The operations meeting room in Kumogakure was steeped in tension, the air thick with the weight of grim reality. The rectangular table, lined with senior officials, bore witness to somber faces. On the left, the elder of the Cloud Village, aged yet sharp, spoke with measured authority, his voice cutting through the silence.
"The leaders of the Sand Village have announced they will not participate in the war with Konoha for the time being. They are preoccupied with their own internal matters."
His words hung in the air as he glanced at the Third Raikage seated at the head of the table. The Raikage's face was dark with anger, his imposing frame radiating suppressed energy. The elder continued, his tone grave.
"Based on the intelligence we received, the time between the Sand Ninja encountering the Konoha troops led by Namikaze Minato and the destruction of our surprise attack force was less than two hours."
The statement sent a wave of unease through the room. Audible gasps escaped some of the gathered officials. The implications were staggering: Minato had defeated the Fourth Kazekage, subdued the One-Tailed Shukaku, and dismantled the Cloud Ninja's surprise attack force, including a direct confrontation with A and Killer B, all in such a short span.
If the intelligence hadn't been confirmed multiple times, none of them would have believed it.
The room descended into silence. The elder, older even than the Third Raikage himself, found his mind wandering to the past. Memories of Konoha's infamous shinobi—their strength and cunning—resurfaced unbidden. He thought of the early days of the Five Great Nations and the terrifying reputation that Konoha's legends had carved into history.
The Third Raikage finally spoke, his voice a low rumble. "Continue."
The elder straightened. "In light of these developments, I am issuing this directive on behalf of Lord Raikage: from this moment forward, if our troops encounter Namikaze Minato on the battlefield, no matter their numbers, they are to abandon the mission and retreat immediately."
The room fell into stunned silence. Several high-ranking Cloud Ninjas exchanged uneasy glances. Such an order was unprecedented, yet the rationale behind it was undeniable. Minato's presence on the battlefield was a force multiplier beyond comprehension.
The elder pressed on. "This isn't about pride—it's about minimizing losses. We cannot afford another disaster like the one that befell our surprise attack force."
The Raikage's jaw tightened, his displeasure evident, but he said nothing. Though he despised the necessity of such an order, even he could not refute the logic.
"The surprise attack has failed. With the Konoha forces under Hatake Sakumo and Tsunade already crossing the Land of Hot Springs, there's no point in continuing with that strategy," the elder added. "Our only option now is a war of attrition. Konoha may have talent, but the numbers are on our side. Minato Namikaze cannot be everywhere at once."
He gestured toward the map spread across the table. "Konoha's forces on the Cloud front number less than 1,500, while our own total over 2,000. However, this alone will not suffice. We must coordinate with the Rock Ninja and the Mist Ninja to increase troop numbers and launch a synchronized assault on the Land of Fire."
The Raikage's deep voice cut through the elder's words. "Send word to the Rock Ninja and the Mist Ninja. Increase their forces and prepare for an all-out offensive. Notify Hanzo of the Rain Village that his inaction will only embolden Konoha. If he believes Konoha can withstand the armies of three nations, let him stand aside and watch."
In Konoha's war council, the air was no less heavy. A massive world map dominated the room, its surface marked with colored lines denoting the shifting battlefronts of the Third Ninja World War. Surrounding the table were the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Konoha's senior strategists.
Namikaze Minato stood among them, his presence commanding yet humble. Most of Konoha's elite forces had already been deployed to distant battlefields, but Minato was an exception. With his mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, he served as Konoha's ultimate mobile asset, capable of reinforcing any front in a matter of moments.
Hiruzen's gaze lingered on the map. "The Rock Ninja are fortifying their numbers. The Cloud Ninja are regrouping after their defeat. Both are preparing for a decisive push into the Land of Fire."
He tapped a spot on the coastline with his pipe. "Meanwhile, the Mist Ninja are approaching the Fire Country's shores. Their landing point is unknown due to the length of the coastline, but we must be ready to intercept them."
The atmosphere grew heavier. Minato's victories against the Sand and Cloud had bought Konoha precious time, but they all knew it was only a reprieve. The real war was about to begin.
"This will be the largest conflict since the establishment of the Five Great Nations," Hiruzen said gravely.
Minato's expression was serious as he absorbed the briefing. He had faced impossible odds before, but the scale of this conflict was daunting even to him.
Hiruzen continued, his tone resolute. "Minato, I need you to reinforce the Land of Grass front. Support Jiraiya in holding the Iwagakure forces. We cannot allow them to breach the Land of Fire's borders."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Minato replied without hesitation. He understood the weight of the mission.
The Third Hokage turned to the others. "Our priority is to defeat the Mist Ninja quickly. Their geographical isolation from the other great nations gives us an opportunity to neutralize them before they can coordinate with the Rock and Cloud forces."
Danzo's sharp voice broke the silence. "Sarutobi, don't forget—the primary force on the Mist front is the Uchiha clan."
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