After a night of messing around, Jiraiya looked utterly disheveled, his white hair a messy mop, and his body exuding strange odors. He hadn't even had the chance to catch up on sleep before being summoned to a meeting.
The smell was so unpleasant that Orochimaru, seated next to him, kept shooting him disdainful glances.
"This meeting—"
"Sunagakure has gone too far!!"
Jiraiya's words were cut short by Koharu Utatane, who erupted in rage, causing Jiraiya to swallow whatever he had been about to say.
Before earning the title of the Sannin, neither Jiraiya nor Orochimaru had much say in village affairs. Had they not been Sarutobi Hiruzen's students and strong enough in their own right, they wouldn't have even qualified to attend this meeting.
Jiraiya consoled himself with a shrug, deciding to let Koharu vent as much as she wanted. Meanwhile, Orochimaru gave him another sidelong look of disdain before turning away.
"???"
Seriously, what's your problem, Orochimaru?
"They provoked us in the Land of Rivers, and now, after our response, they've escalated to ambushing our forces. Are they deliberately trying to start a war between the two villages?"
In her younger years, Koharu Utatane was more hot-tempered and prone to aggression.Right away, she placed all the blame on Sunagakure.
"Could there be some misunderstanding?"
Tsunade wasn't going to just let Koharu rant without question. After reading the intelligence report, she spoke up:"Something about this doesn't feel right. Even if Sunagakure was eager to fight, there's no reason to escalate the provocations this way."
"One or two times might be provocation, but this many times—can that still be called a provocation?"
Koharu was clearly displeased by Tsunade's words.
She believed her analysis was correct—Sunagakure was intentionally trying to provoke Konoha into a conflict.
What's with this old woman today? Did she eat gunpowder for breakfast? Or is it that time of the month?
Tsunade frowned, about to retort, but Akimichi Torifu, caught in the middle, quickly intervened.
"I think Tsunade has a point, but regardless, Sunagakure is in the wrong here. They have initiated all of these hostilities, and we need to be ready for war."
"You're right."
Tsunade thought for a moment and nodded, deciding not to argue further.
Regardless of any underlying manipulations, the situation had reached a point where Konoha had no choice but to prepare for all eventualities, including war.
Sunagakure's behavior had crossed a line that Konoha couldn't tolerate.
While Konoha wasn't known for initiating wars, it also wouldn't turn the other cheek when slapped.
Unlike in the Third Shinobi World War, this Konoha wasn't about to make humiliating concessions.
"Ahem!"
The Third Hokage cleared his throat and set down his pipe.
"Tsunade and Koharu both make valid points, but Torifu is correct. The village must prepare for all outcomes. Whether this is a misunderstanding or intentional escalation, Sunagakure's actions will dictate what happens next."
If it was a misunderstanding, Sunagakure would likely cease its provocations. Konoha would exercise restraint, and the situation could stabilize.
But if Sunagakure continued sending reinforcements into the Land of Rain, the truth would no longer matter—it would signal their intent to engage in war.
"Mobilize a team of jonin, ensuring enough medical ninjas are included, so they're ready to deploy to the Land of Rain at a moment's notice."
"The medical and logistics departments must also coordinate and prepare accordingly."
War wasn't something that could be waged on a whim. Personnel needed to be mobilized, and logistical and medical supplies prepared well in advance—not scrambled for after the fact.
Only fools wait until their stomachs hurt to build a toilet.
"The logistics department will ensure all preparations are in place," Homura Mitokado affirmed.
The Hokage glanced at Akimichi Torifu, who quickly lowered his head, signaling he wanted no part of the logistics discussion.
"The medical department will also prepare the necessary supplies and ensure a team of medical ninjas is ready for deployment," Tsunade stated, taking the lead for the medical division.
Although Torifu nominally headed the medical department, the real authority rested with Tsunade. Torifu was merely a figurehead.
"Tsunade, can you personally lead the medical team to the frontlines?"
The Jonin Commander, Sarutobi Matsuda, broke his silence.
If war with Sunagakure broke out, the frontlines would require a high-ranking medical ninja to oversee operations. Tsunade, with her unmatched medical expertise, was the ideal candidate.
Most of Sunagakure's puppet ninjas were masters of poison. Without a skilled medic capable of countering their techniques, Konoha's casualty rate would be catastrophic.
"I…" Tsunade hesitated. "I can't answer that right now. I'll let you know before our reinforcements are deployed."
Does Tsunade not want to go to the frontlines?
Sarutobi Matsuda glanced at the Third Hokage, who promptly intervened.
"Tsunade, if war does break out, I hope you can lead the frontlines. Your presence there would be invaluable."
"I'll think about it," Tsunade replied, unwilling to commit immediately. She needed to discuss the matter with Takashi first.
Had Takashi not previously advised her to be cautious, she would have likely agreed without hesitation.
The meeting concluded shortly after, with Tsunade delegating medical supply logistics to Akimichi Torifu before heading home.
---
Back at home, Tsunade recounted the meeting's discussions to Takashi.
After listening, Takashi pondered for a moment before speaking.
"The escalation feels strange. Could someone be deliberately stirring up conflict between the two villages?"
"I think so too," Tsunade replied. "But Torifu was right—no matter how the conflict escalated, we must prepare for war."
The possibility of manipulation had crossed the minds of many in the meeting, though only Tsunade had voiced it. Jiraiya, wary of sparring with Koharu, had kept his thoughts to himself, and others had chosen to stay silent after Tsunade took the lead.
"But if someone is behind this, who could it be? Iwagakure or Amegakure?"
"Both are suspect, but I'd say Amegakure is more likely," Takashi speculated.
Between the two, he found Amegakure's involvement more plausible. Hanzo of the Salamander wasn't exactly known for being agreeable. His history suggested he wouldn't hesitate to stir trouble if it served his interests.
After all, when the war escalated, Hanzo had declared war not just on Konoha but also on Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
---
Bonus chap for reaching 200 power stones! thank you everyone for the votes.