"If the Iwa Shinobi want to enter the heart of the Land of Grass, they have to cross Kannabi Bridge. And if Kusagakure isn't stupid, they'll set an ambush here. So I suspect this will be the site of the decisive battle.
With Iwagakure in front and us behind, we'll attack from both sides and wipe out Kusagakure's main force."
As expected of someone from the Nara Clan, Shikaku Nara's analysis earned repeated nods from everyone, and Orochimaru made the decision.
As for Hatake Sakumo and Uchiha Fugaku, neither had expressed an opinion throughout. White Fang sat there with his mind wandering, as though thinking about something else.
Finally, Orochimaru rose, his voice carrying an unquestionable weight:
"Prepare the troops. We leave at dawn. Our objective-Kannabi Bridge."
Meanwhile, within the Land of Grass.
Lu You stood on a stretch of high ground, with the members of the First Division rapidly assembling behind him.
At the far end of the horizon, a mass of dark figures could be seen moving at high speed, like a slowly crawling swarm of snakes.
The scouts he had sent out had just returned with confirmed intelligence. The Iwa Shinobi's main force had not entered the Land of Rain. Instead, they had followed the Land of Grass's border straight into its interior. Their objective was clear: Kusagakure.
"They're trying to sneak in and hit our base."
Abu stood beside him, his brow tightly furrowed.
"I'm afraid the village's defenses won't hold out for long. Can we still make it if we head back now?"
"We don't need to head back."
Lu You spoke.
"If they want to take this route, there's one place they can't avoid."
Abu froze for a moment, then followed his gaze to the marked spot on the map. "Kannabi Bridge."
"The