The Konoha camp.
After receiving intelligence from the three teams led by Hyuga Clan jōnin, Orochimaru immediately summoned all the jōnin and began an emergency meeting.
"According to the reports, the three Sunagakure powerhouses are stationed at three different camps. The Ketsuryūgan user is nowhere to be found."
"The support routes between these three camps take no more than six hours." Orochimaru's voice was low and firm. His gaze paused on each jōnin's face as he studied their expressions.
After rest and treatment, his injuries had improved considerably. Though he had yet to recover his peak strength, he could now hold off a Kage Level opponent.
He spread a map across the table and placed the pieces representing the enemy and their own forces on it. Candlelight cast shadows across his face, making his expression seem even more severe.
"What do you all think?" Orochimaru looked around, his gaze sharp.
"The three camps opposite us are positioned to support one another. If we attack one, reinforcements from the other two will arrive quickly. The Sunagakure Ninja's deployment was clearly planned with great care."
Tsunade studied the arrangement before her and spoke gravely.
Orochimaru nodded. "Ebizo was once a renowned figure in the Ninja World. We can't underestimate his ability."
The mood inside the tent grew increasingly tense. Hyuga Yoichi's exposure would inevitably put the Sunagakure Ninja on guard, and as time passed, Konoha's advantage from taking the initiative would dwindle.
"We have to devise a plan quickly if we want the upper hand in this battle."
"Given the current situation, our top-tier combat strength is no weaker than theirs, but the disparity in numbers between our middle and lower ranks and the Sunagakure Ninja is simply too great."
"If we can't deal with their top fighters quickly, even victory will come at a terrible cost."
Orochimaru's expression was stern, and a trace of worry showed in his eyes. He hadn't yet lost all his humanity. He knew all too well how fragile life was, and wanted his subordinates to survive.
"Why not stick to the original plan? Tsunade can take the Hyuga Clan forces to fight Chiyo and the puppet corps, while Lord Orochimaru takes Shisui and Naoya to deal with the One-Tail Jinchuriki."
Uchiha Iori crossed his hands on the table and rested his head on them, striking the classic Gendo Ikari pose.
Tsunade furrowed her brow, her voice carrying a trace of urgency. "Then what about Rasa and the bulk of the Sunagakure Ninja forces? Are you going to hold them off alone? Isn't that too dangerous?"
Orochimaru nodded as well. "That's too dangerous. Even you would have a hard time facing Rasa and the ninja army together."
"Besides, we still don't know where the Ketsuryūgan user is. If he suddenly appears while you're fighting Rasa, you might not have the advantage."
Uchiha Iori raised his head. His Mangekyō Sharingan spun in its sockets, cold light glinting in his eyes as he replied calmly,
"Don't worry. Against these eyes, they're nothing but a pack of rabble."
"As long as no one of the Kazekage's caliber joins forces with him, they won't pose a threat to me. The mere Ketsuryūgan is nothing to worry about."
Orochimaru stared at Iori's eyes, a hint of fascination flickering in his own. As one of the Ninja World's top scientists, he had studied the Sharingan, but the Mangekyō Sharingan had always been something he'd only heard about and never seen.
"I understand. I've heard of Madara Uchiha, who helped the First bring peace to the Ninja World, and his eyes. Then I'll leave that side to you."
He took a deep breath and turned to the others. "We have to finish this battle as quickly as possible so we can support Iori."
That was all Orochimaru could say. They were desperately short on manpower. The weaker fighters couldn't help Iori in his battle, and the strong ones already had opponents of their own.
The only one who could help, Shisui, had been ordered by Iori not to reveal his Mangekyō.
The air was thick with tension, and every face was marked by resolve and worry.
Outside, the wind stirred the leaves, making them rustle as though foretelling the battle to come.
In the Sunagakure camp, night shrouded everything in darkness. Lamplight flickered inside the tent, casting an unsteady glow over Rasa's anxious face.
He paced back and forth in the cramped space, his footsteps unusually clear in the silence.
Ebizo sat to one side, his gaze fixed on the map spread before him, his brow furrowed in quiet concentration.
"Advisor Chiyo discovered their scouts. The enemy should know their movements have been exposed."
Rasa's voice was uneasy, and a trace of anxiety flashed through his eyes.
"Will they still proceed according to the original plan?"
This sudden complication had thrown their arrangements into disarray.
Rasa felt uneasy. Since Konoha knew Sunagakure was prepared, they would surely have countermeasures and precautions of their own.
Their ambush might not work. So how should they respond? His thoughts tangled like a snarl of yarn, impossible to sort out.
Ebizo looked up at Rasa, his tone steady. "Don't worry. Konoha won't easily pass up such a good opportunity."
"Rather than abandon their plan, they'll probably accelerate it, hoping to catch us off guard."
Rasa stopped pacing and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He knew this was no time to panic.
"What we need to do now is prepare our defenses and mobilize our forces," Ebizo continued, calmly assessing the possibilities.
"Once we identify their main direction of attack, we must quickly surround them from both sides. We have to complete the encirclement before they gain a significant advantage."
Rasa nodded and sat down, gradually regaining his composure.
He knew that every move from here on was crucial. They had to respond calmly.
Outside the tent, the wind gradually died down, as though preparing for the battle to come.
At the same time.
Chiyo gently brushed the dust from her puppet, her movements tender and focused.
Her gaze was as sharp as a blade, yet her heart churned with complicated emotions.
She had waited far too long for this battle. It felt as if every passing second was burning away at her patience and hatred.
Though Hatake Sakumo was no longer alive, her resentment toward him had not diminished in the slightest.
Whenever she thought of her son and daughter-in-law dying at Hatake Sakumo's hands, pain tore through her heart as though it were being slashed by a blade.
Her only grandson had also gone missing not long ago, and even her last hope had been cruelly taken from her.
Chiyo drew a deep breath, a hint of sorrow flickering in her eyes.
Her grandson's disappearance might have something to do with the Third Kazekage's death, but she didn't dare investigate. She could only pour all her hatred and anger onto Konoha.
She had no mind for anything else now. Only the blood and deaths of Konoha's ninja could soothe her heart.
"Chikamatsu Ten Puppets, let the Konoha Ninja learn to fear puppeteers." Chiyo gripped the puppet and whispered.
All that remained was to wait for tomorrow. Everyone was waiting for the day to come.