Inside the Iwagakure conference room.
The atmosphere was so oppressive it felt suffocating.
Ōnoki's decision plunged all the high-ranking officials into silence.
To mobilize the entire Village's strength to rescue the Western Corps?
This gamble was far too great.
"Tsuchikage-sama."
An elderly elder stood up, his tone heavy. "Forgive my boldness, but rescuing the Western Corps isn't impossible…"
He chose his words carefully.
"But... is it not too risky to send out everyone?"
"The Land of Fire and the Land of Wind have joined forces. There's something strange about this. What if... what if it's a trap, just waiting for us to step into it…"
"If that happens, the Village will be left unguarded, and Iwagakure will truly be finished!"
His words voiced the concerns of everyone present.
Ōnoki looked up at the elder.
"Why do you think the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind have joined forces?"
The elder was startled. "Naturally, it's to... defeat our Land of Earth and divide the interests of the Land of Lightning."
"Correct." Ōnoki nodded. "Then what do you think will happen if we don't rescue the Western Corps and allow them to be annihilated?"
The elder fell silent.
"I'll tell you." Ōnoki stood up and walked to the map.
He pointed at the Land of Earth on the map.
"Once the Western Corps is annihilated, the western border will be wide open."
"The allied forces of the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind can march straight in and take Iwagakure directly."
"Will we be able to defend it then?"
The elder opened his mouth but couldn't speak.
Every word struck like a knife, piercing the hearts of everyone present.
The conference room was silent.
Ōnoki turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room.
"Therefore, the Western Corps must be saved."
"And I must go save them myself."
"What?"
At his declaration, everyone became agitated.
"Tsuchikage-sama is going to war personally?"
"This... how can this be?"
"Tsuchikage-sama is the pillar of Iwagakure. What if something happens to him…"
Ōnoki raised his hand, signaling them to be quiet.
"Precisely because I am the Tsuchikage, I must go personally."
"Only if I personally lead the expedition can the people of the Western Corps know that Iwagakure has not abandoned them."
"And only if I go personally can I show those scoundrels from Konoha and Suna the will of Iwagakure!"
He spoke calmly, but his words sent a shock through everyone's hearts.
A young Jōnin stood up, shouting with excitement, "Tsuchikage-sama, your subordinate is willing to follow you into battle!"
"I'm willing too!"
"Me too!"
One after another, more and more people stood up.
Although they had doubts about the decision, Ōnoki's words ignited the fire in their hearts.
Iwagakure has never been a Village that abandons its comrades.
Ōnoki looked at these young and old faces, a warm current stirring in his chest.
"Very well."
He turned and said to a Jōnin, "Go. Immediately take stock of all combat-capable personnel in the Village."
"All Chūnin and above, assemble."
"Among the Genin, those with sufficient ability may volunteer to participate."
"Yes!"
The Jōnin accepted the order and quickly ran out.
"Furthermore," Ōnoki continued, "Leave fifty elite ninja to guard the Village, responsible for defense and intelligence."
"Everyone else, follow me to war."
"Yes!"
The atmosphere in the conference room shifted from oppressive to solemn.
Everyone knew this battle would likely be brutal.
But no one flinched.
Because they were Iwagakure ninja.
Because their Tsuchikage would lead them himself.
Meanwhile.
In a cave on the outskirts of the Village.
Several figures gathered.
They wore tattered clothing and looked like wandering shinobi.
But the light in their eyes was terrifyingly sharp.
"Is the information confirmed?" asked the one-eyed man in the lead.
"Confirmed."
A small ninja replied, "Ōnoki is personally going to war, taking almost all of the Village's combat power."
"Only fewer than fifty remain to guard the Village."
A sinister smile appeared on the one-eyed man's face.
"Very good."
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
"Fifty people?"
He sneered, "Even five hundred wouldn't stop us."
"That man's intel was indeed accurate."
Another burly ninja said, "Once Ōnoki leaves, we'll make our move."
"However…"
The small ninja hesitated. "There's still a Jinchūriki in Iwagakure."
"A Jinchūriki?" The one-eyed man scoffed, "So what?"
"We're not trying to occupy Iwagakure."
"We just need to sneak in, grab a few things, and get out."
"Even a Jinchūriki won't be able to catch us."
He spoke casually.
But the others still looked uneasy.
After all, they were targeting Iwagakure, one of the Five Great Nations.
"Don't worry."
The one-eyed man seemed to sense their concern. "Since he dared to assign us this task, he must have prepared a backup plan."
As he spoke, he patted a scroll on his waist, the greed in his smile growing.
"The reward this time is very generous."
"Enough for us to live in luxury for the rest of our lives."
Hearing about the reward, everyone's eyes lit up.
"So, when do we act?"
"No rush," the one-eyed man said. "Once Ōnoki departs, we'll wait another day."
"We'll make sure the Village is truly empty before we strike."
"And by then…"
He licked his lips. "Iwagakure's treasury will be ours."
The group chuckled.
Their laughter echoed in the cave, sounding particularly eerie.
Inside Iwagakure.
Ōnoki stood at the top of the Tsuchikage Building, overlooking the entire Village.
The Village was quiet.
Too quiet.
The silence made him uneasy.
"Tsuchikage-sama."
A Jōnin appeared behind him. "The troops are assembled."
"A total of eight hundred and thirty ninja, ready to depart at any time."
Ōnoki nodded.
Eight hundred and thirty people.
This was Iwagakure's last mobile force.
If anything happened to them... Ōnoki didn't dare think further.
"Are the remaining personnel arranged?"
"They are," the Jōnin replied respectfully. "The fifty left behind are all experienced ninja."
The Jōnin paused, then added, "Additionally, the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, Roshi-sama, will remain in the Village."
"With him overseeing the Village, even if there's an attack, they can hold out until we return."
Seeing that everything was arranged, Ōnoki finally breathed a sigh of relief.
With Roshi there, the Village shouldn't face any major problems.
"Depart."
Ōnoki gave the order.
Over eight hundred Iwagakure ninja quickly formed ranks.
Their faces were filled with unwavering determination.
This battle.
Either they die, or the enemy perishes.
There was no third option.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)