Chiyo was furious. She wanted to rush to the front lines and fight Tsunade to the death.For the past month, Sunagakure had been suffocating under Konoha's relentless pressure. If this kept up, the Sand forces would collapse before Konoha even launched another major offensive.
At that moment, Ebizō strode into the command tent."Big sister—good news! The Kazekage has been informed of our situation. He's already ordered three thousand additional troops to reinforce us."
Seeing Chiyo's stormy expression, Ebizō instantly understood what was wrong and rushed to share the news. Then he added in a calmer tone,"For now, we have no choice but to pull back and wait for reinforcements from the village. Konoha's forces have already penetrated deep into the Land of Wind. They don't know the terrain, their transport is cumbersome, and their supply lines are stretched thin. That will be our chance to counterattack and crush them."
Chiyo exhaled slowly."…Fine. But sooner or later, I'll kill that monstrous-strength woman. By the way, I want my son and daughter-in-law to return to the village."
Ebizō blinked in surprise."Hm? Your nephew and niece-in-law would be strong assets if they stayed here."
Chiyo shook her head."This battle is too important to gamble with. They must return to Sunagakure and hold the fort—to keep a way out for us if things turn bad. If the tide turns, my son can rally our old allies back in the village to support us. That way, even in defeat, the Kazekage won't be able to casually throw us to the wolves as scapegoats."
Her face softened slightly with a tinge of guilt."Also… my little grandson hasn't seen his parents in far too long. I want them to spend some time with Sasori."
Ebizō nodded slowly."Yes… you're right. Sasori's grown this much, yet the days he's spent with his parents have been far too few. Let's do that."
Chiyo turned to the war map, her fists tightening."Konoha… that monstrous woman… White Fang! Don't celebrate too early. I haven't lost yet!"
She didn't realize that this one decision would alter Sunagakure's future entirely.And Hinata Haruki had no idea that the counterattack plan he had crafted would allow Konoha to win battle after battle, avoiding the prolonged stalemate that had occurred in the original timeline. The new situation was forcing Chiyo to seek a swift conclusion to the war with Konoha.
To be safe, she pulled her son and daughter-in-law back to Sunagakure. As a result, Konoha's White Fang would have no reason to attempt a risky assassination of Sunagakure's high command to break a stalemate. The targets of White Fang's assassination squad now fell only upon ordinary enemy shinobi, leaving no chance for him to kill Sasori's parents.
This single "butterfly" flutter of Hinata Haruki's choices was already rippling across the course of history—altering the fate of Sasori, the Third Kazekage, and the shape of the coming Third Great Ninja War.
"What? Chiyo retreated again?" Haruki asked, looking toward Nara Shikaku.
Shikaku nodded."Yeah. This time, she didn't take the bait. We've also received word that the Kazekage, upon hearing of the situation, flew into a rage and ordered another three thousand troops to the front. They'll be here any day now."
Haruki's brow furrowed in thought."So… it's not that she wasn't provoked. She's just waiting for reinforcements so she can launch a decisive battle."
"Exactly. Our counterattacks have already disrupted Sunagakure's logistics. Chiyo no longer has the luxury to drag things out—if she doesn't fight us now, she may never get another chance," Shikaku agreed.
"Then over the next few days, she'll likely keep retreating—waiting for her reinforcements and trying to pick a battlefield that favors her," Haruki said, nodding.
"Do you think we should slow our advance?" Shikaku asked after a pause.
"Chiyo wants to overturn the situation, and we want to wipe her out in one stroke. We could keep grinding her down slowly… but to end the war quickly, it might be better to give her the battle she wants. If we win, Sunagakure will lose its ability to launch further offensives—even if they don't surrender immediately."
"But if we lose," Shikaku countered, "we're deep in the Land of Wind. A retreat with our supply lines cut could turn into a total rout—maybe even complete annihilation."
Haruki's tone grew serious."…Then it all comes down to this one battle."
"Oh, and fresh intel—Kumogakure and Iwagakure have started fighting. Kumo forces have already pushed into the Land of Earth's borders. Meanwhile, Orochimaru-sama's been watching Kirigakure closely, but there's no movement there. Looks like the Mizukage plans to sit back and reap the spoils," Shikaku reported.
"In that case… shall we plan our approach for this fight?" Haruki asked with a sly grin.
"Haruki, if you've got ideas, just tell everyone directly instead of making me be the messenger," Shikaku grumbled.
"Then… how about two rounds of shōgi first? That won't be troublesome at all," Haruki said, pulling out a board.
"…Fine," Shikaku said, his interest piqued, setting aside his laziness for the moment.
The next day, Tsunade gathered all the jōnin for a strategy meeting in preparation for the coming decisive battle.
"It looks like Sunagakure is ready to risk everything. If they don't now, they'll never get another chance," Tsunade said, arms folded, her expression grave.
"Then we mobilize everyone we can and make sure we win this fight!" one jōnin said, brimming with determination.
