pertwk Chapter 112 Cloud Village's Movements, Konoha's Missed Opportunity
Chapter 112 Cloud Village's Movements, Konoha's Missed Opportunity
Chapter 112 Cloud Village's Movements, Konoha's Missed Opportunity
Kumogakure, Raikage's office.
A huge map lay out on the table, symbolizing the outline of the ninja world and the undercurrents between nations.
The Fourth Raikage, A, sat in the main seat, his muscles bulging, exuding an intimidating aura.
When the secretary presented the intelligence documents and reported that "Iwagakure has also launched an attack on the Land of Fire," Ai asked questions while reviewing the information.
How's the intelligence regarding the collector going?
The secretary standing to the side quickly bowed and smoothly reported to the leader, "Lord Raikage, the true identity of the target is still shrouded in mystery, and the investigation has reached a stalemate."
He paused slightly, organizing his thoughts. "Based on the scattered clues we have gathered, the Collector" is making his first public appearance in the ninja world under this name, and the location points to the Land of Rain.
Subsequently, during the devastating Nine-Tails attack on Konoha, this person's behavior became suspicious, and various signs indicated that he may have also infiltrated the chaos, attempting to take advantage of the situation and profit from it.
Then, on this very battlefield, the enemy stole a portion of Yugito's Two-Tails chakra.
"Oh?" The Raikage abruptly raised his head, his rugged brows furrowing tightly. His sharp gaze shifted from the documents, revealing obvious surprise. "He even dares to meddle in Konoha's troubles?"
"Yes, Lord Raikage," the secretary confirmed, a hint of confusion in her voice. "However, what's very strange is that Konoha seems unusually low-key about this matter, keeping it a closely guarded secret."
We have no way of knowing exactly what he did at the time, nor do we know whether he obtained any important items or information during the chaos.
"Hmph!" A loud snort, full of contempt and disdain, exploded in the room like a thunderclap.
The Fourth Raikage's face was filled with disdain, and his clenched fists showed his contempt for such behavior.
"He's nothing but a clown who does nothing but shady tricks and takes advantage of others! An opportunist! What is he anyway!" He spat out the words harshly, as if mentioning the name itself was an insult to his own mouth.
After venting his brief rage, the supreme commander of the Land of Lightning stopped dwelling on the matter and refocused his intense gaze on the latest classified report in his hand, which detailed the latest developments in the front-line battle—the very matter that truly concerned the entire nation.
Inside the office, only the rustling of turning pages and heavy, suppressed breathing could be heard.
Finally, he finished reading the intelligence information in his hand.
"Hmph, finally couldn't hold back anymore?" His voice was deep and thunderous, and there was no surprise in his tone. On the contrary, the fact that Iwagakure had delayed joining the war until now made him feel a deeper sense of amusement.
"It seems that old fox Onoki can't resist taking a bite out of this fat piece of meat."
"Yes, Raikage-sama." The secretary replied clearly and quickly, accurately capturing the issue that the superior cared about most. "The latest intelligence confirms that Konoha's Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, has personally appeared on the front lines of Iwagakure."
"Oh?" Ai's pupils suddenly contracted, and obvious surprise flashed across his rugged face. "That guy can actually make a move? I thought that the Nine-Tails' antics would at least leave him badly injured, if not dead!"
He recalled his plans after sending out Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. He had hoped to witness or hear news of the "Yellow Flash" on the front lines, but the news was slow to arrive. This made him wonder if Minato had suffered a severe injury during the Nine-Tails' rampage.
It seems that the other side still retains considerable fighting strength.
Although Ai had doubts and didn't understand why Minato had remained silent on the battlefield of Kumogakure, this was undoubtedly good news for Kumogakure, as their powerful enemy was tied down on another front.
His gaze returned to the map before him, his fingers poking at several key points like steel spikes.
On his strategic chessboard, there have always been only two countries that pose the main military threat to Kumogakure: one is Konoha, with which he is currently engaged in fierce warfare and has deep-rooted entanglements for generations, and the other is Kirigakure, which is located on an island and is skilled in water-style surprise attacks.
