"Lord Third, this is the intelligence decrypted by our department."
Nara Shikaku entered the tent with a slightly grave expression, holding a scroll. Fortunately, Kiyo Hyuga's team brought back a living prisoner, which allowed them to extract such critical intel. This would heavily influence the coming battles.
"Oh, that fast? Good work, Shikaku."
Hiruzen Sarutobi set down his pipe and took the scroll from Shikaku, beginning to read.
As his eyes scanned the contents, his face grew serious and his brows furrowed deeply.
"Hanzō is dead? The current leader of Amegakure calls himself Pain... and has the Rinnegan. Such a drastic change in Amegakure?"
Hiruzen set the scroll down with a dark expression. He had never expected Hanzō's death. Though he had never fought the so-called 'Demi-God' personally, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade had all testified to Hanzō's superior strength. To think he'd been killed years ago…
Now, all traces of Hanzō had been wiped out. The man called Pain had completely taken over as Amegakure's leader—and their new enemy.
Jūzō Biwa hadn't stayed long in Amegakure, and his information leaned more toward Akatsuki. Being one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he also had some resistance to interrogation, making it difficult even for the Yamanaka Clan to extract anything from his mind.
"So the Rinnegan really does exist... the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths."
It was unfortunate Jiraiya hadn't reported the details of the apprentice he once took in; otherwise, Hiruzen would've instantly realized Pain's identity.
Nara Shikaku spoke up. "Lord Hokage, the intel division is working on gathering more, but should we share this information with Iwagakure?"
"Hmm..." Hiruzen hesitated, then looked up. "What do you think, Shikaku?"
"I believe we should share it with Iwa."
Shikaku replied after a moment's thought. "Our intel on Amegakure is still limited, and we only have five hundred shinobi. We don't understand the Rinnegan's abilities yet. Letting Iwa probe ahead would be best."
"Also, by sharing intel, Iwagakure will view us as sincere partners, which is beneficial for preserving our strength."
The Rinnegan was certainly tempting, but with limited intel and lacking power, Shikaku felt it best to push this burden onto Iwa.
Someone capable of killing Hanzō and rallying many missing-nin was already too powerful and troublesome. Konoha would be foolish to try and monopolize this information. One wrong move, and their frontline could be wiped out.
"You make a good point, Shikaku. Let's do that. Have someone deliver this intel to Iwagakure."
Hiruzen then added, "Also, tell the frontline units to slow their advance and gather more intel."
Amegakure's changes were too drastic. Without proper preparation, they might suffer heavy losses. And to draw Amegakure's main force toward Iwa, Konoha had already sacrificed several strategic positions—rushing in would gain nothing.
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
"Earth Release: Rock Iron Cannon Technique."
Four teams of Iwa shinobi used a joint Earth Release technique. After forming seals, dozens of small stones spat from their mouths transformed midair into massive boulders, crashing toward the panicked Amegakure shinobi.
"Run!"
"Retreat, retreat!"
Amegakure had no means to counter the joint technique. Their defenders at the iron mine were quickly killed, with only a few escaping.
Iwa shinobi specialized in relentless pressure. They may not be individually strong, but their combined techniques were unrivaled—even Konoha couldn't match that level of coordination.
Once engaged, Iwa simply needed to block the scattered ninjutsu and shuriken techniques of the Ame shinobi, then bombard them with Earth Release.
After routing the enemy, the Iwa squad captain waved forward two teams to give chase. They didn't want news of their mine seizure to spread, and before retreating, they would plunder as much as possible.
Later, a recon unit returned excitedly to the squad captain.
"Captain, we hit the jackpot. This batch of iron ore hasn't even been transported yet. With the sealing scrolls we brought, it'll take at least ten trips to carry it all."
The squad captain smiled and immediately said, "Report this to Lord Tsuchikage. Also, have the miners work day and night. According to recon, this is a sizable mine in the Land of Rain."
Unless Iwa could permanently occupy the area, they'd eventually have to withdraw after the war—so plunder was their best option.
"Dispatch a scouting team to the next target."
