Jinnan Town – Konoha Frontline Encampment
Within the Konoha command tent, Jiraiya turned toward the group of jōnin gathered before him. At the center stood Nara Shiosui.
"Shiosui, what do you think Kirigakure's next move will be?"
After the deaths of Nara Shikaku and Nara Suzaku at the hands of Yoru, Jiraiya had transferred Shiosui—originally stationed in Futada Village—to the frontline to serve as acting strategist.
It wasn't desperation or blind trust. The Nara Clan had always produced natural tacticians, and Shiosui, already familiar with the region and battlefield dynamics, was well-positioned to take over.
Staring down at the tactical map laid out before them, Shiosui furrowed his brow in deep concentration.
After a long pause, he spoke, his voice serious:
"In my opinion, Lord Jiraiya… Kirigakure won't bother with any elaborate or unexpected tactics. They'll opt for a direct assault—and their focus will remain on Jinnan Town."
"Why do you say that?" Jiraiya asked.
"Our current defensive line is structured with Jinnan Town as the anchor. From there, it spreads outward in a fan-shaped formation, covering Higashimatsuyama, Misawa Bridge, Oami-Shirasato Mine, Jinnan itself, and Kazama Valley."
"Yet Kirigakure has consistently launched only token attacks on the outer flanks. Their main effort has been concentrated entirely on Jinnan Town."
"Based on the intel we extracted from Suikazan Fuguki's mind, their strategy is clear: with Iwagakure and Kumogakure still entangled on their respective fronts, they plan to break through our defenses at Jinnan with a swift, concentrated assault—striking straight toward the heart of the Land of Fire like a blade through silk."
"Until now, our strong defense and the delayed arrival of their main force have stalled them. But that's changed."
Shiosui traced a finger along the map until it landed squarely on Jinnan Town.
"Now that Kirigakure's full force has arrived, and with the other battlefields still unresolved, I firmly believe they will double down on their original plan: a full-frontal, concentrated push to breach Jinnan as quickly as possible."
"I see…" Uchiha Fugaku said, eyes narrowing. "Then we'll be under more pressure than ever."
Now that the Mist's main army was here, even without the original Seven Ninja Swordsmen, that one individual—Yuki Yoru—more than compensated.
Fugaku recalled the enormous frozen cross of ice that had sealed his Susanoo… The image remained vivid in his mind.
"This will be a hard fight," Jiraiya admitted. "But don't let the pressure shake you."
He clapped his hands and raised his voice to address everyone present.
At some point, a toad had appeared beside him, and in Jiraiya's hands was an unfurled scroll.
A faint smile curled across his lips as he read the message on it.
"Reinforcements… are on their way."
Meanwhile — Kirigakure Encampment
Despite having just received a major promotion, Yoru's expression remained calm and steady.
But behind him, Yumei and Yukiko were practically bouncing with excitement, waving their arms in celebration. Even Ringo Yugure and Hōzuki Mangetsu couldn't hide their grins.
Vice Commander of the ANBU — that was a genuine high-ranking post within Kirigakure.
More importantly, he was only fourteen years old.
And it wasn't just his squad members. Everyone present in the command tent wore various expressions as they stared at the young man who had, at such a tender age, already ascended to the top of the village's power structure.
Some began to wonder how far this prodigy might go in the future.
Vice Commander of the ANBU at fourteen. Could he become ANBU Commander next?
A village elder?
Or even…?
The thought stirred ambition—and calculation. Several among them were already planning to curry favor early.
Not all eyes were celebratory though.
In one corner, several members of the Yuki Clan watched silently, their expressions complex.
All of this, Yagura noticed. But what surprised him was Yoru's tranquility. No arrogance. No gloating.
To remain this composed in the face of such rapid ascension... My junior has a will not inferior to my own, Yagura mused.
"Next—ANBU Squad Two sub-captain, Terumi Mei, is hereby promoted to ANBU Division Commander, responsible for all frontline intelligence operations."
Following Yoru's appointment, the next name announced was Mei's.
Clearly, Kirigakure's leadership had realized just how rotten their intelligence network had become. And since they couldn't overhaul it during wartime themselves, they'd handed full authority over to Terumi Mei.
This decision drew smiles from several members of the Terumi Clan.
The position of ANBU Division Commander was no small matter. Two members of the original Seven Ninja Swordsmen had held that exact title (or Vice Commander status).
But what stood out even more was the addendum:
"Responsible for all frontline intelligence operations."
That line alone significantly expanded Mei's authority.
In modest terms, she was head of the ANBU's intel group.
In broader terms, she now had authority over all intelligence activities across Kirigakure's military.
"Terumi Mei, I accept the appointment."
She stepped forward and bowed formally, accepting the new rank.
"Hōzuki Mangetsu is hereby appointed Vice Commander of the First Division (specializing in weapons and projectile users)."
"Kaguya Tetsuya is appointed Commander of the Second Division (vanguard unit specializing in high body-count combat)."
"Yuki Hisashi is appointed Vice Commander of the Second Division."
"Chūnin and Jōnin nominations to follow…"
One by one, Yagura read off the assignments. While the atmosphere was formally solemn, subtle undercurrents played out in every gaze.
Some people grinned from ear to ear.
Others scowled with resentment.
Still others were "promoted" in title but stripped of real power—a clear political move.
Night could read them all like a book.
These people, corrupted by power…
Even in a village as ruthless and sharp-edged as Kirigakure, these shinobi had grown grotesquely twisted under constant bloodshed and internal pressure.
Bonds? Emotions? Those meant nothing to most of them.
All they craved was power—status—control.
Yoru glanced sideways at Terumi Mei, who stood tall and proud, her ambition blazing like fire.
He sighed inwardly.
If we don't eventually clean out this rot, Kirigakure will always be the weakest of the Five Great Nations…
And the root of this decay is obvious: the "Blood Mist"—a legacy of Uchiha Madara's manipulation.
Little firebrand… looks like your dream is going to put you on a collision course with Madara himself.
Soon, all the new appointments had been announced.
But the meeting wasn't over.
Once the final nomination was made, Yagura laid down the personnel list and swept his gaze across the assembled officers.
Everyone immediately stilled their hearts.
The real meeting—had just begun.
The War Council.
Or more precisely…
Pre-Battle Mobilization.