"Report!"
Lord Jiraiya put down the documents in his hand and looked up at the entrance of the Konoha Camp. Ren also looked over at the sound.
"Come in."
The tent flap was pulled open, and an Anbu member entered, walking to the desk and kneeling.
"Lord Jiraiya, according to intelligence, Iwagakure dispatched multiple small squads in the early hours of the morning to attack the border defence forces. They retreated after causing a disturbance. Investigations show that most of these Ninjass are members of Iwagakure's demolition squad. Most of the Konoha Camp buildings were destroyed by Ninjutsu, but fortunately, casualties were not severe."
After listening to the Anbu's report, Lord Jiraiya's expression remained unchanged, only his gaze fixed on the Anbu.
"Go notify Jonin Minato and Aburame Clan Leader to come here."
"Understood!"
The Anbu used Instantaneous Body Technique to leave the tent, leaving only Lord Jiraiya and Ren in silence.
"What do you think?"
Lord Jiraiya turned to look at Ren, asking in a deep voice.
"A blatant act of provocation. It seems these Iwagakure bastards are quite arrogant…"
Ren put down his pen, a hint of coldness in his eyes.
What was the significance of Iwagakure's attack this time? What was the benefit? Sending out an elite demolition squad just to destroy some buildings was overkill. So, they were just provoking Konoha.
"Indeed. It seems they've become a bit overconfident. It's very necessary to send them a return gift."
As soon as Lord Jiraiya finished speaking, Minato Namikaze and Shibi Aburame walked in one after another. After entering, they stood in front of the desk, their gazes on Lord Jiraiya, awaiting his instructions.
"Iwagakure's demolition squad attacked the border defence forces in the early hours of the morning, destroying a large number of buildings and causing a small number of casualties. Tell me, what are your thoughts?"
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Lord Jiraiya didn't beat around the bush. After stating the matter directly, he stood there quietly, observing them.
"Provocation, huh…"
Minato began to lower his head, his mind racing. With his insight, he naturally saw that Iwagakure's objective this time was provocation. A demolition squad… that's a bit tricky…
He got it!
Minato's eyes lit up, and he looked up at Lord Jiraiya, speaking softly.
"Lord Jiraiya, I think we can temporarily form a night raid team, composed of combat and sensory personnel. We can infiltrate the Iwagakure Camp tonight and give Iwagakure a return gift."
"Hahahaha, well said, Minato, just as I thought. Then you and Shibi go. Too many people wouldn't be…"
"Wait, Lord Jiraiya."
Just as Lord Jiraiya was about to finalise the matter, Ren suddenly spoke, and everyone in the tent immediately focused their attention on Ren.
"What is it, Ren?"
Lord Jiraiya asked, a bit puzzled, and Minato Namikaze also cast a questioning gaze.
"Um… Lord Jiraiya, can I be included in this night raid team? I think I can also contribute."
"Oh? You want to go too?"
Lord Jiraiya was a bit surprised and was about to refuse, but then he reconsidered. Ren seemed to perfectly fit the criteria for night raid personnel. Not only was his combat ability strong, but his sensory ability was also not inferior to the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan, and he had received Tsunade's true teachings in Medical Ninjutsu. If anything, Ren seemed even more suitable than the other two to carry out this mission.
"Alright, I agree, but you must follow orders. If anything were to happen to you, your teacher would surely storm Iwagakure."
At this point, Lord Jiraiya's tone paused, and he turned to look at Minato Namikaze and Shibi Aburame.
"Minato, Shibi, both of you keep a close eye on this kid. Don't let him mess around. Understand?"
"Yes, Lord Jiraiya."
"Understood."
After Minato responded first, Shibi Aburame, who had been silent, also spoke in a muffled voice.
Shibi Aburame, who had been silent since entering, had merely stood there listening quietly. His sunglasses and hood covered most of his features, so no one knew what he was thinking.
On the other side, Iwagakure.
Tsuchikage Building.
At this moment, inside the conference room, everyone was engaged in a heated discussion. Those seated here were basically Iwagakure's high-ranking officials, either captains of special units or heads of departments. And seated at the head of the table was an old man with a somewhat comical appearance, a large nose in the middle of his face, and an estimated height of only about 1.3 meters.
At this time, he sat calmly at the main seat, watching the fiercely debating high-ranking officials on both sides, with no ripples in his eyes.
"Alright, everyone quiet down."
After the old man spoke, the arguing crowd immediately fell silent. The entire meeting hall instantly became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. Everyone's gaze was fixed on the main seat, their eyes filled with respect and awe.
Not for any other reason, but because he was the Third Tsuchikage. He held the title of "Ōnoki of Both Scales." With his powerful Earth Release Ninjutsu and his ability to use Dust Release, a Bloodline Limit that surpasses other Bloodline Limits, he was a battle-hardened Ninja and one of the few Ninja in the current Ninja World who had experienced the Sengoku period.
"There's Kitsuchi on the Sand village Battlefield, so we don't need to pay too much attention there. Continue to send more troops to the Konoha battlefield. Hunter, how was the demolition squad's operation last night?"
Ōnoki turned to a burly man wearing an Iwagakure forehead protector and asked softly.
"Reporting, Lord Tsuchikage, information from Hunter indicates the night raid was successful, destroying a large number of Konoha's buildings. Most of the demolition squad members sustained minor injuries, and one was seriously injured, but there's no danger to his life. He'll recover after some rest."
"Very good."
Ōnoki nodded with satisfaction. After all, the demolition squad was Iwagakure's most elite unit. Every member was carefully selected from numerous Iwagakure Ninja, and losing any of them would pain Iwagakure.
"Konoha Village is too arrogant, sending just one of the Sannin to contend with Iwagakure. When we break through the Land of Fire's defences and reach Konoha Village, I wonder if Hiruzen Sarutobi will commit suicide to atone."
Ōnoki revealed a cold sneer.
While it's true that your Konoha is the strongest in the Ninja World, a fierce tiger cannot withstand a pack of wolves. With four major battlefields—southeast, northwest—no matter how many strong Ninja Konoha has, it will eventually be worn down by the continuous attrition and encirclement from other Villages. Even Konoha will cease to exist.
"Also, Hidden Cloud Village is almost unable to hold back. There will definitely be a battle between our two Villages then. Hunter, you go guard that side. Take Akatsuchi as your subordinate. Oh, and take that kid Han with you, so he doesn't keep everyone in the Village in turmoil every day."
"Yes."
As Hunter agreed, a wry smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. He was confident in Akatsuchi, but Han was a complete problem child. Because he couldn't control the Gobi's power, he caused chaos in the Village every day, bumping into things. The civilians in the Village just hoped Han would become a 'demolition expert' so they could live without worries.
Oh well, take him to the battlefield and let him wreak havoc on those Kumogakure bastards.