Each with Their Own Schemes

Konoha camp.

Upon receiving intelligence from the three teams led by the Hyuga jonin, Orochimaru immediately summoned all jonin for an emergency meeting.

"According to the reports, the three powerhouses of Sunagakure are stationed in three separate camps, while the user of the Ketsuryūgan remains unaccounted for."

"The travel time for reinforcements between these three camps is no more than six hours." Orochimaru's voice was low and resonant; his gaze lingered on the face of each jonin, observing their reactions.

Having rested and received treatment, his injuries had improved significantly. Although his strength had not yet returned to its peak, holding off a Kage-level opponent was no longer an issue.

He spread a map across the table and placed pieces representing both sides upon it. The candlelight cast shadows across his face, making his expression appear even more severe.

"What are your thoughts?" Orochimaru scanned the room, his eyes burning like torches.

"The three opposing camps are arranged in a pincer formation, providing mutual support. If we attack one, reinforcements from the other two will arrive rapidly. The Sunagakure layout has indeed been meticulously calculated."

Tsunade looked at the arrangement before her and spoke in a deep voice.

Orochimaru nodded. "Ebizo is a veteran of the Ninja World; his capabilities cannot be underestimated."

The atmosphere inside the tent grew increasingly tense. The exposure of Hyuga Yoichi would inevitably put the Sunagakure ninja on high alert, and as time passed, the advantage of Konoha's initiative would continue to diminish.

"We must formulate a plan as quickly as possible to gain the upper hand in this battle."

"Under the current circumstances, we are not inferior in terms of top-tier combat power, but the disparity in numbers between us and the Sunagakure ninja at the mid-to-lower levels is simply too great."

"If we cannot eliminate their top powerhouses in a short amount of time, even if we win, it will be a pyrrhic victory."

Orochimaru's expression was grave, a hint of worry showing in his eyes. He had not yet completely lost his humanity; it was precisely because he understood the fragility of life that he hoped his subordinates would survive.

"Why not follow the original plan? Tsunade takes the Hyuga to confront Chiyo and the puppet corps, while Lord Orochimaru takes Shisui and Naoya to deal with the One-Tail Jinchuriki."

Uchiha Iori crossed his hands, placed them on the table, and rested his chin upon them, striking the classic Gendo Ikari pose.

Tsunade's brows locked together, her voice laced with urgency. "Then what about Rasa and the main force of Sunagakure? Are you suggesting you hold them off alone? Isn't that too dangerous?"

Orochimaru nodded in agreement. "It is far too dangerous. Even for you, facing Rasa and the ninja army combined will not be easy."

"Furthermore, we still haven't confirmed the location of that Ketsuryūgan user. If they suddenly strike while you are battling Rasa, you may not be able to gain the upper hand."

Uchiha Iori lifted his head, his Mangekyō Sharingan spinning within his sockets. A cold light flickered in his eyes as he spoke calmly, "Do not worry. Before these eyes, the opposition is nothing more than a rabble of clay chickens and pottery dogs."

"As long as there is no powerhouse on the level of the Kazekage working with him, he is not enough to pose a threat to me. A mere Ketsuryūgan is not worth my concern."

Orochimaru watched Iori's eyes, a trace of fascination flashing through his own. As the top scientist of the Ninja World, he had studied the Sharingan, but the Mangekyō Sharingan had always been something he heard of but never witnessed.

"I understand. I have also heard of the eyes of Madara Uchiha, who pacified the Ninja World alongside the First Hokage. Very well, I leave that side to you."

He took a deep breath and turned to the others. "We must end our battles as quickly as possible so we can go to support Iori-kun."

Orochimaru could only say this; manpower was stretched too thin. The weaker ninja could not provide assistance in Iori's battle, and the stronger ones all had their own designated opponents.

The only one capable of helping, Shisui, had been ordered by Iori not to reveal his own Mangekyō.

A tense atmosphere permeated the air, and every face was etched with determination and anxiety.

Outside the window, the wind stirred the leaves, creating a rustling sound as if providing a prelude to the coming battle.

In the Sunagakure camp, the night was as dark as ink. The flickering lamp light inside the tent cast the silhouette of Rasa's anxious face.

He paced back and forth in the cramped space, his footsteps sounding exceptionally clear in the silence.

Ebizo sat to the side, his gaze locked onto the spread-out map, his brows furrowed in silent, focused thought.

"Advisor Chiyo has discovered the enemy's scouts; the enemy must also know that their movements have been exposed."

Rasa's voice carried unease, a flicker of anxiety in his eyes.

"Will they still proceed according to the original plan?"

This sudden accident had disrupted their arrangements.

Rasa felt a lingering sense of unease. Since Konoha knew Sunagakure was prepared, they would certainly have countermeasures and precautions in place.

The ambush plan might not be effective, so how should they respond? His thoughts were a tangled mess, difficult to sort out.

Ebizo looked up at Rasa, his tone steady. "Do not worry. With such a good opportunity, Konoha will not give up easily."

"Rather than abandoning it, they will likely accelerate their plan, hoping to catch us off guard."

Rasa stopped pacing and took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He knew this was not the time for panic.

"What we must do now is focus on defense and mobilization," Ebizo continued, calmly analyzing the possibilities.

"Once we identify their main line of attack, we must quickly surround them, striking from front and back. We must complete the encirclement before the opposition gains a significant advantage."

Rasa nodded and sat down, his mood gradually stabilizing.

He knew that every step from here on was crucial and required a calm response.

The wind outside the tent gradually died down, as if it, too, were preparing for the impending battle.

At the same time.

Chiyo gently brushed the dust off the puppets, her movements imbued with a touch of tenderness and focus.

Her gaze was as sharp as a blade, yet her heart surged with complex emotions.

She had waited far too long for this battle, as if every minute and every second were burning away her patience and hatred.

Although Hatake Sakumo was no longer among the living, the resentment in her heart had not diminished in the slightest.

Whenever she thought of her son and daughter-in-law dying tragically at the hands of Hatake Sakumo, her heart felt as if it were being sliced apart by a sharp blade.

And with her only grandson having gone missing not long ago, even her last shred of hope had been ruthlessly stripped away.

Chiyo took a deep breath, a flicker of sorrow flashing through her eyes.

Her grandson's disappearance might have been related to the death of the Third Kazekage, but she dared not delve too deeply, forced to pour all her hatred and fury onto Konoha instead.

Now, she had no heart to ponder excessive questions; only the blood and death of Konoha ninja could soothe her soul.

"Chikamatsu Ten Puppets, let the Konoha ninja understand the terror of a puppeteer," Chiyo said in a low voice, gripping her puppets.

Only waiting for tomorrow; everyone was waiting for the arrival of tomorrow.