At the Kikyo Mountain front line, Pakura was discussing Konoha's recent movements with a group of jōnin.
On the massive strategic map of Kikyo Mountain, the markers representing Konoha's deployments had increased noticeably—an ominous sign that the situation ahead would not remain calm.
"Over this period, Konoha has added multiple medical units and mobile squads. Their reconnaissance teams have also increased, many of them led by elite jōnin," one jōnin said grimly. "We don't have enough manpower on our side to keep all of them under watch."
The balance around Kikyo Mountain was clearly tilting. Konoha's restlessness placed Sunagakure in an increasingly passive position. As the strongest combatant stationed here, Pakura was also the pillar holding the entire defensive line together—but with Konoha continuously reinforcing its forces, even she was beginning to feel the pressure.
"For now, send all intelligence back to the village and let the Kazekage make the call," Pakura said decisively.
Kikyo Mountain was currently under Sunagakure's control. After the disappearance of the Third Kazekage, Sunagakure had mobilized almost the entire village and rapidly entrenched itself along the Kikyo Mountain border. Holding this geographical advantage forced Konoha to stretch its supply lines.
Previously, the clashes between Konoha and Sunagakure had been nothing more than small-scale skirmishes.
But now, the Konoha forces stationed on the outskirts—under Orochimaru's command—had abandoned their former defensive posture and begun advancing aggressively. With large numbers of elite reinforcements arriving, the direction of the conflict was becoming alarmingly clear.
During this period, Maki and Jōgaki Shikasa had followed Pakura on numerous missions. Several involved direct engagements with Konoha shinobi, and in one encounter, they even ran into Tsunade herself.
Although Tsunade was classified as a medical ninja, her monstrous strength and explosive combat style made her an anomaly among healers. Pakura knew she was no match and chose to withdraw decisively.
At the same time, Tsunade was wary of Sunagakure's puppet corps and poison specialists, and did not pursue further.
All signs pointed to one conclusion: Konoha was preparing for full-scale war at Kikyo Mountain.
After half a year of preparation, Konoha's mobilization was nearly complete. These changes forced Sunagakure's high command to convene emergency meetings through the night.
Rasa held repeated discussions with the Elders while observing the evolving battlefield situation. Staring at the massive war map, even the Fourth Kazekage could not clearly discern Konoha's true objective.
As the strongest of the Five Great Villages, any move by Konoha affected the balance of the entire ninja world. It wasn't just Sunagakure watching—Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure were all trying to determine whether Konoha intended a full invasion of the Land of Wind.
"Konoha is increasing pressure along our border. This is completely different from our initial assessment," Rasa said heavily. "Meanwhile, Iwagakure and Kirigakure haven't made any major moves. Are they planning to take us down directly?"
Chiyo looked at him calmly. "And how are these so-called 'allies' responding?"
Rasa let out a long sigh. "Both Kirigakure and Iwagakure say they're merely 'observing' Konoha's movements."
All this information piled onto Rasa's shoulders, doubling the pressure on the Fourth Kazekage. If this continued, Sunagakure would end up bearing the full brunt of Konoha's assault alone—especially with Orochimaru leading their forces.
Rasa had personally crossed blades with Orochimaru before. He knew all too well how dangerous—and how insane—that man was.
"Ebizō and his disciple are currently near the Kikyo Mountain region," Rasa said after a moment's thought. "Have them move to support Pakura."
As the chief strategist of the Elder Council, Ebizō possessed both formidable strength and extraordinary judgment. Chiyo immediately agreed with the suggestion. Rasa wrote a letter on the spot, ordering Ebizō to proceed to Kikyo Mountain and assist Pakura.
—
In the desolate desert, two figures walked steadily across the dunes.
A hunting hawk suddenly swooped down from the sky, delivering the sealed letter into their hands.
"The Third Hokage… is old now," Ebizō murmured after reading it, gazing into the distant sky.
That towering figure who once stirred the entire ninja world had finally begun to succumb to time—just like himself.
Following Ebizō's line of thought, Shiraishi offered his own conclusion.
"There are two possibilities. Either the hardliners have suppressed Sarutobi Hiruzen, or the Third Hokage is preparing to choose a successor—triggering Orochimaru's actions. Either way, it means the Third Hokage can no longer fully control the situation."
The coming war with Konoha would only grow fiercer.
This was no longer just a conflict between villages—it involved the struggle over Konoha's leadership. Compared to Sunagakure, Konoha's internal factions were far more numerous and complex.
Once the issue of the Fourth Hokage entered the equation, there was no time to waste.
Ebizō immediately set off toward Kikyo Mountain with Shiraishi.
"How about we compare our foot speed?" Ebizō said suddenly.
As he spoke, a unique chakra fluctuation surfaced beneath his feet. In the next instant, he shot forward across the desert at astonishing speed, showing no sign of fatigue.
Shiraishi's white cloak fluttered violently as he activated his own movement technique and followed just as fast.
As they raced toward Kikyo Mountain, a sharp glint flashed through Shiraishi's eyes.
Orochimaru—one of the legendary Sannin—was already a name that shook the ninja world. Even knowing him only through fragmented biographies, Shiraishi couldn't help but feel anticipation at the thought of encountering such a monstrous figure.
—
At the same time, Pakura's situation had taken a dire turn.
Dozens of colossal serpents surged forward like rolling waves, encircling Kikyo Mountain with overwhelming momentum. Countless venomous snakes—large and small—poured out in an endless tide, forming a horrifying encirclement.
Standing atop a high platform, Orochimaru, his long black hair flowing, finished arranging his summoning technique and calmly surveyed the Sunagakure forces ahead.
His eyes gleamed with a ghostly light.
"As the architect of this battle, I finally get to end this boring standoff," he murmured.
The terrifying serpent tide advanced relentlessly.
Compared to the Orochimaru of the Second Shinobi World War, this version—at the peak of both age and power—was far more dangerous. The sheer scale of his summoned snakes forced Sunagakure's defenses into steady retreat.
"Damn it!"
Pakura leapt down, forming a massive blazing fireball in one hand and slamming it into the ground.
The violent explosion obliterated a wide swath of venomous snakes—but in the next moment, more poured in to fill the gap.
Endless.
Unkillable.
Flames raged through the sky, dyeing everything crimson. Pakura formed seals rapidly, unleashing her unique Scorch Release. Explosive heat waves swept across the battlefield, and thick smoke rolled through the air.
Yet through the smoke, Orochimaru stood perfectly still.
In the blink of an eye, his figure flickered.
Like a phantom, Orochimaru appeared directly in front of Pakura. His tongue flicked out as his hands flowed into a soft, almost gentle fist technique.
Against an opponent of Orochimaru's caliber, Pakura pushed her chakra to the limit, amplifying her Scorch Release. Blazing heat erupted across her entire body, and the power she unleashed shook the outskirts of Kikyo Mountain.
Orochimaru was an exceedingly rare existence—a Kage-level shinobi who excelled in taijutsu, ninjutsu, and genjutsu alike.
His flexible, fluid strikes forced Pakura back step by step.
Scorch Release possessed terrifying explosive power—but the sheer number of summoned snakes continuously intercepted and dispersed Pakura's attacks.
The clash between Scorch Release and Orochimaru had only just begun.
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