Three Families Confront

Uchiha Kō helped the three of them up, then fell into deep thought. "Our current force is approximately 1,600 men. Ōnoki is leading 1,000 troops at the North Gate, and Chiyo is leading 500 at the South Gate."

"With our current strength, we cannot handle this situation. Ōnoki and Chiyo are genuine Kage-level powerhouses; we are at a disadvantage against either side."

"Tsunade-sama, Orochimaru-sama, and Jiraiya-sama can combine their strength to deal with one Kage-level combatant, but the other two Kage-level experts are not fools. Once they see us locked in a stalemate, they will surely strike."

As Uchiha Kō analyzed the current situation, the three nodded in agreement. While the strength of Tsunade and the others was approaching the Kage level, they were still officially classified as Jōnin.

He was being polite; he felt that if the Sannin faced the middle-aged Chiyo or the young Ōnoki, they would lose. When he said the three could "deal with" a Kage-level fighter, he meant stalling them, not winning.

"Therefore, the key to this war lies at the South Gate." Uchiha Kō's eyes lit up, and the three nodded.

"So, you mean we should attack the South Gate?" Jiraiya couldn't help but ask. He was currently grinding his teeth in hatred toward that old hag Chiyo. They were just about to take Rainy Clearing, but her sneak attack ruined everything and gave Rainy Clearing hope again!

Orochimaru laughed; his good friend truly didn't lose unjustly. Tsunade didn't join the evaluation, pretending to be profound so as not to appear slow-witted.

Uchiha Kō shook his head. "If you were Salamander Hanzō, would you lead your troops to attack Chiyo's 500, Ōnoki's 1,000, or our 1,600?"

"That would naturally be Chiyo!" Jiraiya answered without thinking; he had at least that much common sense.

"It's not just because of strength, but because we and the Iwagakure forces are currently at a standoff. Neither side dares to act rashly, so Salamander Hanzō will definitely attack the South Gate," Uchiha Kō explained.

"But how do we resolve the Iwagakure issue? If we clash, we will suffer heavy losses in no time!" Tsunade asked. Orochimaru was also watching Uchiha Kō, waiting to hear his solution.

Uchiha Kō stretched and smiled. "Drive the tiger to devour the wolf."

"Drive the tiger to devour the wolf?" Tsunade was slightly stunned, but Orochimaru's eyes brightened as if he understood something. He spoke, "Could Kō-kun be referring to Kumogakure?"

Uchiha Kō nodded. "Exactly, Kumogakure. Now that the Tsuchikage has appeared in the Land of Rain, it means Iwagakure has no strong leaders guarding it."

"Given the personality of the Third Raikage A, if he learns of this news, he won't just sit idly by!" Uchiha Kō laughed.

He didn't know if Kumogakure and Iwagakure were destined to be enemies, but every time a major war broke out, the two would clash. Once they knew Iwagakure lacked a Kage, their bandit-like nature would surely drive them to launch a surprise attack on Iwagakure, and then...

Orochimaru also laughed. "What a brilliant strategy to drive the tiger to devour the wolf. Commander is truly peerless in strategy; this humble one is impressed." He was already thinking that after this war ended, he must interact more with Uchiha Kō.

Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged glances, as if to say, are we the only two who didn't understand?

However, Tsunade quickly withdrew her gaze and looked at Uchiha Kō. This man seemed quite charming when he was devising strategies!

Uchiha Kō didn't notice this and instead looked at Jiraiya. "Jiraiya-sama, your intelligence network should be quite strong, right?"

According to the original story, Jiraiya was the source of Konoha's intelligence outside the village; he was immediately aware of many things that happened.

Jiraiya nodded. "I do have many subordinates scattered about collecting material. If you call it an intelligence network, that's not wrong."

In his view, these people were like-minded friends he collected material with; he had never thought of it as gathering and transmitting intelligence.

Uchiha Kō smiled. "If you were to mobilize your people, how long would it take to get the information to Kumogakure?"

"Half a day at most!" Jiraiya patted his chest; he was quite confident in his friends.

"Good, Jiraiya-sama, please transmit the message immediately. Just write: 'Tsuchikage Ōnoki has appeared in the Land of Rain.' Don't write anything else." Uchiha Kō smiled slightly.

"Understood!" Jiraiya immediately went to handle the matter.

Uchiha Kō smiled slightly. As long as this succeeded, he would definitely take Rainy Clearing!

Orochimaru also smiled. "Congratulations to the Commander for taking Rainy Clearing!"

"It is congratulations to Tsunade-sama; this was all her idea. I am merely a trusted aide," Uchiha Kō shook his head and said.

Orochimaru was stunned, then thought of his name, and finally sighed. Those old fogies were still too wary of the Uchiha.

Tsunade frowned, but she understood the reason. The pre-war meeting ended in silence among the three, and they went their separate ways to attend to their duties.

The next day, Kumogakure.

A held a kunai, a flash of brilliance in his eyes. He laughed loudly, then summoned his high-ranking officials and made the final resolution: "Mobilize three thousand troops and march on Iwagakure!"

Land of Rain battlefield.

Chiyo and Hanzō were already engaged at the South Gate. One displayed puppet arts, with the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets demonstrating relentless attacks and an impenetrable defense.

Salamander Hanzō roared, slamming his right hand onto the ground to summon his salamander summon. It swallowed thirty or forty Sunagakure ninja, charging toward Chiyo, and then he released purple poison gas that filled the battlefield!

Chiyo shouted, "Everyone, take the antidote!" As a Sunagakure poison master, Chiyo's research on toxins was profound, so her antidote could temporarily grant immunity to Salamander Hanzō's toxins.

Salamander Hanzō drew two samurai swords and charged at Chiyo. Chiyo hurriedly controlled the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets to block him, and the two were locked in a fierce struggle.

Meanwhile, the East and North gates remained motionless, both sides watching each other's movements. Just then, Konoha scouts observed someone rushing from the direction of Iwagakure in the north toward Ōnoki's camp.

They reported this news to Uchiha Kō, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya. Uchiha Kō's lips curled upward. "Keep scouting!"

Kumogakure's speed is quite fast! It seems A is a straightforward man! he thought.

North Gate, Ōnoki's camp.

Ōnoki was trembling with rage, cursing, "Those brutes, those foul soldiers, they've ruined my grand plan, damn them!"

Ōnoki's guard, Akatsuchi, stepped forward. "Lord, what should we do now?"

Ōnoki's face was gloomy. "What to do? Hmph, naturally, we must immediately return to defend. I've heard this Third Raikage A can withstand a Tailed Beast with brute force. Since no country has deployed their Jinchūriki yet, his strength is equivalent to an invincible existence."

"If I don't go back, Iwagakure will suffer heavy losses. Damn it, how did the news spread so fast? Was it Konoha or the Rain Ninja..." Ōnoki shook his head; now was not the time to think about that.

"Pass my order: the rear guard becomes the vanguard, return to defend at full speed!" After issuing the command, Ōnoki used his Light-Weight Rock Technique, stood on a rock, and rushed back to the village at top speed.

During the journey, he looked back at Rainy Clearing with lingering attachment and sighed.