80 Chapter 80
As the weight of the Raikage's demand settled over the battlefield like a dark cloud, Jiraiya's steely gaze met the furious glare of the Kumo leader. There was a palpable tension in the air, crackling with the anticipation of conflict.
"Return Yugito back to us. We can call for a ceasefire; we can even put an end to this war." The Raikage's voice thundered across the field, demanding once more, his pride and determination cutting through the chaos.
Jiraiya's response was unwavering; his tone firm. "I'm afraid that's not an option, Raikage. Yugito is now under Konoha's custody. We cannot simply hand her over at your command. That's not how this works"
The Raikage's expression darkened, a storm brewing behind his narrowed eyes. "You dare defy me, Jiraiya? You know the consequences of crossing Kumo."
As the two leaders stood at odds, the tension between their respective Shinobi factions intensified. The air crackled with energy as voices rose in heated defense of their village's honor and interests.
"We cannot yield to threats, Raikage-sama! Konoha's principles stand firm. You wanted war, and here you have it; this is what happens when you defy Konoha," declared a Leaf Shinobi, his voice resolute amid the brewing conflict.
"Your village has no right to hold our Jinchuriki captive! Release her immediately, or face the consequences!" countered a Kumo Jonin, his frustration palpable as he clenched his fists in anger.
In the midst of the escalating confrontation, Shikaku's voice sliced through the discord like a well-honed blade. "Are you so focused on Yugito that you've forgotten about your own Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Raikage-sama? I hear he's facing quite the challenge on the Iwagakure front. Perhaps you should be more concerned about his safety."
The mention of the Eight-Tails brought a flicker of concern to the Raikage's features, momentarily halting his tirade. The realization that his village's another prized asset was also in peril cast a shadow over the battlefield.
Yet the Raikage swiftly regained his composure, his resolve hardening like tempered steel. "Our priorities are our own concern, Shikaku. Don't think you can distract us from our objective."
As the standoff reached its zenith, both sides stood poised for conflict, with the threat of an all-out war hanging heavy in the air. The battlefield brimmed with anticipation of what was to come, a tempest waiting to be unleashed.
Shikaku's actions weren't merely a ploy to distract the Kumogakure forces. The intricate strategy devised by Kazuki took into account not only the capture of the two tails but also the presence of the four tails and the eight tails. While it was impossible to set up a covert formation behind enemy lines in the midst of the Iwa-Kumo battlefront, where the other two Jinchuriki were actively engaged, the plan aimed to inflict devastating damage upon these formidable adversaries.
The objective wasn't necessarily to capture the Jinchuriki, but rather to deal such a crippling blow that they would be forced to withdraw from the battlefield. If Kazuki's plan succeeded, it would take months, perhaps even a full year, for the Jinchuriki to fully recover from the extensive injuries inflicted upon them. This strategy mirrored the approach Shikaku had employed when dealing a fatal blow to Yugito during her mission to assassinate Asuma Sarutobi.
Tsunade and the rest of the Leaf commanders understood the gravity of the mission. Only a select few Leaf Shinobi, who volunteered despite the perilous nature of the task, were assigned to this suicide mission. Even Kazuki himself harbored doubts about the likelihood of their safe return. Yet, twenty-four elite Leaf Shinobi, out of nearly a hundred volunteers, embarked on this perilous mission with unwavering resolve. Their objective was to strike at the Four-Tails and Eight-Tails simultaneously, coordinating with all Konoha forces across every battlefront in a synchronized effort to capture their respective Bijuu.
It was a mission fraught with danger and uncertainty, yet these brave Shinobi were willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of their village and the success of Kazuki's master plan.
As the Raikage observed Shikaku's reaction, a sense of unease began to gnaw at him. Dodai, who had approached the Raikage's side, delivered urgent intelligence from the Iwagakure-Konoha battlefront. With his voice barely a whisper, Dodai relayed the dire news that Tsunade Senju had single-handedly captured the Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han. The revelation struck like a thunderbolt, shaking Raikage to his core.
"The entire Iwa army has been routed," Dodai continued, his words laden with urgency. "It seems they weren't just targeting Yugito. All the Bijuu participating in this war are under threat. The situation may be the same on the Kirigakure side."
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Raikage's shoulders. He knew he couldn,t defeat the toad sage, and now that Yugito had been captured, the odds were set against them. Time was of the essence, and they needed to make decisions swiftly to ensure the safety of their remaining Jinchuriki, particularly his beloved brother, Bee. Though Yugito's survival offered a glimmer of hope for negotiation, the Raikage knew they had to act decisively to protect Bee at all costs.
Contemplating their options and the political ramifications, the Raikage made a crucial decision: a complete retreat. He understood that the war was effectively over now that Konoha had captured multiple Bijuu. It was time to shift the battleground from the battlefield to the political arena, where Ay's strategic acumen would be put to the test.
Despite his pride and reluctance to admit defeat, the Raikage knew that strategic withdrawal was the wisest course of action. He entrusted Dodai to carry out his instructions and swiftly returned to reinforce his brother's position, determined to ensure Bee's safety above all else. With the fate of their village and the Bijuu hanging in the balance, Ay steeled himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
Dodai swiftly relayed the Raikage's orders for retreat, and the command echoed across the battlefield like a solemn dirge. Shock and disbelief rippled through the ranks of the Kumo Shinobi as they grappled with the abrupt shift in fortunes. Yet, despite the bitter taste of defeat, none dared to defy the Raikage's decree. With heavy hearts and resigned determination, they began their hasty retreat back to their homeland, their footsteps weighed down by the burden of failure.
