Jiraiya's voice was deep and grave.
"So that's your true goal… This is why you targeted Naruto and Sasuke."
His sharp eyes locked onto Orochimaru.
"You intend to use their bodies as vessels for your next reincarnation."
Orochimaru's lips curved into a chilling smile.
"Exactly."
For a moment, silence filled the air.
Naruto and Sasuke stared at Orochimaru's terrifying face—at his cold, snake-like eyes, his sinister tone, and the horrifying implications of his words. A shiver ran down their spines. A sense of dread gripped their hearts.
Hinata's face turned pale, and her body trembled slightly.
"Naruto-kun… Sasuke…"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression darkened with fury.
"Orochimaru! Your schemes will never succeed!"
"Just like your so-called Konoha Destruction Plan—it will end in utter failure!"
Orochimaru let out a low laugh.
"You don't get to decide success or failure, Sarutobi-sensei…"
"In my opinion, today's plan has already achieved considerable success."
He paused briefly.
"Of course, a few developments exceeded my expectations."
"Uzumaki Naruto… That boy not only defeated Gaara, but even sealed the One-Tail, Shukaku. His talent, strength, and potential far surpassed my estimations."
"And I did not expect you, Jiraiya, to return so quickly."
His tone remained calm, almost amused.
"Since things have come to this, we'll consider today's game concluded."
"But next time…"
"I will reduce Konoha to ashes."
"Goodbye, Sarutobi-sensei."
"Goodbye, Jiraiya."
His figure blurred, twisting into a ghostly silhouette before slowly dissipating into the air.
Hiruzen and Jiraiya did not pursue him.
There was something more urgent that demanded their attention.
They had to end this war.
The Collapse of the Plan
With Orochimaru's retreat, the Konoha Destruction Plan officially crumbled.
Though scattered fighting still continued across the battlefield, the tide had already turned.
Upon receiving signals from Baki, Temari, and Kankuro, many Hidden Sand shinobi began withdrawing. The Sand Village forces, now leaderless and disoriented, gradually ceased hostilities.
Those who stubbornly resisted were swiftly crushed by Konoha's fierce counterattack.
The remaining Otogakure forces were no match for Konoha's organized army. As the blood-red sunset stretched across the sky, the battle finally subsided.
Hiruzen Sarutobi personally directed operations on the battlefield. Under his command, Konoha regained full control of the situation.
The enemy army had collapsed.
Some were killed, some were captured, and the rest fled in chaos.
The Otogakure forces were completely routed.
The Hidden Sand shinobi gathered together under the supervision of their captains, awaiting judgment.
Baki, Yura, Mukade, Onpu, Satetsu—each of the Sand Village's Jonin stood grim-faced as they surveyed their heavy losses.
"Captain Baki… what do we do now?"
They had lost their Kazekage.
Gaara had fallen into enemy hands.
The invasion had failed completely.
The Hidden Sand had betrayed its alliance with Konoha—only to be betrayed in turn by Orochimaru.
Now they stood on the brink of collapse.
Baki felt despair pressing down on him, but he forced himself to remain steady.
If he faltered now, the entire village would crumble.
"There are three urgent matters we must address," Baki said firmly.
"First—we must locate the Kazekage."
"That traitor Orochimaru deceived us and assumed the Kazekage's identity. If he could impersonate him, then something must have happened to the Kazekage."
His fists clenched.
"We must confirm whether he is alive—or dead."
The others nodded grimly.
"Second—Gaara."
"He was the key to this plan, but none of us anticipated that Uzumaki Naruto would defeat him."
"Now he has fallen into Konoha's hands. That forced us to cease fighting."
Temari and Kankuro lowered their heads in shame and frustration.
"No matter what, Gaara must be retrieved."
"Third," Baki continued, "we must prepare for the worst."
"When the Third Kazekage disappeared, our village descended into chaos. Kumogakure exploited that weakness and ignited the Third Shinobi World War."
He took a deep breath.
"Now the Fourth Kazekage has vanished under suspicious circumstances. If news spreads, history may repeat itself."
"An emergency elders' council must be convened immediately."
The weight of responsibility was crushing.
But there was no alternative.
"Yura," Baki ordered, "you will lead the search for the Kazekage."
"Mukade, return to the village immediately. Inform the elders and prepare for potential crisis measures."
"Yes!"
"What about you, Captain Baki?" someone asked.
Baki turned his gaze toward Konoha in the distance.
"I will remain."
The others were stunned.
"That's too dangerous!"
"If something happens in the Sand Village, we'll still need your leadership!"
Baki shook his head.
"That's precisely why I must stay."
"If we have already lost the Kazekage, we cannot afford to lose the One-Tail as well."
"I will negotiate with Konoha. We must secure peace—and retrieve Ichibi."
Temari stepped forward.
"Baki-sensei, I'm staying too."
Kankuro added, "Me as well."
"That's foolish," Baki snapped. "What can the two of you accomplish?"
Temari's eyes hardened.
"Gaara is not just a strategic weapon."
"He is our little brother."
Silence fell.
Baki closed his eyes briefly.
"…Very well."
"You will stay with me."
"Yura, Mukade—proceed as ordered. We maintain contact."
"Yes!"
The Sand forces split into three groups and dispersed swiftly.
Baki, Temari, and Kankuro turned back toward Konoha.
Konoha's Situation
Though victorious, Konoha was far from unscathed.
The village had endured too many disasters in recent years.
The Third Shinobi World War.
The Nine-Tails' rampage.
The Uchiha massacre.
And now—this invasion.
Konoha was no longer at its peak strength.
Yet despite everything, they had defeated the combined forces of Sunagakure and Otogakure.
Hiruzen ordered the battlefield cleared and reconstruction efforts begun immediately.
At the same time, he summoned Konoha's top officials for an emergency meeting.
The atmosphere inside the conference room was heavy.
"This invasion caught us off guard," Hiruzen said gravely. "Though we regained control quickly, the damage is significant."
"Where does Konoha go from here?"
Inoichi Yamanaka sighed.
"If we had anticipated Sunagakure's betrayal, we would not have suffered so heavily at the start."
"No one expected them to ally with Orochimaru."
Nara Shikaku nodded thoughtfully.
"Once we regained our footing, the counterattack was swift. Our foundation remains strong, and we had home-field advantage."
"But two factors ended this war decisively."
"First—Hokage-sama and Jiraiya-sama's defeat of Orochimaru."
"Second—the capture of the One-Tail Jinchuriki."
"Gaara's capture gave us leverage over the Sand Village."
Kakashi shook his head modestly.
"That credit belongs to Naruto."
"Team 7 as a whole performed exceptionally. Sasuke and Hinata contributed significantly as well."
Hiruzen nodded.
"Defeating Gaara was impressive."
"But sealing the rampaging Shukaku—that was extraordinary."
"From that moment onward, Naruto became our strongest bargaining chip."
"This time, he made an immense contribution."
Jiraiya leaned against the wall with folded arms, a faint smile on his face.
His student had grown.
A Voice in the Darkness
Just then—
A cold, muffled voice echoed through the chamber.
"That's enough."
"It's time to discuss serious matters, Hiruzen."
Everyone turned sharply.
From the shadows at the edge of the room, a figure slowly stepped forward.
The silhouette was unmistakable.
Danzo Shimura.
His single visible eye gleamed in the dim light.
The room grew colder.
The true political struggle was only beginning.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)