Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded, signaling for Shikaku Nara to step forward and spread out the battlefield map.
Shikaku Nara walked to the table, laid a map marked with several red dots flat on its surface, then slid his fingertip past the marked location of Kikyo Mountain.
His finger came to rest in the northern part of the Land of Fire:
"Our plan is to lure the enemy deep into our territory and engage the main forces of Kumogakure and Kirigakure head-on around Kikyo Mountain, aiming to crush them in one stroke.
Konoha's troops will primarily handle the frontal engagement and guide the enemy forces into the encirclement.
Kusagakure's troops will be responsible for enveloping the right wing and covering the flank once the encirclement is formed. This plan is expected to take a full year, gradually guiding the enemy's movements.
Then we'll win with one final strike."
Everyone looked at the arrows and lines marked on the map, their gazes lingering on Kikyo Mountain.
Kikyo Mountain lay in Konoha's northern heartland, already very close to the Land of Fire's core region. Calling it their doorstep would be no exaggeration.
Clearly, they really were determined to commit.
They were willing to make such a risky decision. If they lost this battle, Konoha would have no choice but to surrender, or the enemy could strike straight at its heart.
"Why not include Iwagakure in the encirclement too?"
"Because Iwagakure hasn't given any indication of allying with Kumogakure and Kirigakure. Besides, now that they've been driven out of the Land of Fire, they're unlikely to return."
That was Jiraiya's answer.
Lu You replied calmly, "Iwagakure's leader is no longer the Third Tsuchikage, and his style is completely different. If it were Ōnoki, your thinking would indeed be correct, but we're dealing with Kitsuchi.
If