Land of Fire Border
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The war between Konoha and Iwagakure raged fiercely. The border was fortified with numerous defensive encampments, and legions of ninja patrolled the lines day and night, preventing enemy spies and scouts from gathering intelligence.
Most of the fighting was concentrated within the territories of the Land of Grass and the Land of Waterfalls. These two nations served as a buffer zone between the Lands of Fire and Stone. While possessing ninja villages of moderate strength, their geography and population size limited their ability to project greater military power.
Similarly, the Land of Rain lay within the conflict zone between Konoha and Iwagakure. However, the lingering might of Hanzo of the Salamander, the shinobi hailed as a "Demigod," combined with Amegakure's damp climate and complex, shifting terrain—unsuitable for ninja not specialized in Water Release—led both sides to tacitly shift their main battle lines away from this volatile region, fearing the Demigod's wrath.
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This cautious thinking, however, was confined mainly to the mid-to-low ranks. The high command and strategic decision-makers on both sides constantly sought ways to crack this tough nut. Controlling the Land of Rain would grant their respective nations a vital strategic defensive line and a readily available supply point.
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Hanzo earned his "Demigod" title during the Second Great Shinobi War, where he also bestowed the title of "Sannin" upon Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru. But over a decade had passed since then. The once-green Sannin, whose combat prowess had yet to peak, were now seasoned adults in their prime – their physical conditioning, chakra reserves, and battle experience at their zenith. Among them, Tsunade's medical ninjutsu was considered legendary; she was confident she could neutralize Hanzo's infamous deadly poison.
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Currently, Jiraiya served as the commander of Konoha's Second Army Corps, directing operations within the Land of Waterfalls. Orochimaru led the First Army Corps, overseeing combat in the Land of Grass.
Tsunade had initially remained in the rear lines, treating the wounded early in the conflict. However, rumors circulated that the famed medical ninja had developed an extremely debilitating hemophobia.
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A month later, Tsunade left Konoha, her destination unknown.
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Konoha's "Yellow Flash," Minato Namikaze, and the newly promoted Jōnin, Obito Uchiha, were both assigned to the Second Army Corps. At this moment, they were attending a strategy meeting at the front lines.
Jiraiya himself wasn't particularly comfortable addressing large groups like this. But circumstances forced his hand. If the Third Hokage hadn't given him an ultimatum – either go lead at the front lines or come back and become Hokage – he never would have taken on this troublesome assignment.
Yet, Jiraiya, his expression resolute, shedding his usual goofy, comical persona, proved surprisingly reliable. Under the watchful eyes of many, he unfurled a complete map of the Land of Waterfalls, marking three specific locations.
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"We've received intelligence," Jiraiya announced gravely. "In a few hours, the Land of Stone will launch a large-scale ninja raid against us, led by Kitsuchi of the Two Scales, a close confidant of the Third Tsuchikage."
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"Second Squad, Fifth Squad."
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"Here!" came the replies.
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"Your objective is to engage the main enemy force head-on. If necessary, you may fall back to the second stronghold, where the Sixth and Seventh Squads will provide support."
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"Third Squad."
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"Here!"
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"You will flank them from the third stronghold and target the enemy's medical ninja unit. Expect them to have at least one squad defending their medics, so your mission will be no less demanding than the frontal assault."
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"Understood!"
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"As for the First Squad," Jiraiya's eyes narrowed slightly. The distinctive red lines extending from his eyes down past his cheeks seemed to subtly shift with his breath and muscle movements, fitting for his other title, "Toad Sage."
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"You three stay with me. I have a separate matter for you. The rest of you are dismissed. Report to your respective squad leaders for detailed battle plans and positions."
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Once the others had filed out, Minato spoke, gently restraining an impatient Obito beside him. "Sensei, what's happened?"
Whenever Jiraiya kept him behind like this, it invariably meant a mission requiring high mobility, efficiency, and execution – tasks others couldn't handle. These missions were always S-rank, the highest difficulty. Minato had even undertaken one that required him to single-handedly eliminate over two hundred enemy ninja.
It was from such feats that his moniker, "Yellow Flash," was born.
"It's more than just a mission," Jiraiya said, his gaze fixed on the disciple who was poised to surpass him.
