After confirming the next phase of the battle plan, Jiraiya discussed the specifics with the Staff Department. Once they confirmed that the plan had an eighty percent chance of success, Konoha's war meeting came to an end. All that remained was to wait for Chiyo to arrive, let her plunge headfirst into the prepared trap, and deliver the Sand Shinobi on the front lines a devastating blow.
As for how to lure that shrewd old witch Chiyo into taking the bait, Jiraiya proposed a decoy operation—and the decoy would be Jiraiya himself. The staff officers strongly objected, but Jiraiya's reasoning was too solid to refute. Only the highest commander on the front lines could make the Sand Shinobi risk taking the bait even if they knew it was a trap.
I, Jiraiya, the current commander-in-chief of the Konoha Front, am right here. If you want my life, come take it. If you don't, I'm leaving. What? A trap, so you won't fall for it? You hold the advantage, so there's no rush—you want to take it slow? Think carefully. Once this chance is gone, it's gone. This is your one opportunity to force Konoha to the negotiating table, so you'd better seize it. Our great Konoha has vast lands, abundant resources, and no shortage of talent. Holding out another seven or eight years won't be a problem. By then, we might produce another Sannin, an Eight Colors, or something else. Tell me, are you scared yet?
An open scheme—only an open scheme, grand and aboveboard, was flawless! The Sand Shinobi knew Jiraiya was bait, yet they could not bear to give up the meat dangling before their mouths. Even if it was poisoned, they would still take a bite first. The plan was not complicated. It was extremely simple, and