Chapter 50: Deciding on a Plan.

Inside Jiraiya's tent at the Konoha ninja encampment.

Yasu stated his analysis, and Jiraiya agreed with it.

Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction, saying: "The analysis is good, but what's the solution?"

Yasu continued: "It's unrealistic to drive the Hidden Cloud Village ninja out of the Land of Hot Water because the combat power of both sides is too disparate as I said before. Even if Konoha sends ninja to support us later, it definitely won't be too many."

"And because of Teacher Orochimaru's plan, the Konoha ninja need to be divided into four groups. At the same time, a portion of the ninja must remain in Konoha, while the Hidden Cloud Village can continuously support ninja to come to the Land of Hot Water."

"However, relying on Lord Jiraiya and Teacher Orochimaru's reputation, we might be able to push the front line forward a bit, leaving us some leeway so that we won't only have the option of retreating back to the Land of Fire once the war starts."

Jiraiya asked in confusion: "Relying on my and Orochimaru's reputation?"

Minato also didn't understand what he meant by reputation.

Yasu explained in a deep voice: "Yes, it's relying on reputation. Making a big show of letting the Hidden Cloud Village ninja know that two of Konoha's Sannin have already arrived in the Land of Hot Water, which is to scare them, making them act cautiously and not dare to act rashly."

"At the same time, Lord Jiraiya and Teacher Orochimaru must also come forward together to attack one of their strongholds, letting them know that the Land of Hot Water will be a key area for Konoha to garrison. At that time, they should think that Konoha's reinforcements have arrived and that the counterattack from Konoha is about to begin. Then, we'll use this to push forward a portion of the front line, moving the front line away from the Land of Fire border and into the Land of Hot Water. This way, we'll have some leeway."

"However, the front line absolutely cannot be pushed too far, because over time, they will definitely know that Konoha's reinforcement is just Teacher Orochimaru alone. And if the front line is pushed too far, we simply won't be able to defend it. We'll only waste combat power for nothing, and we might even retreat back to the Land of Fire's border, which would be a wasted effort."

"Then, after the front line is pushed, we'll hold the current position and stall for time, waiting for Teacher Orochimaru's overall plan to be implemented. This is the method I can think of. I don't know if this method is 100% foolproof."

Lord Orochimaru pondered for a moment and said: "Your method is quite good. It can be said that we can be implement it."

"And as you said, our combat power is completely unable to compete with the ninja from the Hidden Cloud Village, so it is basically impossible to push the front line through direct confrontation."

"Initially, my idea was to have Jiraiya and I attack the Hidden Cloud Village ninja's troops in order to stabilize the current situation, and then look for a breakthrough to try to push the front line forward, but Yasu, your method is a bit more aggressive, if it succeeds, then our gains will be huge, and it will also allow our subsequent arrangements to be more flexible."

"So, I'm inclined to use your method to execute the plan. Jiraiya, what do you think?"

Jiraiya thought for a moment and said: "I also think it's feasible, but if we execute this plan, we need to attack one of their strongholds. The Hidden Cloud Village's strongholds that we've discovered are all marked on the map. Orochimaru, which stronghold do you think we should attack?"

Orochimaru directly pulled out a flag representing a Hidden Cloud Village stronghold from the map: "Since we want to announce our existence to them and make them fear us, then of course we must choose the toughest bone to gnaw on. Otherwise, it won't have the effect of making them act cautiously."

Looking at the flag in Orochimaru's hand, Jiraiya said in surprise: "Directly attack the Hidden Hot Spring Village?"

Minato said anxiously: "Lord Orochimaru, Teacher Jiraiya, this is too reckless. Hot Spring Village is now not only garrisoned by Cloud ninjas, but also Hot Water ninjas."

"The Hot Spring Village ninjas haven't directly engaged in combat with us yet. If we directly attack their Village, they will definitely become hostile to us as well. Wouldn't that make the situation even more unfavorable for us?"

Orochimaru ignored Minato ranting, and Yasu chuckled.

Hearing his chuckling, Minato frowned: "Yasu, what's so funny?"

Yasu turned his head, speaking in a somewhat strange tone: "It's nothing. I just feel like your idea is pretty good. It would be best to form an alliance with the Hot Spring Village and work together from the inside and outside to kill the Cloud ninjas in the Hot Spring Village. Wouldn't that be even better?"

Jiraiya explained awkwardly: "Minato, the Hot Spring Village directly agreed to let the Cloud ninjas garrison in their village, which means they are already hostile to Konoha. To achieve the effect of making them act cautiously, the Hot Spring Village is indeed the best choice."

"So, rather than waiting for them to take the initiative to fight us later, it's better for us to directly attack them, catching them off guard. If the attack is successful, then the largest stronghold of the Hidden Cloud Village ninjas in the Land of Hot Water will disappear, and the Hot Spring ninjas will definitely not dare to let the Cloud ninjas garrison in their village again."

"At the same time, the ninjas of Hot Spring Village will definitely be even more afraid to oppose us Konoha ninja. Although it is indeed a bit risky, if it succeeds, then the benefits will be great.

"Moreover, this time we are ambushing the Hot Spring Village, and there are not many jonin among them and the garrisoned Cloud ninjas. Most of them are chunin and genin. With Orochimaru and I here, the probability of success is very high."

"Furthermore, we are not occupying their Village. As long as the effect is achieved, our plan will be considered a success."

Minato still felt it was too risky.

He was very clear that if Yasu's plan was implemented, there would definitely be casualties, and there might be quite a few.

During his time in the Land of Hot Water, Minato had become good companions with the ninjas stationed there, so he really couldn't bear to see his companions injured, let alone see them die.

However, the decision-making power was not in his hands, but in Teacher Jiraiya and Lord Orochimaru's hands.

Jiraiya said to Orochimaru: "Then let's go, Orochimaru. Now, I'm handing over command to you. All the ninja here, including me, will follow your orders."

Orochimaru nodded and said: "Then gather the ninja that can be gathered now. After all, it's an ambush, so we must be quick. Otherwise, if they know that I've come to the Land of Hot Water, the expected effect will be greatly reduced, and they will also be prepared."

"Okay, I'll go arrange it immediately."

Jiraiya and Minato left the tent to arrange things immediately.

Yasu also wanted to leave the tent, but Orochimaru stopped him, saying that since this was the method he came up with, he wanted him to stay and discuss the details of the battle plan with him.

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