Chapter 4: The Troubles of Kitsuchi

In the operations command room of the Tsuchikage building in Iwagakure, a group of military strategists were busily arranging red and blue markers on a massive sand table. Standing at the front of the sand table, Kitsuchi furrowed his brows so deeply that they formed a "川" shape. His jaw was clenched tightly, causing a hard ridge of muscle to bulge along his cheeks. His hands gripped the command rod so firmly that it seemed he might crush it, while his bloodshot eyes remained fixed on the blue flags representing Kumogakure forces advancing step by step into the heart of Iwagakure's territory.

A week ago, Kumogakure's army stationed at the border of the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning suddenly launched an unprovoked attack. The commander, originally Tsukigami Kou, was replaced by the Third Raikage, A, whose overwhelming physical prowess and devastating One-Finger Nukite instantly crushed the forces led by Akatsuchi, leaving them no chance to resist.

Now, with only five thousand troops, the Third Raikage A had penetrated over five hundred kilometers into the Land of Earth, and his forces were poised to strike directly at Iwagakure.

"Order Akatsuchi to hold the Kumogakure army at the Zheyan Gorge for at least three days, no matter the cost! Mojiru and Kagari, organize three thousand reinforcements to form a secondary defensive line at Bolin Valley and prepare to support Akatsuchi!" Kitsuchi barked out orders.

"But Lord Kitsuchi, such resistance is futile," came the calm voice of Bunya, a Jonin.

Bunya was a young elite Jonin personally mentored by Onoki, known for his steady demeanor and exceptional strength. With a physique as solid as a boulder and unparalleled raw power, he excelled in Earth Release and sealing techniques. His mastery over battlefield tactics had earned him the position of Iwagakure's chief strategist.

"What is your suggestion, then?" Kitsuchi asked, knowing he valued Bunya's opinions greatly.

"This time, with the Third Raikage personally leading the army, his intent is clear: to break through our defenses swiftly and seize Iwagakure in one decisive strike. While Zheyan Gorge and Bolin Valley are advantageous for defense due to their terrain, they lack fortified structures. It will be extremely difficult to effectively repel Kumogakure's highly motivated forces."

Bunya pointed to the markers on the sand table as he analyzed the situation.

"So, what do you propose we do?" Kitsuchi asked.

"I believe we should move the battlefield back," Bunya replied.

"Move it back? To where?" Kitsuchi pressed.

"To here," Bunya said, pointing downward at the sand table.

"What?! Iwagakure itself?" Kitsuchi exclaimed in disbelief.

"Yes, Lord Kitsuchi. Please allow me to explain my plan," Bunya said, his expression unwavering.

"Go on," Kitsuchi urged.

"Although Kumogakure's army is currently unstoppable, they have a fatal weakness: their numbers are too few. Without reinforcements, these five thousand shinobi have no chance of capturing Iwagakure. My suggestion is to abandon field battles and focus on fortress defense."

Bunya pointed to Iwagakure's position on the sand table.

"Our village has fully equipped fortifications and ample supplies, enough to hold out for a year or more. My plan involves having Akatsuchi's remaining forces retreat from Bolin Valley through the River Corridor and secretly maneuver to Eagle Sorrow Gorge."

Bunya traced a counterclockwise circle on the sand table, marking the route for Akatsuchi's forces.

"That would place them behind Kumogakure's army?" Kitsuchi asked.

"Precisely. If the maneuver succeeds, the initiative will return to us. First, we can cut off Kumogakure's reinforcements. Second, if the Third Raikage fails to take Iwagakure, he will inevitably retreat. At that point, we can launch a counterattack from the village while Akatsuchi intercepts their retreat, trapping them between our forces. Victory will be ours!" Bunya concluded, stepping back to await Kitsuchi's orders.

Kitsuchi sat silently, pondering the plan. As a seasoned warrior, he knew the strategy was bold and hinged on two critical factors: first, whether Iwagakure could withstand Kumogakure's assault; second, whether Akatsuchi's three thousand remaining troops could successfully block Kumogakure's reinforcements.

If either condition failed, Iwagakure would face annihilation.

"Leave me alone to think," Kitsuchi finally said.

The strategists exchanged glances, placed their tools down, and quietly exited the command room.

Kitsuchi's eyes darted across key positions on the sand table as he calculated his options. Since instigating the Akatsuki's involvement in Sunagakure's rebellion, the entire situation had spiraled out of his control.

First, Kumogakure stationed troops at the border with the Land of Lightning, forcing him to deploy shinobi for defense. Then, the rebellion in Sunagakure collapsed overnight, failing to achieve any substantive results. Worse still, intelligence reported that the observer he had sent—Higashi Shijin—had been captured by the Third Kazekage, Jing Hang, and now he had to worry about Sunagakure's retaliation.

Before any retaliation could occur, however, the Third Raikage suddenly launched an attack on Akatsuchi.

It was a chain reaction, one event triggering another. If only he had ignored that dark figure's advice and focused on slowly building strength instead. Wouldn't that have been a better approach?

"Lord Kitsuchi, why so troubled?" a sly voice interrupted his thoughts.

"It's you!" Kitsuchi snapped his head up, and sure enough, standing before him was the half-black, half-white creature known as Zetsu.

"Lord Kitsuchi, please don't glare at me like that—it's scary!" White Zetsu said with exaggerated fear.

"This is all your fault! Now my Iwagakure is once again plunged into war, teetering on the brink of destruction! Do you understand that?" Kitsuchi growled.

"On the brink of destruction? That's a bit dramatic," Black Zetsu said, casually plucking one of the blue flags representing Kumogakure's forces from the sand table. He toyed with it in his hand as he spoke.

"I see this as an opportunity for Iwagakure to rise."

"What?" Kitsuchi stared at Zetsu in disbelief.

"I've brought two pieces of news for you this time, both good," Zetsu continued.

Kitsuchi remained silent, watching Zetsu intently.

Without further teasing, Zetsu revealed the news.

"First, Konohagakure has dispatched a significant number of shinobi to infiltrate the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning."

"Hmm!" Kitsuchi's spirits lifted. This was indeed good news; with Konoha's forces tying up Kumogakure's reinforcements, their subsequent deployments would be delayed.

"Second, Kumogakure's Eight-Tails Jinchuriki has gone berserk and is currently wreaking havoc in their village."

"Is this true?" Kitsuchi exclaimed, standing abruptly.

"Absolutely. I just came from Kumogakure myself," Zetsu confirmed.

Kitsuchi turned back to the sand table, his mind racing with new possibilities.

"The Third Raikage will soon receive the news. If everything goes as expected, he'll retreat to his village immediately. If you seize this opportunity and mobilize all of Iwagakure's forces to crush these five thousand shinobi, Kumogakure will suffer a devastating blow. Taking them down entirely wouldn't be impossible. The northern part of the ninja world would then belong solely to your Iwagakure, Lord Kitsuchi. This is your chance," Zetsu said, snapping the blue flag in his hand and tossing it onto the sand table.

"Everyone, come back in!" Kitsuchi shouted decisively, and Zetsu sank into the ground, disappearing from sight.

The strategists filed back into the room.

"Mobilize every ninja in the village who can fight! Prepare for battle!" Kitsuchi commanded, his resolve unwavering.

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