When the Hidden Mist was mentioned, a hint of disdain appeared on Ai's lips.
"After that useless Third Mizukage stepped down, the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, did manage to do something quite impressive when he first took office," he recalled, his tone slightly sarcastic yet carrying a cautious acknowledgment of the former threat. "He worked diligently, and Kirigakure did indeed develop quite rapidly. At that rate, we really should have been on our guard along the coastline—"
The secretary nodded in agreement and added, "Intelligence indicates that Kirigakure was indeed completely transformed at that time, and its development momentum was very strong."
"Hmph, too bad the good times didn't last long!" Ai slammed his hand on the table, making a dull thud. "How long has it been? That brat Yagura has changed his mind! Not only has he completely inherited the brutal policies of the Third Generation of the Blood Mist Village, but he's even worse! The blood mist is everywhere, causing panic throughout the village—"
He described the horrifying scene from the intelligence report, "Even the core fighting force of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are either dead or..."
"With some betraying and others fleeing, the once vast Kirigakure is now a leaky mess! They're in complete chaos internally, too busy cleaning up their own mess to have the energy or the guts to even covet our Kumogakure territory!"
Ai drew a final conclusion: the hidden dangers along the Mist Shadow route can be completely eliminated for the time being!
With one of the biggest threats no longer a concern, Ai's mind immediately became active, and a bold plan suddenly took shape under the impetus of his decisive personality.
He suddenly looked up, his burning gaze seemingly piercing through the walls and staring straight at Konoha Village, carrying a sharp, adventurous glint, and directly asked the advisor beside him.
"Hey! Tell me, what if I personally selected one of the most elite squads right now?" He suddenly stood up, his massive frame casting a shadow like a towering tower. His finger traced a swift dotted line on the map, pointing straight to the heart of Konoha, "and silently tore through their defenses, penetrated deep into their heartland, launched a surprise attack on Konoha's main village, and pulled off a heist? What would that be like?"
He became more and more excited as he spoke, his voice booming as if a blueprint for victory was already unfolding before his eyes. "Konoha is currently fighting on two fronts. Minato is tied up in the Land of Earth, and after fighting for so long at the front, their defenses in their stronghold must be weak! This is the perfect opportunity for us to launch a surprise attack and strike at their heart!"
The secretary was visibly taken aback upon hearing this, then subconsciously pushed up her glasses and scrutinized the map with sharp eyes, clearly assessing the risks and benefits of the plan at a rapid pace.
Just as Ai was about to finalize the raid plan, the secretary's calm voice was like a bucket of ice water being poured over him.
"Theoretically, it would be incredibly effective, Raikage. However, Konoha still has Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, in command. If the surprise attack fails to end quickly and is dragged into urban warfare—"
The secretary paused, looked directly at Ai, and stated the most crucial danger, "So, once news of an attack on Konoha's core spreads, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, with his Flying Thunder God Technique, only needs an instant—"
That way, you can return to Konoha directly from the battlefield of Iwagakure, thousands of miles away! At that time, it will be you, Raikage, who will be in danger.
""
Ai's impassioned posture froze instantly, and he stood frozen in place as if he had been electrocuted, his indomitable spirit vanishing in an instant.
He slumped back into his large chair, slapping his forehead hard with his large, fan-like hand in frustration. "Damn it! How could I forget that old geezer is still alive and well!"
His tone was filled with apprehension towards this renowned "professor of ninjutsu".
Even though Hiruzen Sarutobi is now in his twilight years and his strength is far from his peak, he has stood in that position for decades. His resilience, experience, and profound knowledge still make him a formidable pillar of strength in Ai's eyes.
In Ai's judgment, holding off an old man whose strength has declined and holding out until Minato returns to help should be no difficult task for Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Thinking of this, Ai couldn't help but sigh sadly, his thick eyebrows furrowed, his voice filled with regret and nostalgia, "What a pity—if my father were still here—with the power of two perfect Jinchūriki combined with his martial prowess, he might have been able to seize this fleeting opening and turn into a big fat man in one bite."
