"Understood our mission?" A Konoha-nin wearing a forehead protector looked at the others and said, "Remember, our mission is extremely important. If we fail, Konoha might be doomed."
"Captain, is this really appropriate?" Another Konoha-nin frowned and said, "No matter what, Uzushiogakure is here to help us."
"Silence. A shinobi only needs to follow orders," the captain said sternly. "Moreover, this is a direct command from Orochimaru-sama. No matter what, we must complete it."
"Yes!" Hearing the captain's words, all the shinobi responded seriously.
"Remember, just cause some disturbance at the Suna border and kill a few people. That's enough."
"Finally, don't linger. Retreat immediately!"
"Only by dragging Uzushiogakure into the war will Konoha have a chance to win!"
...
"Sigh, what do you think of Orochimaru's plan?" Sarutobi Hiruzen took a puff of his pipe and said helplessly, "Orochimaru said this is the most likely way for Konoha to hold the front line."
"But won't this be unfair to Uzushiogakure?" Utatane Koharu frowned and said, "After all, they helped Konoha fend off Sunagakure and Amegakure."
Although Uzushiogakure was just sitting at the frontlines drinking tea and no actual fighting broke out, the fact remained that Suna hadn't launched an attack on Konoha—all because Uzushiogakure diverted Suna and Ame's attention.
"And if this goes wrong, Konoha will be in even greater danger," Utatane Koharu looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and said seriously, "If Suna and Iwagakure join forces, Orochimaru's forces won't be enough to hold off two major villages."
"Orochimaru has already considered that," Sarutobi Hiruzen showed a faint smile and said, "He suggested shifting the battlefield downward."
"To here!"
He pointed at a location on the map. "This way, the pressure on the frontlines will ease significantly."
"This is...!" Utatane Koharu's pupils shrank, "Uzushiogakure's defensive line!" She looked up sharply and said, "Orochimaru plans to..."
"Yes!" Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, took a puff of his pipe, and said, "Stage a massive battle here!"
Then, he sighed...
"This is all for Konoha, for peace!"
...
"Pfft—!" Uzumaki Jun spat out the water he had just sipped. He wiped his mouth and looked apologetically at Komaki, whose face was now wet. "Sorry!"
However, Komaki wiped his face calmly, seemingly unfazed, and said seriously, "Unknown assailants attacked Suna's border, causing chaos there now."
"How many were there?" Uzumaki Jun put down his cup and frowned. "Did we identify which village they're from?"
Who would cause trouble at a time like this?
Don't they know Uzushiogakure still has two months before withdrawing?
"Not yet," Komaki shook his head. "They just threw explosive tags and kunai before running away."
"??"
This method sounded familiar.
Uzumaki Jun suddenly slammed the table, narrowed his eyes, and said coldly, "Someone is trying to frame Uzushiogakure!"
"Recall all Uzushiogakure troops immediately. We're going back!"
After all, not many refugees have been recruited these past few days. Time to retreat.
"As for Konoha..."
"Publicly announce that Uzushiogakure, having defended Konoha against Suna and Ame, has suffered heavy losses and can no longer continue. Therefore..."
"We can only apologize to our longtime ally."
Uzumaki Jun said regretfully, "Uzushiogakure has done its best!"
"Yes!" Komaki immediately responded. "I'll arrange it right away."
"But what about Kai?"
"Withdraw him too. Given the situation, Ame won't be safe either," Uzumaki Jun waved his hand. "I'll send those two girls back first and inform Kai."
"Three major villages plus the God of Shinobi..."
"I hope Konoha can hold out. Otherwise, they'll just have to spend more money buying weapons from Akatsuki." Uzumaki Jun sighed. "Konoha hasn't even finished paying for the airships yet. I should tell Kakuzu to hurry up."
Otherwise...
What if Konoha runs out of money?
...
"Mission complete?" Orochimaru looked at the returning Konoha-nin and asked, "No issues, I hope?"
"Mission accomplished," the Konoha-nin said. "But all the explosive tags in the camp were..."
"Don't worry. I've already requested more from the village. They should arrive in a few days," Orochimaru waved his hand and narrowed his eyes. "I hope Konoha's loyal ally, Uzushiogakure—the land of righteousness—can stay safe!"
"Strengthen surveillance on Uzushiogakure's battlefield and monitor Iwagakure's movements closely!"
"This time..."
"Only by shifting the battlefield elsewhere can Konoha win!"
Orochimaru gazed deeply in Uzushiogakure's direction and murmured, "The youngest Kage?"
"How will you handle this?"
Or rather...
Does Uzushiogakure truly have the strength to survive in this chaotic world?
And...
"That idiot Jiraiya, is he coming or not?!"
...
"Achoo! Achoo!" A white-haired man in armor sneezed twice, rubbed his nose, and muttered, "Who's thinking about me, the Great Toad Sage?"
"Could it be Tsunade?" Jiraiya's eyes suddenly lit up. "I've sneezed so many times these past few days. Must be all the beautiful ladies missing me."
"Seems I, the Great Toad Sage, am still quite popular. Wahahaha!"
"Jiraiya, is this the right way?" The red toad beneath him puffed on his pipe and asked, "You humans are so troublesome. Why start another war so soon?"
"The old man sent me to the battlefield in the Land of Rain," Jiraiya sighed. "As for war..."
"Who knows?"
"By the way, what did the Great Toad Sage say to you?" Gamabunta asked while running. "Why did he wake up again suddenly?"
"Another prophecy?"
"Not sure," Jiraiya scratched his head, puzzled. "The Great Toad Sage told me to be careful of a red-haired person. No idea what that means."
"But..."
"He also told me to bring him to Mount Myōboku. How strange—warn me about him yet ask me to bring him there."
"What is the Great Toad Sage planning?"
"Maybe the Great Sage had another dream?" Gamabunta took a drag and said, "But lately, he seems to be dreaming a lot. According to the old man, he keeps waking up from nightmares."
"Hah!" Jiraiya laughed. "How could he have nightmares? He's a sage!"
"Who knows?" Gamabunta sighed. "Just focus on fulfilling the Great Toad Sage's prophecy first."
"The Child of Prophecy?" Jiraiya gazed into the distance and murmured, "I hope he can truly bring hope to this world."
Then...
"Haha, I wonder if Orochimaru and Tsunade will be surprised to see how strong I've become?"
"Do you think if I ride a toad descending from the heavens to save Tsunade, she'll..."