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My Journey as Fourth Kazekage 164
🕑 Added 2025-05-03 16:00:08 +0000 UTCChapter 164: A Plan within a Plan
Mount Myōboku.
Though Minato Namikaze was still training here, ever since he learned that Iwagakure and Kumogakure had officially begun their assault on Sunagakure, he had been closely monitoring the movements of the ninja world.
His source of information was none other than Jiraiya-sensei, who had brought news from the village.
Amidst the tall grass, Minato was developing his new ninjutsu, which he had named: "Spiral Wind Release Super Spinning Roar Technique." Although the name was somewhat hard to take seriously, the technique itself, a fusion of wind-style chakra nature transformation and the Rasengan, demonstrated destructive power that even Lord Fukasaku found astonishing.
At that moment, Jiraiya, dressed in casual clothes, appeared before Minato. Unlike Minato, who could calmly continue his training, Jiraiya's personality seemed to make him restless, so he frequently moved between the village and Mount Myōboku.
Seeing Jiraiya's serious expression, Minato immediately realized that something significant must have happened in the outside world. He anxiously asked.
"Jiraiya-sensei, has Sunagakure taken action?"
"Mm."
Jiraiya nodded, sensing his disciple's emotional shift, and pulled out a scroll.
Minato took the scroll and immediately began reading it carefully.
The intelligence detailed that two hours ago, Sunagakure, which had been completely quiet until then, suddenly mobilized two-thirds of its ninja forces. In an unexpectedly swift manner, they departed the village, and based on their direction, it could be inferred that the target was the Land of Rivers.
After reading, Minato furrowed his brow.
"Is Sunagakure trying to take the initiative?"
As the frontline commander of Konoha, Minato's military expertise was high. Based on the intelligence, he could quickly discern Sunagakure's objective.
Jiraiya also nodded solemnly.
"That's probably the case. From what we can see, this is Sunagakure's only way out. But whether it will succeed or not remains uncertain."
Minato glanced at the information and thoughtfully spoke.
"Since we, Konoha, have received this intel, then Kumogakure and Iwagakure likely have it too. And although Iwagakure and Kumogakure have formed an alliance on the surface, it's impossible for them to fight with the same resolve. What this means is that a 4,000 vs. 4,000 battle puts Sunagakure at an advantage in terms of high-level combat power. It’s quite possible they could win in one battle. However, there's something odd. Sunagakure’s target isn’t the Iwagakure ninja on the first battlefront. Doesn’t that mean the Land of Wind is now vulnerable internally, and Iwagakure’s ninja can advance without resistance?"
Jiraiya understood, thought for a moment, and responded.
"Perhaps Sunagakure feels that facing Iwagakure's two Jinchuriki and 4,000 ninja is too risky. They don’t have the confidence to win in one blow. If they did that, they’d risk being caught in a pincer attack. Sunagakure can afford to trade time for geography. After all, the Land of Wind is vast and its terrain is harsh. If Iwagakure invades from the direction of the Land of Birds, it would take at least four to five days to threaten Sunagakure. Furthermore, because they are in the Land of Wind, Iwagakure won’t be able to advance recklessly."
Minato nodded.
"That makes sense. This is probably the best countermeasure Sunagakure can come up with right now."
"Moreover, even the aged One-Tail Jinchuriki has been mobilized, which shows that Sunagakure is going all out."
However...
"What's wrong?"
Seeing Minato still tensed, Jiraiya curiously asked.
Minato thought for a moment before voicing his concerns.
"Jiraiya-sensei, I just feel that something isn’t right. It feels like the Kazekage’s plan isn’t as simple as it seems..."
"???"
Jiraiya was momentarily confused. He recalled the intelligence they had received from the village and then suddenly thought of something.
"There’s a piece of information that hasn’t been confirmed yet, but it came from Danzo's ROOT. It’s said that Kirigakure is actually seeking an alliance with Sunagakure."
"Kiri!? Is that confirmed?"
"We don’t have definitive confirmation on whether they’ve actually formed an alliance yet, but according to Danzo’s report, he has a special information channel in Sunagakure, and he did see high-ranking members of Kirigakure in Sunagakure. These include two of the current Third Mizukage’s close confidants: Kiri's Yagura Karatachi and Mangetsu Hōzuki."
The mention of these names made Minato's eyes widen in shock, as both were renowned figures in Kirigakure.
Although Minato despised Danzo’s methods, he had no doubt about ROOT’s intelligence capabilities.
"So, Kirigakure might be joining this war?"
Minato was genuinely surprised. The Kazekage was becoming more and more difficult to understand.
Jiraiya shook his head.
"The village considered the possibility, but ultimately rejected it."
"Why?"
"Well..."
Jiraiya's expression became slightly awkward. Perhaps to remind his disciple of some facts, he explained in detail.
"The Third Mizukage of Kirigakure is very special. In a village dominated by bloodline clans, such as Kirigakure, the Mizukage is just an ordinary commoner by birth. Most of the power in Sunagakure is held by the three major clans. Whether Kirigakure can join the battlefield isn't really up to the Mizukage, and those three major bloodline families would never agree to help Sunagakure."
"Why not?"
"Do you remember the woman from Sunagakure, the one you fought—Pakura?"
Minato nodded.
"Let me put it this way. Her secret technique, the Scorch Release, is a natural counter to the clans of Kirigakure, especially the Hozuki clan and the Hoshigaki Clan. Over the years, many of the Hozuki and Mizuno clan ninja have died at her hands. It’s because of this that she gained such a large reputation, even enough to challenge for the position of Kazekage. So, Kirigakure will never assist Sunagakure. Even if the Third Mizukage agreed, he wouldn’t be able to mobilize the village's forces."
"I see..."
Minato fell into deep thought, but still couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. After considering for a while, he asked again.
"Is there really no chance at all? I still feel like the Kazekage’s plans aren’t that simple."
Jiraiya saw the tensed marks on Minato’s forehead and understood that the Kazekage had caused Konoha to suffer defeats twice, making Minato a little overly cautious when facing him.
But, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.
After thinking for a moment, Jiraiya spoke.
"It’s not entirely impossible, but unless the Mizukage can offer something that the three major clans can’t refuse, there’s no way. If there really was such a bargaining chip, the Mizukage wouldn’t have ended up in such an awkward position..."
Jiraiya’s words suddenly made Minato’s eyes light up.
"Bargaining chip!?"
In that instant, a flood of thoughts rushed through Minato’s mind, and countless images flashed before his eyes. Finally, his thoughts settled on his wife, Kushina Uzumaki, and his pupils dilated.
"Sensei, I understand now. Kirigakure might really be getting involved in the war!"
"What!?"
Minato immediately spoke the conclusion he had reached.
"Sealing Jutsu, the Uzumaki clan's Sealing Jutsu. Don’t forget that Kirigakure has both the Three-Tails and Six-Tails..."
Jiraiya’s pupils also shrank in realization.
