"Yes, Lord Jiraiya, it's simply unbelievable. Even for Minato, who has the Flying Thunder God Technique, it would be difficult to accomplish this alone."
The Flying Thunder God Technique is indeed fast, but Minato lacks sensory abilities. Sometimes speed is not the issue; what's more important is understanding the enemy's movement pattern and detailed location, and having the powerful judgment to make instantaneous targeted plans.
In this regard, Minato indeed falls short. Even if equipped with a perception ninja, it would require some time to gel and achieve this kind of capability.
"Damn it!"
Jiraiya gritted his teeth silently. He too was an experienced ninja in combat, yet at this moment, he had no way to counter the opponent.
Even if he could gather enough personnel to defeat the opponent, the enemy is not a fool. Moreover, with all-seeing Byakugan surveillance, if they realize they are at a disadvantage, they will focus on retreating.
"This is to be expected."
A man walked in from outside the tent; it was Danzo.
Behind him followed four Root Jonin, who entered the tent where Jiraiya was.
"Elder Danzo."
The Konoha Jonin responsible for reporting to Jiraiya bowed slightly to Danzo and stepped aside.
Jiraiya frowned as he looked at Danzo. Frankly, this Root Leader who coveted his teacher Hiruzen Sarutobi's Hokage position was someone he wanted to avoid even more than the other two senior advisors.
"Hyuga Ayane used to be the 'eyes' of the White Fang Squad. In the past, the White Fang Squad adopted a highly effective and perfect combat strategy, personally directed and led by Captain Hatake Sakumo. Since the time of the Second Great Ninja War, the White Fang Squad developed a tacit understanding that outsiders could hardly imagine. Now, the opponent is merely applying the highly efficient combat strategy used against other Ninja Villages onto Konoha."
"But she is alone."
Jiraiya understood this point too.
Within the White Fang Squad, Ayane with the Byakugan was equivalent to the 'eyes,' ensuring the squad could promptly acquire the enemy's location and movement pattern.
It can be said that Hyuga Ayane's Byakugan greatly contributed to the White Fang Squad's previously high-efficient combat achievements.
"She left the White Fang Squad at the age of sixteen to seventeen, and several years have passed now. At her ninja ascending phase, her strength has already advanced by leaps and bounds. Her strength is not weaker than the three Sannin, and may even surpass them."
Danzo's eyes were as sharp as a blade, directly confronting Jiraiya.
"Wha..."
The communication Jonin beside him revealed an expression of astonishment.
"There's nothing surprising; Uchiha Ruri, who was of the same period, can fight one of the Five Kage, Hiruzen, in a short time without falling behind. Could you do that, Jiraiya?"
Danzo asked bluntly.
"I cannot."
Jiraiya sighed and answered the question affirmatively.
He was very clear about his teacher Hiruzen Sarutobi's power; even in a very short period, it would be he who is at a substantial disadvantage.
If it were Orochimaru, perhaps he could barely manage it.
"Misjudgment in strength, the disparity in vanguard combat experience—your forces being held down by one person on the opposite side is not surprising. Because, during the Second Great Ninja War, the main forces of the Hidden Sand were also held down this way by the White Fang Squad; their extending tentacles were completely severed by them. Because of this, Konoha smoothly made peace talks with the Hidden Sand at that time. It was a compelling result."
Danzo's words made Jiraiya ponder, and he bitterly smiled.
Indeed, he was different from Sakumo—he and the other Sannin were on the path of leadership, unlike Sakumo who was always on the front lines of the battlefield, becoming a dagger that pierced the enemy's stronghold, causing the enemy's main forces to hesitate in acting.
Now, his disciple Namikaze Minato is similar in this regard.
The role he plays in restraint is far more advantageous than benefits from the direct battlefield.
However, the combat mode of the White Fang Squad is difficult for outsiders to emulate.
Otherwise, throughout these years, Konoha would have produced more than one White Fang Squad rising to prominence, while other Jonin squads would be secondary.
Hyuga Ayane, having been the eyes of the White Fang Squad, accumulated substantial 'vanguard team' combat experience during that time, including retreat, guerrilla, annihilation, and restraint battles, all of which she is thoroughly familiar with.
"So what should be done?"
"I don't know either."
Danzo's response made Jiraiya even more troubled.
After all, if someone had figured out how to counter during the Second Great Ninja War, the Hidden Sand would have already strategized against and eliminated the White Fang Squad at their core.
"However, one thing is clear; the opponent has already moved to the forefront, and eliminating such a significant potential threat to Konoha from this renegade ninja is exactly the task of the Root."
"Can the Root accomplish this alone?"
"Success or not requires trying to know. Sometimes it's meaningful to fight a war without a guaranteed win."
Danzo hinted.
"Hmph, is this the aggressive battle strategy you all favor?"
Jiraiya let out a light snort.
This way, meaningless sacrifices would only increase.
"Ninjas who join the Root are all prepared to sacrifice themselves for the village anytime, hence gathering. If we abandon the fight because there's no sight of an absolute victory, there's no need for the Root to exist. War is won at the cost of human lives!"
Ignoring Jiraiya's grim expression, Danzo finished speaking and left the tent with the four Root subordinates.
"...Truly the benevolence of a woman; he is far from Orochimaru, even as a fellow Sannin."