Naruto: Kushina's Redemption, My Revenge

Inside the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru wore deeply grim expressions.

Konoha's current situation was extremely precarious.

If war broke out, it was highly likely the four great villages would strike Konoha all at once—leaving us exposed on every front.

Hiruzen began discussing with Orochimaru how to break this deadlock.

Chiyua remained silent. He was only allowed to stay because he was Orochimaru's apprentice. As a Genin, he had no right to speak here—just being permitted to listen in was already quite fortunate.

Hiruzen coldly stated, "According to intelligence reports, the Third Mizukage of Kirigakure has introduced a new policy known as the 'Blood Mist Village,' allowing lethal combat among ninja. It seems they've been training for the coming war.

That explains why they've avoided making contact with Konoha all this time. They were secretly colluding with Kumo and Iwagakure from the start.

Enemy ninjas have already infiltrated Konoha. And there could be more still hidden among us. War seems ready to erupt at any second.

Orochimaru, given the current situation, do you believe Konoha is capable of fighting back?"

Orochimaru shook his head bluntly. "If full-scale war breaks out now, Konoha will undoubtedly fall. If it were just Kumo and Iwa alone, we might barely hold our ground. But if Kirigakure joins the fight, we'll have to split our forces to defend multiple fronts. Not to mention that Sunagakure is also lying in wait like a predator ready to strike.

We can't stretch ourselves any thinner—once we're spread too thin across multiple fronts, we won't be able to launch any real counterattacks. We'll just end up getting worn down."

Hiruzen fell into deep thought.

Orochimaru's words mirrored exactly what Hiruzen himself had been thinking.

As powerful as Konoha was, it couldn't withstand simultaneous attacks from four ninja villages.

Now, Hiruzen's mind was focused on finding an escape route from this seemingly hopeless trap.

He asked, "Orochimaru, what do you think Konoha should do to break through this impasse?"

Orochimaru had been thinking about it as well.

He answered, "Right now, the only viable strategy I can think of is to drag things out. The later the war starts, the more advantageous it becomes for Konoha."

Hiruzen frowned. "But the initiative isn't in our hands at all. The enemy can launch an attack anytime they choose."

Orochimaru picked up a brush pen and circled Land of Grass, Land of Hot Water, Land of Rivers, and Land of Waves.

After setting the brush aside, he began explaining. "The four great villages are still testing our defenses—for now. We must immediately eliminate the spies hiding inside Konoha, cutting off the enemy's access to intel about our internal affairs.

At the same time, Konoha should begin deploying forces strategically by sending ninjas to these four countries I've marked. Let confrontations with enemy shinobi take place there, and try to contain all battles within those borders.

Though they're working together, they're far from a solid front—they're not exactly holding hands here. As long as Konoha shows no fear and makes it clear we're ready to fight to the bitter end, they'll hesitate before taking reckless action.

They know full well—if Konoha decides to go down fighting, we still have the power to crush any one of their villages before we fall."

If Konoha falls, the other ninja villages will then set their sights on the village we once risked everything to infiltrate.

As long as it's not a full-scale war but rather a limited conflict, Konoha—with its vast resources and deep foundations—can definitely endure. 

Given enough time without any progress in the war, they may even begin to fall apart internally.

I once asked Chinya what he thought was the solution if the four dominant villages launched a joint attack against Konoha. He said we should drive a wedge between two of them by using their interests.

This method applies perfectly to our current situation. As long as we delay the outbreak of total war until internal divisions arise among them, we can exploit their incentives to turn one of the villages against the others—perhaps even launching a counterattack that recovers all our previous losses."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, considering the feasibility of Orochimaru's proposed plan.

Chinya glanced at Orochimaru in slight surprise, not expecting him to bring up this idea.

Still, Chinya had to admit—it was actually a pretty viable plan.

The four dominant villages have allied for mutual benefit to wage war against Konoha. But if they keep pouring resources into this without any returns, they'll surely reconsider whether attacking Konoha is truly profitable.

And if Konoha clearly offers them substantial benefits, it's genuinely possible we could sway one or more enemy villages over to our side.

At the same time, Chinya knew clearly—

If they were to proceed according to Orochimaru's plan, he himself would likely have to go to the battlefield.

Orochimaru's plan requires fighting against the four major villages—Stone (Iwagakure), Cloud (Kumo), Sand (Sunagakure), and Mist (Kirigakure)—in Grass Country, Hot Water Country, Rivers Country, and Waves Country, blocking their entry into Fire Country. Dividing forces is inevitable.

Konoha only has a limited number of troops at its disposal, so nearly all of them will have to be deployed.

After thinking it through, Sarutobi Hiruzen also found Orochimaru's plan feasible.

After all, Konoha, already in a passive position, didn't have many choices left.

Hiruzen solemnly stated, "Then we'll proceed with your plan, Orochimaru. Tomorrow I will dispatch Anbu units to cooperate with Danzo's Root to eliminate enemy ninjas hidden within Konoha.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru, you'll personally head to the battlefield. Currently, Sunagakure remains no real threat, and our stationed ninja units are sufficient to keep them trapped within Rivers Country.

Regarding Kirigakure, I intend to first send a small team to Waves Country to investigate how many shinobi they've stationed there before deciding on troop allocation; every bit of Konoha's combat strength is now extremely valuable.

As for Iwagakure, Onoki is a clever old fox—he won't choose direct confrontation with us before the official start of the war. Sakumo leading operations on that front should be sufficient.

The greatest immediate threat comes from Kumo. In Land of Hot Water, Jiraiya and his unit have fought off wave after wave of Kumo ninjas—the fighting there has been the most intense, and the Cloud Ninjas continue reinforcing the fight in Rivers Country.

Since your strategy emphasizes not looking weak in front of these villages, we must hold our ground against the Kumo forces in Hot Water Country. Therefore, I'm assigning you to lead there. What do you think?"

Orochimaru gave a curt nod. "I understand. Tomorrow I will set out for the Land of Hot Water to meet with Jiraiya, and I would also like to take Chinya along. Please grant your permission, Sensei."

Beneath his stern gaze, Hiruzen Sarutobi let out a faint smile. "Granted. That was my plan all along, even before you asked. Word has reached me that Jiraiya's protégé Minato has been making waves on the battlefield in the Land of Hot Water. If Chinya also gains experience in combat, I believe he too will soon shine brilliantly and become a ninja who can hold his own."

At those words, Chinya felt a jolt of excitement—and bloodlust. He hadn't expected the chance to face Kumo ninja so soon. As for the Kumo ninja who had kidnapped Kushina Uzumaki—he had always vowed to make them pay for it with their lives!

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