The clouds of war spread.
The Land of Fire's war machine, under the will of the Daimyo, began to operate at full speed.
Countless supplies were requisitioned and transported continuously to the front lines.
In addition to Konoha shinobi, countless rogue ninja, as well as ninja from various small clans, were mobilized.
As long as they were active in the Land of Fire and passed identity verification, all were secretly recruited by Arashi.
Just like the Shadow Guard of the past.
Perhaps they did not understand what national righteousness meant, but the recruitment funds, along with bounties sufficient to let them and their families live in comfort, were the most realistic motivation.
At this moment, they had split into scattered squads and were being mobilized secretly to infiltrate Iwa.
As long as Iwa showed weakness on the battlefield, even if the fight was only evenly matched, these rogue ninja could deliver a fatal blow to Iwagakure.
Konoha, as the open blade of the Land of Fire, was even more fully mobilized.
The Ninja Academy was dismissed early, and all Genin aged twelve and up were reassigned to logistics and defense units.
The once bustling streets had grown desolate, with uniformed shinobi hurrying in all directions.
On every face was the solemnity that comes before battle.
Inside the Hokage's office, the lights remained lit through the night, never dimming.
Minato, Hiruzen, and all of Konoha's high-ranking officials were gathered around the massive military map, conducting final tactical simulations.
"The Iwa border has twelve major fortresses, each garrisoned with elite Iwa forces, forming a defense network that reinforces itself. They're easy to defend, difficult to attack."
Nara Shikaku pointed to the red marks on the map, brows deeply furrowed.
"If we launch a direct assault on any one point, the others will provide immediate support. The cost would be too high."
"Then we lure them out and fight!" The Inuzuka Clan Head slammed the table in frustration.
"How will you lure them?" Hyūga Hiashi replied calmly. "Iwagakure shinobi are known for their patience. If they just hold position, we'll have no way to make them move."
For a while, the room fell into dead silence once again.
"Perhaps…"
Minato, who had remained quiet, finally spoke.
His finger pointed to a seemingly insignificant area deep within Iwa territory.
"We can try this."
Everyone followed his finger.
It was a vast plain, the primary grain-producing region of Iwa.
"You mean… attack their logistics?" Hiruzen's eyes lit up.
"No," Minato shook his head. "Not attack. Destroy."
A sharp glint flashed through his normally gentle eyes.
"The Land of Earth is mostly mountainous, with a dry climate. Most of the region is unsuitable for cultivation."
"This area is the lifeline of Iwa."
"If we can deploy a surprise unit, bypass the frontline defenses, and completely destroy this plain…"
"Then without fighting, in three months, the Iwa war machine will collapse on its own due to lack of supplies."
This plan was bold and ruthless.
It targeted the root of the nation.
"But the Daimyo's message mentioned that a special unit has already infiltrated Iwa. We just have to wait," Koharu said.
"This is a backup plan," Minato replied.
"But bypassing the twelve fortress blockades and penetrating into the heartland is practically impossible," Homura questioned.
"No. One person can do it."
Minato's gaze turned to the office door.
There, a white-haired man in wooden clogs, a large scroll strapped to his back, leaned lazily against the doorframe with a grin.
"Jiraiya-sensei. I had him return in secret."
Jiraiya walked in with a grin. "Sounds like a fun mission."
...Fire Capital, Daimyo Manor.
Arashi paid no attention to the specifics of frontline tactics.
Professional matters should be left to professionals.
As Daimyo, his only responsibility was to control the overall flow of war and ensure that everything stayed on the path he had designed.
He had no intention of personally intervening either.
If he had to do everything himself, there was no point in letting Konoha exist.
At the moment, he was meeting with Mei.
Mei held a scroll in her hand.
It was the operational plan targeting the Land of Water, handed to her by Aono Saku under Arashi's instruction.
"Finished reading?" Arashi gently blew on his teacup, his tone casual.
"I've finished," Mei replied.
"How does it feel?"
"Very bold… and also very malicious," Mei gave her evaluation without hesitation.
The scroll contained a single core strategy.
To have the special operations unit quietly return to Kirigakure.
But not to directly confront Yagura Karatachi's forces.
Instead… to instigate defection.
To incite defection from the shinobi clans, furious but silenced by the Blood Mist policy.
To incite defection from the nobles whose interests were damaged and who harbored dissatisfaction.
To incite defection from every group that could be turned.
Then, at a critical moment, spark an internal rebellion from within the Land of Water.
Plunge Kirigakure into civil chaos, making it incapable of interfering in continental affairs.
This wasn't just war.
It was dismantling a nation by the most insidious means.
"Do you think I'm just using you for my own goals?" Arashi set down his cup, eyeing her with curiosity.
"Isn't that what you're doing?" Mei countered.
"Yes." Arashi admitted openly, then changed the subject. "But have you considered that this is your only chance?"
He stood and walked up to her, towering above.
"Why was Yagura able to implement the Blood Mist policy? Because he was strong enough. Ruthless enough."
"Now, I'm giving you a chance."
"A chance to become more ruthless. Stronger than him."
"Money doesn't grow on trees. Even if you're carrying my child."
"I'll give you weapons, funds, intelligence."
"I'll even turn a blind eye while you recruit those who sit on the fence, in the name of the Land of Fire."
"All you have to do is return to your homeland…"
"Eliminate every obstacle in your way."
"Whether they're shinobi, nobles, even civilians…"
"Kill them all."
"Use their blood to cultivate a new soil."
"Then build a new Kirigakure on it. One under your complete control."
Arashi's voice echoed clearly in Mei's ears.
Her body trembled slightly.
She looked up at the man before her, feeling as though he could devour her very soul.
She understood. If she nodded now…
She would no longer be the tragic heroine struggling to save her comrades.
She would become an executioner, colder and more ruthless than Yagura himself.
"What?" Arashi smiled playfully. "Afraid?"
"Or was your talk of revenge and rebuilding just a childish fantasy?"
Mei fell silent.
"It seems you haven't thought it through," Arashi said as he tapped the chair beneath him. "Without enough merit, how will your child have the right to sit on this chair?"
Mei suddenly looked up.
In her beautiful eyes, all hesitation vanished in that instant.
What replaced it was unwavering resolve.
"I... understand."
"Terumī Mei is willing to offer the entire Land of Water to Daimyo-sama."
(To be continued.).
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