Third day since the Land of Fire declared war.
The entire shinobi world was gripped by unease.
Within the Land of Lightning, the stationed forces of the Land of Fire and the Land of Water began to gather.
The Land of Wind's forces had already forcefully broken through Iwa's blockade and were converging with their allies in the Land of Lightning.
In the northwest of the continent, along the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, massive military fortresses rose from the ground.
Konoha's shinobi, moving with astonishing speed, had constructed an impenetrable defensive line in just three days.
Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin, stood atop the highest watchtower, binoculars in hand, staring intently toward Iwa.
"Sensei, how's the situation?" Minato, standing beside him, asked.
"It's too quiet." Jiraiya lowered the binoculars, brows furrowed. "The Iwa fortress across from us hasn't moved at all these past few days. It's like a dead city."
"This isn't like Ōnoki. That old man's not the type to lie still."
Hearing this, Minato stepped forward and picked up another pair of binoculars.
At the far edge of his vision, amid Iwa's mountainous terrain, fortress after fortress stood in grim silence.
Oppressive.
"They're waiting," Minato said in a low voice.
"Yeah, waiting for us to make the first move," Jiraiya nodded. "Makes sense. Iwa's terrain is rough, easy to defend and hard to attack."
"That old man wants to bleed us dry."
"Then we can't let him have his way," Minato replied.
"I've already sent the surprise attack plan to Daimyo-sama's contact using the Reverse Summoning Jutsu," Jiraiya said.
"Don't worry. Once they find the target, I can use the Flying Thunder God Technique to get there immediately," Minato said confidently.
The Flying Thunder God Technique.
A true weapon of war.
"Yeah." Jiraiya nodded, patting his disciple's shoulder, his tone serious. "This will be hard on you."
"Minato, remember this."
"Our opponent this time is Ōnoki. Never underestimate him."
"That old man is no pushover. He's a relic of three Great Shinobi Wars."
"His strength and scheming are in a completely different league from someone like the Fourth Raikage."
"Your plan is solid, but be careful not to fall into his trap."
"I understand, Sensei." Minato nodded firmly.
...At the same time.
On the western and eastern fronts, the forces from the Land of Wind and the Land of Water had completed their assembly.
Western Front.
Land of Wind border, temporary military camp.
The Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, was giving a pre-battle speech.
"Iwa's betrayal has trampled the pride of our Land of Wind into the dirt!"
His voice, amplified with chakra, echoed across the entire camp.
"Now, we have the chance to reclaim that pride!"
"To wash away our shame and take back everything that's rightfully ours!"
With a wave of his hand, golden sand shot into the sky behind him, forming a massive fist in the air.
"This battle is for Sunagakure's glory!"
"For the Land of Wind!"
"Roar!"
Below, the shinobi of Suna roared in unison, their killing intent surging.
The 2.5 billion ryō entry fee had left the entire Land of Wind seething with fury.
That fury would only be quenched with the blood of Iwa.
Eastern Front.
Across the endless sea, dozens of warships flying Kirigakure's insignia rode the waves toward the Land of Lightning.
On deck stood Kirigakure's elite forces.
Each one radiated cold, ruthless killing intent.
At the head was the Kirigakure elder, Genshi.
He gazed at the blurry outline of the distant continent, his aged face filled with complex emotion.
He knew this battle was a massive gamble for the Kirigakure, which had suffered severe internal depletion.
If they won, they could carve out a piece of land from Iwa's territory—enough to recover.
If they lost... Kirigakure would fall to third-rate status, with no hope of rising again.
Even with a Tailed Beast, they'd be barely able to defend themselves.
"Elder Genshi."
A Kirigakure Jōnin approached and whispered, "Are we really siding with the Land of Fire?"
"What else can we do?" Genshi didn't turn. His voice was raspy.
"You want to sit and watch the Land of Earth swallow the Land of Lightning, then turn around and devour the Land of Water next?"
"In this world, there's no place to stay neutral."
"You either cling to the strong... or get eaten."
A hint of bitterness flashed in Genshi's eyes.
"That Daimyo of the Land of Fire may be young, but you've all seen his methods and his strength."
"Following him... at least we'll still have something to eat."
The Jōnin fell silent.
He understood.
This world had changed.
It was no longer the era where the Five Great Nations balanced each other.
A monarch with absolute authority had stepped onto the stage.
And they, the remnants of the old age, had no choice but to go with the flow.
Fire Capital, military camp outside the city.
Mei stood on the reviewing stand, overlooking the twenty-odd members of the special operations team, all outfitted with new gear.
A specially made ANBU mask concealed all emotion on her face.
Keisuke stood beside her.
The once-youthful boy, having lost his family and barely survived, now held no confusion in his eyes—only the sharp glint of a blade.
"Are you all ready?" Mei asked.
"Yes, Ma'am!"
Keisuke and the rest responded in unison, naturally and without hesitation.
They knew their only hope lay in this woman before them.
"Good." Mei nodded and pulled a scroll from her robe.
"This is the first mission Daimyo-sama has assigned us," she said coldly. "Our target is not the Land of Earth."
"But... our homeland."
"The Land of Water."
As soon as she finished speaking, shock spread across the entire team.
Return... to the Land of Water?
They had just escaped. Going back now was suicide, wasn't it?
"What you need to do isn't to face Yagura Karatachi head-on," Mei continued, ignoring their expressions.
"Your mission is to use every means possible to spread dissent. Incite rebellion. Create chaos."
"Turn the Land of Water into a sea of fire."
"Then, on top of its ruins, build a new order—one that belongs to us."
Her voice rose with passion.
"Daimyo-sama has already promised."
"If we complete this mission, he will support us in rebuilding Kirigakure."
"A Kirigakure without blood mist, without tyranny. One that truly belongs to us."
Everyone present began to breathe heavier.
Flames of hope and ambition burned in their eyes.
"I will serve as overall commander for this operation and go with you."
Mei looked at them and spoke her final command.
"Now, move out."
"Yes!"
The twenty-plus figures vanished on the spot.
A conspiracy, personally ignited by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, aimed at toppling the entire Land of Water, had begun.
Mei stood silently.
She raised a hand, gently pressing against her still-flat stomach.
Inside, a new life was quietly growing.
Right or wrong...
She didn't know.
She only knew that there was no turning back.
Not for those who followed her.
And not for... her child.
She raised her head, staring in the direction of the Land of Water.
Yagura Karatachi.
I'm back.
(To be continued.)