After listening to Jiraiya's explanation, Lock finally understood the Third Hokage's true intent.
In both his past impressions and this life, the Third Hokage — Hiruzen Sarutobi — had always seemed the steady, cautious type. A man who avoided risk whenever possible. But this time… his strategy was sharper, bolder than Lock had imagined.
Those multiple sealed letters — the ones entrusted to him — weren't simple dispatches. They were layers of contingency, each prepared to address a different outcome.
The Third Hokage was playing a two-sided game — simultaneously watching Sunagakure and Iwagakure.
The public "leak" of Sand Village's devastating losses wasn't a mistake at all. It was bait — a message intended for the Tsuchikage.
Of the Five Great Nations, Konoha sat at the center.
The Land of Fire bordered both the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, so any instability in Sunagakure would naturally benefit its closest rivals — Konoha and Iwagakure.
Konoha didn't need to make the first move. It simply had to watch which way the wind blew.
The Land of Lightning and the Land of Water were too distant to interfere meaningfully.
The real tension lay between three powers — Konoha, Iwa, and Suna.
Hiruzen's move was subtle genius: he offered the illusion of choice to the Tsuchikage.
To the world, Konoha appeared calm and patient — but behind that calm, every possible outcome had already been calculated.
"The old man's playing this one close," Jiraiya said with a wry grin. "If Iwagakure decides to mass troops against us, we will ally with the Sand. But if Iwagakure turns on the Sand, we sit back and let them bleed each other dry."
Lock frowned. "And what if they do the unthinkable — if Iwa and Suna join forces against us?"
Jiraiya chuckled softly. "That's the one scenario the old man accounted for the most. He's ordered us to monitor both borders closely. If those two start getting friendly behind the scenes…" He raised the letter in his hand. "Then we move first — disrupt it before it takes shape."
Lock shook his head. "If they're truly plotting in secret, there's no easy way to stop it."
Jiraiya leaned back, his grin fading. "No way to stop it quietly, maybe. But there are other ways to act."
Lock's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Jiraiya tapped the stack of sealed letters. "Why do you think he gave me so many? Every one of these scrolls is a different answer to the same question. The old man's already playing five moves ahead."
He picked one up. "This one's a diplomatic letter for Sunagakure — proposing an alliance."
Another. "This one's for Iwagakure — a gesture of cooperation, if they hold their ground."
A third. "And this one," he said, shaking his head with a laugh, "is for if they decide to ally first — our 'official' response to the alliance of Iwa and Suna."
Lock could only stare, speechless.
The old Hokage had written a scenario for every possible outcome.
Even Jiraiya — known for his sharp instincts — looked faintly impressed. "You see now why we call him the 'Professor.' The man never misses a step."
Lock nodded slowly. "If I ever have to think this far ahead every day… I'd go bald before thirty."
That earned a genuine laugh from Jiraiya. "Trust me, kid — he's been that way since before my time."
Lock grew serious again. "What are our orders now?"
"Nothing yet," Jiraiya replied. "I'll send scouts to watch Iwa's lines. If the Tsuchikage makes a move, we'll know. Until then… we wait."
Three days passed.
When the reports finally came back, Jiraiya called Lock in immediately.
His expression was thoughtful — but uneasy.
"We've confirmed the situation," Jiraiya said slowly, setting down the reports. "But it doesn't make sense."
Lock raised a brow. "What's wrong?"
"No movement," Jiraiya said. "None at all. No increase in troops on the border, no shift toward the Land of Wind. It's like Iwagakure's frozen. Not even a ripple."
"That is strange," Lock murmured.
Jiraiya crossed his arms. "That old man in Iwa — Ōnoki — he's as ambitious as they come. Before this, he was itching for an excuse to fight us. And now, after what happened to the Sand… he does nothing? Doesn't add up."
Lock thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Strange… and not strange."
Jiraiya blinked. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Lock's tone was calm, steady. "If I were the Tsuchikage, I'd play it the same way. Stay quiet in the open, reach out to the Sand in secret. If I were the Kazekage, I'd accept."
Jiraiya frowned. "You're saying the old man's plans might already be undone?"
Lock shook his head. "Not undone. Just… anticipated. Hokage-sama's thinking from Konoha's point of view — how to keep the village safe. But the others are doing the same for theirs. He knew they might do this. He just wanted to see if anyone would take the bait."
The older man was silent for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Heh. Yeah… that sounds like him."
He studied Lock for a moment longer. "Then tell me this — why wouldn't the Sand come to us instead? Why not ally with Konoha?"
Lock shrugged. "Because they can't trust us. The Land of Fire has everything they lack — fertile land, resources, and people. They'd always be the junior partner. But with Iwa? The Land of Earth may be harsh, but they're equals. Pride counts for more than logic."
Jiraiya's smile widened. "You really have been paying attention."
"I just put myself in their place," Lock said simply.
"Still…" Jiraiya smirked, "For a kid not even thirteen, you're talking like a strategist."
Lock gave a small, almost sheepish smile. "Maybe I've just been around too many old men lately."
That earned a bark of laughter from the Sannin. "Heh. Keep thinking like that, and maybe one day you'll be the one giving the orders."
Lock shook his head. "I'd rather survive first."
Jiraiya grinned, clapping him on the shoulder. "That's the right kind of ambition."
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San