"First, some bad news. The Land of Lightning has declared war on us."
"What?!" Minato shot up from his chair, stunned. He couldn't believe Kumogakure would jump into this chaotic war at such a critical time. "Kumo just signed a peace treaty with Konoha last year! It hasn't even been that long! They couldn't hold back so soon?"
"A wolf at the front door, a tiger at the back," Jiraiya sighed. "The Third Hokage anticipated Kumo's move, but the news is being kept under wraps for now. The Elder Council ordered a blackout to prevent public panic. After all, our campaign against the Land of Stone can't exactly be called advantageous."
"Hmph. Just adding the Land of Lightning is nothing..." Obito looked up, his expression dark. A red glow flickered in his eyes as the three tomoe of his Sharingan spun menacingly.
Jiraiya frowned. He'd heard about Minato's student. Rumor had it that ever since Hatake Kakashi's death, the boy's mental state had been unstable. The Uchiha clan was notoriously emotional, but an unstable Uchiha with power could be a ticking time bomb.
Madara Uchiha, who died fighting the First Hokage, was the prime example.
"There's also a piece of good news," Jiraiya continued. "The Land of Lightning didn't just declare war on us; they declared war on the Land of Stone simultaneously."
"How is that good news?" Obito scoffed. "At best, it just means the situation has gotten even worse."
"Obito!" Minato cautioned.
"I'm just stating the facts, Sensei," Obito retorted.
"He's not wrong," Jiraiya conceded gravely. "Whether the Land of Lightning fights the Land of Stone doesn't change our predicament. After today, Konoha will be caught in a two-front war. If the Land of Water decides to jump back in, it'll be three fronts. Our manpower at the front lines is already strained; we might not be able to hold."
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"So, what is this mission?" Minato asked, refocusing.
"This mission has nothing to do with the war," Jiraiya replied, not immediately answering Obito's implied question. Instead, he retrieved a small box from a very concealed spot. Two distinct metallic clicks echoed from within it.
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Minato recognized the sound instantly. Even Obito could tell what it was.
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"First, Minato, let me ask you a question," Jiraiya said, his tone somber.
"Are you certain Kakashi is dead?"
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The question hung in the air. Minato became thoughtful, while Obito looked utterly bewildered. He had seen Kakashi die beneath the rocks with his own eyes. What did Jiraiya mean by asking this?
Jiraiya opened the box. Inside lay a broken three-pronged kunai, clearly severed by a clean cut bearing the scorch marks characteristic of Lightning Release – precisely damaging the node for Minato's Flying Thunder God seal.
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"This kunai was recovered from the lake near Kannabi Bridge during the post-battle cleanup. As far as I know, Iwagakure ninja would have no reason to bother meticulously cutting your kunai in half; simply burying it would render it harmless to them. And the deceased Kakashi... his specialty just happened to be Raiton, didn't it?"
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"Kakashi?! He's... not dead?!" Obito stared blankly for a moment, then burst into startlingly loud laughter.
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"Quick, tell me where he is! He's been gone so long, why hasn't he come back to Konoha?!"
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"That... is what I need to tell you," Jiraiya said slowly.
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The expressions on Jiraiya's and Minato's faces turned unprecedentedly serious.
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"Sensei... Minato-sensei... What's going on?" Obito's laughter died, replaced by confusion. "Isn't it good news that Kakashi's alive? Why the long faces?"
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"According to a standard missing-nin report forwarded from the Land of Water," Jiraiya explained, his voice heavy, "Jōnin Hatake Kakashi used unknown means to fake his death and defect from Konoha, subsequently joining Kirigakure in the Land of Water. He then defected again, this time from Kirigakure, alongside another Kekkei Genkai wielder. Reports indicate they inflicted significant casualties on Kiri forces during their escape. Under pressure from Kirigakure—likely to prevent them from re-entering the war against us—the Third Hokage and the Elder Council have officially designated this as a severe defection incident. Jōnin Hatake Kakashi's missing-nin rank has been elevated to S-rank."
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Jiraiya met their stunned gazes.
"Your mission is to apprehend Hatake Kakashi and bring him back to Konoha for interrogation. Dead or alive."
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