Jiraiya glanced around at everyone present.
His gaze swept over Asuma and Kakashi.
Finally, it settled on Sakura.
She had already proven her excellence through her actions.
Despite the leaked intelligence, she single-handedly fought the Two-Tails and captured it. To buy precious time for her teammates to retreat, she faced the Raikage alone, even sending her summon to intercept the enemy.
It was precisely because of her efforts that the Raikage's advance was delayed, securing a crucial victory for the main battlefield.
As for Asuma...
He was indeed outstanding, but at nearly thirty years old, he had likely reached his limit.
Elite Jonin was his ceiling.
As for Kakashi...
Jiraiya could only sigh in regret.
Although Kakashi was the same age as Asuma, his talent was truly exceptional. Back when Jiraiya learned that Kakashi had become a Jonin at the age of twelve and even created an S-rank technique, he almost believed Kakashi was the next "God of Shinobi."
How many in the shinobi world could achieve what Kakashi had at twelve?
Even Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha at that age were probably still competing to see who could pee farther.
Jiraiya's gaze swept over Asuma and Kakashi once more.
Finally, it settled on Sakura.
She had already proven her excellence through her actions.
Despite the leaked intelligence, she single-handedly fought the Two-Tails and captured it. To buy precious time for her teammates to retreat, she faced the Raikage alone, even sending her summon to intercept the enemy.
It was precisely because of her efforts that the Raikage's advance was delayed, securing a crucial victory for the main battlefield.
As for Asuma...
He was indeed outstanding, but at nearly thirty years old, he had likely reached his limit.
Elite Jonin was his ceiling.
As for Kakashi...
Jiraiya could only sigh in regret.
Although Kakashi was the same age as Asuma, his talent was truly exceptional. Back when Jiraiya learned that Kakashi had become a Jonin at the age of twelve and even created an S-rank technique, he almost believed Kakashi was the next "God of Shinobi."
How many in the shinobi world could achieve what Kakashi had at twelve?
Even Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha at that age were probably still competing to see who could pee farther.
At a glance, the problem became apparent.
Because around the camp, there were seven or eight squads of Cloud shinobi hiding in blind spots!
Clearly, these were the next wave of squads the Cloud Village intended to deploy for guerrilla tactics!
Jiraiya looked at Kakashi, who, along with Asuma, immediately nodded in understanding.
They promptly exited the main tent.
Clearly, they were preparing to lead a team to deal with those Cloud squads.
As for Sakura and Jiraiya, they stayed behind to guard Karin and Ino.
With the Cloud's guerrilla tactics thwarted, Dodai, the Raikage's advisor, would naturally devise countermeasures.
Moreover, due to the presence of Zetsu, Karin couldn't remain hidden.
After all, the characteristics of the Uzumaki clan were too distinctive.
During this period, Sakura would have to live and eat alongside these two to prevent them from being assassinated.
Even Jiraiya would have to stay by their side as a bodyguard.
--
Boom!
In a remote snowy mountain cave, a powerful hand slammed down, shattering the table in front of him.
"The fifth wave!"
"Another complete wipeout!"
"They must have figured out our movements!"
His fierce tiger-like eyes turned to the black-and-white figure in a black cloak with red clouds standing nearby.
"Speak!"
"Did you sell our intelligence to Konoha?"
The Raikage's tone was aggressive.
Five waves of guerrilla squads, each consisting of eight teams, with four Cloud shinobi per team.
A total of one hundred and sixty shinobi!
That was enough to sustain a small shinobi village!
The Raikage couldn't help but feel the sting of loss.
"Raikage-sama, you worry too much."
"Mr. Zetsu would never do such a thing."
Before Zetsu could respond, Dodai, who had been standing by the Raikage's side, quickly interjected.
The Cloud's guerrilla tactics had caused significant trouble for Konoha, and this plant-like, black-and-white figure had played a crucial role.
Right now, the Cloud needed his abilities more than he needed them.
Dodai understood this clearly.
So, before Zetsu could speak, he preemptively silenced the Raikage.
"They have a highly skilled sensor ninja."
In response to the Raikage's accusation and Dodai's defense, Zetsu calmly spoke.
He had come here to ensure the shinobi world grew more chaotic, weakening the five great villages.
As for who won or lost, what did it matter to him?
"If you wish to continue the guerrilla tactics, you must eliminate their sensor ninja."
Hearing Zetsu's words, Dodai, who had managed to calm the Raikage, couldn't help but show a flicker of interest.
"Might I ask, Mr. Zetsu, do you know who it is?"
"The Uzumaki clan's Kagura Shingan."
The mention of the Uzumaki clan caused both the Raikage and Dodai to freeze.
This name, which should have vanished from history, had reappeared in their sight.
Back then, to eliminate this staunch ally of Konoha, the Cloud Village had joined forces with the Stone and Mist Villages during the Second Shinobi World War, setting aside their differences to launch a village-destroying assault on Uzushiogakure.
It was precisely because of this campaign against the Uzumaki clan that the Cloud, Stone, and Mist Villages had made significant advancements in their sealing techniques for jinchūriki.
The Three-Tails, Four-Tails, Five-Tails, their own Two-Tails, and now the Eight-Tails jinchūriki had all become perfect jinchūriki.
