Konoha, under a torrential downpour.
The rain seemed to have fallen all the way from the Land of Grass to the Land of Fire, washing over the enormous cooling towers of the First Arsenal and steaming into a sky full of white mist.
Hokage Building, Strategic Command Room.
A gigantic sand table occupied two-thirds of the room, covered with flags representing different factions. Naruto stared intently at the narrow stretch of land between the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind—the Land of Rivers.
"The victory in the Land of Grass was only an appetizer. Ōnoki and that old fool A are bound to pull back their defenses." Naruto slammed a black chess piece representing the "First Division" onto the map of the Land of Rivers. "Uncle Shikaku, I want complete control of the gold mines and bridges in the Land of Rivers within three days."
Shikaku Nara looked at the piece, his brows furrowing slightly. "The daimyo of the Land of Rivers is a fence-sitter, and the terrain there is complicated—easy to defend but hard to attack. If Iwagakure and Kumogakure hold their ground..."
"Then level it." Naruto cut him off. "Tell the Arsenal to double the production of the 'Thunder God' heavy artillery. We're going there to handle some 'demolition.'"
Shikaku looked at the absurdly young leader before him, caught between laughter and tears.
"Then I suppose there's no need for me to analyze the battle situation. You just plan to bombard everything."
He sighed and nodded. "Understood. Also, about Sasuke..."
"Let him go." Naruto turned toward the gloomy sky outside the window. "Now that he has new eyes, he needs somewhere to test his blade. The Land of Rivers will be his whetstone."
Konoha village entrance.
A modified heavy troop carrier stood in the curtain