In the Land of Hot Water, at the location where the Kumogakure is stationed.
The ninja here brim with fighting spirit, ever since Tengen left this battlefield.
Konoha and the Kumo-nin have entered a phase of victories and defeats.
The terror of Tengen has gradually begun to fade, so for now, the Kumo-nin's momentum remains strong.
Moreover, these Kumo-nin have heard that the Third Raikage has called for more ninja from the village to reinforce them, giving them an overwhelming advantage against Konoha.
Of course, Konoha has managed to stabilize somewhat, but no matter how you look at it, fighting on four fronts is like a taut string ready to snap.
If any nation breaches Konoha's defenses, it could trigger a domino effect, causing Konoha's entire front to collapse.
This is precisely why Sarutobi Hiruzen wants to resolve the conflict quickly, the so-called "550" reason.
Now, at the Kumo-nin's encampment, inside a large tent.
The high-ranking Kumo-nin are holding a meeting.
Inside, the Third Raikage surveys the gathered ninja, all of whom are the main force of this battlefield.
They are the Kumogakure's primary combat strength, the Jonin.
"We've been locked in a stalemate with Konoha for too long. It's time to settle this," the Third Raikage says, scanning the ninja below. "We all know Konoha is fighting on four fronts. They can't hold out much longer. They're likely scheming ways to deal with us."
The Third Raikage's words prompt nods from the Kumo-nin below.
His words carry weight. Konoha, stretched across four battlefronts, is the most likely to collapse if this continues, so they must be planning how to defeat the other ninja villages.
"If we wait for Konoha to attack us, why not take the initiative and strike first?" the Third Raikage declares.
The Kumo-nin pause at the idea of attacking Konoha but offer no objections.
Because, in truth, this is a solid strategy.
"And right now, that Tengen is still caught up fighting the Kiri-nin, which gives us a prime opportunity," the Third Raikage adds.
His meaning is clear. Up until now, their clashes with Konoha have been small-scale.
Now, it's time for a full-scale assault, a large-scale offensive.
With Tengen, who possesses wide-ranging attack capabilities, absent from this battlefield, it's a golden opportunity for the Kumo-nin.
Their goal in attacking Konoha is to seize the Land of Fire's territory. If the Kumogakure, or rather, the Land of Lightning, becomes the first to invade the Land of Fire, they stand to gain the most.
The Third Raikage discusses the matter with the Kumo-nin present.
In the end, they settle on a plan: in a few days, they will launch an all-out attack on Konoha.
---
On the coastal border of the Land of Fire, the territory closest to the Land of Water.
This is the current battleground where Konoha faces off against the Kiri-nin.
At Konoha's encampment, inside a certain tent.
Tengen reveals a plan that shocks everyone present, as it's simply too terrifying to contemplate.
"Tengen, what did you say? You're going to attack the Kirigakure alone?" Minato says, his expression one of disbelief.
Taking on an entire ninja village single-handedly, surely that's a joke?
It's almost unimaginable.
Though the Kiri-nin on this battlefield are numerous, the Kirigakure has far more ninja.
What could one person, even Tengen, accomplish? After all, a single person's chakra is finite. Facing thousands, or even tens of thousands, of ninja is beyond human capability.
Chakra doesn't work like an endless well.
"Yes, I plan to attack the Kirigakure alone today," Tengen nods. "As you know, I have mastery over flight ninjutsu, which makes my movements much faster."
The Flying Thunder God Technique requires coordinates to work, and since the Kirigakure has no such coordinates, Tengen naturally can't rely on it to get there.
"Tengen, there's no need for this. It hasn't reached the point where there's no other choice," Minato says.
It's simply too dangerous.
If the Kirigakure has a barrier that counters the Flying Thunder God Technique, Tengen could be worn down to death by sheer attrition.
That's why neither the Third Hokage nor anyone else has suggested Tengen take such a course of action...
It's as if they're pinning all their hopes on Tengen alone.
Konoha isn't that helpless.
Konoha still has plenty of ninja capable of fighting.
But to everyone's surprise, Tengen has proposed this himself.
"Yeah, Tengen, we just need to defeat the Kiri-nin on this battlefield," Kushina Uzumaki adds.
"Don't worry, I have the Flying Thunder God Technique," Tengen says.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique isn't foolproof," Minato shakes his head. "Especially in the Kirigakure's stronghold. Places like that typically have large-scale barriers they can manipulate."
"Minato, we can't keep dragging out this standoff with the other four great ninja villages. Konoha is reaching its breaking point," Tengen says.
His words make it sound like he's thinking of Konoha's welfare, but in truth, that's not entirely the case.
Tengen's primary goal is to obtain that blue light video, with Konoha's concerns coming second.
"Reaching its breaking point," Minato pauses, struck by the truth in Tengen's words.
Konoha, fighting on four fronts, can't hold out much longer. Collapse could come at any moment. If they can force one ninja village to retreat, things would improve significantly.
But that would mean putting Tengen in grave danger.
"Minato, Kushina, Shikaku, and everyone else, wait for my good news," Tengen says slowly.
"Tengen, have you really decided?" Minato takes a deep breath, speaking slowly.
Attacking a ninja village alone is something no one could imagine.
"I've decided," Tengen says, looking at Minato.
"When?"
"Today."
"We're waiting for you to come back. You have to come back alive."
"Definitely."
This time, the Konoha ninja in the room are filled with admiration for Tengen.
Tengen truly lives up to being Konoha's hero, a true hero.
Attacking the Kirigakure alone won't mean much unless he can cause massive destruction.
So they await Tengen's heroic feat.
***
Every 5 reviews and 200 power stones, a bonus chapter will be dropped.
(5,10,15, 200, 400, 600, and so on then two bonus chapters will be dropped, 1 for 5 reviews and 1 for 200 power stones, so that's 2 bonus chapters!)
And if you want to read more than 50 chapters early, feel free to visit pat re on. com / Xelenea (remove space).