Lock, using his flickering dagger to retreat, swiftly swept the area with his sensory technique. A vast number of chakra signatures surged into range—well over a thousand, closing in from multiple directions.
If he hesitated even for a moment, he'd be surrounded by the Iwa army. Escaping would become nearly impossible.
His expression hardened. The point where he'd planted his sensory tag was already near the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Fire. For so many Iwa-nin to gather here—it could only mean one thing. They weren't sightseeing.
There was no longer any doubt: Iwagakure was launching an invasion of the Land of Fire. Lock didn't know what gave them such confidence, but he needed to deliver this information to Konoha as quickly as possible.
At the border of the Land of Fire, Jiraiya and his forces were already in position, Konoha's troops standing ready for battle. They were awaiting Lock's return.
Jiraiya's gaze was fixed on the horizon—the rendezvous point he'd arranged with Lock. Once the boy obtained reliable intel, he was to return here immediately.
Suddenly, a figure darted toward them at incredible speed. The Konoha shinobi tensed, ready to attack, but Jiraiya raised a hand.
"Wait—it's one of ours. Hold your fire!"
Lock arrived beside him, his tone grave. "Sensei, the Iwa army has reached the Grass border. They'll be here within half an hour at most."
"What?" Koharu exclaimed in disbelief. "That's impossible! They know they've been exposed—why would they still march to attack? Are you sure your information is accurate?"
Lock frowned slightly. "Advisor, if I wasn't sure, I wouldn't have returned so quickly. If you doubt me, the front-line scouts will confirm it soon enough."
Jiraiya didn't waste time arguing. He turned to Nara Shikaku, who stood by his side.
"Shikaku, carry out the plan we discussed. Alert all units. Once Iwa-nin appear, we engage immediately according to formation—no hesitation."
"Understood." Shikaku disappeared in a flicker to relay the orders.
Jiraiya's expression grew grim. A large-scale shinobi war wasn't the same as a clash between squads. Even the best fighters could falter without coordination. Unity of command was critical—if chaos broke out mid-battle, even victory could turn disastrous.
Over three hundred Konoha shinobi stood ready under Jiraiya's command, divided into specialized units—frontline assault, mid-range support, long-range ninjutsu, and medical squads. Each team was led by an experienced jōnin.
Even so, more than half of them had never experienced real war. Jiraiya couldn't help but worry about how they'd perform once the fighting began.
"Lock," he said after a pause, "were you able to estimate Iwa's numbers?"
Lock shook his head slightly. "Not precisely. But there are no fewer than two thousand."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed. Two thousand at least… perhaps more. His earlier suspicions were correct—Iwa had committed a full-scale invasion force.
But why now? He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Before he could voice the thought, a recon team returned from the front, breathless. Their report matched Lock's—enemy forces spotted near the border, and several scouts killed in action.
Jiraiya made his decision. "Lock, your skills are best suited for infiltration. When battle begins, find their commander and strike. Disrupt their coordination. But remember—your safety comes first."
Lock nodded. "Understood, Jiraiya-sensei. I know my limits."
He was calm, but his mind was already sharp with resolve. War was dangerous for everyone—but danger also bred opportunity. He'd spent months sharpening his technique, enhancing his chakra control, and refining his assassination style. This battlefield would test everything he'd learned.
He had already taken down several Iwa-nin earlier—none were particularly strong, but each encounter had taught him something. His chakra reserves had deepened from the repeated use of high-level techniques, and his body had grown stronger from the strain.
Now, with his recent training, his speed, precision, and endurance had all reached a new peak. He could feel it—his strength had advanced beyond his former limits.
Lock checked the blade at his side—the Soul-Cleansing Dagger Jiraiya had helped him refine through sealing techniques. Its edge pulsed faintly with chakra, honed to respond to his will.
He exhaled slowly, centering himself.
This war will decide more than territory, he thought. It will decide who survives—and who becomes stronger.
Jiraiya glanced back at him, his expression somber. "Lock… whatever happens out there, remember—you're not alone. We fight together."
Lock gave a small nod. "Yes, Sensei."
The wind carried the distant tremor of marching troops. The air grew heavy with the scent of impending battle.
The war between Konoha and Iwagakure was about to begin.
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