Hidden Mist Frontline Command Tent.
"What? The plan failed?"
The baby-faced Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, shot to his feet, slamming a hand onto the table.
Bang!
The heavy oak split down the middle, breaking into pieces.
"Yes…" The ANBU commander swallowed hard. "Although I don't want to admit it, that's the truth."
"The ninja assigned to cover the operation noticed the strike team never made contact. Suspecting trouble, they sent scouts to investigate."
"They found two entire ANBU squads... dead on a cliff at the forest's edge."
"And… and…"
Yagura's sharp gaze cut through the man. "And what?"
"…Most of them were killed by Wood Release."
"What?" Yagura's voice rose in disbelief. "Wood Release?"
As Mizukage, Yagura knew all too well what that meant. The Hidden Mist kept detailed records of the legendary Senju Hashirama's power—techniques that could reshape the battlefield itself.
He dropped back into his chair, frowning. "Has another Wood Release user appeared in Konoha…?"
Two ANBU squads, wiped out without even a chance to retreat…
Even if this new wielder's skill fell short of the First Hokage's, such power was not to be underestimated.
The records already painted Wood Release as almost godlike. Yagura had always thought the reports exaggerated. Now… maybe not.
"How's the Three-Tails' jinchūriki?" he asked, voice tight.
If Konoha secured their jinchūriki and managed to re-seal the tailed beast, Mist would lose one of its greatest assets while Konoha gained one. That could tip the balance of the entire war.
The ANBU chief bowed. "The battlefield was chaotic. Direct intel was hard to gather. Knowing the importance of the Three-Tails, I activated one of our deep-cover operatives inside Konoha's forward command."
He hesitated. "It was risky. If I asked too much, they might suspect my source. I beg your forgiveness, Mizukage-sama."
Using a top-level spy without permission was dangerous—every such asset took years to embed. Exposure meant certain death.
"That depends," Yagura said coldly. "If you bring me bad news, you won't remain head of ANBU for long."
The commander cursed silently. It was your plan, not mine. Fortunately, his message was not bad news.
"According to the report," he said, "the girl sealing the Three-Tails, Nohara Rin, is dead."
Relief flickered across Yagura's face. If the jinchūriki died, the beast would vanish… but only temporarily. In time, the Three-Tails would reform. Mist would have another chance to reclaim it.
He didn't know this event would one day pave the way for his own downfall—becoming nothing more than a puppet, doubling down on the infamous Blood Mist policy, and dragging his village into decline.
"That girl used sheer willpower to briefly break control," the ANBU chief continued, "then threw herself into Hatake Kakashi's Chidori. Suicide."
Yagura was silent, then said, "A strong shinobi. We chose the wrong target… a coward would've been easier to manipulate."
He waved the matter away. "No point brooding. What's done is done. The gods have chosen Konoha's fate today."
The ANBU commander asked, "What are your orders, Mizukage-sama?"
"Withdraw," Yagura said at last. "Pull our forces back to the Land of Whirlpools. No point bleeding ourselves dry inside Fire Country; Cloud, Stone, and Sand would only celebrate our losses."
The commander frowned. "But can we hold the Land of Whirlpools? Konoha won't let us keep it without challenge."
"What about sending the Six-Tails' jinchūriki?"
Yagura considered it, then shook his head. "Utakata is only seven. His control over Six-Tails is too poor. If it transforms, the seal will break, and we'll lose our last tailed beast. No."
He sighed. "Defend it if we can. If not… we'll withdraw and let the Land of Whirlpools fall into chaos again. Konoha won't push further if they have sense."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama." The commander donned his mask and vanished into the mist.
Konoha Frontline Command Tent.
In Tsunade's large field tent, the war council gathered:
Tsunade at the head, Orochimaru and Nara Shikaku on her left, Jiraiya and Namikaze Minato on her right.
Minato's usual easy smile was gone, his face shadowed. He'd seen death countless times as a shinobi, but Nohara Rin's loss still cut deep. She'd been gentle, kind, and undeserving of such an end.
Tsunade spoke crisply. "Everyone knows the situation with Nohara Rin. Let's hear your thoughts."
Orochimaru's hoarse voice broke the silence. "I'll speak first."
That drew glances. Normally, Minato as her teacher's student, or Jiraiya as Rin's grandmaster, should speak first.
"Why?" Orochimaru smiled faintly. "Am I not allowed?"
Minato inclined his head. "Please, Orochimaru-senpai."
"Nohara Rin was undoubtedly a hero," Orochimaru said. "Kirigakure's methods were cruel and insidious. To avenge her… I propose we deploy the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki."