Over the next few days, everyone was waiting for news from the other side.
Iwagakure was waiting for news from Hidden Sand Village.
Hidden Sand Village was waiting for news from Konoha.
And Konoha was monitoring the situations in Iwagakure and Hidden Sand Village.
Konoha Garrison in the Land of Hot Springs.
Jiraiya had been promoted; actually, it wasn't exactly a promotion.
As the deputy chief commander, Jiraiya was now temporarily taking Orochimaru's place, overseeing and coordinating during Orochimaru's absence.
Orochimaru had gone to execute a secret mission.
Orochimaru had received intelligence that Yugito Nii, the commander of the Kumogakure Ninja in the Land of Hot Springs and also the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, had lost control and injured many Kumogakure Ninja.
Although Yugito Nii's rampage had been suppressed, her mental state was very poor, preventing her from continuing to command operations, so she had been escorted back to Hidden Cloud Village by a team of Kumogakure Ninja led by A.
Upon learning this intelligence, Orochimaru initially wanted to immediately dispatch Ninja to attack the Kumogakure Garrison, but Orochimaru thought of a better method.
A method that would make Hidden Cloud Village too preoccupied to continue their standoff with them in the Land of Hot Springs.
Actually, Orochimaru quite disliked war because it consumed a large amount of his time, preventing him from conducting his research.
Orochimaru wanted to infiltrate Hidden Cloud Village, quietly unseal Yugito Nii, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and release the Eight-Tails.
This way, Hidden Cloud Village would suffer heavy losses, and they could enjoy a period of respite.
And Orochimaru could use this interim period to properly do what he wanted to do.
During this time when he couldn't conduct research, Orochimaru had many ingenious ideas in his mind, but this damn war prevented him from putting his ideas into practice.
So, for the sake of this interim period, Orochimaru decided to personally take action, infiltrate Hidden Cloud Village, unseal the Jinchuriki, and release the Eight-Tails.
No one knew about this, including Jiraiya and Tsunade.
Jiraiya and Tsunade only knew that Orochimaru was leaving for a few days to carry out a secret mission; they didn't know what Orochimaru was going to do.
Because if Jiraiya and Tsunade knew, they would absolutely not let him go, as this matter was too dangerous.
If Orochimaru were discovered, then war would directly break out.
Therefore, for such a major matter, according to protocol, it needed to be reported to Hiruzen Sarutobi and other Konoha higher-ups first, and only after they approved could Orochimaru act.
But by the time that whole process was completed, it would be too late.
Orochimaru was not someone who followed rules, so he just went for it, directly leaving the Garrison and heading towards Hidden Cloud Village.
...
And these past few days, Kamishiro, who could finally read properly, was also filled with inspiration.
With the basic scientific data Jiraiya had given him, as he studied, ideas continuously popped into his head.
Kamishiro used the leftover materials from Jiraiya's puppet making to test the inspirations in his mind, and it could be said that every day was very fulfilling.
Time flew by in a 'whoosh'.
Seven whole days passed.
The Konoha Garrison in the Land of Hot Springs was peaceful.
Because Hidden Cloud Village had not yet sent a new commander, and Orochimaru had instructed Jiraiya to simply maintain the status quo, there had been no battles these past few days.
Everyone ate, drank, and slept as usual.
Meanwhile, in Konoha, Hiruzen Sarutobi, upon learning that a Ninja representative from Hidden Sand Village, the Third Kazekage, had come to deliver a letter, immediately dispatched a Ninja to escort this Sunagakure Ninja to the Hokage Building.
"Hokage-sama, this letter is one that our Kazekage-sama of Hidden Sand Village specifically instructed me to deliver to you personally."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took the letter from the Sunagakure Ninja's hand: "Thank you for your hard work, Kuto. Quickly take our Konoha friend to get some good rest."
"Yes, please follow me."
The Ninja, whom Hiruzen Sarutobi called 'Kuto', led five Sunagakure Ninja away to rest.
Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to his office, opened the letter, and began to read it.
Upon seeing the contents of the letter, Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled: "It seems Jiraiya and Minato succeeded. However, this batch of supplies must be given to Hidden Sand Village. It's equivalent to exchanging these supplies for Kamishiro, and ensuring Hidden Sand Village won't cooperate with Iwagakure.
Furthermore, they immediately sent five Sunagakure Ninja to Konoha, meaning the supplies need to be taken back to Hidden Sand Village immediately. They're really eager."
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately wrote a letter.
The letter's content was that Konoha was willing to compensate Hidden Sand Village, giving Hidden Sand Village a batch of supplies, to thank Hidden Sand Village, as an ally, for not betraying the alliance and continuing to cooperate with Konoha.
After writing the letter, Hiruzen Sarutobi arranged for several Ninja to transport the military supplies intended for Hidden Sand Village.
After receiving the supplies and the letter, the Sunagakure Ninja did not linger in Konoha and quickly left Konoha to rush back to Hidden Sand Village.
One family rejoiced, while another grieved.
Konoha was happy, and naturally, Iwagakure was not.
The Iwagakure Ninja Ōnoki had sent to Hidden Sand Village to deliver supplies had also returned.
Upon learning that Hidden Sand Village had accepted the military supplies he had given, but only said, 'Thank you, Tsuchikage, for your generous gift,' Ōnoki understood that Hidden Sand Village was unwilling to cooperate with them and had also swindled their supplies.
Furious, Ōnoki cursed: "What benefit did Konoha give them that they're unwilling to attack Konoha with me? If they just cooperated with our Iwagakure and attacked Konoha together, plus Hidden Cloud Village, Konoha would be isolated and could gain many benefits, and their dirt-poor Hidden Sand Village could have an easier time! Kuto, that shortsighted bastard! I'm so angry!"
Kitsuchi, Ōnoki's son, seeing Ōnoki so angry, advised him: "Hiruzen Sarutobi, just calm down. Your back seems to have been bothering you lately, don't strain it. The doctor said that since you're old, once you strain it, it might happen frequently in the future."
"Shut up! Ow!"
With a 'crack', Ōnoki clutched his back and cried out.
Kitsuchi quickly massaged Ōnoki's back, saying helplessly: "I told you, calm down, but you wouldn't listen! Now look, you'll be straining your back often from now on."
...
A few more days passed.
Inside Hidden Sand Village.
The Third Kazekage looked at the boxes of supplies brought from Konoha and was very satisfied.
With these supplies, plus the 'free' supplies from Iwagakure, the Ninja of Hidden Sand Village would be able to get some good equipment.
To do a good job, one must first sharpen one's tools.
For Ninja to perform at their expected level, their weapons and other tools must not be a hindrance; they must be in good order.
And while the Third Kazekage was happy, in the basement of Sasori's house.
Sasori's Hiruko was in the final stages of completion and would soon be finished.
The entire Hiruko was already taking shape, looking very menacing.
Sasori muttered to himself: "Soon... soon, Kuto, you will pay the price for your past mistakes."