For the next half month, Sora, free from official duties and feeling lighthearted, fortunately entered a period of leisurely daily life.
The work of the Anbu Captain was temporarily handed over to Yuzuki to handle.
Of course, the very knowing-which-way-the-wind-blows Yuzuki did not consider this his chance to have a turn of luck.
While busily handling Anbu work, he also had to run over to Sora's place like a lackey to report the relatively important information he had compiled.
Despite Yuzuki's usual unserious appearance, after Sora was removed from the Captain Position, he was probably the most panicked person.
Compared to Meigetsu's pledge of allegiance, he had placed his head on Sora's moving war chariot very early on. For this, he had offended many people. If Sora's cart overturned, he would definitely die more miserably than many others.
This was also a very normal thing. The appearance of a Kage-level powerhouse was always accompanied by many followers.
Just like in the future, when Orochimaru's downfall in Konoha after his human experiments were exposed, his followers quickly suffered greatly, being controlled and interrogated by Konoha's Anbu. Many who were deeply involved were even executed directly.
This behavior was more like a political purge.
After all, even Konoha's Ninjas who advocated the Will of Fire inevitably had a few unspeakable bloody cases on their hands.
If even Konoha was like this, let alone the Ninjas of the Village of the Bloody Mist.
The work Sora originally did in the Anbu was taken over by his direct subordinate, Yuzuki. This was also a signal from the Third Mizukage: he would not carry out a purge against Sora himself and his followers because of this mission's failure.
It was a not very obvious signal, but it was still captured by many old and cunning foxes in the village.
"We must find a way to win over Yuki Sora. He might have already become one of the candidate for the Fourth Mizukage!"
The head of the Hozuki Clan was decisive: "I heard Meigetsu has an extremely good relationship with Yuki Sora. This might be an opportunity to draw the clan closer to Yuki Sora, even to become allies."
"Repelling Konoha's Sannin, suppressing the power of the Mangekyo and Wood Release... even in my youth, I didn't have such ability."
The aged Genji also sighed with emotion.
"Even if we can't win him over, we must maintain a friendly relationship."
So said the belligerent elder of the Kaguya Clan.
"Sora is the hope for our Yuki Clan to reach the peak. We must seize this opportunity to advance the clan's power further. Also, don't forget to give preferential treatment to Haruko and Haku. They are the closest to Sora. We cannot let them suffer any grievances."
This was the Yuki Clan's head issuing orders.
…
Of course.
Sora did not forget Rin, the young girl so crucial in the entire history of Naruto World.
However, his way of greeting was rather special. It wasn't torture or anything, but having Kurumi continuously inflict punishment on 'Kakashi' in front of Rin.
Tiger bench, chili water, three holes and six wounds punishment...
In short, the scenes were bloody and extremely cruel.
In the dungeon, the painful roars of Kakashi and Rin's uncontrollable wailing often rang out.
Regarding all this, Sora naturally remained stern and uncompromising. He was like a bystander, watching Rin fall step by step into the abyss he had prepared.
As for the executioner, Kurumi had long grown accustomed to this 'unkillable' Kakashi. No matter how badly tortured he was today, there would always be a Kakashi appearing at the dungeon door tomorrow, full of vigor, then switching to a deeply suffering expression to enter the dungeon and start acting.
Watching the increasingly broken Rin, Kurumi couldn't help but sigh that Sora's methods were really too deep.
Unconsciously, another three days passed.
Sora also obtained some intelligence about the war from Yuzuki.
The village's offensive posture wasn't going too well.
After losing the Three-Tails and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Kirigakure really didn't have many high-level combat powers left to field.
The only ones that could be considered capable of deciding the outcome of the battle were the Third Mizukage, who is still stationed in the village, and that usually not very obedient Six-Tails' Jinchuriki.
In short, the speed of the frontline advance was far below expectations. This was somewhat unacceptable for Kirigakure, which had originally planned to occupy a part of the Land of Fire's territory and then relocate the Ninja Village there.
Many areas on the front lines had already entered a state of entrenched, hard-fought battles. At this point, the forces of both sides had fallen into positional warfare. With numerous scouts scattered gathering intelligence, attempting flanking or surprise attacks now was basically no different from sending people to their deaths.
Of course, Konoha wasn't having an easy time either. Their supreme commander, Jiraiya, was suppressed by Sora and nearly killed, which made Konoha's forces somewhat hesitant to act for fear of harming something else, not daring to attack proactively.
One side couldn't break through, the other didn't dare to attack. Kirigakure and Konoha were deadlocked, both sinking into the quagmire.
Now, the higher-ups on both sides wanted to find a point to break the deadlock, but also didn't dare rashly initiate the final decisive battle.
After all, these were two great Ninja Villages. If they really fought it out, even if they won the war, there was still the danger of a mutually destructive outcome.
Break the deadlock!
Both the Third Mizukage and the Third Hokage were considering the overall situation while searching for that strand of opportunity to break the deadlock.
…
"Namikaze Minato?"
In the Mizukage's office, after hearing the Third Mizukage's words, Sora said with some surprise, "Namikaze Minato from the Iwagakure front actually appeared on our battlefield?"
"Yes."
The Third Mizukage put down the confidential document in his hand, his expression somewhat complex. "Probably your performance made Konoha feel the pressure. According to intelligence sent back by frontline scout ninjas, not only Namikaze Minato, but even the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki has appeared on the battlefield."
"It's just that because we also have the Six-Tails' Jinchuriki countering, both sides are still probing each other and haven't started the decisive battle. But even so, the Konoha's surprise attack force led by Namikaze Minato has still caused significant trouble for the village's supply lines."
At this point, the Third Mizukage suddenly sighed and said, "Konoha's Yellow Flash is very troublesome. Over these past days, he has already killed the Ninjas of 7 supply squads, causing great losses to the village."
"Yuki Sora..."
"The purpose of calling you here today, you can probably guess, right?"
Sora nodded. "Is it to have me kill Namikaze Minato?"
"Kill?"
The Third Mizukage shook his head. "No, I'm not insisting on that. After all, the Flying Thunder God Technique is indeed a very troublesome Ninjutsu. But no matter what, we must teach Konoha a lesson."
"Of course..."
"If you can conveniently eliminate Konoha's Yellow Flash, then that would be even better!"
"As for me, I will go to the front lines to suppress Konoha's Jinchuriki and Jiraiya. So you don't need to worry about matters on the main battlefield."
The Third Mizukage's plan was also very simple: fight violence with violence. Since that old fox Sarutobi Hiruzen dare to send Konoha's Yellow Flash, then he will play ace against ace, using Kirigakure's Yuki Sora to counter. Let's see whose ace is truly invincible!!!