Chapter 46: The Hokage's Gambit
The atmosphere in the Hokage's office was thick enough to be cut with a kunai. Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru stood over the large map, their expressions carved from granite. The situation for Konoha was dire, a chessboard where they were outnumbered and surrounded.
If—no, when—war broke out, the four great shinobi villages would likely strike simultaneously. Konoha would be besieged on multiple fronts, its forces stretched to the breaking point.
Sarutobi Hiruzen began to strategize aloud with his most cunning student. Kagenori remained a silent observer, knowing his presence here was a privilege granted only because of his status as Orochimaru's disciple. As a genin, he had no right to interject.
"The intelligence is clear," Sarutobi stated, his voice like chilled steel. "The Third Mizukage has initiated a new policy in Kiri—the 'Bloody Mist.' They're purging their own ranks through internal combat, forging their shinobi in a crucible of violence. They are preparing for war. Their previous reluctance to engage with us was a ruse; they were already aligning themselves with Kumo and Iwa."
He slammed a fist softly on the table. "Now, with enemy ninja operating inside our very walls, and likely more lurking in the shadows, the countdown has begun. Orochimar, given our current strength, can we win a war on four fronts?"
Orochimaru didn't hesitate. "No. If the war begins now, Konoha will fall. Against Kumo and Iwa alone, we could mount a stalwart defense. But with Kiri joining the fray, forcing us to split our forces further, and Suna waiting like a vulture for any sign of weakness... our total troop numbers are finite. Spreading them across multiple expansive battlefields would render us incapable of effective counter-attacks. We would be bled dry, slowly and inevitably."
Sarutobi fell into a heavy silence. Orochimaru's assessment mirrored his own darkest calculations. Konoha's strength, however formidable, was not infinite. It could not withstand the combined, coordinated assault of four peer nations.
His mind raced, searching for a path through the seemingly inevitable destruction. "Orochimaru," he asked, his voice low, "how do we break this deadlock?"
Orochimaru had been pondering this very question. "The only viable strategy is delay," he answered, his golden eyes gleaming. "The later the full-scale war begins, the better our chances."
"But the initiative is not ours to take," Sarutobi countered. "They can start this war whenever they choose."
Orochimaru picked up a pen and drew four distinct circles on the map—one in the Land of Grass, one in the Land of Hot Water, one in the Land of Rivers, and one in the Land of Waves.
"Right now, the four villages are still testing each other's resolve," he began, his analysis sharp and clinical. "Our first move must be to purge the spies hidden within Konoha. We must blind them, sever their intelligence network.
"Concurrently, we begin a strategic deployment. We station our forces here, in these four nations." He tapped each circle. "We meet Rock, Cloud, Sand, and Mist not at our borders, but in these buffer zones. We contain the conflict, doing everything in our power to keep the fighting from spilling into the Land of Fire itself.
"While the four villages are cooperating, theirs is an alliance of convenience, not trust. If Konoha demonstrates unwavering resolve, a willingness to fight to the bitter end in these territories, they will hesitate. They all understand one fundamental truth: if a cornered Konoha decides to go all-out, we possess the power to invade and devastate any one of their homelands. None of them can afford to be the primary target of our final, desperate wrath.
"If we can keep this a series of localized conflicts and not a total war, Konoha, with its vast resources and deeper reserves, can sustain the effort far longer than they can. As time drags on with no decisive victory, their temporary alliance will begin to fray. Internal dissent will grow."
A faint, cold smile touched Orochimaru's lips. "I once asked Kagenori how he would resolve a scenario where four villages attacked Konoha simultaneously. He said he would use vested interests to turn them against one another. The principle is sound. By delaying the full-scale war and fostering their internal discord, we can then use promises, territory, or other incentives to persuade one or more of them to break ranks. We might even turn the tide completely, recouping all our losses in a single, decisive counter-stroke."
Sarutobi Hiruzen listened, his fingers tapping a rhythmic pattern on his desk as he weighed the plan's feasibility. It was a dangerous gambit, a play for time against overwhelming odds. But it was the only play they had.
Kagenori watched his sensei, impressed by the strategic depth of the plan. It was ruthless, pragmatic, and leveraged Konoha's greatest strength: its endurance.
He also understood the personal implication. If Orochimaru's plan moved forward, he would be going to the battlefield. The plan required Konoha to fight on four fronts simultaneously, and that meant sending every capable shinobi they had.
After a long moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, his decision made. "We will proceed as you've outlined, Orochimaru. Tomorrow, I will deploy the ANBU, alongside Danzo's Root, to cleanse Konoha of this infestation. Then, we deploy."
He pointed to the map. "Orochimaru, you will be assigned to a frontline. Sunagakure is the least of our immediate concerns; the forces currently stationed in the Land of Rivers should be sufficient to contain them for now. For Kirigakure in the Land of Waves, I will first send a small reconnaissance team to assess their strength before committing a larger force. Every single shinobi is precious."
His finger moved to the Land of Grass. "Iwagakure... Onoki is too clever to commit fully before the war is officially declared. He will probe and test. Hatake Sakumo is leading our forces there; his prowess should be enough to keep them in check."
Finally, his finger landed decisively on the Land of Hot Water. "The greatest immediate threat is Kumogakure. Jiraiya and his troops have been engaged in constant, fierce battles with Kumo-nin there. The fighting is most intense, and Kumo has been funneling reinforcements toward the Land of Rivers as well. If your plan is to show no weakness, Orochimaru, then we must hold the line in the Land of Hot Springs. I am sending you there. What is your assessment?"
Orochimaru gave a slow, definitive nod. "Understood. I will depart for the Land of Hot Springs tomorrow to rendezvous with Jiraiya." His gaze flicked to Kagenori. "And I will be taking my disciple with me. I request your approval, Sensei."
A grim smile touched Sarutobi's lips. "Granted. I had intended as much, even if you hadn't asked. I've heard reports that Jiraiya's student, Minato, has been distinguishing himself on the battlefield in the Land of Rivers. If Kagenori trains on the front lines, I have no doubt he will also quickly blossom into a shinobi who can stand on his own."
Upon hearing this, a cold fire ignited in Kagenori's chest. He hadn't expected to confront the shinobi of Kumogakure so soon. The image of Kushina's terrified face flashed in his mind. He was more than prepared. He was eager. He would settle the debt for her kidnapping with the lives of Cloud ninja.