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The next morning, inside the Konoha front-line command tent.
In the center of the tent, there was a huge sand table, meticulously detailing the distribution of the Konoha and Sunagakure battle lines.
Sakumo Hatake stood before the sand table, his silver-white short hair glinting coldly in the sunlight, and a solemn expression on his resolute face.
Chiye and Tsunade walked into the tent side by side, their gazes sweeping over everyone present.
Besides the familiar Konoha Jonin, there were also two unfamiliar faces standing in the corner.
They wore ordinary Konoha Ninja uniforms.
However, their eyes were as sharp as eagles, and their posture was so straight it was almost rigid, forming a stark contrast with the slightly fatigued front-line Ninja around them.
"Tsunade, Chiye, you're here."
Sakumo Hatake nodded slightly, motioning for them to take a seat.
Chiye's gaze lingered for a moment longer on the two unfamiliar Ninja, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly.
The aura of those two was extremely well concealed, but it subtly emanated a chilling coldness.
Completely different from the front-line Ninja, they seemed to be specialized in assassination.
"Everyone, let's begin."
Sakumo Hatake's voice pulled Chiye's thoughts back.
He pointed to several marked spots on the sand table and said in a deep voice.
"Currently, we have a significant advantage; Sunagakure's main forces have been pushed back to the border.
But there's bad news…"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"Chiyo of Hidden Sand Village has left the battlefield where the Sand Ninja were fighting Hidden Rain Village and has officially joined the battle against us."
Chiyo, currently the most prominent female Ninja in Hidden Sand Village, apart from the "strongest" Third Kazekage.
It is said that this individual is a super-class puppeteer who can control puppets with just one finger.
Not only that, she also possesses powerful Medical Ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu; it's not an exaggeration to call her an all-rounder.
The tent instantly buzzed with commotion.
Chiyo's name resonated throughout the Ninja World; her poison arts and puppet techniques were unparalleled, striking fear into countless Ninja.
"I didn't expect her to join the war; Konoha might have met a formidable foe!"
"Chiyo, isn't she the strong female Ninja that even the Demigod of Hidden Rain Village couldn't defeat?!"
"It seems the situation is not optimistic!"
...
Sakumo Hatake raised his hand, immediately interrupting everyone's chatter.
"Chiyo's poison arts and puppet techniques are what she is most proficient in, and they are also what Konoha fears most.
According to the information received, there have already been several cases of Ninja being poisoned, and the symptoms are extremely tricky."
As he spoke, his gaze turned to Tsunade.
"Tsunade, how confident are you in deciphering Chiyo's poison?"
Tsunade crossed her arms, a sharp glint flashing in her bright brown eyes.
"No matter how strong the poison, there's always a way to break it. Give me three days, and I'll analyze the antidote formula."
Sakumo Hatake's brows relaxed somewhat.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Tsunade pondered and couldn't help but suggest.
"Besides preparing the antidote, we also need to continue training special Medical Ninja.
Specifically to counter Chiyo's poison techniques."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
If so, facing the diverse poisons created by Chiyo would greatly reduce the pressure on the Konoha Ninja.
Sakumo Hatake also showed an approving expression.
"Tsunade is right. We need to be more prepared in the enemy's most skilled area."
Halfway through the meeting.
Sakumo Hatake suddenly turned to one of the two unfamiliar Ninja and said.
"Next, there are two more things to inform everyone; you will explain the specifics."
The Ninja stepped forward, his movements stiff yet precise, like a machine programmed to act.
His voice was low and steady, devoid of any emotion.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I am a member of the Root Special Operations Unit, codenamed 'Chicken'."
Chiye understood; he had previously felt there was something off about these two's identities, and indeed, they were not combat troops but Root Ninja.
As for this codename, Chicken...
It reminded Chiye of an old acquaintance.
Speaking of which, it's quite common for Root Ninja and Anbu to use animal codenames.
"According to our intelligence, an Iwagakure Ninja unit, numbering approximately five hundred, has appeared near Hidden Rain Village.
They are disguised as refugees and merchant caravans, but their movements are suspicious and highly likely to be a military deployment targeting the Land of Fire."
The tent instantly fell silent, the air seemingly congealed.
Iwagakure's involvement meant the war would become even more complex.
"Iwagakure?"
A Jonin couldn't help but speak out.
"Haven't they always maintained neutrality?"
"Military action does not equal full-scale war."
Sakumo Hatake on the side explained.
Hearing this, everyone present couldn't help but feel somewhat speechless.
Iwagakure was playing so shamelessly?
This was clearly an attempt to take advantage of the situation, to seize benefits while Konoha was entangled with Sunagakure and Amegakure.
"Chicken" remained expressionless and continued to report the second matter.
"Furthermore, Kumogakure also has unusual movements; their reconnaissance teams have already infiltrated the border of the Land of Rain, their objective unknown."
The situation was worse than expected.
Everyone couldn't help but think this.
After "Chicken" finished speaking, his gaze suddenly turned to Chiye.
A strange light flashed in those cold eyes.
"Uchiha Chiye, Lord Danzo has a new mission for you."
Danzo?
Chiye's heart tensed, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What mission?"
"Fukai, the Eight-Tailed Jinchuriki of Hidden Cloud Village, has been frequently active near the border recently.
Lord Danzo hopes you can go intercept and kill him to weaken Hidden Cloud Village's fighting strength."
Chiye's heart stirred; wasn't this the target of a previous system mission?
He had thought this mission would fail, but he didn't expect Danzo to find him.
He pretended to ponder, then nodded.
"Alright, but I need detailed intelligence support."
"Chicken" took out a scroll from his Pregnant and handed it to him.
"For the specific action plan, please come back with me to the Root base for a detailed discussion."
Tsunade suddenly stood up, anger flaring in her bright brown eyes.
"Letting Chiye go alone to deal with a Jinchuriki? Are you crazy!"
"Chicken" responded expressionlessly.
"This is Lord Danzo's order.
And it's not just him; there will be others accompanying him.
Moreover, with Uchiha Chiye's strength, he is more than capable."
Sakumo Hatake raised a hand to stop the impending argument and looked at Chiye.
"Chiye, what do you think?"
Chiye smiled slightly, his gaze firm.
"I am willing to accept the mission. The threat of a Jinchuriki is too great; if it can be resolved early, it might prevent Hidden Cloud Village from achieving its war objectives, and success would benefit Konoha."
Tsunade gritted her teeth, wanting to say more, but Chiye gently pressed her hand.
"Don't worry, I'll come back safely."
After the meeting ended, everyone left one by one.
Chiye and "Chicken" agreed on a time to go to Root, then Chiye walked out of the tent side by side with Tsunade.
The afterglow of the setting sun fell on them both, casting long shadows.
Tsunade finally couldn't help but ask.
"Are you really going?"
Chiye nodded, a deep glint in his eyes.
"Not just for Konoha, but for myself as well."
Tsunade was silent for a moment, then suddenly pulled out an exquisite medicine bottle from her Pregnant and handed it to him.
"This is a special antidote and military ration pills; they can save your life at a critical moment."
Chiye took the medicine bottle, his fingertips gently brushing her palm, and chuckled softly.
"When I return, I'll thank you properly."
Tsunade turned her face away, her earlobes slightly red.
"Less talk, just come back alive."
Chiye smiled, looking towards the distant sky, his gaze gradually turning cold.
Hidden Cloud Village's Jinchuriki...
It's time to deal with him.