In the Hokage's Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru both wore grave expressions.
The situation in Konoha had become increasingly dire. If war were to break out, the four great ninja villages could very well launch a coordinated assault, leaving Konoha surrounded and attacked on multiple fronts.
Sarutobi Hiruzen began discussing strategies with Orochimaru on how to overcome the current crisis.
Shiranui Riku stood quietly by. As Orochimaru's disciple, he had the privilege of listening in—but as a Genin, he had no right to speak unless spoken to. The fact that he was even in this room was already extraordinary.
Hiruzen spoke solemnly: "According to our intelligence, the Third Mizukage of the Hidden Mist Village has implemented a new military doctrine—the 'Blood Mist' policy—forcing ninjas into brutal internal battles. It's clear they're preparing for war.
No wonder they've been avoiding diplomatic contact with Konoha. It seems they've already aligned themselves with the Hidden Cloud and Hidden Stone Villages. And now, enemy ninjas have infiltrated our borders. We must assume the war is imminent.
Orochimaru, based on our current capabilities—can Konoha defend itself?"
Orochimaru shook his head, blunt as ever. "If the war starts now, Konoha will lose. If we were only facing the Cloud and Stone villages, we might manage. But with Mist added to the equation, we'd be stretched too thin. And then there's the Sand Village, lurking and watching for weakness.
Our forces are limited. With so many battlefronts, we'd be forced to split our troops. That would leave us unable to mount effective counterattacks. We'd be slowly bled dry."
Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent, deeply troubled.
Orochimaru's analysis aligned perfectly with his own. No matter how strong Konoha was, it could not withstand a full-scale siege from four major villages.
Now, the question was: how to escape this impossible situation?
"Orochimaru," Hiruzen asked, "what's your solution?"
Orochimaru had been thinking the same.
"There's only one viable option: delay. The longer we can postpone an all-out war, the better it is for Konoha."
Hiruzen frowned. "But the initiative isn't in our hands. If they want war, they can declare it at any time."
Orochimaru picked up a pen and drew circles around four areas on the map—the Lands of Grass, Hot Springs, Rivers, and Waves.
"These four borderlands are where they'll test us first. We must act quickly to eliminate the spies already inside Konoha. Once those are gone, the enemy will be blind to our internal affairs. That buys us time.
Simultaneously, we should deploy defensive forces to these four countries. If we can confine the battles there, we delay the invasion into the Land of Fire itself.
Now, even though the four villages are cooperating, they're not unified in purpose. If we show them we're willing to fight to the bitter end, they'll hesitate. They know if Konoha retaliates with full force, we can—and will—strike back at their homelands.
And if Konoha falls, they'll turn on each other, fighting over the scraps.
As long as it's not a full-scale war, Konoha can afford prolonged, localized conflict. Our resources are strong. And the longer it drags on, the more cracks will form in their alliance.
I once asked Shiranui Riku how he'd resolve such a scenario. He said: use leverage. Offer benefits to one village to turn on the others.
That strategy is highly applicable now. If we can provoke internal divisions and offer the right incentives, we may not only survive—but regain what we've lost."
Sarutobi Hiruzen tapped his fingers on the desk, carefully considering Orochimaru's proposal.
Shiranui Riku looked at his mentor, quietly surprised. He hadn't expected Orochimaru to mention his input.
But he agreed with the logic.
The four villages had united to take from Konoha. If the war yielded no gains and only losses, self-interest would begin to outweigh alliance.
And if Konoha offered tempting rewards at the right moment, it could drive a wedge between them.
Still, Shiranui Riku knew exactly what this meant for him personally.
If Orochimaru's plan moved forward, it meant going to war.
His mentor's strategy called for combat across all four buffer nations to keep the enemy at bay. That meant Konoha would have to deploy nearly every available ninja—including him.
After a long pause, Hiruzen finally nodded.
"This is the only path forward. Orochimaru, we proceed with your plan. Tomorrow, I'll deploy Anbu and Root under Danzo to purge every last foreign spy from Konoha.
You'll also be deployed to the battlefield.
Sand Village isn't an immediate threat. Our stationed forces in the Land of Rivers can handle them for now.
As for Mist, we'll first send a small team to the Land of Waves to gauge their numbers. We can't afford to stretch our forces without accurate intel.
Iwagakure is a more calculated threat. Ohnoki will avoid direct confrontations until war is official. We'll let Sakumo lead that front.
The real danger is Hidden Cloud. In the Land of Hot Springs, Jiraiya has already clashed with their forces multiple times. That battlefield is the most active, and Cloud ninjas keep pouring in.
Since your strategy depends on projecting strength, we need to hold that line firmly.
Orochimaru—how do you feel about deploying there?"
Orochimaru gave a slow nod. "Understood. I'll depart for the Land of Hot Springs tomorrow and rendezvous with Jiraiya. Also—I'd like to take Shiranui Riku with me, if you approve."
Hiruzen allowed a rare smile to touch his stern face.
"I would've assigned him anyway. I've heard that Jiraiya's student, Minato, made a name for himself on the battlefield in the Land of Rain. If Shiranui Riku gets the same experience, I have no doubt he'll rise just as fast—and become a true asset to Konoha."
Shiranui Riku's blood stirred with anticipation. A flame ignited within him—rage, purpose, and resolve.
He hadn't expected to face the Hidden Cloud ninjas again so soon.
But this was his chance. They had abducted Uzumaki Kushina.
Now, it was time to make them pay—with blood.