Northeast of the Land of Frost—
Among the vast, sprawling forests, rows of encampments stretched as far as the eye could see.
Three days had passed since the great battle came to an end. Senju Mori, commanding a massive force, had steadily advanced. After crossing more than half of the Land of Frost, the new Konoha forward camp was established here.
The atmosphere within the camp had completely shed its former heaviness; it was now unusually busy and full of life.
Although this place was still technically within the borders of the Land of Frost, it lay extremely close to the Land of Lightning. In the far distance, beyond the end of the forest, one could faintly see towering mountains piercing the clouds—
The unique terrain of the Land of Lightning.
Konoha's frontline camp had expanded severalfold compared to before. That afternoon, a thousand newly arrived shinobi integrated neatly and efficiently into the camp, causing the already high morale to surge to a boiling point.
Under countless watchful eyes, advisers Nara Shikajō and Sarutobi Hiruzen, along with several important jōnin, made their way through the encampment toward the largest command tent in the center.
Inside the tent, Senju Mori stood before a massive map, listening to the report of an intelligence shinobi.
He still wore his dark red cuirass, standing tall and sharp-eyed, as if he had just walked off the battlefield. Sensing the newcomers entering, he raised his hand slightly, signaling the messenger to pause, and turned his gaze toward them.
"Lord Hokage."
Nara Shikajō and Sarutobi Hiruzen bowed simultaneously, followed by the jōnin behind them.
"You've worked hard, Shikajō, Hiruzen."
Senju Mori's voice was calm, carrying a faint, nearly imperceptible fatigue—but even more so, the steadiness of someone fully in control of the situation.
"Was your journey smooth?"
"All went smoothly, Lord Hokage."
Shikajō stepped forward. His gaze instinctively drifted to the map, where the projected advance routes were clearly drawn.
"The rear received news of your victory over the Raikage. Everyone is overjoyed and greatly encouraged. The first wave of reinforcements has fully arrived, and the next shipments of supplies and medicine will be sent within the next few days."
Sarutobi Hiruzen added with heartfelt admiration:
"This defeat dealt to Kumogakure—Konoha will surely shake the entire shinobi world."
He looked around the tent—the simple furnishings, the unremarkable structure—and felt a tangle of emotions. Once, he too had the chance to stand here, commanding forces with confidence.
Senju Mori nodded and was just about to outline the next phase of their advance—
"KREEE—!"
A sharp, piercing cry of a hawk suddenly echoed above the camp.
Moments later, an ANBU operative entered the tent, carrying in his hands a small, exhausted-looking messenger hawk.
It was pitch black, thin, its feathers disheveled, with dark red blood staining the corner of its beak. Tied tightly to its leg was a small bamboo tube, engraved with the kanji for "secret."
The entire tent fell into stunned silence. Every eye locked onto the dark hawk and the tube.
Everyone inside understood—this hawk had only reached them because its sender had driven it with chakra far beyond its limits, forcing it to fly at unnatural speed.
Something major had happened.
Senju Mori's expression did not change. He strode forward, personally removed the bamboo tube, dispelled the sealing technique with practiced ease, and unfurled the tightly rolled slip of paper within.
The writing on the paper was hurried and sparse—just a sequence of seemingly meaningless numbers. He took a small notebook from a drawer nearby, matched the code, and swiftly deciphered the true message.
"It's Danzō."
Senju Mori's voice was not loud, yet it was like a massive stone dropped into a calm lake, sending violent waves crashing through everyone's heart.
"Danzō abandoned the plan to attack Kumogakure's supply lines, but he located the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki. If his operation went smoothly, then by this time, the Kumogakure should already be suffering under the rampage of a tailed beast."
"What?!"
"Releasing a tailed beast inside the village?! Has he lost his mind?!"
The tent instantly erupted in shocked, uncontrollable exclamations.
Even the always-composed Nara Shikajō had his pupils suddenly tighten—he understood very well what this information meant.
Sarutobi Hiruzen stepped forward abruptly, disbelief and shock written all over his face:
"Danzō… how could he…?"
Senju Mori ignored their astonishment. He spun around sharply, gaze blazing, once again fixing on the point on the map representing Kumogakure. His voice rose dramatically:
"He is not insane! We all know how dangerous a tailed beast is—Danzō knows that better than anyone. This is the opportunity he created for Konoha, at the cost of his own life!"
"Shimura Danzō and the six jōnin with him—they are heroes of Konoha!"
"Relay my orders!"
Every shinobi in the tent, including Nara Shikajō and Sarutobi Hiruzen, immediately straightened, their eyes regaining sharpness.
"Place the entire army on maximum alert! Reconnaissance squads and rapid-response units are to deploy immediately and monitor the movements of all Kumogakure forces. The main army will advance 15 kilometers forward with me!"
"Shikajō!"
"Here!"
Shikajō took a deep breath, suppressing the storm in his heart, and responded at once.
"Draft a treaty immediately! I'll leave the exact clauses and compensation amounts to you, but the core demands are: Kumogakure must issue a public apology, pay war reparations, and officially recognize the Six Path Ninja Tools as belonging to Konoha!"
"We cannot completely annihilate Kumogakure. But we can use this opportunity to bleed them dry—force them to cough up everything they owe!"
"Understood!"
A sharp glint flashed in Nara Shikajō's eyes—he instantly grasped Senju Mori's intent.
Earlier, it was Kumogakure using war to threaten and extort Konoha. But now, the situation had reversed completely—it was Konoha's turn to use the continuation of war to threaten Kumogakure.
"Hiruzen!"
"…Here!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice carried a faint hoarseness. Ever since hearing the news about Danzō, his emotions had remained tangled and heavy, refusing to settle.
"You will command all the newly arrived reinforcements. Advance with the main army and maintain constant pressure on Kumogakure—but do not cross the border between the Frost and Lightning countries for the time being!"
"Understood!"