On the other side, the Leaf Shinobi bristled with pent-up aggression, their desire for vengeance simmering just beneath the surface. The temptation to pursue and strike down their retreating foes was palpable, fueled by the adrenaline of battle and the taste of victory. However, Jiraiya's authoritative command to cease pursuit stayed their hands, a reminder that their objectives had been achieved and further bloodshed would serve no purpose.
As the dust settled and the echoes of conflict faded, a somber calm descended upon the battlefield. The war may have ended, but the scars it left behind will linger for generations.
As Shikaku surveyed the aftermath of the battle, a shadow of concern lingered in his eyes. Despite Konoha's decisive victory, there remained a formidable obstacle in their path to lasting peace: the old Tsuchikage.
Shikaku knew all too well the tendencies of the aging leader of Iwagakure. The old Tsuchikage was notorious for his stubbornness and reluctance to concede defeat. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, he had a knack for finding loopholes and evading responsibility.
Shikaku couldn't shake off the memories of the Third Ninja War, a conflict marked by both heroism and betrayal. Despite Minato's awe-inspiring feats on the battlefield, the outcome left a bitter taste in the mouths of many Konoha shinobi.
While some praised Sandaime for his diplomatic finesse, others viewed it with skepticism, even cynicism. To them, it seemed more like a capitulation than a victory. Onoki, the wily Tsuchikage, had managed to wriggle free from the consequences of his actions, escaping without paying any significant war reparations. It was a bitter pill to swallow, especially for those who had lost comrades and loved ones in the bloody conflict.
For Shikaku, it was a stark reminder of the complexities of diplomacy and the often murky waters of politics. While the military might win battles, true victory lies in the ability to secure lasting peace through negotiation and compromise. And now, with Tsunade leading the charge, he knew that history would not repeat itself. This time, Konoha would demand accountability, and Onoki would have nowhere to hide.
Tsunade, with her uncompromising determination and sense of pride, would not settle for half-measures. After such a resounding victory, she would demand nothing less than complete surrender from the other villages. The stakes were too high, and Konoha had sacrificed too much to allow their enemies to slip away without facing the consequences of their actions.
The reality of their triumph sank in, and Shikaku knew that the true test lay ahead. Negotiating with the old Tsuchikage would require finesse, patience, and perhaps a touch of cunning. But with Tsunade at the helm, he had no doubt that Konoha would emerge victorious once again, this time in the arena of diplomacy.
*******
The entire village of Iwagakure was thrown into turmoil as the news of their complete rout against the Leaf Village spread like wildfire. Before they could even begin to process this devastating blow, another piece of intelligence plunged them even deeper into despair: one of their revered strategic assets, a Jinchuriki, had fallen into enemy hands with alarming ease. The Tsuchikage wasted no time, immediately departing for the Iwa-Kumo battlefield to support Roshi, knowing that if Konoha had found a way to subdue and capture a Jinchuriki, they wouldn't stop at just one bijuu. His fears were confirmed when news reached him of the capture of the Two-Tails, further solidifying his resolve to retrieve Roshi before Konoha could make a move against him.
However, what Old Onoki didn't anticipate was that Kazuki had foreseen his reaction. Kazuki and his team had been lying in wait, preparing to strike at the heart of Iwagakure. Knowing Onoki's character, Kazuki understood that to make the old Tsuchikage yield, they needed to hit him where it hurt the most. Within hours of Onoki's departure, Kazuki and Tora stealthily infiltrated the village, effortlessly bypassing its multiple barriers. Their future mission hinged on the success of this daring endeavor.
Outside the Iwagakure village barrier, two shadows flickered next to Kazuki's team. Only Kazuki and Tora had infiltrated the village, tasked with completing the mission. And they had only returned to the team after two full hours.
"Tora, you'll command the team from now on," Kazuki stated, his tone chillingly firm. "Take the package and return to our main camp. Be cautious, make no mistakes, and deliver the package only to my Sensei. Not even Sandaime himself is to lay eyes on it. Understood?"
Tora nodded, understanding the gravity of the task at hand. "And what about you, Ryu-sama? Why not leave with us?" Tora asked, concern evident in his voice.
"No, I must stay behind," Kazuki replied. "With our recent actions, every Iwagakure shinobi will be hunting us. I'll buy you time to escape and ensure the package reaches Sensei safely. Besides, I haven't fully unleashed my potential in this war yet. It's time to show Iwagakure the extent of my power and deter them from any foolish ideas."
With determination in his eyes, Kazuki prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that this would be his chance to push his limits and leave a lasting impression on the enemy.
An hour after Kazuki's team began their retreat towards the Konoha main camp, the streets of Iwagakure were thrown into a frenzy of activity. Panic spread like wildfire as the village realized that an enemy had infiltrated their midst and kidnapped none other than the Tsuchikage's granddaughter, Kurotsuchi. The news sent shockwaves through the village, striking fear into the hearts of its residents.
Investigations revealed a chilling scene: the entire guard squad responsible for Kurotsuchi's safety lay dead, their bodies showing no signs of struggle or resistance. It was as if they had been struck down without warning, leaving the village vulnerable to the enemy's nefarious machinations.
Word of the abduction quickly reached the Tsuchikage, who was already en route back to the village with all haste. His face darkened with fury upon hearing the news, his mind raced with thoughts of vengeance and retribution. He wasted no time in issuing orders for the main Iwagakure army to retreat back within their borders, leaving only a bare minimum to defend Takigakure. Every ounce of his being was focused on one thing: the safe return of his beloved granddaughter and the punishment of those responsible for her abduction.
