After everyone had been introduced, Maeda Gaku beckoned to one of his civilian advisors and whispered a few words.
The advisor understood immediately and went into the back room.
Maeda Gaku then instructed several servants to bring out a long table. He cleared all non-essential personnel from the council hall and enforced a full security lockdown.
A moment later, the advisor returned from the back, carrying a long, dark black scroll, about the size of an adult's arm. He carefully presented it to Maeda Gaku.
Maeda Gaku took the scroll with his pale, thick hands and unfurled it onto the table.
Orochimaru and the others looked closely. It was a topographical and faction distribution map of the Land of Rivers.
The map clearly delineated the various intersecting forces, their defined territories, and the geography. This immediately caught the attention of Orochimaru and the rest. Having such a clear and detailed map would be a great aid in their operation.
Maeda Gaku, puffing out his round, plump belly, said solemnly, "This is the current map of the Land of Rivers' topography and the distribution of the major factions!"
Sarutobi nodded in satisfaction, carefully observing and analyzing the map.
Orochimaru's dark-golden snake eyes were also fixed on the map.
The entire Land of Rivers was divided into a South and a North. The North, also called the Land of Rain, had seceded years ago after the legendary ninja Hanzō the Salamander established the new ninja village, Amegakure (Village Hidden in the Rain).
The South was split into three regions, resembling a three-way war, each controlled by a different faction.
After everyone had a general overview of the map, Maeda Gaku began asking Sarutobi about his strategy: "Lord Sarutobi, the two factions in the west and the north seem to have joined forces recently. They've gathered their ninja into these three strongholds, and it looks like they are preparing a major offensive!"
Maeda Gaku pointed to three red dots, the size of soybeans, on the map, not far from his own territory. He then continued with a distressed look, "If you hadn't arrived in time, I, Maeda Gaku, would have been devoured whole, skin and bones!"
Sarutobi smiled faintly. His firm, resolute face and eyes remained fixed on the map laid out on the table, continuously flashing with shrewd insight. A subtle, unconscious pressure emanated from his body, and everyone felt a slight heaviness on their shoulders.
Seeing Sarutobi's look of complete confidence, Maeda Gaku's smile widened. His plump face, like a blossoming flower, was incredibly fawning: "Lord Sarutobi, how do you feel we should proceed? My subordinates will fully cooperate with your plan!"
After a moment of contemplation, Sarutobi pointed to the three red dots and said, "I will lead the team to take down these three strongholds in one fell swoop tomorrow!"
Sarutobi's strategy wasn't a complex maneuver; it was simple, direct, and effective. As long as they eliminated these three strongholds where the two enemy factions had gathered their largest forces, any elaborate scheme the enemy had would become useless.
Sensing the message contained in Sarutobi's words, the group felt a palpable, awe-inspiring dominance wash over them.
Sarutobi looked up, sweeping his gaze across the group, a look of confident pride on his face. He had the foundation and the strength to back up his words!
Clap, clap, clap—
Maeda Gaku clapped repeatedly, fully agreeing with the plan.
The rest of the evening was a pleasant affair between the host and his guests.
As the sun set, Maeda Gaku settled Orochimaru and the others into the side rooms of the rear courtyard. All their meals and needs were handled discreetly by trusted aides. A gag order was placed on all servants within the residence, forbidding them from going out, to ensure the news of Sarutobi and the Konoha ninja's arrival remained contained, aiming to catch the enemy completely off guard during the raid the next day.
Night fell. Orochimaru and Sarutobi were staying in the same side room.
Sarutobi arranged for several Chūnin to guard the area overnight before coming in, a hint of fatigue showing on his face.
Orochimaru woke from his chakra-meditation practice.
Seeing Orochimaru, Sarutobi smiled reassuringly. He sat down next to Orochimaru, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Orochimaru, what do you think of this fat man, Maeda Gaku?"
Orochimaru knew Sarutobi was testing him. He organized his thoughts and replied, "The fat man looks harmless and overly enthusiastic, but his heart is as cunning as a fox!"
Sarutobi nodded in agreement. He then began to recount the background of the various factions in the Land of Rivers.
Orochimaru listened quietly, his dark-golden eyes constantly flashing with sharp intelligence.
From Sarutobi's narrative, he learned that the three major factions in the southern Land of Rivers had all started as rogue ninja groups that gradually gained control of local governments. They then began consolidating other forces, eventually forming this three-way power struggle.
In the beginning, they were all outwardly cordial, even signing a peace treaty to govern their respective territories and not interfere with one another.
However, like most political stories, the peace agreement was merely a façade.
Everyone understood that in this three-way standoff, each faction needed time to consolidate its increased strength and either suppress or win over the populace within its territory.
Thus, the three factions played along, acting cordial in public, even exchanging gifts and greetings during festivals. Behind the scenes, however, they intensified efforts to recruit rogue ninja and enhance their military strength. While exchanging holiday greetings, they were no doubt internally cursing each other's ancestors!
The situation began to change after the end of the First Great Ninja War, following the death of the Second Hokage, which left the Hokage position in Konoha temporarily vacant.
The Land of Wind in the west quietly extended its influence into the western faction.
The northern faction was secretly controlled by Hanzō the Salamander.
Maeda Gaku, located in the east, was not foolish. Due to his geographical location, he had long been secretly coordinating with the Land of Fire and Konoha.
During this period of tension and rapid change, the Land of Wind and Hanzō the Salamander seemed to have reached some unspoken agreement, simultaneously baring their fangs and beginning to "poke" at Maeda Gaku, or rather, the Land of Fire's influence.
At this point, Sarutobi paused. After giving Orochimaru time to contemplate and digest the information, he continued, "Do you know why I had to come in person this time?"
Orochimaru turned to look at Sarutobi, his eyes asking for an explanation.
Sarutobi stood up, looking out at the slightly hazy moonlight through the window. A look of distress gradually settled on his face: "Konoha is currently leaderless, surrounded by powerful enemies, and facing a dangerous, precarious time!
The slightest mistake could lead to national catastrophe and total ruin!"
Orochimaru was shocked by the gravity of Sarutobi's words. He instinctively asked, "How could that be?"
Most importantly, in Orochimaru's memory, the Land of Fire never faced a crisis capable of total collapse after the First Great Ninja War!
Sarutobi's brow furrowed even deeper. His eyes, as profound as the night itself, slowly began to reveal the reasons.
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