"Lord Tsuchikage, Konoha winning isn't good for us, is it?"
An Iwagakure Jōnin asked cautiously.
Ōnoki waved a hand.
"What does it matter to us whether Konoha wins?"
He pointed at the map.
"Kumogakure suffered devastating losses this time. The Fourth Raikage is severely wounded, the Two-Tails' Jinchūriki is severely wounded, Dodai died in battle, and over half their five thousand elite troops were lost... This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Everyone froze.
"You mean..."
A sharp gleam flashed in Ōnoki's eyes.
"Kumogakure is at its weakest right now. If we seize this chance to attack the Land of Lightning, we're sure to reap plenty of benefits."
"But what about Konoha..." someone asked worriedly.
"Konoha just fought a major battle. They need to rest and regroup too. They can't possibly interfere between us and Kumogakure now."
Ōnoki sneered. "Besides, I know Hyuga Hiashi. He's cautious enough, but lacks initiative. He would never start a war at a time like this."
Understanding dawned on everyone.
Indeed, taking advantage of another's misfortune was Iwagakure's style.
"Pass down the order! The army is to change course and advance toward the Land of Lightning's border!"
Ōnoki made his decision.
"Yes!"
Everyone acknowledged the order in unison.
Roshi and Han exchanged a glance, each seeing helplessness in the other's eyes. They had only just returned, and already they were heading to the battlefield.
But what choice did they have? They were Iwagakure's Jinchūriki, after all.
And Jinchūriki who had suffered setbacks outside and chosen to return to find strength in numbers, at that...
After the meeting ended, Roshi and Han walked out of the Tsuchikage Building side by side.
"You were... defeated by that man too?" Roshi suddenly asked.
Han paused. After a moment of silence, he nodded.
"Yes."
Roshi smiled bitterly. "So was I."
They