He seemed to see that unrealized, ambitious possibility.
But A was, after all, the Raikage. After a brief period of regret and nostalgia, decisiveness once again took over his mind.
He suddenly stood up again, his mountain-like body standing straight, his eyes, like copper bells, burning with an even more intense fighting spirit.
"Alright! The battlefield is ever-changing. Hesitation will only lead to chaos!" His deep voice echoed in the office, carrying an undeniable authority and determination.
"Relay my orders!"
The secretary immediately stood at attention.
"Assemble the elite troops! I'm going to the front lines myself!" Ai's finger slammed heavily on the map, pointing to the area where the fighting between Kumogakure and Konoha was most intense.
"Since a surprise attack on Konoha's main village is too risky, let's crush them head-on and decide the outcome on the battlefield! Although Konoha currently has the Third Hokage in charge, his old bones can't withstand long-distance raids and open-field assaults. With Minato currently tied down by Iwagakure, their frontline forces must be stretched thin. Let's concentrate our superior forces and utterly crush Konoha's vanguard with overwhelming force! Then, the scales of victory will tip in our favor!"
"Yes, Lord Raikage!" This time, the secretary answered without hesitation.
He knew that this might not be a brilliant move, but it was the most feasible and practical way to break the deadlock under the current circumstances: to crush the opponent on the front line with the strongest fist of the Cloud Village!
Inside the Konoha front-line camp, the already tense medical room was now even busier and noisier.
The smell of disinfectant was so strong it almost lingered in the air, and under the lights, figures hurried to and fro and the suppressed groans of the wounded could be heard.
However, this sudden increase in chaos did not stem from the influx of new wounded, but rather from changes in the personnel structure within the camp.
Since Iwagakure launched its offensive against the Land of Fire, the camp's leadership, for the sake of the overall situation, had to transfer some of their valuable medical ninjas from the battlefield against Kumogakure to reinforce the eastern front.
With the number of remaining medical ninjas drastically reduced, the burden on each individual suddenly increased. The previously orderly treatment process was forced to slow down, and the entire medical system suffered from the sluggish pressure caused by the shortage of manpower.
It is worth noting that this transfer did not involve indiscriminately taking away combat forces.
Upon closer inspection, it appears that the ninjas prioritized for deployment to the Iwagakure battlefield were primarily those responsible for support and assistance.
Experienced medical ninjas and highly skilled sealing squad members—while the combat ninjas who are actually in the battle and responsible for fighting on the front lines are basically on the sidelines.
Even if there are minor relocations, they are only temporarily acting as guards, protecting medical and sealing professionals to ensure their safe arrival at the new eastern battlefield.
All of these arrangements were perceived by astute high-ranking officials as reflecting the prudent strategic considerations of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.
Clearly, Minato Namikaze had foreseen the potential crisis on the western front.
On one hand, the surprise attack from Iwagakure needs to be dealt with; on the other hand, the sword of Damocles known as the "Fourth Raikage" always hangs over their heads, ready to join the battlefield and stir up trouble at any time.
If a large number of main combat forces were rashly transferred away from the front line against Kumogakure at this time, the consequences would be unimaginable if Kumogakure seized the opportunity to launch a thunderous attack.
This delicate balance affects everyone in the camp.
Amidst this somber atmosphere, Yuan Tuoye leaned against the door of the medical room, letting out a barely audible sigh, his brows furrowed with a hint of helplessness and frustration.
The attack from Iwagakure interrupted his plans. Before that, he had already carefully prepared a wooden clone to replace him, waiting for the right moment to quietly escape and return to the secluded laboratory in the Land of Snow to continue his experiments on bloodline limits.
However, this imminent troop redeployment has now bound him back to his increasingly busy medical post, like chains.
The workload at hand was tedious and demanding, requiring immediate responses. He couldn't delegate the task to Yu Mu for the time being, so he could only suppress his impatience and helplessly wait for the next opportunity to relax.
What Gen Takuno didn't expect was that Jiraiya and several other Konoha high-ranking officials, who were far away in the command tent, were currently deeply immersed in a complex emotion of depression and frustration.
