"Given the current situation, I still believe in taking the initiative. Once Iwagakure makes a move in the Land of Fields..."
"Kumogakure will be put in a passive position. This is a prime opportunity. As long as we drive Kumogakure back, they won't get another chance to intervene in this war."
Shirakumo firmly held to his opinion, and it made Gekko Chizan regard him with a bit more respect.
But unbeknownst to him, he was completely overestimating the man—Shirakumo was simply a warmonger.
"Let's wait a bit longer. Send scouts to the Land of Fields. If Iwagakure moves, we go to war."
Tsunade still intended to wait and observe. After all, this was the kind of situation where one misstep could affect everything—no room for carelessness.
"Chizan, what do you think?"
When Gekko Chizan heard Tsunade's question, he casually shrugged.
"I'm just an intel operative. I'm not in charge of combat decisions."
"I have no interest in strategy. But considering the current situation, I think we should prepare against Kirigakure."
"If Kumogakure is attacked and suffers heavy losses, there's no guarantee that Kirigakure won't try to grab a piece of the pie."
His words shocked everyone once again.
Akimichi Torifu widened his eyes as he stared at Gekko Chizan.
"No way. Ever since the Third Mizukage took power and turned them into the Village of the Bloody Mist, Kirigakure's been a mess internally. They still have the energy to join a war?"
"No, Chizan is right. At first, Kirigakure definitely wouldn't have intervened. But don't forget—if Iwagakure really defeats Kumogakure on the Fields front, that would change the war entirely. It's a major shift. Kirigakure is very likely to act."
Tsunade's expression was extremely serious. It was clear she was thinking further ahead than anyone else.
"Torifu-san, quickly assign someone to return to the village and report this to the Hokage."
"The village must start preparing for Kirigakure."
"Chizan, I need you to head to the Land of Fields and observe Iwagakure's movements. Report back immediately if there's anything."
"Shirakumo, organize everyone at once. If the Land of Fields erupts, we'll strike immediately."
At that moment, Tsunade was truly the supreme commander. Her overwhelming aura even surprised Gekko Chizan a little.
No wonder Tsunade became the Fifth Hokage—this commanding presence was clearly something she was born with.
"Got it. But... who do I report my expenses to?"
"This trip is going to take a month. I can't be expected to pay for everything myself, right?"
The fiery momentum in the meeting room came to a screeching halt at Gekko Chizan's question.
Tsunade clutched her forehead in exasperation.
Namikaze Minato turned red in the face from holding back laughter.
Shirakumo glared at him fiercely.
Akimichi Torifu burst out laughing.
"Get lost, you bastard! If you want reimbursement, go back to the village yourself! Don't bother me with it!"
"Hurry up and get your ass to the Land of Fields! Don't let me see your face again!"
Tsunade stormed forward, grabbed Gekko Chizan by the collar, and hurled him out of the meeting room.
The force was so great that Gekko Chizan was launched dozens of meters through the air.
"Hey hey hey! No reimbursements and violence? That's inhumane!"
"Tch! Just wait till I get back to the village—I'm filing a complaint!"
With a mid-air backflip, Gekko Chizan landed steadily, showing no displeasure at all. Instead, he flashed a sly grin.
Intel missions have their own reimbursement funds—and he was Anbu, after all. His missions also came with separate bonuses. That line was just for fun.
But his antics did draw sidelong glances from the surrounding Konoha comrades.
"Alright, alright, no need to stare at me, everyone. Later~"
With Flying Thunder God activated, Gekko Chizan disappeared from the outpost.
He felt no resistance at all as he set off again—in fact, he was quite intrigued by the war about to break out in the Land of Fields.
...
Border of the Land of Earth.
A small, thin old man hovered in midair, while four figures stood before him.
"Kakkō, Tōshirō, Mohiru."
"For this mission, I expect you not to disappoint me."
"Ten thousand troops—take back the Land of Fields."
"Don't move Roshi and Han. Tōshirō, you're to station at the Land of Grass. Keep an eye on Konoha as well."
Tōshirō nodded, showing no frustration at being left out of the battle.
This was Iwagakure—all shinobi followed the Tsuchikage Ōnoki's command. A super-united village.
However, when Tōshirō heard Roshi's name, his brow furrowed.
After pondering a while, he spoke up.
"Tsuchikage-sama, about Roshi..."
"He's been voicing dissatisfaction with you at the camp more than once. Even though he's the Four-Tails' jinchūriki, his behavior is way out of line."
"Are you sure you don't want to send him back to the village?"
Ōnoki sighed helplessly.
"We'll deal with Roshi later. He's still a jinchūriki—his destructive power on the battlefield is unmatched."
"Just having him in the Land of Grass is enough to deter Konoha."
"And with Han there too, he can be kept in check."
Seeing that even the Tsuchikage had said so, Tōshirō stayed silent.
Ōnoki spoke again.
"This time you did well, Kakkō. I saw Troy's corpse. The price was a bit steep, but it was worth it."
"Kakuzu, that guy... he's got guts. Working deep in Kumogakure territory at this time—tsk tsk. Even I admire him."
Kakkō recalled the encounter with "Kakuzu" in the forest and couldn't help but be amazed.
"Alright, prepare to move out. Secure the Land of Fields as quickly as possible!"
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama!"
The Tsuchikage's presence on the frontlines gave a huge morale boost to their forces.
Ten thousand Iwagakure shinobi, led by three commanders, advanced toward the Land of Fields.
...
Meanwhile, in the Land of Fields—Kumogakure outpost.
"Damn it! Why hasn't the supply arrived yet?!"
"What the hell is Troy doing?!"
Third Raikage A was furious, demanding answers about the missing supply convoy.
"Raikage-sama, something's definitely off."
"Troy was delivering supplies from the Land of Lightning. If they're still not here, something must've gone wrong."
A nearby jōnin gave his analysis.
His words made the Third Raikage nod slightly.
Just then, several Kumogakure shinobi stumbled back to camp in disarray.
"Raikage-sama! Bad news!"
"A huge number of Iwagakure shinobi are advancing from the Land of Grass toward the Land of Fields!"
"We couldn't get an exact count, but there are a lot of them!"
The Third Raikage's expression darkened at the news. In an instant, a terrifying aura burst out from him.
"That damn Ōnoki! I'm one hundred percent sure Iwagakure was behind Troy's disappearance!"
"Everyone prepare to withdraw! Retreat to the Land of Lightning!"
"Send intel to the Land of Hot Water too—tell them to pull out as well! Hurry!"
The Third Raikage issued swift orders, and Kumogakure's situation quickly became extremely precarious.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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