
A faint sneer appeared.
"Cautious. Conservative."
"Predictable."
He paused.
Then his tone turned colder.
"But not enough."
"From here on…"
"You'll only bleed for that choice."
Among the Five Great Nations—
There were no true allies.
Only temporary interests.
Today's cooperation—
Could become tomorrow's betrayal.
What mattered was simple:
Who benefited the most.
And right now—
Konoha had exposed a flaw.
Ōnoki turned toward the ANBU kneeling before him.
"Send orders to Higashi Shito in the Land of Grass."
"The plan remains unchanged."
His tone hardened.
"Advance."
"Slowly."
"Without my command—no direct engagement with Konoha's main force."
"We are not here to clash."
"We are here to crush."
His voice carried the weight of stone.
Unyielding.
Relentless.
"Press forward like a mountain."
"Force them to shrink their defenses."
"Bit by bit."
"Until they suffocate."
Then—
His eyes narrowed.
"Dispatch elite squads."
"Divide into small units."
"Infiltrate deep into the Land of Fire."
"Their mission is not battle."
"It is erosion."
"Destroy supply lines."
"Plunder resources."
"Break their foundation."
A brief pause.
Then—
Colder.
"Especially bloodline ninja."
Ōnoki's gaze turned distant.
"When the enemy is sick…"
"You don't fight them."
"You finish them."
The ANBU vanished.
Ōnoki remained where he was, staring toward the distant Land of Fire.
"Hiruzen…"
"How long can you hold?"
For a fleeting moment—
Another thought crossed his mind.
Uchiha.
The name alone carried weight.
Madara.
A shadow that still lingered in his memory.
If such power belonged to Iwagakure—
…
He let out a quiet scoff.
Whether it was mockery—
Or envy—
Even he did not know.
Kumogakure Frontline — Land of Hot Water Border
War camps stretched endlessly across the mountains.
Black flags snapped violently in the wind.
The sound of training.
Steel clashing.
Voices shouting.
The air itself trembled with war.
Inside the command tent—
The Third Raikage stood like a living fortress.
Massive.
Unshakable.
Lightning crackled faintly across his body.
In his hand—
A fresh intelligence report.
He read it once.
Then—
His lips curled.
And laughter exploded.
Loud.
Wild.
Shaking the entire tent.
"So the sand rats actually held their ground."
"Not bad."
His grip tightened.
Lightning Release surged—
Reducing the scroll to ash.
"So…"
"Konoha's main forces are tied down in the Land of Rivers."
His eyes gleamed.
Dangerous.
Predatory.
"Then their homeland…"
"Must be empty."
A grin spread across his face.
Ferocious.
Excited.
"This is a gift."
"And I don't reject gifts."
He stepped forward.
The ground seemed to tremble.
"Transmit my order!"
His voice roared like thunder.
"The entire army breaks camp!"
"Target—Land of Fire!"
"We march south!"
"We crush Konoha!"
"We capture the monkey!"
His eyes burned with battle intent.
"This time…"
"I'll tear open their so-called iron defense with my own hands."
A pause.
Then—
A savage smile.
"And while we're at it…"
"Loot everything."
"Take everything."
"Burn what we cannot carry."
The command spread.
And the Kumogakure army—
Erupted.
Kirigakure — Eastern Sea
Mist rolled endlessly across the sea.
Thick.
Cold.
Silent.
The Third Mizukage stood by the window.
Motionless.
His figure thin.
His face hidden in shadow.
Only his eyes—
Dark.
Bottomless—
Reflected the harbor below.
Warships.
Dozens of them.
Silent.
Waiting.
Like beasts before the hunt.
Then—
Something moved.
At his feet—
A black substance seeped upward.
Unnatural.
Twisting.
Blooming—
Into a grotesque flower.
From its center—
A figure emerged.
Half black.
Half white.
"It's time."
Black Zetsu's voice whispered.
Soft.
Yet absolute.
Moments later—
Kirigakure's army moved.
Like shadows.
Boarding ships.
Cutting ropes.
Unfurling sails.
The fleet departed.
Silent.
Deadly.
Gliding across the sea—
Toward the Land of Fire.
Konoha — Hokage Building
Back in the Hokage's office—
Silence.
Heavy.
Oppressive.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a slow drag from his pipe.
Smoke curled upward.
His expression unreadable.
Then—
He spoke.
Calm.
Measured.
Yet carrying weight.
"Go."
"Invite the Uchiha Clan Head."
He paused.
Eyes narrowing slightly.
"We need to talk."
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