Yagura confidently began laying out their new strategic plans. Though Yoru had his doubts, he remained silent.
On the battlefield, the commander's word holds absolute authority—questioning that order is a taboo for subordinates.
The entire Kirigakure force began to mobilize once again.
Meanwhile, far away on the Iwagakure front—
Yagura's proposed alliance was quickly delivered to the hands of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of Both Scales, deep within the Hidden Stone Village.
"So Konoha actually sent their Jinchūriki to the frontlines... That means they're truly running out of cards to play," Ōnoki muttered as he scanned the scroll. He skipped over the formal diplomatic niceties and focused directly on the military reports. A moment later, his expression shifted dramatically.
"What is it, Lord Third?"
"See for yourself."
Ōnoki handed the scroll to the elder advisors flanking him. With just one glance, the advisors gasped aloud.
"Jiraiya was killed by Kirigakure?"
"By someone named Yuki Yoru, from the Yuki Clan?"
"And even while using Sage Mode? How is that possible?!"
The shock was palpable. As one of Konoha's legendary Sannin, Jiraiya's strength was well known—even among his enemies.
At the start of the war, Iwagakure had crushed through enemy lines using both their Jinchūriki, the Four-Tails and Five-Tails.
But it was Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze—master and student—who halted that momentum.
Even Ōnoki, for all his pride, had to admit: Jiraiya had been no pushover.
Now, to think that such a powerhouse had fallen to an unknown shinobi from Kirigakure? It defied belief.
"There's no point doubting it," Ōnoki said sternly. "This intel isn't fake. Maybe Kirigakure has indeed produced a monster. But that's not what we should be focused on."
He tapped the scroll. "What do you think of Yagura's offer to coordinate a joint offensive?"
"This is a huge blow to Konoha. If they've committed the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, they're clearly desperate," one elder said. "Before, Konoha relied on Jiraiya and Minato to stop our advance. Now that one is dead, we have a real shot."
"But Sunagakure has already surrendered, and Orochimaru has taken over the front. If we attack now, we'll be up against both him and Minato. Orochimaru will hold the front lines, while Minato's teleportation jutsu threatens our flanks and logistics. That situation won't be much better than before."
"Orochimaru doesn't have Sage Mode," another elder countered. "He can't contend with a Tailed Beast the way Jiraiya could. He's less of a threat."
"And Minato?" someone asked. "If we lose another supply route like Kannabi Bridge, we're done."
"Then don't fight a war of attrition," a hardline elder growled from Ōnoki's left. "We strike with overwhelming force and end it quickly."
"If Konoha's already deployed the Nine-Tails, they've got nothing left. Defensive battles won't work anymore. I propose we have Deidara's demolition squad join forces with Roshi and Han. Together, they'll lead a full-scale assault."
"But that'll cost us. We'll lose a lot of men," another elder objected.
"No war is bloodless," the hawkish elder snapped. "We've come too far to hesitate now. If we stop, then why did our comrades die in the first place?"
"He's right. Kirigakure gave us this opportunity. We know Konoha's been weakened—we'd be fools not to take advantage of it."
"Besides, our delay has already made us look weak. A sudden, all-out offensive could flip the table."
Momentum shifted. The elders leaned toward war. Ōnoki stood up and made the call.
"Then it's settled. Launch a full-scale assault on Konoha."
"Yes, Lord Tsuchikage!"
The order sent Iwagakure into rapid motion.
Konoha's scouts were soon overwhelmed. When word reached them that the demolition corps and both Jinchūriki were on the move, they risked everything to rush the intel to HQ.
At the command tent, Orochimaru—newly arrived on the front—read the report. His usually composed expression cracked with surprise.
On the table in front of him lay a freshly stamped deployment order—an order for Minato Namikaze.
"This intel—is it confirmed?" Orochimaru rasped, his golden, slit-pupil eyes locking onto the scout.
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," the scout stammered. "And… and…"
"And what?"
"There are rumors… among the Iwa shinobi… that Lord Jiraiya… fell in battle at the Mist front."
"What?!"
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed sharply. His heart felt like it had stopped.
Now it made sense.
Why the Hokage had suddenly approved Minato's transfer to the Mist front—something that initially seemed irrational or emotionally driven.
It wasn't just about reuniting Minato and Kushina. It was to replace Jiraiya, who had been killed in action.
The Hokage hadn't revealed the truth—not to avoid sentiment, but to maintain morale.
And Kirigakure… they must've leaked the information deliberately, to provoke Iwagakure into moving.
Now everything was in motion. But because the frontline shinobi didn't have complete intel, chaos was erupting.
"This is going to be a disaster…" Orochimaru whispered.
He had originally believed Minato could safely transfer to the Mist front while he held the Stone front alone.
But now, Iwagakure had reversed course—and was launching a full-scale assault.
Taking a long breath, Orochimaru gave his orders in a voice that brooked no argument:
"Put all forces on high alert—Stage One battle readiness."
"And send word to the Hokage. Request reinforcements. If it comes to it… he may have to come here himself."
The messenger's eyes widened in disbelief.
The Hokage—personally going to the front? That hadn't happened since the First Shinobi World War.
Still, he nodded without hesitation and vanished.
Orochimaru's gaze fell on the map of the Iwa front. For the first time, a rare tension crept into his expression.
"Jiraiya… your death may have just plunged Konoha into a catastrophe it won't recover from…"
…
The entire Iwa front had been thrown into chaos—because of a single report from Yagura.
Meanwhile, in the borderlands near the Mist front—
"Lord Danzō, this is intel we secured by intercepting a Mist ANBU unit."
At the edge of the Mist battle zone, Danzō took the scroll handed to him by a ROOT agent and studied it carefully.
"Hmph. So they're trying to get Kumo to join forces against Konoha. How clever of you, Kirigakure… but you didn't count on me."
"Alert the entire force. Double-time to the front. Without a real commander there, a bunch of kids and a single Jinchūriki can't stop what's coming out of that bloody mist."
"Yes, Lord Danzō!"
Dozens of elite ROOT shinobi melted into the shadows, racing toward the Mist front like a black tide.