Three Families Confront

Uchiha Xiao helped the three of them up, then fell into deep thought. "We currently have about 1,600 troops. Onoki is holding the North Gate with 1,000 men, and Chiyo is at the South Gate with 500."

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

"Lady Tsunade, Lord Orochimaru, and Lord Jiraiya, your combined strength is enough to contend with one Kage-level fighter, but the remaining two Kage-level fighters are not fools. Once they see us locked in a stalemate, they will surely strike."

As Uchiha Xiao analyzed the current situation, the three of them couldn't help but nod. While Tsunade and the others were approaching Kage-level strength, they were still officially classified as Jonin.

He was being polite; he knew that if the middle-aged Chiyo or the young Onoki faced the Sannin, they would likely lose. When he said the three could "contend" with a Kage, he meant stalling them, not defeating them.

"Therefore, the key to this war lies at the South Gate." Uchiha Xiao's eyes brightened, and the three nodded in agreement.

"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 Yuji, but her sneak attack had ruined everything and given Yuji hope again!

Orochimaru laughed; his good friend truly hadn't lost unjustly. Tsunade, meanwhile, refrained from commenting and feigned deep thought so as not to appear foolish.

Uchiha Xiao shook his head. "If you were Salamander Hanzo, would you attack Chiyo's 500 men, Onoki's 1,000, or our 1,600?"

"That would naturally be Chiyo!" Jiraiya answered without a second thought; he at least possessed that much common sense.

"It's not just about strength, but also because we and the Iwa Ninja are currently at a standoff. Neither side dares to act rashly, which is why Salamander Hanzo will attack the South Gate," Uchiha Xiao explained.

"But how do we deal with the Iwa Ninja? If we clash with them, we will suffer heavy losses in the short term!" Tsunade asked. Orochimaru also looked at Uchiha Xiao, waiting to hear his solution.

Uchiha Xiao 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 lit up as if he understood. He spoke up, "Could it be that you are referring to Kumogakure, Xiao-kun?"

Uchiha Xiao nodded. "Exactly, Kumogakure. Since the Tsuchikage has appeared in the Land of Rain, it means the Iwagakure village has no strong leaders left behind."

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

He didn't know if Kumogakure and Iwagakure were simply incompatible, but every time a major war broke out, the two would be at each other's throats. Once they knew Iwagakure lacked a Kage, their bandit-like nature would surely drive them to launch a surprise attack. At that point...

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

Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged glances, their expressions suggesting they were the only two who hadn't understood.

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

Uchiha Xiao didn't notice this and instead looked at Jiraiya. "Lord Jiraiya, your intelligence network must be quite extensive, right?"

According to the original records, Jiraiya was Konoha's source of intelligence outside the village; he was usually aware of events as soon as they happened.

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

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

Uchiha Xiao 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, Lord Jiraiya, please send the message immediately. Just write: 'Tsuchikage Onoki has appeared in the Land of Rain.' Don't write anything else." Uchiha Xiao smiled slightly.

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

Uchiha Xiao smiled faintly. As long as this succeeded, Yuji would be his!

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

"It is Lady Tsunade who should be congratulated; this was all her idea. I am merely a trusted aide," Uchiha Xiao shook his head and said.

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

Tsunade frowned, though she understood the reason. The pre-war meeting ended in silence among the three, and they each went about their business.

The next day, Kumogakure.

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

Land of Rain battlefield.

Chiyo and Hanzo were already engaged at the South Gate. One was using puppet arts, displaying the relentless attacks and impenetrable defense of the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets to the fullest.

Salamander Hanzo roared, slamming his right hand onto the ground to summon his Salamander summon. It swallowed thirty or forty Sunagakure Ninja in one gulp before charging at Chiyo, releasing a purple, toxic gas that filled the battlefield!

Chiyo shouted, "Everyone, take the antidote!" As a master poisoner of Sunagakure, Chiyo's research into toxins was profound, allowing her antidote to temporarily grant immunity to Salamander Hanzo's poison.

Salamander Hanzo drew two samurai swords and lunged at Chiyo. The Chikamatsu Ten Puppets were quickly controlled by Chiyo to intercept him, and the two were locked in a fierce, inseparable battle.

Meanwhile, at the East and North Gates, things remained still as both sides watched each other's movements. Just then, Konoha scouts observed someone rushing from the direction of the northern Iwagakure village toward Onoki's military camp.

After relaying this information to Uchiha Xiao, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya, Uchiha Xiao curled his lips upward. "Keep scouting!"

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

North Gate, Onoki's camp.

Onoki was trembling with rage, cursing, "Those brutes, those filthy soldiers, they've ruined my grand plan! Damn it!"

Onoki's bodyguard, Akatsuchi, stepped forward. "My Lord, what should we do now?"

Onoki's face was grim. "What should we do? Hmph, we must immediately retreat to defend. I've heard that the Third Raikage A can contend with Tailed Beasts. Since no nation has deployed their Jinchuriki yet, his strength is practically invincible."

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

"Pass my order: the rear guard becomes the vanguard, retreat at full speed!" Onoki issued the command, then used his Light-Weight Rock technique, standing on a boulder and rushing back to the village at top speed.

As he left, he couldn't help but look back at Yuji with lingering attachment, letting out a heavy sigh.