Naruto: Chronicles of a Fire Ninja - Chapter 345

Chapter 345: Chapter 341: Storms
While Konoha was going through the discussion of what to do with the Uzumakis, the rest of the world was not idle either.

A scroll arrived at Kumogakure’s gates as dawn broke over the mountain peaks. After the content of the scroll was read by the officials, the Raikage’s office was filled with his advisors gathered to read Iwagakure’s response. When the seal was broken, a satisfied smile crossed A’s face – the Stone Village had accepted the alliance.

“They’re sending forty-five shinobi,” A announced, scanning the detailed contents. “Kitsuchi and Deidara will lead them. Twenty Tenketsu Jonin, twenty Chunin, and three medical ninja.” He laid the scroll flat on his desk, studying the names and capabilities listed. Even though the complete information of ninja was not provided, just the superficial details were enough to tell that Iwa was really serious about this mission as well.

Darui, standing at attention beside the Raikage’s desk, being a recent addition to the office after his ‘special training’ handled by both Raikage and Killer B himself, exchanged glances with A. Iwagakure was committing serious force to this operation. Kitsuchi’s earth-style techniques and leading capabilities were undoubtable, and Deidara’s explosive abilities along with his flying abilities would without doubt put him in Above Elite Jonin level rank. His performance in the Chunin exam was still vivid in everyone’s mind. Even though he lost, they placed the blame on his immature nature. If he took orders from Kitsuchi, then he could easily reach the level of an S-rank ninja. Everyone there understood what that meant.

“We can’t send anything less than matching force,” C stated, voicing what everyone was thinking. “It would show weakness. And that we are weaker than Iwagakure, since we were the ones who presented the idea.”

The Raikage nodded. “Darui, C – you’ll lead our contingent. Thirty Chunin, thirty Tenketsu Jonin, two standard Jonin, one Fuinjutsu seal master, and five medical ninja. We will not just match their force, we will exceed it.”

No one objected to A’s words because everyone there knew it was important, especially since they were attacking Konoha. If their force did not outrank and outnumber their enemy by this much, they would be the ones who would suffer much more loss than Konoha.

In the following days, both villages carefully mobilized their forces in silence, stopping various ninjas from taking any missions, to give them rest before the mission, gathering supplies, and conducting some practice drills all of a sudden. To any onlooker, it was just routine military exercise.

But the spies weren’t fooled.

In both villages, careful observers noted the unusual patterns. The specific shinobi being gathered, the types of supplies, the timing of it all – these seemed a little suspicious, so they decided to do their work and report their findings to Konoha.

But Kumogakure’s counter-intelligence units had anticipated this. Teams of sensor-type ninja created a sophisticated perimeter around both villages, intercepting three of the warning messages which were being sent through messenger hawks or even normal birds, before they could reach their destination. The net seemed perfect.

Yet when the spies found out about this, one spy proved more resourceful. Deep beneath the earth, a small messenger creature – no larger than a rat – carried a tightly rolled scroll through the stone itself. This was one of the reasons he had become a spy; his summoned animal was perfect for it. It emerged miles away in a civilian village, where another agent in deep cover received the message and immediately dispatched it to Konoha through civilian channels to not take any risk. The spies became inactive after that because both Kumogakure and Iwagakure had become too diligent in finding spies in the village.

…

The message reached Konoha through an unexpected channel – a merchant caravan arriving with regular supplies. Hidden among invoices and inventory lists was a small scroll, unremarkable to the eye but bearing critical intelligence. Within an hour, it was in the Hokage’s hands.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood at his office window, the troubling report laid out on his desk. Behind him, Nara Shikaku studied the intelligence, and unlike his lazy attitude, he was much more attentive and serious while reading the information.

“Two elite Jonin leaders, forty-three combat ninja,” Shikaku summarized, his fingers steepled in thought. “This isn’t a routine movement. They’re assembling a strike force.” Even though this was not the complete force Kumo was going to deploy, it was all the spies could find, and even this much almost led to their discovery – almost.

Hiruzen took a long draw from his pipe. “Your analysis?”

“This is most likely a retaliation,” Shikaku stated firmly. “The Chunin Exams in Kumogakure showed the world that Konoha remains the strongest hidden village. And their previous attempt failed miserably since they can’t deploy enough force to make that move feasible anymore. Kumo and Iwa are planning something different, and considering their timing, they must have formed an alliance.”

“Two of the major villages forming an alliance against us. Looks like Konoha is really close to reaching its full strength,” Hiruzen released a soft chuckle, a chuckle without any joy but exhaustion.

“What do you think we should do now?” he asked.

“Increase border security immediately. Double the personnel at our outposts, especially along the northern and northwestern approaches. We should also position reconnaissance teams along potential routes between Kumo, Iwa, and Konoha.” Shikaku traced the paths on the map spread across the desk. “Here, here, and here – focusing on these convergence points.”

Hiruzen nodded slowly. “But if we move this suddenly, it will risk alerting them about our knowledge.”

“Less dangerous than being caught unprepared,” Shikaku replied. “We can disguise some of it as routine rotation and training exercises. They’ll know we’re taking precautions but won’t be certain we’ve uncovered their plans.”

“Very well.” The Hokage returned to his desk, pulling out fresh scrolls. “Select the ninja for the border reinforcements. I want our best sensor types involved. And Shikaku…” He paused, his pen hovering over the paper. “Keep this information confined to essential personnel only. We don’t need panic, especially with our current… domestic situation.”

Shikaku bowed slightly. “Understood, Lord Hokage.”

As the Jonin Commander left to implement the defensive measures, Hiruzen remained at his desk, composing the necessary orders. Outside his window, Konoha continued its daily routines, unaware of the gathering storm. The Will of Fire would be tested soon, he thought grimly. They needed to be ready.