Watching the Third Raikage bristle with rage, the secretary standing beside him could only sigh helplessly.
"Please calm down, Lord Raikage. There are still too many unanswered questions in this matter."
Adjusting her glasses, she continued calmly:
"Iwagakure is already struggling to keep itself afloat. There's no way they would choose this moment to provoke us—especially by deploying something like the Five-Tails, a strategic-level weapon."
"Not to mention, with us tying down the majority of Konoha's forces, the situation benefits Iwagakure far more than it harms them."
"Anyone with a functioning brain would be able to see that."
"Hmph!"
The Third Raikage exhaled sharply, veins bulging on his forehead.
"Then explain to me why Iwagakure's Five-Tails appeared on our battlefield—and killed our commander in the process!"
"All the advantage we fought so hard to build was handed straight to Konoha!"
"That's precisely the core issue," the secretary replied.
"Everyone present at the scene was wiped out. We have no way of knowing what truly happened."
"At this point, the only explanations are that Iwagakure struck some kind of deal with Konoha… or that they feared once we defeated Konoha, they would be next."
The Third Raikage clenched his fist.
"Tsk. They're not wrong. I was planning to deal with Iwagakure after finishing off Konoha."
The secretary nodded.
"Exactly. From their perspective, once Konoha fell, the next target would inevitably be them. After all, Kumogakure borders only two major villages—Konoha and Iwagakure."
"Once one falls, the other becomes the sole target."
"From that angle, the Fourth Tsuchikage—Roshi—was remarkably farsighted."
She flipped through the reports in her hands.
"Land of Hot Water, the buffer zone, has now been completely seized by Konoha. Our frontline forces have withdrawn to the border."
"The daimyo has also sent an urgent directive, demanding that we restrain the war at all costs. Under no circumstances are we to allow Konoha to push into the Land of Lightning."
"Hmph!"
The Third Raikage slammed his fist down again—this time reducing what remained of the desk to splinters.
"Damn those Iwa bastards! Do they really think we don't have the strength left to beat them down?!"
"There's more intelligence from the front," the secretary continued.
"For reasons unknown, Kirigakure has abandoned its offensive against the Land of Wind and instead concentrated its full strength on attacking Konoha's coastal defenses."
"They've already established a foothold on land."
"That means even if Konoha resolves its conflict with us, they're still in serious trouble."
"And because of that, after securing the Land of Hot Water, Konoha did not advance further. Instead, they adopted a defensive posture along the border—and even redeployed their main commander."
The Third Raikage's eyes narrowed.
"You're saying… Konoha currently has no capacity to attack us?"
"Yes," the secretary replied.
"If we commit fully, there's a good chance we could push the frontline back."
"But we can no longer break into the Land of Fire."
"Previously, controlling the Land of Hot Water meant direct access to Land of Fire. Now we would need to reclaim the Land of Hot Water first—giving Konoha ample time to recall its elite forces."
"Of course, if you were to personally lead the charge, Lord Raikage, breaching Land of Fire would still be possible."
"But your techniques are primarily single-target, high-penetration attacks. You excel at decapitation strikes—not large-scale battlefield annihilation."
"Unfortunately, both of our Jinchūriki are currently undergoing 'trials.' Otherwise, our options against Konoha would be far broader."
The Third Raikage ground his teeth together and swung another punch—only to hit empty air.
The desk was already gone.
"Tsk. Even that tiny Ame dared to declare war on Konoha—and even teamed up with Sunagakure to beat them back."
"Kirigakure saw an opening and abandoned the Land of Wind entirely just to drive Konoha inland."
"Iwagakure got beaten half to death earlier. We were focused on Konoha and hadn't even moved against them yet—and they dared strike us first, handing Konoha an opportunity."
"Konoha doesn't dare provoke others, yet they target us."
"Now every other village has taken something from Konoha… and we're the only ones beaten back."
"So what? Does that mean Kumogakure is inferior to the others?"
"Have we gone dull—or has Iwagakure grown daring?!"
"Lord Raikage, please calm yourself," the secretary urged.
"From a strategic standpoint, Iwagakure's move was correct."
"If we had broken into the Land of Fire and forced Konoha into a ceasefire, Iwagakure would have faced our full retaliation next."
