The basic situation is like this, everyone is ready!" In front of Konoha's gate, Nara Shikahisa briefly explained the contents of the mission, then decisively waved his hand and led a thousand Konoha ninja toward the border.
As early as two days ago, Konoha's senior officials lodged a protest with Kumogakure. If Kumogakure did not withdraw the Kumo-nin who had entered the Land of Fire, Konoha would take strong countermeasures.
The Fourth Raikage, was known to be strong and irritable. He ignored Konoha's protests and instead amassed a large number of ninja in the village. Once Kumo fully understood Konoha's current state, the Fourth Raikage intended to declare war.
For unknown reasons, Kumogakure had learned that the Nine-Tails was sealed inside a baby.
Since the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki was still an infant, it meant that the beast could not be used on the battlefield. Meanwhile, Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, and Yugito Nii, the Two-Tails' jinchūriki, had undergone training at the Falls of Truth and gained preliminary control over their tailed beasts.
In particular, Killer Bee had befriended Gyūki and could wield its power freely.
The strength of these two jinchūriki gave Kumogakure its confidence.
By contrast, Konoha was in a weakened state. The Sannin had all left the village, and the Fourth Hokage, Be Feng Shuimen, had perished in battle. At the shadow level, only the Third Hokage remained, along with a handful of aging veterans.
The Fourth Raikage was eager to take advantage of the situation and push for war. Had it not been for Kumogakure's elders restraining him, war would likely have already broken out.
The Raikage wanted to strike quickly to seize resources and land in the Land of Fire. However, the upper ranks of Kumogakure advised him to first assess Konoha's current strength. After all, although Orochimaru had defected, Jiraiya and Tsunade had merely left the village. If war broke out, they might return and join the battlefield.
That decision led to Kumo-nin infiltrating the Land of Fire.
This territorial violation was a serious provocation. Konoha's response to this would influence Kumogakure's next move.
If Konoha sent ninja to confront Kumogakure directly, both sides might proceed with caution. But if Konoha's response seemed weak, Kumogakure might launch an all-out invasion.
In the original manga, the Hyuga Affair occurred Hinata Hyuga was nearly abducted. This implies that after Be Feng Shuimen fought Killer Bee to a standstill, a temporary truce existed between the two villages. But years later, the abduction incident sparked renewed tensions.
It wasn't until Konoha handed over the corpse of Hiashi Hyuga's twin brother, Hizashi, that a formal 'peace agreement' was signed.
That was a humiliating moment for Konoha. At the time, the village's talent pool had withered, and it lacked the strength to confront Kumogakure.
However, Konoha's situation was different now. Thanks to the presence of Chao Yanqian, the Nine-Tails incident caused less destruction. Apart from Be Feng Shuime's death, Konoha had retained most of its combat strength from the post-truce period with Kumogakure.
Moreover, Chao Yanqian had mastered Sage Mode, greatly increasing his power. With him, Konoha now had the confidence to confront Kumogakure.
Still, in line with the "feign weakness and lure the enemy in" tactic proposed by Chao Yanqian, Konoha initially avoided showing too much strength. The 1,000 ninja led by Nara Shikahisa were stationed at the Land of Fire's border but did not engage the Kumo-nin who had infiltrated.
Meanwhile, Konoha's high command deliberately leaked information about Chao Yanqian to Kumogakure through special channels.
He had learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, inherited Tsunade's monstrous strength and medical ninjutsu, and his strength was said to rival Be Feng Shuimen. Most importantly, Chao Yanqian was not yet sixteen.
Upon hearing this, the Fourth Raikage roared with laughter.
Boom!
Slamming a fist down, the Raikage shattered the desk in front of him and bellowed, "Is this Chao Yanqian the only master Konoha has left? Does Hiruzen Sarutobi expect this kid to stand against Kumogakure? Send out the order immediate assault on the Land of Fire!"
"Lord Raikage," said Mabui calmly as she adjusted her glasses. "According to our intel, Chao Yanqian once released the Three-Tails in Kirigakure and also assisted Minato Namikaze in halting 5,000 Iwa-nin. His strength should not be underestimated."
"Hmph! How strong could a sixteen-year-old brat be? Konoha must truly be desperate. This is a heaven-sent opportunity! Kumogakure will crush Konoha in one blow!" the Fourth Raikage growled.
"Also, we've yet to confirm the whereabouts of Tsunade and Jiraiya," Mabui added. "If war breaks out, they may return."
"Hmph!" The Raikage exhaled sharply, seething with rage. "Don't keep me waiting too long!"
"Yes!"
While Kumogakure investigated Konoha's capabilities, the Leaf also sprang into action. Within a week of Nara Shikahisa's departure with the first wave, nearly 3,000 Konoha ninja left the village, some openly under the guise of missions, others in secret, heading for the front lines to prepare ambushes.
As the home territory, Konoha knew the terrain of the Land of Fire intimately setting up ambushes was second nature.
During this time, Konoha also spread rumors that Jiraiya and Tsunade had secretly returned. Though no one had seen them, the mere possibility forced Kumogakure to take the claim seriously.
Konoha's Sannin Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade were legends who had commanded forces in the Second and Third Great Ninja Wars. Each one was a shadow-level powerhouse who could rival a Kage.
In contrast, Chao Yanqian's fame was largely due to his youth. Though regarded as a genius, veteran shinobi had yet to fully acknowledge him as a top-tier powerhouse.
As long as Tsunade and Jiraiya were absent from the field, Kumogakure might still dare to initiate war.
Among the Konoha forces, Chao Yanqian had earned the deep respect of his fellow shinobi but to outsiders, this reverence only highlighted Konoha's lack of talent. The Third Hokage had issued strict orders not to disclose the truth of the Nine-Tails battle until the war with Kumogakure was resolved.
Land of Fire border.
Nara Shikahisa led 1,000 ninja to establish a camp and confront Kumogakure's forces. War was on the brink of eruption. (