"Now that we've entered the Land of Wind, our supply lines are stretched. If possible, we should end this battle with Sunagakure's complete defeat," another added.
"This could very well be the final battle. Failure is not an option," Tsunade said, feeling the weight of command heavy on her shoulders.
"Shikaku, any ideas?" she asked. All eyes turned to him—the success of his counterattack plan had earned him everyone's respect.
Shikaku rose."Let the main front remain under Tsunade-sama's command. Assign Hatake Sakumo to lead the breakthrough force. I propose concentrating all our sensory ninja and scattering them ahead of the battle to detect enemy ambushes. We should also hold a thousand troops in reserve for flexible redeployment."
The room murmured with agreement—this would make the battlefield far more transparent.
"Then it's settled. Shikaku, you'll command the recon unit. Everyone else, mobilize every able fighter for this decisive clash!" Tsunade ordered.
Plans made, the jōnin dispersed to prepare.
Shikaku began assembling the recon force: the Hyūga clan, the Aburame clan, the Inuzuka clan, and all other sensory types, along with members of the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans.
As a member of the Hyūga, Hinata Haruki naturally received orders to join the unit. Soon, over four hundred twenty shinobi stood assembled in formation. Konoha's main battle force now numbered twelve thousand—more than enough to hold the advantage over Sunagakure.
Haruki surveyed the ranks, watching Shikaku assign tasks."…So I'm finally going to the front, huh?" he thought, glancing at the sky. "Kami-sama, give me a Dynasty Warriors–style power set. I want to mow through enemies like grass. Hahaha!"
The heavens, of course, ignored his ridiculous request.
"…Let's just hope it all goes smoothly."
On the other side, Chiyo and Ebizō stood atop a raised platform before nine thousand Sunagakure shinobi. Most looked downcast and weary, heads lowered, waiting for orders. Only the three thousand fresh reinforcements looked alert.
Ebizō shook his head at the sight, then stepped forward, his voice booming:"Shinobi of Sunagakure! We are about to fight Konoha in a decisive battle!"
A murmur rippled through the ranks. Faces turned toward one another in shock, eyes flickering with fear, hesitation, and resignation. Konoha's recent victories had left deep scars on their morale.
"But know this! Konoha's forces are powerful—over ten thousand strong—led by Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang, and Tsunade-hime of the Sannin. Their logistics are flawless, their medical support unmatched, their troops fierce and unyielding! They have won battle after battle and are already two hundred forty kilometers deep into the Land of Wind. Their momentum is unstoppable!"
The other commanders stared at him in disbelief. Was he mad? Instead of rallying morale, he was laying bare the enemy's overwhelming strength! Wouldn't this crush the last shreds of their courage?
Indeed, the shinobi below looked even more disheartened, the thought of retreat spreading like a shadow. Who wanted to throw their life away?
"So… if any of you fear death, you may leave now. I will personally permit you to return to the village without punishment or blame. I, Ebizō, give my word!"
Gasps and murmurs spread. Some looked eager, others anxious, some doubtful—already a few seemed tempted to step away.
Ebizō's tone turned regretful."…But know this—those who leave will never have the chance to avenge their comrades. Never again will they be able to strike down the treacherous Konoha shinobi. Never again will they kill the ones who haunt your nightmares."
Silence fell, guilt and anger slowly replacing despair.
Then Ebizō's voice sharpened like steel."Who made you live in fear every night? Who left your comrades dying helpless in the medical tents? Who kept precious supplies from reaching you? Who brought you pain, despair, and humiliation? It was Konoha! Those cursed Konoha shinobi!"
His words struck like kunai to the heart, igniting a spark of hatred that quickly flared into a roaring blaze.
"If you want to be cowards, run! If you want your families to suffer the same fate, get back to the village! If you want to abandon certain victory, then disappear from my sight!"
"This battle—Sunagakure will win! I, Ebizō, guarantee it! Follow me, and we will triumph! Do you not desire victory? Do you believe in me?!"
The crowd wavered, their shame and anger hardening into resolve. No—none of them wanted to be cowards. None wanted their families endangered. None wanted to lose.
"Do you believe in me?!" Ebizō roared again, his tone brooking no doubt.
"I believe!" one shinobi shouted. Others followed.
"I believe!""We believe!""We'll follow you to the death!""Victory! Sunagakure will win!""Fight! Avenge our comrades!""Kill every last one from Konoha!"
The hatred bottled up over the past month now surged free. Fear was gone—replaced by fury and vengeance. They would crush Konoha and show them the might of the Sand. Ebizō's promise of a winning strategy only fanned the flames.
"Sunagakure will win! Crush Konoha! Sunagakure will win! Avenge the fallen! Sunagakure will win!"
The chant rose into a thunderous wave. Ebizō stood above them, smiling and nodding in satisfaction.
"With morale like this… we can fight."