With the spread of intelligence reports, the news that Konoha had fought on two fronts and simultaneously defeated both Sunagakure and Iwagakure quickly landed on the desks of the major powers.
Inside the Mizukage's office, the Third Mizukage clicked his tongue in amazement as he listened to his subordinates' report.
"Konoha's White Fang and Konoha's Silver Moon… Konoha really is not to be underestimated. Our policy of remaining closed-off was indeed the right choice. If we'd rushed out to snatch benefits earlier, we'd be tasting bitter fruit ourselves right now."
Then, as if remembering something, he issued an order:
"That's right, hurry and summon back all members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. Not one of those troublemakers can be left unsupervised. If they hear about these two Konoha shinobi, there's no telling what kind of mess they might stir up.
From here on, we stick to our isolationist strategy. We'll just wait until those three villages have fought themselves half to death… hmph hmph."
...
In the Raikage's office, the Third Raikage studied the intelligence report in front of him, his thick fingers tapping slowly and steadily on the desk—a sign he was in a good mood.
Standing beside him was his 16-year-old son. After reading the report, the Third Raikage passed it to him, letting the boy see for himself.
The future Fourth Raikage's eyes widened in surprise as he read, but his expression soon shifted—there was no fear, only eagerness. He cracked his knuckles.
"Gekkō Hoshiyomi and Hatake Sakumo… Konoha's Twin Stars? They're that strong? I wonder how the future 'A-B Combo' stacks up against them?
But don't worry, Father. One day I'll be stronger than they are. Actually, I'd really like to test myself against them and see just how strong they are."
The Third Raikage burst into hearty laughter. Flicking his son on the forehead, he said:
"I didn't show you this report just so you could marvel at how strong they are. If that's all you take from it, then you're still a long way from inheriting the name 'A'."
Seeing his son's confused look, the Third Raikage could only shake his head. The boy's talent was no less than his own, but he was reckless—full of dominance, but unwilling to think things through.
Fortunately, at only sixteen, there was still plenty of time to teach him how to be a mature Kage… and perhaps to find him an outstanding secretary. If his temperament didn't change, he'd need a cautious assistant to balance him out.
After considering that, the Third Raikage continued his lesson:
"The important part of this report isn't the so-called Twin Stars of Konoha—it's the opportunity hidden inside."
"Opportunity?"
"Exactly. Iwagakure took a heavy loss in this war. Ōnoki isn't the type to swallow such a loss quietly. He's bound to make a big move next.
And once Ōnoki plays his hand… it'll be Kumogakure's turn to make our move."
Turning toward the window, the Third Raikage stared into the distance in the direction of Iwagakure, dangerous light flashing in his eyes.
This was the man who had mastered the Lightning Release Chakra Mode to its pinnacle, whose body was strong enough to withstand ordinary ninjutsu head-on… the "Strongest Raikage in History," who once fought the Eight-Tails alone for three days and nights until both collapsed from exhaustion.
Now, he was ready to enter the great game.
...
In his office, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, sat with an expressionless face. There was no way to tell if he was happy or angry, but his hands behind his desk were trembling uncontrollably.
The air was suffocatingly heavy, as if frozen solid. The ANBU kneeling before him, here to deliver the report, was trembling all over, feeling as though he might suffocate at any moment.
No matter how he looked at it, Ōnoki had never imagined that despite all the measures he had taken, he would end up suffering such a disastrous defeat.
A thousand dead and wounded—including fifty elite shinobi such as the Explosion Release Unit, and his trusted protégé and heir-apparent, Yogan, among the dead.
Such losses were as if one of Ōnoki's arms had been cut off.
After a long silence, he let out a deep sigh, guilt clouding his eyes.
"In the end, it's my fault… I underestimated that young man from Konoha."
Who else could he blame? Yōgan for failing? If not for Yōgan, the casualty count would have been far greater than a thousand.
Who could have predicted that Konoha would produce such an extraordinary genius at this point in time?
"Losses like this… even sealing a Tailed Beast wouldn't come at such a cost… Wait. The Tailed Beast!"
What began as a bitter sigh suddenly turned into alarm. He shot to his feet, glaring at the ANBU.
"Other than me, has anyone else seen this report?"
The ANBU seemed to realize something as well, his voice trembling.
"No one yet… but the Four-Tails' jinchūriki, Lord Rōshi, has been traveling outside the village lately, training and trying to communicate with the Four-Tails. He usually likes to wander around black markets to gather information… If that's the case, then by now he's probably—"
Ōnoki's face went pale. Rising into the air, his voice sharpened and grew urgent.
"Assemble an entire ANBU squad! Search every black market in the Land of Earth. Find Rōshi's exact location and bring him back! That fool's like a rock in a cesspit—worthless and stubborn.
If he learns that his older brother, Yōgan, was killed by Gekkō Hoshiyomi, we're finished!"
Abandoning his paperwork, the Tsuchikage immediately flew toward the nearest black market outpost.
Iwagakure had already lost Yōgan—the Tsuchikage's chosen successor—because they had underestimated Gekkō Hoshiyomi. If they were to lose the Four-Tails' jinchūriki on top of that, it would be a true catastrophe.
Ōnoki's response was quick, but still not quick enough. After a round of urgent searching, they learned that Rōshi had indeed been spotted at a black market the night before… and had already heard the news of Yōgan's death.
As expected, the twenty-year-old Rōshi flew into a rage and set off straight for the Land of Rain.
Ōnoki nearly spat blood from anger. Without wasting another moment, he issued orders:
"Recall every squad currently on missions outside the village! From now on, Iwagakure enters full wartime readiness. I have to get to the Land of Rain immediately and bring Rōshi back. If anything happens to him, Iwagakure will be finished.
I'll go and return as quickly as possible. In the meantime, have Han and the ANBU vice-captain take charge of the village's defenses. If there are any issues, consult the elders.
Under no circumstances can anything happen to Iwagakure!"
Leaving those orders behind, Ōnoki said no more. Ignoring the startled looks from those around him, he activated the Ultra-Light-Weight Rock Technique and flew directly toward the Land of Rain.