Iwagakure.
The Village, built deep within the mountains, was currently shrouded in a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.
Due to the war, the streets were almost deserted.
Occasionally, a few villagers would pass by, all with hurried steps and lowered heads.
A stifling pressure hung in the air.
At the guard post near the Village entrance, several Iwa shinobi leaned lazily against the wall, basking in the sun.
"Hey, how do you think things are going at the front?" a young Genin asked, lightly kicking a stone by his foot.
"Who knows," his companion yawned, "Anyway, with Kitsuchi and Ishikawa-sama there, nothing major should go wrong."
"That's true..."
The group chatted idly.
Just then,
A black dot appeared on the horizon, rapidly growing larger as it approached.
"A ninja hawk!"
"Emergency intel!"
The shinobi at the post immediately stood at attention.
The hawk swooped down, and an Iwa Anbu, covered in blood, tumbled from its back and crashed hard onto the ground.
He was soaked in blood, his face deathly pale.
"Quick... quickly inform Tsuchikage-sama!" the Anbu gasped, swaying. "The western... western front..."
Before he could finish his sentence, he collapsed on the ground unconscious.
Everyone's expressions changed drastically.
"Quick! Notify Tsuchikage-sama immediately!"
...Inside the Tsuchikage Tower, in the office.
Ōnoki was surrounded by a mountain of scrolls.
Ever since the war began, he had barely rested.
Every battle report, every decision, required his personal review.
Thump thump thump!
Urgent knocking echoed through the room.
"Enter."
The door was pushed open. One of the guards from the front gate rushed in, face pale.
"Tsuchikage-sama! Urgent military intel from the western front!"
Ōnoki's hand froze mid-stroke.
"Read it."
The Jōnin took a deep breath and unrolled the scroll.
"Reporting to Tsuchikage-sama. This subordinate, Ishikawa, leading the Western Corps... is now besieged in the central fortress, completely surrounded by the joint forces of Sunagakure and Konoha."
"The enemy has five thousand troops. We have two thousand. We've already lost one quarter of our men."
"Food supplies will last only three days. Other resources are severely depleted."
With each line read aloud, Ōnoki's expression grew darker.
By the end, his face was so grim it looked like water would drip from it.
"I implore Tsuchikage-sama to send reinforcements immediately, or... the Western Corps will face total annihilation."
The scroll was read.
Silence engulfed the office.
Ōnoki stared at the scroll, wordless.
The guard ninja lowered his head, not daring to look up.
After a long while,
Smash!
With a bang, Ōnoki slammed his fist onto the table.
The desk shattered on the spot, papers flying in every direction.
"You bastards!"
His furious roar echoed through the entire building.
"Konoha? Sunagakure? When did they combine forces?!"
"What is the intelligence division doing?!"
The guard ninja trembled. "Tsuchikage-sama, please calm down!"
"Calm down?!" Ōnoki's voice shook with fury, his small frame emanating overwhelming pressure. "How do you expect me to calm down?!"
"Two thousand elite shinobi! Now trapped, and they'll run out of food in three days!"
"How dare you ask me to calm down?!"
As he spoke, his chakra surged uncontrollably.
A heavy pressure filled the entire room.
The guard ninja knelt down, not daring to breathe too loudly.
After a long silence,
Ōnoki finally calmed his breathing.
"Go, gather all high-ranking officials in the conference hall."
"Immediately. Without delay!"
"Yes!"
The guard ninja fled as if granted amnesty.
...In the conference hall.
Iwa's senior officials arrived one after another, all wearing grave expressions.
Clearly, news of the Western Corps' predicament had already spread.
"Everyone is here."
Ōnoki swept his gaze across the room, his voice deep and cold. "You all know about the situation on the western front, correct?"
Everyone nodded silently.
"Then speak." Ōnoki sat down. "What do we do now?"
No one replied. The room was so quiet, it was suffocating.
"What, are you all mute now?" Ōnoki sneered. "Aren't you all usually so loud? Why the silence now?"
An elder coughed softly, then spoke cautiously, "Tsuchikage-sama, in this old man's opinion..."
"The western front... is beyond saving."
"What did you say?" Ōnoki abruptly stood, his eyes sharp.
The elder flinched, but gritted his teeth and continued, "Tsuchikage-sama, from the Village to the western fortress, even at top speed, it would take a day to mobilize a large force."
"Not to mention the preparation of supplies."
"By the time reinforcements arrive, Ishikawa and his men will likely already..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but the implication was clear.
Too late.
"So, you're saying we abandon them?" Ōnoki's voice turned icy.
"I wouldn't dare!" the elder quickly lowered his head. "It's just... if we attempt a rescue now, I fear..."
"Afraid we'll be caught in the same trap?" Ōnoki sneered.
The elder fell silent.
No one else spoke.
But everyone agreed silently.
Ōnoki looked around at the officials. His heart was heavy.
These people.
They always spoke grandly of loyalty and sacrifice.
But when it mattered most, they weighed gains and losses first.
"And if we don't save them?" Ōnoki suddenly asked.
Everyone looked up, startled.
"If we don't rescue them, two thousand of our own will be slaughtered," Ōnoki said coldly. "Then Konoha and Suna will charge straight through."
"At that point, what happens to Iwagakure's reputation?"
"What happens to the Land of Earth's dignity?"
"Who will be willing to fight for us in the future?"
"Who will still trust me, the Tsuchikage?"
Each question struck hard, leaving everyone flushed with shame.
"But..." someone tried to speak.
"There are no 'buts.'" Ōnoki cut him off.
"The Western Corps must be saved."
"Even if..."
His gaze sharpened. His tone was firm.
"Even if we have to mobilize the entire Village's strength... we must save them!"
The room erupted in protest.
"Tsuchikage-sama, please reconsider!"
"If we deploy everything, what will happen to Iwagakure?"
"What if—"
Ōnoki raised a hand, silencing them all.
"My decision is final."
He stood tall, sweeping his gaze across the room.
"Immediately tally all available combat-ready forces in the Village."
"Other than essential guards, all units are to assemble and prepare for deployment."
"This..."
...Meanwhile.
In a dark alley of Iwagakure, far from the commotion,
Two shadowy figures stood.
"Has the message been sent?" one asked in a raspy voice.
"It has," the other replied. "They'll move soon."
"Good."
"Iwagakure will be wide open."
"Hehehe..."
Sinister laughter echoed in the darkness.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)