The Pig Has Fattened

On the map, Jiraiya and Tsunade were leading Konoha's main force deep into the Land of Rain, heading straight for Amegakure.

As for Orochimaru, he was leading some of the ninja to reinforce the southern front.

Their main objective was to keep Sunagakure tied down and prevent that old hag Chiyo from taking the opportunity to attack Konoha.

However, something caught Jingū Kiraku's attention—

Nawaki was there too!

In the original story, the God of Shinobi's grandson had been killed by a trap during the Second Shinobi World War while fighting Sunagakure.

Now, it seemed his presence might create an opportunity for Amegakure.

As long as Nawaki died on the front lines fighting Sunagakure, Jingū Kiraku could hardly imagine how insane Konoha would become.

After all, he was Hashirama Senju's grandson and Orochimaru's disciple.

In a sense, he could even be regarded as Konoha's "Crown Prince."

He was the Senju Clan's last remaining symbol, the heir to the First Hokage!

Once he died, even if Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to maintain his strategic restraint, the others would never agree.

Leaving aside the influence Hashirama Senju had left behind, those Senju Clan members living under assumed names alone were a force not to be underestimated.

After all, this was not decades later.

Only a little over ten years had passed since the Senju Clan's dissolution.

Most of the old guard were still active in key positions throughout Konoha.

They normally kept a low profile, but that did not mean they would remain silent after their "young master" was blown to death.

Therefore, if he could use this opportunity to provoke an all-out war between Sunagakure and Konoha, it would undoubtedly be a tremendous boon for Amegakure.

As for whether Nawaki was too innocent?

Sorry, that was completely outside Jingū Kiraku's considerations.

From the day he became a ninja, death had always been at his side.

There was no distinction between high and low, noble and base on the battlefield. Everyone was equally subject to the Grim Reaper's gaze.

Nawaki, as Hashirama Senju's grandson, was no exception.

If anyone had to be called innocent, it was the people of the Land of Rain who had been dragged into the war.

But no matter how innocent they were, they still could not escape the slaughtering blades of Konoha's ninja, could they?

Mercy toward one's enemies was cruelty toward oneself.

Jingū Kiraku understood that principle better than anyone.

For the time being, he had no intention of becoming a foolish, soft-hearted ruler of a ruined nation.

Thus, Jingū Kiraku quickly summoned Erika.

"Find someone to deliver this scroll to that Sunagakure elder."

Before long, Chiyo, one of Sunagakure's elders, received the two scrolls sent by Jingū Kiraku.

"You're saying that after your verification, this deployment map can basically be confirmed as genuine?"

Chiyo looked at the Sunagakure ninja who had come to report, her eyes filled with surprise.

She had originally thought this was merely a prank by that young leader...

After all, Konoha was a major power. How could their frontline deployment map be so easily obtained?

And even if it had been obtained, why would Amegakure share it with them for free?

Yet it was actually real.

"Yes. At the very least, the distribution of Konoha's frontline outposts perfectly matches this map."

The Sunagakure ninja who had come to report lowered his head as he spoke.

Chiyo fell silent for a moment. Then she clasped her hands together and shook her head.

"They're forcing us to enter the fray..."

"It seems that young Amegakure Leader truly is ambitious."

"No wonder he managed to replace that old man with the breathing tube."

As an old fox herself, Chiyo quickly saw through Jingū Kiraku's intentions.

He simply intended to use this deployment map as bait, hoping Sunagakure would attack Konoha and thereby ease Amegakure's pressure on the front lines.

"Though full of lofty ambitions, he is still too green."

Chiyo swiftly made her decision and ordered:

"Report this intelligence to the Kazekage and have him continue sending reinforcements to the Land of Rain battlefield."

"Once the time is right, we'll let Konoha learn what a..."

"Surprise!"

Since Chiyo believed she had seen through Jingū Kiraku's intentions, she naturally would not let herself be led by the nose.

With a full-scale war between Amegakure and Konoha imminent, rashly declaring war on Konoha would not be a wise move.

The best course was to wait until Amegakure had drained enough of Konoha's fighting strength, then strike hard and settle everything in one blow!

Watching Sunagakure continuously send reinforcements without showing any sign of taking action, Jingū Kiraku was not surprised.

Sunagakure was a major power, after all. It had that much patience.

But that was all.

As long as Amegakure could tie down Konoha in this war, Jingū Kiraku refused to believe Sunagakure would simply watch the opportunity slip away before its eyes.

Even if Chiyo could endure it, the Sunagakure Ninja eager to earn merit would likely be unable to hold themselves back.

That was Konoha, the hegemon of the ninja world!

As long as they could defeat it, prestige, land, and resources would all fall into Sunagakure's hands.

No one could resist such temptation.

Of course, those were matters for later.

For now, only by withstanding Konoha's first wave of attacks would they have a chance to turn things around.

"Leader, as per your orders, the second batch of migrants has already arrived at the village."

"The other migrants are also on the way and will be arriving in batches over the next few days."

Erika came to report while carrying a stack of documents.

Several days earlier, Jingū Kiraku had issued an order in his capacity as leader—

All Land of Rain residents along Konoha's route of advance were to relocate immediately.

At first, those people had been somewhat resistant. After all, who would willingly travel such a long distance to live in an unfamiliar place for no reason?

But when they saw that the Amegakure Ninja who had come to announce the order were carrying large quantities of bread and promised that Amegakure would provide sufficient food, they set off at once.

That was reality.

In the current devastated conditions, the vast majority of civilians were on the verge of starving to death.

Rather than stay where they were and wait to die, it was better to head to Amegakure. Perhaps they might still find a sliver of hope for survival...

"You've worked hard. Next, make sure these migrants are properly settled. There must not be any problems."

Jingū Kiraku spoke gravely.

Besides wanting to clear the land and fortify the defenses, denying Konoha any effective supplies, he also intended to preserve the civilian population.

After all, postwar reconstruction would still require these people. He had to plan ahead.

Otherwise, if all the civilians were slaughtered, how could the Land of Rain possibly be rebuilt?

"However..."

"With so many migrants pouring in, we've already completely exceeded our capacity."

"Especially the food issue. The village's reserves will only last us half a month."

Erika laid out the current problem, then looked toward Jingū Kiraku.

She seemed to be waiting to see what solution this hard-handed new leader would come up with.

In response, Jingū Kiraku merely tapped the tabletop lightly, a cold smile appearing on his face.

"If I remember correctly, those noble merchants have stockpiled quite a bit of grain, haven't they?"

"The pigs are fat. It's time to slaughter them."