Decision on the Plan

Inside Jiraiya's tent at Konoha's ninja encampment.

Chiyu laid out his analysis.

Jiraiya agreed with Chiyu's analysis.

Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction. "A good analysis. So what is the solution?"

Chiyu continued, "It is unrealistic to drive Kumogakure's ninja out of the Land of Hot Water, because the disparity in strength between us is too great. There are only so many Konoha ninja available to garrison this place. Even if Konoha sends more ninja as reinforcements later, there definitely will not be many.

Because of Teacher Orochimaru's plan, Konoha's ninja need to be divided into four groups, while some ninja also have to remain in Konoha. Meanwhile, Kumogakure can continuously send reinforcements to the Land of Hot Water.

However, relying on Lord Jiraiya's and Lord Orochimaru's reputations, we might be able to push the front line forward some distance and leave ourselves some room. That way, once the war begins, retreating back to the Land of Fire will not be our only option."

Jiraiya asked in confusion, "Relying on my and Orochimaru's reputations?"

Minato Namikaze also did not understand what Chiyu meant by reputation.

Chiyu explained gravely, "Yes, reputation. We need to make sure Kumogakure's ninja know, with great fanfare, that two of Konoha's Sannin have arrived at the Hidden Hot Water Village. In other words, we intimidate them and make them wary of acting rashly.

At the same time, Lord Jiraiya and Teacher Orochimaru must appear together and attack one of their strongholds, making them understand that the Land of Hot Water will be an area Konoha intends to defend heavily.

At that point, they should believe Konoha's reinforcements have arrived and that Konoha's counterattack is about to begin. Then we can use that to advance the front line somewhat, moving it away from the Land of Fire's border and into the Land of Hot Water. That will give us room to maneuver.

But we absolutely cannot advance the front line too far. Given enough time, they will surely learn that Teacher Orochimaru is Konoha's only reinforcement.

If we push too far forward, we will not be able to hold it at all. We will only waste our combat strength, and may even be forced back to the Land of Fire's border again. That would make all our efforts pointless.

Then, once the front line has advanced, we only need to hold our current positions, buy time, and wait for Teacher Orochimaru's overall plan to be put into effect.

That is the only method I can think of. I do not know whether it can help Teacher Orochimaru."

After pondering for a moment, Orochimaru said, "Your method is already quite well-developed. It can be carried out exactly as planned.

As you said, our combat strength is completely incapable of contending with Kumogakure's ninja, so advancing the front line through a direct confrontation is basically impossible.

At first, I intended for Jiraiya and me to raid Kumogakure's forces to stabilize the current situation, then seek an opening and find a way to advance the front line.

Your method is somewhat more aggressive, Chiyu, but if it succeeds, our gains will be enormous. It will also allow us greater flexibility in our later arrangements.

Therefore, I favor using your method to carry out the plan. Jiraiya, what do you think?"

After thinking for a moment, Jiraiya said, "I think it is feasible as well. But if we are to carry out this plan, we need to attack one of their strongholds. All the Kumogakure strongholds we have discovered so far are marked on the sand table. Orochimaru, which one do you want to attack?"

Orochimaru directly pulled a flag representing a Kumogakure stronghold from the sand table. "Since we are going to announce our presence and make them afraid, naturally we must choose the hardest bone to chew. Otherwise, it will not achieve the effect of making them wary."

Looking at the flag in Orochimaru's hand, Jiraiya asked in surprise, "Are we attacking the Hidden Hot Water Village directly?"

Minato Namikaze said anxiously, "Lord Orochimaru, Teacher Jiraiya, this is too reckless. The Hidden Hot Water Village is not only housing Cloud Ninja right now; there are also Hot Water Ninja.

The Hot Water Ninja have not yet directly entered the battle against us. If we attack the Hidden Hot Water Village directly, the Hot Water Ninja will definitely become our enemies as well. Wouldn't that put us in an even worse position?"

Orochimaru ignored Minato Namikaze.

Chiyu, on the other hand, let out a snort of laughter.

Minato Namikaze heard the disdain in Chiyu's laugh and frowned. "Chiyu, what are you laughing at?"

Chiyu turned his head, his voice oddly mocking. "Nothing. I just think your idea is quite good. It would be even better if we could form an alliance with the Hidden Hot Water Village and kill all the Cloud Ninja there in a coordinated attack, wouldn't it?"

Jiraiya explained awkwardly, "Minato, the Hidden Hot Water Village directly agreed to let the Cloud Ninja station themselves in the village. That is equivalent to becoming hostile to Konoha. If we want to achieve the effect of making them wary, the Hidden Hot Water Village truly is the best choice.

And rather than waiting for the Hidden Hot Water Village's ninja to fight us on their own initiative later, it would be better for us to attack them directly and catch them off guard.

If the attack succeeds, Kumogakure's largest stronghold in the Land of Hot Water will be gone, and the Hidden Hot Water Village will definitely not dare let Cloud Ninja station themselves in the village again.

At the same time, the Hidden Hot Water Village's ninja will be even less likely to dare oppose Konoha's ninja.

It is indeed somewhat risky, but if it succeeds, the gains will be substantial.

Moreover, this time we are launching a surprise attack on the Hidden Hot Water Village. Neither its ninja nor the stationed Cloud Ninja have many Jonin; most of them are Chunin and Genin. With Orochimaru and me there, the chances of success are high.

And we are not occupying the Hidden Hot Water Village. As long as we achieve the desired effect, our plan will have succeeded."

Minato Namikaze still felt it was too risky.

Minato Namikaze knew very well that if Chiyu's plan was carried out, there would definitely be casualties, perhaps quite a few.

During his time in the Land of Hot Water, Minato Namikaze had become close companions with the ninja stationed there.

Minato Namikaze truly could not bear to see his companions injured, much less see them die.

But the decision was not in Minato Namikaze's hands. It was in Jiraiya's and Orochimaru's hands.

Jiraiya said to Orochimaru, "Then it will be the Hidden Hot Water Village. Orochimaru, I am handing command over to you now. Every ninja here, myself included, will follow your orders."

Orochimaru nodded. "Then gather all the ninja we can assemble right now. Since this is a surprise attack, we must move quickly. Otherwise, if they learn that I have already arrived in the Land of Hot Water, the effect will be greatly diminished, and they will be on guard."

"Alright, I'll make the arrangements immediately."

Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze left the tent and immediately went to make the arrangements.

Chiyu had also intended to leave the tent, but Orochimaru stopped him. Since this was Chiyu's idea, he told Chiyu to stay and discuss the details of the battle plan with him.