Chapter 9: The Strings of War
The meeting had ended, but Hikaru remained seated in the dimly lit chamber, fingers steepled in thought. The plan was set in motion—whispers would turn to paranoia, supply lines would fray, alliances would weaken.
Still, it wasn't enough.
Manipulation was a delicate art. Too much pressure, and the pieces would shatter in unpredictable ways. Too little, and they would find stability. He had to control the descent into chaos.
A soft knock echoed through the underground chamber. One of his informants entered—a woman clad in simple traveler's robes, her face hidden behind a hood. She knelt before speaking.
"Kumo's envoys have delayed their movements," she reported. "The rumors have taken hold. Their commanders no longer trust each other."
Hikaru allowed himself the smallest of smiles. He had planted the idea, and now, it was blooming into reality.
"What of Konoha?" he asked.
"They are growing restless. Their scouts report inconsistencies in enemy movements. Some believe Kumo is preparing a feint. Others suspect sabotage from within."
Hikaru nodded. Perfect. The shinobi world was built on trust—trust in one's comrades, trust in one's leaders. He didn't need to kill their soldiers to weaken them. He just needed to erode that trust.
The informant hesitated. "There is… one concern."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow.
"Jiraiya."
That name alone made the air in the chamber feel heavier.
"He has been investigating the recent disappearances. Unlike the others, he is not convinced this is merely war misfortune. If he continues, he may get too close to the truth."
Hikaru leaned back, tapping a finger against the table. Jiraiya was not someone to be underestimated. Unlike the war generals who saw only battlefields, Jiraiya had a broader vision. He would search in places others ignored.
"A direct attack is out of the question," Hikaru mused. "If he dies now, Konoha will know there's a real enemy lurking in the shadows."
The informant nodded. "What are your orders?"
Hikaru's mind was already forming possibilities. He needed to divert Jiraiya's attention—give him something else to chase, something that looked important but led nowhere.
"Leak a false trail," he ordered. "Make it seem like the disappearances are linked to a rogue faction of missing-nin. A scattered group, disorganized, with no clear leader. Give them just enough clues to stay busy, but nothing that leads back to us."
The informant bowed. "Understood."
As she left, Hikaru let out a slow breath.
Jiraiya was a threat, but even threats could be controlled.
He glanced at the map before him, the pieces shifting into place.
Kumo and Konoha would soon turn on each other.
Jiraiya would chase shadows.
And the war would continue exactly as he planned.