But who would have thought that the Uzumaki clan, thought to be extinct, would rise from the ashes?
"So it's a remnant of the Uzumaki clan!"
The Raikage stood up, his voice filled with fury.
"I'll go kill that Uzumaki myself!"
Zetsu glanced at the Raikage and offered a helpful suggestion:
"They're in Konoha's main camp."
"If you launch a night assault, you might just succeed in taking them out."
Dodai looked at Zetsu and asked:
"Someone so important would undoubtedly be heavily guarded by Konoha."
"Might I ask, who are their bodyguards?"
"Nothing too troublesome. Just the Raikage's old rival, one of the Sannin, Jiraiya, and the Hokage's student, Sakura Haruno."
Hearing Zetsu's words, the Raikage's breath hitched, and he slowly sat back down.
Dodai's expression turned grave.
Jiraiya needed no introduction—one of the Sannin, a powerhouse in his own right.
And Sakura had already proven her strength through her actions.
This was going to be difficult...
Unless...
"I've heard that your village's A-B combo is unmatched."
"Even the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, had to avoid their. Now that you, Raikage-sama, are the 'A,' where is 'B'?"
"With the A-B combo in action, even Jiraiya and Sakura would be no match."
Zetsu's eyes, hidden beneath his lids, gleamed with a hint of mockery as he watched the two.
Hearing Zetsu's words, the Raikage's expression shifted, but Dodai immediately grew wary and spoke urgently:
"No!"
"If Bee joins the fight, the scale of the war will spiral out of control!"
"Right now, the war may seem intense, but the Tsuchikage, Kazekage, One-Tail, Four-Tails, and Five-Tails have yet to make their move."
"Even though the Two-Tails was captured, it hasn't appeared on the main battlefield!"
"If we deploy Bee, our village will be left virtually defenseless."
"Don't forget, the Mist Village hasn't made a move yet!"
At this moment, Dodai felt a chill run down his spine. He looked at Zetsu with a hint of wariness.
"Don't worry, Dodai. If the Mist Village makes a move, it will be against Konoha."
However, Zetsu's words didn't reassure Dodai; instead, they made him even more suspicious.
What was he implying?
Was he suggesting that the Mist Village's internal affairs were under the control of the organization behind this man?
That was one of the five great villages!
The Raikage sat in his seat, his expression shifting between light and shadow.
Dodai's words made sense.
Zetsu's words also made sense.
Yugito had been captured, and C had been forced to commit suicide.
The people in the village were struggling to survive.
At this moment...
"Raikage-sama."
"With the A-B combo working together, Konoha will be no match."
"After all, Minato Namikaze is already dead..."
"And as for the Mist Village, I've received the latest intelligence."
"It seems they're eager to make a move against Konoha..."
"And, in this war, you seem to have forgotten someone."
"Have you forgotten the one who provided the intelligence on Sakura Haruno?"
Zetsu grinned as he watched the Raikage's conflicted expression.
The Raikage's breathing grew uneven, his expression constantly shifting.
Finally, his face hardened with resolve.
Zetsu's words had made up his mind!
Not because of the Mist Village, nor because of the intelligence provided by Orochimaru.
But because...
Minato Namikaze was already dead!
Who in the shinobi world could stop the A-B combo now?
To think that Sakura Haruno and Jiraiya could stand in their way?
Let Hashirama Senju try!
The Raikage abruptly stood up and called out to the messenger waiting outside the cave:
"Send the order!"
"Summon Killer Bee at once!"
--
Madness!
Utter madness!
A slender, brown-haired woman darted swiftly through the forest.
Behind her, a large group of soaring ninja was in hot pursuit.
Her name was Mei Terumī.
Today was supposed to be the day she overthrew the Blood Mist Village, ending the Fourth Mizukage's brutal reign.
But she had failed.
Failed miserably.
The intelligence of her rebellion had been as transparent as glass, and the Fourth Mizukage had crushed it with ease.
He had immediately declared war on Konoha, while also planning to cross the seas and launch a surprise attack on the Stone Village's rear.
It was absurd.
Such a ridiculous plan had been unanimously approved by the Mist's higher-ups.
But Mei had no time to dwell on the Mist's current state.
She could feel an invisible force unifying the voices of the Mist's leadership.
The loyal and righteous members of the Mist had been ruthlessly suppressed.
Only she, with the desperate sacrifices of her comrades, had managed to escape this mad village.
The brown-haired woman clenched her lips tightly as she glanced back at the pursuing shinobi.
She didn't want to fight her former comrades.
If she fought, it would be with large-scale, indiscriminate destructive techniques.
"Rogue ninja Mei Terumī, surrender now, and the Mizukage may show you mercy!"
The leader of the pursuers called out to the fleeing Mei.
Mei rolled her eyes.
The Mizukage showing her mercy?
That man would be lucky not to skin her alive!
At this point, with the shinobi world engulfed in war...
The Wind and Lightning Alliance against the Fire and Earth Alliance.
The forces behind the Mist were clearly targeting the Fire and Earth Alliance.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
With this in mind, Mei set her sights firmly on the Land of Fire and fled in that direction.
--
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