What?!

"Yagura-sama, are we truly attacking Kumo?"

"Of course."

"But given the Sandaime Raikage's temperament, once they recover, they'll surely retaliate. Can Kirigakure withstand that?"

Chūki voiced his concerns.

As a Kiri jōnin, he wasn't ignorant of village politics. This assault on Lightning Country wasn't just about clan interests—it fulfilled their surrender terms to Konoha.

However.

He understood the consequences.

Kumo was warlike.

Those maniacs acted without regard for consequences. In terms of pure strength, Kiri stood no chance against them…

If provoked, could they really expect Konoha's help?

From his perspective, attacking Kumo seemed unwise. Yet Yagura disagreed, smiling as he gazed westward.

"Chūki, remember that intel I had ANBU sell to Ōnoki?"

Yagura paused briefly before redirecting his gaze to Lightning Country.

"Unless I'm mistaken, Konoha and Iwa should be locked in battle by now."

Chūki understood.

Kumo's recent advances had been unstoppable.

Rumors said Konoha kept retreating, contracting their frontline into Fire Country's heartland—something unprecedented.

Thus…

Konoha must already be fighting Iwa!

"Then shouldn't we attack Konoha instead?"

"We could. But I believe Konoha will win. Striking now fulfills our obligations while securing benefits."

Yagura's reasoning ran deeper than "instinct." He suspected that Konoha's strategist—that infuriating genius—would devise some unimaginable tactic to defeat Ōnoki.

Victory would likely belong to Konoha.

Given that, betraying their agreement to attack a victorious Konoha with stationed guards no less would be idiocy.

Yagura kept these thoughts private.

"We're approaching shore. Prepare for combat."

"Wait—something's wrong! Kumo's forces are withdrawing westward!"

Chūki's sensory abilities detected the anomaly first.

This contingent should have been guarding against Kiri's assault.

Yet they were rushing toward…

Reinforcement?

What's happening?

Even Yagura looked stunned momentarily before murmuring: "Impossible… Did Konoha abandon the western front to focus on Kumo? Has the Hokage gone mad?"

Chūki was aghast.

Abandoning the western front would let Iwa devour that territory.

Knowing Konoha…

Unthinkable!

"Hard to say. That guy's capable of anything. Though there's another possibility… one I dread."

Yagura trailed off cryptically.

But Chūki grasped his meaning.

The alternative…

Konoha might have already defeated Iwa within days, now redirecting forces against Kumo. Hence Kumo's reserve teams being recalled.

If true, Konoha's strength was terrifying!

"No time for speculation. Target the weakened outposts."

"Yes!"

——

Kumogakure.

"Raikage-sama! Your return is fortuitous!"

"So Kiri attacked after all?"

The Sandaime Raikage's lips curled coldly.

"Those two-faced snakes! When I noticed Konoha's eastern forces were understaffed, I knew they weren't committing fully!"

"Well… yes, Kiri is harassing us, but insignificantly. This is urgent!"

The ANBU captain presented a scroll.

The Raikage's brow furrowed.

He'd returned suspecting Kiri's treachery, ready to wring necks.

But the report left him speechless.

Iwa?

Why were they here?!

"Raikage-sama…"

"Has Ōnoki lost his mind? Instead of crushing weakened Konoha, he allies with them against me?"

Veins bulged on the Raikage's forehead.

He'd anticipated Konoha's gambits—but assumed Kiri would be involved.

This made no sense.

Kiri's erratic decisions were understandable given their clan politics.

But Iwa?

Ōnoki ruled supreme.

His leadership built Iwa's current might. 

The man wasn't shortsighted—he knew Konoha remained the strongest village.

Why stab me in the back?

"Raikage-sama… a conjecture. Our eastern advances went too smoothly. Could Konoha have diverted forces to crush Iwa first?"

"Diverted forces?"

The Raikage forced calm.

After consideration, he nodded grimly.

"Continue."

"If so… might Ōnoki already be… defeated?"

The captain voiced the unthinkable—

The only plausible explanation.

"Ōnoki? Defeated?"

The Raikage stared incredulously.