"And once both Konoha and Kumogakure halted, Konoha could concentrate entirely on Kirigakure."
"In a one-on-one war, Konoha would crush any single great village."
"At that point, burdened by war debts, Konoha would inevitably turn its eyes toward the Land of Earth and drain it dry."
"Iwagakure would then face Konoha, Kumogakure, Sunagakure, and the Amegakure all at once."
"Kirigakure might even cross half the continent just to take a bite."
"By striking our Land of Hot Water front, Iwagakure ensured that even if we wanted to retaliate, Konoha's border forces would tie down much of our strength."
"At the same time, Konoha must keep forces watching us, preventing them from fully counterattacking Kirigakure."
"In one move, Iwagakure stalled three great villages and bought itself breathing room."
"A textbook case of killing three birds with one stone."
"Indeed… the Fourth Tsuchikage is formidable."
The analysis was flawless, earning even the Third Raikage's grudging approval.
"So," he asked, "what do you suggest we do now?"
"That depends on what you want, Lord Raikage," the secretary replied evenly.
"Do you want benefits, or prestige?"
"Benefits? Prestige?"
"Yes."
"If you want prestige, we strike Konoha with everything we have—force our way into the Land of Fire. If we're willing to pay the price, it can be done."
"Konoha's title as the strongest village would change hands."
"But if you want benefits, we redirect our main force toward the Land of Earth."
"Iwagakure is in chaos, under attack from multiple fronts. If we move now, we can suppress them rapidly and seize their resources."
"In my opinion, striking the Land of Earth is the better option."
"And your decision is—"
The Third Raikage turned and looked at her coldly.
"Hmph. Why choose?"
"I want both."
"What?!"
The secretary stared at him in disbelief.
"That's impossible. We simply don't have the manpower—"
"Hmph!" the Third Raikage interrupted.
"I'll personally lead the assault on Iwagakure. Tell me—does that change things?"
She froze.
"They've split their forces across multiple fronts. How many troops do you think they can spare to stop me?"
"Even without wide-area techniques, my speed alone is enough to clear a battlefield."
"I'll personally lead the main force, strip the Land of Earth bare, then use the Heavenly Transfer Technique to return instantly to the Lightning border."
"Even if our border troops can only defend, with me there, Konoha won't get past us."
"As for the Iwa forces—they won't return home."
"They'll loop around through the Land of Earth, strike the rear of Konoha's Land of Hot Water army, wipe them out from both sides…"
"And then I'll lead both forces straight into the Land of Fire."
"Now tell me—is it possible?!"
The secretary stared at him as if seeing him for the first time.
Who was this man?
She had completely forgotten to factor the Third Raikage's personal combat power into the equation.
"…If Konoha reacts slowly," she said carefully, "our chances are seventy percent."
"And even if they do react in time, we'll still have reaped enormous gains from Iwagakure."
"We won't lose."
"Only one concern remains… with you gone, Kumogakure's defense—"
"Hah!"
The Third Raikage snorted.
"I heard Hanzō of the Salamander led all of the Ame's forces into the Land of Earth."
"Less than two hundred remain behind—and not a single village dares touch them."
"Are you telling me Kumogakure is weaker than a tiny Amegakure?"
"I'd like to see who have the balls to make a move."
The secretary sighed.
Hanzō of the Salamander wasn't a man—he was a walking tailed beast.
That apocalyptic explosion from the intelligence reports rivaled a Tailed Beast Ball in power.
And poison was his specialty.
One summon of that salamander, one breath of poison, and half a city would be gone.
If he truly went berserk without restraint…
And worse—Hanzō's strength surpassed even the Third Hokage.
If he struck and retreated at will, who could stop him?
Did anyone really dare touch the Ame?
"…Forget it," the secretary sighed inwardly.
"This is not something I should say aloud."
Otherwise, with his temperament, the Raikage would probably march off to challenge Hanzō himself.
"Mobilize the army," the Third Raikage ordered, lightning crackling around his body.
"I'll personally repay Iwagakure for that Tailed Beast Ball."
"Yes, Lord Raikage."
The secretary bowed and left the building to issue the orders.
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