Iwagakure and Kumogakure Make Their Move, Root

The next morning, inside Konoha's frontline command tent.

A massive sand table stood in the center of the tent, its surface marked in detail with the deployment of Konoha and Sunagakure's forces.

Hatake Sakumo stood before it, his silver-white short hair glinting coldly in the sunlight, his resolute face grave.

Chiyo and Tsunade entered the tent side by side, their gazes sweeping over everyone present.

Besides the familiar Konoha Jonin, two unfamiliar faces stood in a corner.

They wore ordinary Konoha Ninja uniforms.

Yet their eyes were sharp as eagles, and their stances were so straight they seemed almost rigid, forming a stark contrast with the somewhat weary frontline shinobi around them.

"Tsunade, Chiyo, you're here."

Hatake Sakumo gave a slight nod, gesturing for them to take their seats.

Chiyo's gaze lingered on the two unfamiliar shinobi for a moment longer, and his brow creased almost imperceptibly.

The two concealed their presence extremely well, but there was a faint chilliness about them.

They were completely different from frontline shinobi, more like specialists in assassination.

"Everyone, let's begin."

Hatake Sakumo's voice pulled Chiyo from his thoughts.

He pointed at several markers on the sand table and spoke in a grave voice.

"At present, we hold a considerable advantage. Sunagakure's main forces have already been forced back to the Border Line.

But there is some bad news..."

He paused, his gaze passing over the crowd.

"Sunagakure's Chiyo has left the battlefield where their forces were facing Amegakure and has officially joined the fight against us."

Chiyo was currently Sunagakure's most prominent female shinobi, second only to the "strongest" Third Kazekage in reputation.

It was said that she was a top-tier Puppet Master capable of controlling puppets with just one finger.

Not only that, she possessed powerful Medical Ninjutsu and Sealing Jutsu as well. Calling her an all-rounder would not be an exaggeration.

The tent immediately erupted in an uproar.

Chiyo's name resounded throughout the Shinobi World. Her Poison Jutsu and Puppet Jutsu were unparalleled, striking fear into countless shinobi.

"I never thought she would join the war. Konoha may have encountered a formidable enemy this time!"

"Chiyo? Is she that powerful female shinobi even Amegakure's Demi-God couldn't defeat?!"

"It looks like the situation is far from optimistic!"

"..."

Hatake Sakumo raised a hand, immediately cutting off the discussion.

"Chiyo's Poison Jutsu and Puppet Jutsu are what she excels at most, and they are also what Konoha fears most.

According to the intelligence we've received, there have already been several cases of poisoned shinobi, and their symptoms are extremely troublesome."

As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Tsunade.

"Tsunade, how confident are you in breaking Chiyo's poison?"

Tsunade crossed her arms, a sharp glint flashing through her light-brown eyes.

"No matter how potent the poison, there is always a cure. Give me three days, and I'll analyze the antidote formula."

Hatake Sakumo's brow relaxed somewhat.

"Then I'll leave it to you."

After some thought, Tsunade could not help suggesting, "Besides preparing antidotes, we also need to continue training specialized Medical Ninja.

They will be specifically trained to deal with Chiyo's Poison Jutsu."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

That way, Konoha's shinobi would be under far less pressure when facing the countless varieties of poison Chiyo could create.

Hatake Sakumo also showed approval.

"Tsunade is right. We need to make more preparations in the fields our enemy excels in most."

Halfway through the meeting.

Hatake Sakumo suddenly turned sideways and addressed one of the two unfamiliar shinobi.

"Next, there are two more matters we need to inform everyone of. You will explain the details."

The shinobi stepped forward. His movements were rigid yet precise, like a machine programmed in advance.

His voice was low and steady, devoid of the slightest emotion.

"Everyone, I am a member of the Root Special Operations Unit, codename 'Chicken.'"

Chiyo understood at once. He had suspected there was something off about the identities of these two before; sure enough, they were not combat troops, but Root shinobi.

