Onoki looked at his son with a hint of disappointment.
They could have wiped out every single Konoha ninja here.
But what good would it do to slaughter them all?
None whatsoever!
Although Iwagakure's top-tier ninjas weren't as numerous as those of other villages, their overall ninja count was the largest.
Their intelligence capabilities were also among the best.
Moreover, on Konoha's four battlefronts, the ninjas stationed here were the weakest.
If they killed all of them, the other fronts might yield no results, and Konoha would retaliate with even greater force.
Not only would there be no benefit, but it would also make them targets for Konoha and traps set by other villages.
The best strategy was to leave these people alive, gradually wear them down, and only launch a large-scale attack after the other fronts had success.
If the other fronts won, they could retreat.
Either way, they wouldn't suffer any loss.
This was called advancing and retreating with measure.
Win, and they could conquer together; lose, and they could simply withdraw.
No losses for themselves, and no major losses for Konoha either.
Onoki's intentions were transparent, but this was an open strategy.
Everyone knew his plan—Sarutobi Hiruzen knew, the Third Raikage knew, and even the Third Mizukage was aware.
It seemed only Danzo didn't know.
Onoki explained everything to Kurotsuchi before speaking:
"Now you understand why we're not attacking, right?"
"Think things through before acting!"
"Got it, got it!" Kurotsuchi nodded quickly. Without his father explaining it, he truly wouldn't have understood.
Hearing his father's reasoning, it suddenly made perfect sense.
Konoha's fate now depended entirely on the other three battlefronts.
If they won even one, they could use a snowball effect to directly break through Konoha's defenses and have the Four Great Nations divide the village.
They could partition the Land of Fire directly.
In that case, Iwa Village would suffer minimal losses, needing only to kill the Konoha ninjas present.
But if they lost, Iwa could simply retreat.
Konoha wouldn't suffer significant losses and wouldn't seek revenge.
Brilliant!
Kurotsuchi took a deep breath.
========
Meanwhile, Danzo sat at the head of the table, fuming and looking miserable.
"That old thief! He dares to mock us!"
"Konoha's survival depends on us!"
"If we can just drive back the Sand ninjas, Konoha's crisis will be resolved!"
Danzo glanced around and exhaled sharply.
"Now Onoki plays with us like this—it's utterly arrogant!"
Danzo knew very well that Onoki intended to sit back and watch, but he wouldn't allow it!
He had wanted that old man to pay a price years ago, and now that chance had finally come. How could he let Onoki just watch from the sidelines?
"Danzo-sama, we're a little exhausted," a Root ninja spoke bitterly.
At this time, Danzo hadn't yet descended into total darkness.
ROOT, although under Danzo's command, wasn't much different from the ANBU.
Looking at his subordinate, Danzo recalled the words he had overheard from Yuki Seisui outside the hospital that day.
"Exhausted or not, you must accomplish it!"
"We fight for Konoha, for the people who live here!"
"Since the First Hokage founded Konoha, his will has guided us!"
"The Second Hokage made our purpose even clearer!"
"We are the flowers of Konoha!"
Danzo looked around again and said, "Tonight, we strike the Iwa encampment!"
"That old Onoki wants to weaken Konoha's strength—we can't let him succeed!"
After giving a brief instruction, only Danzo's closest aides remained.
"Keep an eye on intelligence. If Yuki Seisui reports anything, bring it to me immediately!"
"That wicked Uchiha brat does not deserve to be Hokage!"
His aides exchanged glances and nodded.
"Yes, sir!"
After everyone left, Danzo's anger only grew. He slammed his hand on the table.
"That old thief! How dare he mock me!"
"What's wrong with bullying you?"
Yuki Seisui, noticing Nawaki's resentful glare, placed his hands on his hips.
"I'm just training you!"
"You useless, inexperienced fool."
"Do you want another repeat of last time?"
Nawaki, angered and embarrassed, retorted, "That was an accident!"
"Accident or not, your sister wants me to train you. Just experience what Minato felt!" Seisui looked at Nawaki disdainfully.
"Have you forgotten I'm still here?" Minato said, feeling wronged.
Looking at Minato, Seisui shook his head silently.
"No, I haven't forgotten. That comment was for you too."
"Damn Seisui!" Minato's face contorted. "You'll regret this!"
"Hmph. I'm the deputy commander. When I'm out, address me by my title!"
Seisui glared at Minato. "Namikaze Minato, if this happens again, I'll have to punish you!"
While Seisui and Minato bickered, Jiraiya and Tsunade emerged from the tent.
"You two can head back now," Jiraiya said to Seisui and Minato.
"Alright!" Seisui agreed. This place had terrible feng shui; he never wanted to return.
Every time he tried to get close to Uchiha Haru, they were interrupted.
This place was cursed.
Tsunade looked at Nawaki expressionlessly. "You too. Head back."
Nawaki instantly flared. "Why do I have to go back too?! I want to stay with you!"
BANG!
Tsunade struck his head with a punch.
"Are you here to die?"
"You have no battle experience!"
"Go back quietly!"
"Or else…" Tsunade clenched her fist, and the sound of bones cracking echoed.
CRACK!
Jiraiya instinctively stepped back.
Whenever Tsunade clenched her fist like that, it was usually to hit him.
This was the first time it wasn't directed at him, and strangely, he felt a bit pleased.
Under Tsunade's authority, Nawaki reluctantly agreed.
If he didn't, her fist would have decided for him.
With Tsunade and Nawaki settled, Jiraiya turned to Seisui.
"Shukaku needs to be escorted back."
"Your eyes also need rest."
"You, Minato, and Haru will take Shukaku back to Konoha."
"I've already informed the old man about this."
"Grandpa Hiruzen must be thrilled, right?" Seisui smiled at Jiraiya's words.
Jiraiya smiled back, understanding clearly.
The Suna Village had been devastated. Although Chiyo and others had been deliberately spared, Suna's losses were severe—most of their manpower was eliminated.