As he gave the order, the captain couldn't help grinning again. Pillaging enemy resources was surprisingly satisfying. No wonder Kumogakure was always stealing this and that. When he returned, he'd suggest the Tsuchikage start learning from them.
In the Land of Craftsmen, Tsunade encountered a group of foolish bandits on her way out. Before she could act, Kimimaro swiftly dealt with them.
His fluid, dance-like Taijutsu impressed even Tsunade as she watched. This time, Orochimaru had chosen well—Kimimaro's strength and decisiveness would easily subdue most of ANBU.
Over their travels through small countries, Kimimaro gradually adjusted to guarding Tsunade as he would Orochimaru, always consulting her first before acting. This made Tsunade quite comfortable.
She even considered luring Kimimaro away from Orochimaru. But after a few attempts, she gave up. Kimimaro's loyalty to Orochimaru was beyond her expectations—nothing she said could sway him.
One day, while traveling a forest path, Kimimaro suddenly stepped in front of Tsunade and Shizune, eyes narrowed.
"Tsunade-sama, be careful!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Three figures appeared from the forest, blocking their path.
"No need to be tense, Kimimaro. They're Konoha shinobi." Tsunade stepped forward, patting his shoulder. Only after she gave the command did Kimimaro lower his guard, though his eyes remained alert, fixed on the three.
"Tsunade-sama," greeted one of the Nara clan shinobi with a trace of joy—they had finally found her after so long.
Tsunade glanced at the leader and said with a hint of recognition, "I remember you—Nara Suzaku. What do you want?"
Suzaku replied, "Tsunade-sama, there's been a major upheaval in the village. Lord Third sent us to request you return and serve as the Fifth Hokage. Konoha is facing war and internal chaos. The high council has been removed. Only you can take control now."
"I refuse. Whoever caused the mess can clean it up. Kid from the Nara clan, I didn't want to be the Fourth. What makes you think I'd want to be the Fifth?"
Tsunade flatly refused—she knew how to act, at least a little. Besides, she was angry at Danzo and the others for turning Konoha into a mess and expecting her to clean it up.
If not for Hyuga Mirai's request, she wouldn't return at all. That place was straying further and further from her grandfather's original ideals.
Seeing her reject them, Suzaku grew anxious. "But Tsunade-sama, there's no one else in the village who can be the Fifth! Lord Third is tied up on the frontlines and can't return!"
"I don't care. Let someone else take it. Just don't come to me!" she snapped. "Shizune, Kimimaro, let's go."
As she turned to leave, Suzaku shouted in desperation, "Tsunade-sama! Kushina-sama is in trouble too—aren't you going to check on her?"
He knew the only one Tsunade truly cared about in the village was Kushina. Though she had left with someone else, they had kept that secret—Tsunade couldn't possibly know.
Just get her back first. Once she returns, Suzaku planned to request a deployment to the borders. He had no intention of staying in Konoha for the next couple of years.
"What did you say!?"
Tsunade's expression darkened instantly. In a few quick steps, she was in front of Suzaku, leaking such intense chakra pressure that all three felt it crushing down on them.
She did know Kushina's situation. But the audacity to lie about her like this?
"What happened to Kushina? Speak!"
Tsunade clenched her fists, producing a cracking sound. Suzaku's heart nearly jumped out of his chest—he almost blurted the truth.
But he steadied himself.
"K-Kushina-sama is badly injured… she needs treatment..."
Tsunade stared at him for a long moment without speaking, then said coldly:
"You better not be lying to me."
She turned to Shizune and Kimimaro. "Change of plans. We're going back to Konoha."
After the three of them departed, Suzaku let out a long sigh of relief.
"I need to request a border assignment. I'm not going back to Konoha for at least two years."
Akimichi Tōdō shook his head. "Suzaku, you shouldn't have lied to Tsunade-sama. Even if you're stationed at the border, you'll have to return for missions eventually."
"I had no choice. That kind of determination wasn't something words could change. This was the only way."
Just thinking about what might await him in the village sent chills down Suzaku's spine.
"Damn it... there's been way too much trouble lately."
(End of Chapter)