Jiraiya

"The two sides had been keeping themselves in check, but then a Sand shinobi rushed into a group of Stone shinobi and detonated an Explosive Tag. That set off the clash," a Sand Shinobi Elite said.

Chiyo frowned in thought. "Who detonated the Explosive Tag? Did any of you know him? And did anyone see who first threw Explosive Kunai at both sides?"

The Wind-Earth Allied Forces' senior officials fell silent. Chiyo spoke again. "There is something deeply suspicious about this incident. I suspect Konoha shinobi deliberately stirred up trouble within the Stone-Sand Allied Forces to tear our cooperation apart.

"Iwagakure and Sunagakure's intelligence officers need to work together to establish what happened.

"I refuse to believe a Sand shinobi would so recklessly disregard the larger picture. Our priority is to attack Konoha, not remain stuck here.

"Konoha's shinobi scattered across the Land of Rain will soon regroup. Every day we delay gives Konoha another day to grow stronger.

"Please calm the shinobi who are angry. If the investigation proves that a Sand shinobi threw Explosive Kunai at the Stone shinobi, I will not shield him."

Everyone nodded. Chiyo had a point. An invasion of the Land of Fire was within reach, and every shinobi selected for the allied forces was a veteran. They knew what mattered most and would not make such a simple mistake lightly.

Inside the command headquarters at Konoha Camp.

Fugaku and the other three were studying a map and discussing their strategy in the Land of Rain when a scout entered. "Lord Orochimaru, a search team has found Lord Jiraiya. He should reach camp by tonight."

A faint smile appeared on Orochimaru's stern face. "Good. With Jiraiya and Hatake Sakumo joining us, the Wind-Earth Allied Forces will have an even harder time breaking through Konoha