Uchiha Ryun helped the three up, then pondered, "Our current forces number around 1,600. At the North Gate, Ōnoki leads 1,000 troops, while at the South Gate, Chiyo commands 500."
"With our current strength, we cannot handle this situation. Ōnoki and Chiyo are genuine Kage-level fighters. Engaging either would be unfavorable for us."
"Lady Tsunade, Lord Orochimaru, and Lord Jiraiya can combine their strength to handle one Kage-level opponent. But the remaining two Kage-level fighters are no fools. If they see us locked in battle, they will surely attack."
Uchiha Ryun analyzed the current situation, and the three nodded in agreement. Tsunade and the others were close to Kage-level but were still classified as elite jōnin. The middle-aged Chiyo and the young Ōnoki—facing them, the Sannin might lose. He was being polite by saying the three could handle one Kage-level opponent, meaning they could stall, not win.
"Therefore, the key to this battle lies at the South Gate." Uchiha Ryun's eyes lit up, and the three nodded.
"So, you mean to attack the South Gate?" Jiraiya couldn't help but ask. He was itching to settle the score with that old hag Chiyo. They had almost taken Amegakure, but her sneak attack ruined everything, giving Amegakure hope again!
Orochimaru laughed. His friend had lost fairly. Tsunade remained silent, pretending to be deep in thought so she wouldn't seem foolish.
Uchiha Ryun shook his head. "If you were Hanzo the Salamander, would you attack Chiyo's 500 troops, Ōnoki's 1,000, or our 1,600?"
"Of course, Chiyo!" Jiraiya answered without hesitation. That was common sense.
"It's not just about strength. Right now, we and the Iwa-nin are at a standoff, neither daring to act rashly. So, Hanzo will attack the South Gate." Uchiha Ryun explained.
"But what about the Iwa-nin? If we clash with them, we'll suffer heavy losses!" Tsunade asked. Orochimaru also watched Uchiha Ryun, waiting for his solution.
Uchiha Ryun stretched and smiled. "Use a tiger to drive away a wolf."
"Use a tiger to drive away a wolf?" Tsunade was puzzled, while Orochimaru's eyes gleamed as if he understood. He said, "Ryun, are you referring to Kumogakure?"
Uchiha Ryun nodded. "Exactly, Kumogakure. The Tsuchikage is now in the Land of Rain, meaning Iwagakure has no strong leader."
"Given the Third Raikage A's personality, if he learns this news, he won't sit idle!" Uchiha Ryun grinned.
Kumogakure and Iwagakure seemed destined to clash. Every major war saw them at each other's throats. Once they learned Iwagakure had no Kage, the Kumo-nin's bandit-like nature would drive them to attack. Then...
Orochimaru also smiled. "What a brilliant plan to use a tiger to drive away a wolf. Commander, your strategies are unparalleled. I admire you." He decided to build closer ties with Uchiha Ryun after this battle.
Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged glances, as if saying, "Are we the only ones who didn't get it?"
However, Tsunade soon turned her gaze back to Uchiha Ryun. This man seemed especially charismatic when strategizing.
Uchiha Ryun didn't notice. Instead, he looked at Jiraiya. "Lord Jiraiya, your intelligence network must be strong, right?"
In the original story, Jiraiya was Konoha's primary source of external intelligence, always informed of major events.
Jiraiya nodded. "I do have many contacts gathering material. If you mean an intelligence network, that's not wrong."
To him, these were friends helping him collect material, not spies.
Uchiha Ryun smiled. "If you mobilized your people, how long would it take to send a message to Kumogakure?"
"At most half a day!" Jiraiya thumped his chest confidently.
"Good. Lord Jiraiya, please send the message immediately. Just write: 'Tsuchikage Ōnoki spotted in the Land of Rain.' Nothing else." Uchiha Ryun grinned.
"Understood!" Jiraiya immediately went to arrange it.
Uchiha Ryun smiled. If this succeeded, Amegakure would be his.
Orochimaru also smiled. "Congratulations, Commander, on taking Amegakure!"
"Congratulations to Lady Tsunade. This was all her idea. I'm just an advisor." Uchiha Ryun shook his head.
Orochimaru paused, then remembered his name and sighed. The old folks in Konoha were still too wary of the Uchiha.
Tsunade frowned but understood the reason. The pre-battle meeting ended in silence, and they each went their separate ways.
The next day, in Kumogakure.
A held a kunai, his eyes gleaming. He laughed heartily, summoned his advisors, and decided, "Mobilize 3,000 troops. We march on Iwagakure!"
Land of Rain Battlefield
At the South Gate, Chiyo and Hanzo were already fighting. Chiyo's Puppet Technique, the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu, displayed seamless offense and defense.
Hanzo roared, slamming his palm on the ground to summon his salamander, which swallowed 30 to 40 Suna-nin before charging at Chiyo. Then, he released purple poison gas across the battlefield!
Chiyo shouted, "Everyone, take the antidote now!" As a poison master, her antidotes could temporarily neutralize Hanzo's toxins.
Hanzo drew two swords and charged. The Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu rushed to block him, and the two fought fiercely.
Meanwhile, the East and North Gates remained still, both sides watching each other. Then, Konoha scouts reported someone rushing from the direction of Iwagakure toward Ōnoki's camp.
Uchiha Ryun was informed. He smirked and said, "Keep scouting!"
He thought, "Kumogakure moves fast. A is a straightforward man!"
North Gate, Ōnoki's Camp
Ōnoki trembled with rage, cursing, "Those brutes, those thugs, ruining my plans! Damn them!"
His guard, Akatsuchi, stepped forward. "Sir, what should we do now?"
Ōnoki's face darkened. "What should we do? We retreat immediately! The Third Raikage is said to rival tailed beasts. With no jinchūriki deployed yet, he's practically invincible."
"If I don't return, Iwagakure will suffer heavy losses. Damn it, how did the news spread so fast? Was it Konoha or Amegakure..." Ōnoki shook his head. Now wasn't the time for speculation.
"Order the rear guard to become the vanguard. Full speed back to the village!" Ōnoki commanded, then used the Light-Weight Rock Technique to stand on a boulder and rush home at top speed.
He glanced back at Amegakure longingly and sighed.
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