As for that codename, Chicken...

It reminded Chiyo of an old acquaintance.

Come to think of it, animal codenames were fairly common among Root and Anbu shinobi.

"According to our intelligence, an Iwagakure ninja force has appeared near Amegakure, numbering around five hundred.

They are disguised as refugees and merchant caravans, but their movements are suspicious. It is highly likely that this is a military deployment targeting the Land of Fire."

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The tent fell silent in an instant, the air seeming to freeze.

Iwagakure's involvement meant the war would become even more complicated.

"Iwagakure?"

One Jonin could not help speaking up.

"Haven't they always remained neutral?"

"Military action does not mean an all-out declaration of war."

Hatake Sakumo spoke up from the side to explain.

Hearing that, everyone present was left somewhat speechless.

Iwagakure was actually being this shameless?

They clearly intended to profit from the chaos, seizing benefits while Konoha, Sunagakure, and Amegakure were locked in battle.

Chicken showed no expression as he continued with the second report.

"Furthermore, Kumogakure has also made suspicious movements. Their reconnaissance squads have already infiltrated the border of the Land of Rain, and their objective is unknown."

The situation was worse than expected.

That was what everyone could not help thinking.

After Chicken finished speaking, his gaze suddenly turned toward Chiyo.

A strange glimmer flashed through those cold eyes.

"Chiyo Uchiha, Lord Danzo has a new mission for you."

Danzo?

Chiyo grew wary and raised an eyebrow slightly.

"What mission?"

"Kumogakure's Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Fuka, has been active near the border recently.

Lord Danzo hopes you can intercept and kill him, weakening Kumogakure's military strength."

Chiyo's heart stirred. Wasn't this the target of the system mission from before?

He had thought that mission was about to fail, yet Danzo had unexpectedly come looking for him.

He pretended to deliberate, then nodded.

"Fine, but I need detailed intelligence support."

Chicken took out a Scroll from his robes and handed it to him.

"For the specific operational plan, come with me to the Root base so we can discuss it in detail."

Tsunade abruptly rose to her feet, fury blazing in her light-brown eyes.

"You want Chiyo to deal with a Jinchuriki alone? Have you lost your minds?!"

Chicken responded without expression.

"This is Lord Danzo's order.

And he will not be alone; others will accompany him.

Besides, with Chiyo Uchiha's strength, he is more than qualified for this."

Hatake Sakumo raised a hand to stop the argument that was about to erupt, then looked at Chiyo.

"Chiyo, what do you think?"

Chiyo smiled faintly, his gaze resolute.

"I'm willing to accept the mission. A Jinchuriki is too great a threat. If we can deal with him in advance, we may be able to prevent Kumogakure from launching a war. If we succeed, it will benefit Konoha."

Tsunade gritted her teeth, wanting to say more, but Chiyo gently pressed down on her hand.

"Don't worry. I'll come back safely."

After the meeting ended, everyone gradually departed.

Chiyo arranged a time with Chicken to head to Root, then walked out of the tent side by side with Tsunade.

The setting sun's afterglow fell over them, casting long shadows behind them.

Tsunade finally couldn't help asking.

"Are you really going?"

Chiyo nodded, a trace of depth flashing through his eyes.

"Not just for Konoha, but for myself as well."

Tsunade fell silent for a moment, then suddenly pulled an exquisite medicine bottle from her robe and shoved it into his hand.

"This contains specially made antidotes and Soldier Pills. They could save your life at a critical moment."

Chiyo took the medicine bottle, his fingertips lightly brushing across her palm as he chuckled.

"When I return, I'll thank you properly."

Tsunade turned her face away, the tips of her ears faintly red.

"Enough nonsense. Just come back alive."

Chiyo smiled, then looked toward the distant sky, his gaze gradually turning cold.

Kumogakure's Jinchuriki...

It was time to deal with them.

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