Main World.
Konoha, Year 29, winter.
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
Kinkaku stood before the map in the Raikage's Office, his silver-white hair gleaming coldly under the light. Before him lay a massive map of the Land of Fire. Konoha's troop deployments, supply lines, and defensive nodes were marked on it in red. His finger moved slowly across the map, tracing south from the border before finally stopping at one place-the Valley of the End.
Ginkaku stood behind him, holding a newly delivered intelligence report.
"Big brother, Konoha has deployed. Three thousand men, led by Hiruzen Sarutobi's son, with Orochimaru in command. The Uchiha, Hyuga, and Yotsuki have all sent people."
A cold smile curved Kinkaku's lips.
"Three thousand? Is that all Konoha has left?"
"There's more." Ginkaku opened the report. "Konoha still has tens of thousands of cannon fodder in the rear. These three thousand are elites, meant to put on a 'show.'"
Kinkaku turned to look at him.
"A show?"
"A battle for Ōnoki to watch." Ginkaku's voice was calm. "Hiruzen Sarutobi wants Ōnoki to know Konoha isn't easy prey."
Kinkaku fell silent for a moment. Then he smiled. There was no warmth in that smile, only an understanding that said, "Just as I thought."
"Ōnoki," he said quietly. "That old rock. He's waiting. Whoever falls first, he'll sink his teeth into them."
He walked to the window and gazed out at Kumogakure. In the darkness, the village lights flickered like countless silent eyes.
"Pass down the order. The army moves out. Our destination-the Valley of the End."
Ginkaku's brow furrowed slightly.
"The Valley of the End? Big brother, the terrain is treacherous. It isn't suited to large-scale combat."
"That's precisely why we're going." Kinkaku turned around. "Konoha has only three thousand elites. We have twenty thousand. Fight them