After years of preparation, against a Konoha freshly war-weary from Suna, Iwa should have dominated.

Decapitation strike?

Ridiculous.

This was Ōnoki!

Even he struggled against Jinton and weight manipulation techniques. 

Few in Konoha could assassinate the Tsuchikage.

Yet no other explanation fit.

Within seconds, he made his decision.

No time for doubts.

"Use the Heavenly Transfer Technique to send me back to the frontlines immediately!"

"Heavenly Transfer? But—that's for intelligence couriering! Sending scrolls suffices!"

The captain paled.

Transferring the Raikage?

If anything went wrong…

"I must go. A might act rashly otherwise. And… Konoha won't let our forces retreat unscathed."

The Raikage's tone brooked no argument.

"But—"

"That's an order!"

"Yes!"

Though designed for objects, the technique might work on humans—if anyone could survive the strain, it was the Raikage.

Still, the captain's hands shook.

——

Eastern Frontlines.

Konoha's forces had yielded considerable ground under Orochimaru's meticulous orchestration, luring A and Killer B deeper without suspicion.

"Orochimaru! Western front's secured! Minato and Kyōichi are coordinating with Ōnoki to cut off Kumo's retreat!"

"When?"

Orochimaru shot upright, uncharacteristically startled.

Victory?

Ōnoki collaborating with Konoha?

Impossible!

Too swift!

"Yesterday. Ōnoki mobilized last night—they've reached Lightning Country's borders."

Jiraiya vibrated with excitement.

He didn't know Minato and Kyōichi's exact roles, but such speed implied flawless execution.

Now—the eastern counterattack!

"Excellent…"

Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. He'd been contemplating further retreats, wary of endangering Fire Country's villages.

Now?

The tide had turned.

"Kyōichi's instructions?"

"None. They trust our judgment."

"Wise. They lack situational awareness here… Wait. Let Kumo retreat first, then pursue!"

Orochimaru suppressed his battle-lust.

Premature engagement risked alerting the Raikage.

Instead, he deployed Hyūga and Aburame scouts to monitor Kumo's movements.

Soon—

Reports confirmed the Sandaime Raikage's return.

Fortunately they'd held back.

Direct confrontation now would be disastrous.

"The Raikage teleported? Does Kumo have a Hiraishin equivalent?"

Jiraiya was stunned.

"Nothing so refined. Only his Lightning Armor could withstand the backlash… Such fascinating durability."

Orochimaru's tongue flicked hungrily.

Having witnessed the Raikage battle Hachibi, he knew that monstrous physique firsthand. Even combined, he and Jiraiya might lose.

What he wouldn't give to dissect that body…

Alas—

A pipe dream.

The Raikage's arrival prompted immediate Konoha withdrawal.

——

Kumo Camp.

"Father! Why return?"

A was baffled.

Hadn't the Raikage left to counter Kiri?

"I ordered no further advances! Yet you've penetrated deeper into Fire Country! Did you consider encirclement risks?"

The Raikage's voice was icy.

"Impossible! Konoha's bleeding against Iwa while we dominate here. They've no reserves for—"

A's confidence shattered as the Raikage interrupted:

"No reserves? Ōnoki's at our borders! Had I delayed, Orochimaru would've encircled you!"

"What?!"

A's eyes bulged.

Ōnoki invading Lightning Country?

Inconceivable!

"Full retreat! Abandon non-essentials. Priority one: returning home intact."

"Yes!"

Though gradually inheriting leadership, A couldn't override the Sandaime's authority. The order triggered immediate mobilization.

Within moments—

The entire camp was fleeing northward.

Yet Konoha gave chase.

Orochimaru employed guerilla tactics—no direct engagements, just endless snakes, kikaichū swarms, and Kirigakure's signature mist permeating the forests.

Frustrated Kumo-nin shared Ōnoki's earlier sentiment:

"Could Kiri be any more useless? Letting Konoha steal their signature jutsu!"

The further they retreated, the more A appreciated Orochimaru's cunning. These attacks lacked lethal force but were maddeningly persistent—ignorable yet disruptive.

Sheer psychological warfare.