Seeing that Jiraiya stopped speaking, Orochimaru finally said, "You must understand, this is not something we can decide."
"More importantly, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Land of Fire."
"If we let it slip by…"
"The Land of Fire will forever remain just one of the Five Great Nations."
Jiraiya fell silent. He had to admit, Orochimaru made sense.
"Then…" He took a deep breath. "What exactly are we going to do?"
A smile finally appeared on Orochimaru's face. "That's the reason I called you here today."
"The Daimyo's plan is called 'Feigning a Passage to Attack Guo'."
He briefly explained the meaning of the tactic.
Feigning a Passage to Attack Guo.
Borrow a path to strike another.
Then turn around and devour the one who gave the path.
"You mean…" Fugaku said, "we're going to borrow Sunagakure's route?"
"Exactly." Orochimaru nodded, then led them to the map and pointed. "Come, look here."
The three leaned in closely to listen.
"The plan is divided into three steps," Orochimaru said. "Step one."
"I will lead the Western Corps back to the Land of Fire via the original route. Since it's the same route, we must pass through the Land of Wind."
"Won't Sunagakure grow suspicious?" Jiraiya asked.
Minato and Fugaku also turned toward Orochimaru with concerned expressions.
"That's why there's step two," Orochimaru continued. "During the retreat."
"I will actively invite Sunagakure to escort us back to the Land of Fire."
"Invite Sunagakure to escort us?" Jiraiya frowned. "Why?"
"Because…" Orochimaru chuckled.
"I will tell Rasa that the garrison at the Land of Lightning is too weak, and that we split off some troops to reinforce it."
"There are only eight hundred shinobi returning."
"And even though the Land of Earth has signed a ceasefire, it's hard to say whether any remnants will launch an ambush."
"So, we hope Sunagakure can provide an escort. As allies, I'm sure they won't refuse."
Fugaku suddenly understood. "Brilliant."
"This way, not only will they not be suspicious, but they might even think…"
"This is a sign of weakness."
"Exactly." Orochimaru nodded. "Rasa is still holding back a lot of anger."
"Seeing us show weakness will only make him more pleased."
Minato nodded. "And then? What's step three?"
"Step three."
At this point, a cold glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes. "Once Sunagakure's escort unit enters the Land of Wind with us…"
"You three will ambush from behind."
"Attacking from both inside and out, we'll wipe out Sunagakure's escort force."
"Then…" Orochimaru's finger tapped the map over Hidden Sand Village. "We'll march directly to Sunagakure."
"Take it in one blow and fully annex the Land of Wind."
Silence filled the tent.
Minato, Jiraiya, and Fugaku were all stunned by Orochimaru's plan.
"This…" Jiraiya murmured, "can this really work?"
"Whether it works or not," Orochimaru said, looking at Jiraiya, "depends on our execution."
"I think it's possible." Fugaku was full of confidence.
Minato wore a worried expression. "The plan is good, but if it fails, the Land of Fire will be condemned by all."
"I asked the Daimyo about that too," Orochimaru said.
"What did the Daimyo say?" Minato asked.
"The Daimyo said… nothing in this world is guaranteed. Success depends on effort."
The three fell silent again. But Fugaku was the first to snap out of it, speaking with excitement, "Let's do it. Let's take the Land of Wind with full force."
"…Alright, we'll fully cooperate." Minato and Jiraiya also nodded.
The group discussed for a while longer before Minato and the others left the tent.
Before leaving, Jiraiya asked one more question. "Orochimaru, if Sunagakure is willing to surrender, will we accept?"
"Of course." Orochimaru replied. "Our Daimyo is a benevolent man. Do you know what the first thing he asked me to do was?"
"What?" Jiraiya asked curiously.
"Research vaccines."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"There was a flood in the southern region of the Land of Fire," Orochimaru said with a helpless expression. "Natural disasters bring epidemics, so the Daimyo ordered me to develop vaccines."
"Now that you mention it, I remember something." Fugaku added, "When I was stationed in the Land of Lightning, the Daimyo emphasized over and over."
"That I must treat the people kindly, not take even a single needle or thread from them. We even used Ninjutsu to help them plow and irrigate."
Orochimaru nodded. "Exactly. Do you feel reassured now?"
"The Daimyo only wants to occupy the Land of Wind, not slaughter its people."
"If Sunagakure submits, we'll absolutely accept it."
"But if they resist to the end, then it's their own fault."
Jiraiya nodded. "I understand."
Watching their figures disappear, Orochimaru finally showed a bloodthirsty grin.
Surrender?
How could that be possible?
If I don't plow through the Land of Wind, break the stones and recast them, the Daimyo will hold me accountable.
Thinking that, a scroll appeared in Orochimaru's hand.
It was a secret letter from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Arashi, containing only four words.
Feigning a Passage to Attack Guo.
Each character reeked of blood.
"Rasa, oh Rasa…" Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Did you really think this was over?"
…The next morning.
Dawn had just broken.
Sunagakure's preparations for withdrawal were nearly complete.
Eager to return home, they immediately began to organize their departure.
Now that the war was over, they hurried back to the Land of Wind. Though the dry wind and scorching heat were unpleasant, it was still home.
At this moment, Orochimaru arrived. Upon meeting Rasa, he explained the situation directly.
Rasa hesitated but ultimately agreed.
After all, they were allies. The Konoha force of over a thousand had never caused trouble before.
Now that only eight hundred were returning, there shouldn't be any issue.
So after packing up, Sunagakure waited in place.
Once they heard the news, the Sunagakure shinobi burst into laughter.
In their eyes, Konoha had grown timid.
From a distance, at the Konoha camp.
"Orochimaru," Minato asked, "when do we plan to depart?"
"You all go first," Orochimaru said. "So they won't grow suspicious."
Jiraiya reminded him, "Be careful."
"Oh, you're such a worrier." Orochimaru sneered. "Do you really think those defeated stragglers can kill me? It won't be that easy."
"Still, don't be careless."
"I know. Hurry and go. Don't delay."
The three returned to their camps separately.
There, they began to prepare for the terrifying plan aimed at Sunagakure.
(To be continued.)