The source of this emotion is not only worry about the attack by Iwagakure, but also, more deeply, regret for the missed opportunity.
At that time, the Hidden Cloud Village was forced to retreat due to the severe injury suffered by the Two-Tails Yugito, making it the perfect opportunity to attack.
However, the higher-ups were wary of the "third-party forces" lurking in the shadows.
The mysterious being who could defeat the Two-Tails Jinchuriki Yugito head-on was hesitant and dared not go all out.
Who would have thought that after Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, arrived at the front lines, the Cloud Village forces made only a slight adjustment before launching a fierce counterattack without any scruples. Their boldness seemed to completely ignore the "third party" threat that had once worried the Konoha leadership.
What puzzled and unsettled the Konoha leadership even more was that the village's intelligence department was unable to gather any substantial evidence to support the existence of a "third-party force."
The Cloud Hidden's aggressive modus operandi seemed to be making a silent declaration.
Either the mysterious third-party force was just a fictitious, imaginary enemy, or it had already been completely defeated or temporarily disappeared during the fierce encounter with the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Yugito.
Was it a misjudgment or an information blind spot?
The various unverified speculations were like thorns entwining Jiraiya, giving him a constant headache.
As the commander, he knew the weight of every decision he made, as it directly affected the life and death of thousands of ninjas on the front lines.
Without clear and reliable intelligence support, his choices must be based on prudence and proceed with extreme caution.
Looking back now, the fleeting fighter jet is indeed a pity. That feeling of regret is like fine sand slipping through my fingers, clear and profound.
If Genjiro Takuno knew the reason behind this, he might feel a sense of helplessness that was both funny and exasperating.
It seems that all the causes and effects stemmed from his secret confrontation with the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
After the battle, Yugito learned that the "Collector" had already achieved his goal and quietly left.
But for Konoha, the existence of that "mysterious strongman" and where he went remain shrouded in mystery.
It was precisely because of the fear and uncertainty brought about by this unknown that Konoha dared not act rashly when Kumogakure retreated, and chose the safest but also the most conservative approach of observing.
In contrast, while the information brought back by the wooden man was not enough to completely put the Cloud Village at ease, it did largely dispel the doubts of the higher-ups, making their subsequent actions almost unhindered by "third parties".
One side, due to ignorance and excessive caution, missed its chance; the other side, due to knowledge, acted more boldly and was able to regroup.
The dramatic turning point in the battlefield situation stemmed from an encounter where both sides had completely asymmetrical information.
However, even if Gen Takuno knew about this, as a "collector," his identity was sensitive and his target was special. There was absolutely no possibility that he would reveal any information to the Konoha leadership in that mysterious identity to clarify this misunderstanding caused by a lack of information.
Just then.
The earth shook again without warning, and the air in the medical room trembled.
The medicine jars and surgical instruments on the wall creaked slightly on the iron racks, but the hands of all the ninjas in the room hardly stopped moving.
They were already used to such fierce attacks from the front lines of the battlefield; it was as natural as breathing.
"Is it another rampage by the Eight-Tails?" "Or perhaps the giants of the Akimichi clan—"
A few almost numb whispers came from the corner.
Without even seeing it with their own eyes, the experienced medical ninjas could roughly deduce what lay ahead just from the force and rhythm emanating from beneath their feet—nothing more than those few impressive figures stirring up trouble in the center of the battlefield once again.
The tremor reminded them not of their shock, but of the heavy workload that was about to come and their nerves that were stretched to the limit.
The pungent smell of disinfectant mixed with the fresh blood in the air seemed to be even more intense.
Everyone was mechanically and efficiently busy, caught in a habitual sense of fatigue.
However, this "routine" was quickly broken.
The speed at which the wounded were brought in suddenly increased!
The rapid clattering of stretchers in the passageway, along with the painful groans and heavy breathing of the wounded, flooded the entire area like a burst dam.
The already crowded medical room was packed to the brim in the blink of an eye.
The floor, the bed, and even the corners that had been temporarily cleared were filled with groaning figures.