According to scout reports from the Iwagakure front, Ōnoki had launched a full-scale assault on the Konoha forces.
Although the Tsuchikage himself had yet to appear on the battlefield, Iwa still posed a major threat by deploying the combined power of the Four-Tails and Five-Tails, alongside the elite explosion corps led by the mysterious "Kari." With Namikaze Minato absent, Konoha was steadily being pushed back. The battlefront had even begun to creep into the heartland of the Land of Fire.
It was clear now that Yagura's plan had worked.
By leveraging the news of Jiraiya's death, he had successfully provoked the other major villages to join the war effort. While the situation in Kumogakure remained uncertain, Iwagakure had clearly acted exactly as Yagura had intended, launching a full offensive against the Hidden Leaf.
This explained why Konoha had offered so little resistance after losing Jinnan Town, retreating directly to defensive lines instead of mounting a counterattack.
As the Iwagakure front advanced, the distance between them and the Mist front narrowed quickly.
If both forces mobilized at once, they could meet within half a day — making Yuro's pincer plan fully viable.
After the Mist high command thoroughly evaluated the feasibility of Yoru's plan, Yagura immediately had the battlefield messengers send a coded summons back to the village via summoning technique, formally applying for approval to execute the operation.
But the reply he received was like a bucket of cold water thrown on Yoru's face.
"The Mizukage has rejected your proposal."
Yagura let out a long sigh as he tossed a scroll to Yoru. "The Mizukage believes that even if we successfully launch a surprise attack on Orochimaru's forces before Minato can react, we'll only end up exposing ourselves to retaliation from Iwagakure."
"Ōnoki isn't the kind to share his victories. Once we exhaust ourselves attacking Konoha, Iwagakure will likely turn on us—and if that happens, we'll be caught between the combined might of the Four-Tails, the Five-Tails… and a fully regrouped Minato with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki."
"He believes that instead of risking that, our best move is to seize the gap left at Higashimatsuyama and launch a full assault on Konoha from there, pressing our current advantage into a decisive victory."
Staring down at the scroll in his hands, Yoru furrowed his brow deeply.
The scroll heavily praised his performance at Higashimatsuyama and promised future rewards and commendations, but still dismissed his pincer assault plan.
To Yoru, this was a classic example of overconfidence leads to defeat.
He believed a desperate army fought best, while arrogance led to ruin.
But the Mizukage wanted to seize the momentum in one decisive push — to crush Konoha and turn Mist's current advantage into total victory...
"Lord Yagura, what do you think?"
Yoru rolled up the scroll and looked directly at Yagura.
A general in the field does not always follow orders to the letter.
As the supreme commander of the Mist's frontlines, Yagura had the authority to adapt plans based on battlefield conditions.
"The Mizukage makes a valid point — Ōnoki won't share the glory. So—"
"So are you ready to face a targeted Tailed Beast Bomb from the Nine-Tails?!" Yoru cut him off sharply. "Don't forget Jinnan Town — just one blast from the Nine-Tails killed over a hundred of our shinobi!"
"There's no doubt Minato left Flying Thunder God markers at Higashimatsuyama. If we step into that zone, he can teleport a Tailed Beast Bomb right on top of us. You tell me — what then?!"
"And if we end up clashing with Iwagakure anyway, won't we still have to face their Tailed Beasts? Both of them!" Yagura countered.
"The Tailed Beasts themselves aren't the problem. The danger is when their power is combined with time-space ninjutsu. Are you really telling me you don't understand that, Lord Yagura?" Yoru's tone dropped cold. "If it were just the beasts alone, I'd have ten thousand ways to counter them head-on."
Yagura narrowed his eyes and said quietly, "Then are you suggesting we disobey the Mizukage's orders?"
"I'm trying to protect the lives of every Mist shinobi!"
Yoru did not back down.
Their eyes locked. After a long silence, Yagura exhaled slowly.
"I understand your concerns, Yoru. But we can't openly defy a direct order from the Mizukage."
"Besides, if we're worried about Tailed Beast Bombs, we'll do what we did last time. You'll keep the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki busy—or better yet, cause enough chaos that Konoha focuses entirely on you."
"We won't even go through Higashimatsu directly. We'll engage the enemy on open ground—if Konoha wants to Tailed Beast Bomb their own people, let them."
Yoru went still.
"You're willingly throwing away our advantage, Yagura."
"This is the Mizukage's command."
"But you are the field commander!" Yoru said, voice rising. "You are the general!"
"Then why are you still questioning my orders?!" Yagura snapped. "The Mizukage has spoken. And I agree with him. Just because your plan was rejected, you think that's reason to rebel?!"
Yoru stared at him in disbelief. A few hours ago, Yagura had supported his logic. But now…
So this was it.
Political convenience. A decision made to curry favor. A power play masked as strategy.
"You'll regret this, Yagura."
"I'm in command here, Yoru!"
His expression froze.
Without another word, Yoru turned and left the war tent, cold and silent.
Yagura remained seated, face darkening, his thoughts unreadable.
At the entrance, the Mist ANBU on guard stood so still they barely breathed—cold sweat already soaking through their uniforms.
—
Back in Yoru's personal tent, Mei Terumi frowned.
"The Mizukage really rejected your strategy? Didn't you explain what happened with the Three-Tails?"
"I did," Yoru said flatly. "Even if Yagura held anything back, The Mizukage should've gotten the full report from Yuki Kiyomi."
"Then why…?" Mei trailed off.
If the Mist leadership knew the enemy had precision, long-range Tailed Beast Bomb capabilities—and they still insisted on a head-on charge—this was no longer arrogance. This was delusion.
Or worse: they genuinely believed Mist's forces could crush Konoha outright.
But Konoha had Minato Namikaze. And the Nine-Tails.
That combo could obliterate a nation.
Even if Mist somehow won… how many would be left standing?
Mei looked like she wanted to argue more, but Yoru simply shook his head.
Then, with ice in his tone, he spoke:
"My anger and disappointment aren't because my plan was rejected. It's because I no longer see a future for this village. Do you understand, Mei?"
"What's rotten here isn't just the intel network. It's everything.
From the top down. From the inside out.
Rotten to the core."
"Absurd policies. A deluded leader. Corrupt administration. Self-serving subordinates.
Everything born of the Blood Mist... has led to a village drowning in tragedy."
"That's what I'm angry about. That's why I'm disappointed."
"Yoru…"
PS: Read Advance Chapters at https://www.patreon.com/c/ReadJin