Inside Jiraiya's tent at the Konoha Shinobi encampment.

Chiba voiced his analysis.

Jiraiya was in full agreement with Chiba's analysis.

Orochimaru nodded with satisfaction and said, "Your analysis is excellent. Now, what is the solution?"

Chiba continued, "It is unrealistic to try and drive the Kumogakure Ninja out of the Land of Hot Springs because the disparity in our fighting strength is too great. There are only so many Konoha Shinobi stationed here right now, and even if Konoha sends more reinforcements later, there certainly won't be many."

"Because Master Orochimaru's plan requires dividing the Konoha Shinobi into four groups, while also keeping a portion of Ninja stationed in Konoha, whereas the Kumogakure can continuously send reinforcements to the Land of Hot Springs."

"However, by relying on the reputation of Lord Jiraiya and Lord Orochimaru, we might be able to push the front line forward a bit, leaving us with some breathing room so that we aren't left with only one option—retreating to the Land of Fire—once the war begins."

Jiraiya asked, puzzled, "Relying on my and Orochimaru's reputation?"

Minato Namikaze also did not understand what Chiba meant by reputation.

Chiba explained in a low voice, "Yes, relying on our reputation. It means making a big show of letting the Kumogakure Ninja know that two of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha have arrived at Yugakure. In other words, we intimidate them, making them hesitate and fear to act rashly."

"At the same time, Lord Jiraiya and Master Orochimaru must show themselves together and attack one of their strongholds, letting them know that the Land of Hot Springs will be a region that Konoha is focusing on defending."

"At that point, they should believe that Konoha's reinforcements have arrived and that a counterattack from Konoha is imminent. We can then use this to push the front line forward, moving it away from the Land of Fire border and keeping it within the Land of Hot Springs, which will give us some room to maneuver."

"However, we must absolutely not push the front line too far, because as time passes, they will certainly realize that Master Orochimaru is the only reinforcement from Konoha."

"If we push the front line too far, we won't be able to hold it. We would just be wasting our fighting strength in vain, and might even end up retreating back to the Land of Fire border, which would mean all our efforts were for nothing."

"Then, after the front line has been pushed forward, we will hold our current position and stall for time, waiting for Master Orochimaru's overall plan to be implemented."

"This is the method I came up with. I don't know if it can be of help to Master Orochimaru."

After a moment of contemplation, Orochimaru said, "Your method is quite mature. It can be said that this plan of yours can be implemented exactly as described."

"As you said, our fighting strength is completely unable to rival the Ninja of the Kumogakure, so trying to push the front line through a direct confrontation is basically impossible."

"Initially, my idea was for Jiraiya and me to attack the Kumogakure Ninja troops to stabilize the current situation, and then seek a breakthrough to find a way to push the front line forward."

"Chiba, although your method is a bit aggressive, if successful, the rewards will be immense, and it will allow our future arrangements to be much more flexible."

"Therefore, I am inclined to use your method, Chiba, to execute the plan. Jiraiya, what do you think?"

Jiraiya thought for a moment and said, "I also think it's feasible. However, if we execute this plan, we need to attack one of their strongholds. All the Kumogakure strongholds we've discovered are marked on the sand table. Orochimaru, which stronghold do you want to attack?"

Orochimaru directly pulled a flag representing a Kumogakure stronghold from the sand table: "Since we want to announce our presence to them and make them afraid, we must naturally choose the hardest nut to crack; otherwise, it won't have the effect of making them hesitate."

Looking at the flag in Orochimaru's hand, Jiraiya said in surprise, "Attack Yugakure directly?"

Minato Namikaze said anxiously, "Master Orochimaru, Master Jiraiya, this is too reckless. Yugakure is not only occupied by Cloud Ninja now, but also has Yugakure Ninja."

"The Yugakure Ninja have not yet entered the field to fight us directly. If we attack Yugakure directly, the Yugakure Ninja will certainly become hostile toward us, won't that make the situation even more disadvantageous for us?"

Orochimaru ignored Minato Namikaze.

And Chiba burst into a laugh.

Minato Namikaze heard the disdain in Chiba's laughter and frowned, "Chiba, what are you laughing at?"

Chiba turned his head and said in a slightly sarcastic tone, "Nothing, I just feel your idea is quite good. It would be best to form an alliance with Yugakure and coordinate from the inside and outside to kill the Cloud Ninja in Yugakure directly, wouldn't that be even better?"

Jiraiya explained awkwardly, "Minato, since Yugakure agreed to let the Cloud Ninja station themselves in the village, it is equivalent to being hostile toward our Konoha. If we want to achieve the effect of making them hesitate, Yugakure is indeed the best choice."

"Furthermore, rather than waiting for the Yugakure Ninja to take the initiative to fight us later, it is better for us to attack them directly and catch them by surprise."

"If the attack is successful, then the Kumogakure's largest stronghold in the Land of Hot Springs will vanish, and Yugakure will certainly not dare to let Cloud Ninja station themselves in the village again."

"At the same time, the Yugakure Ninja will certainly be even less daring to oppose our Konoha Shinobi."

"Although it is indeed a bit risky, if it succeeds, the rewards will be great."

"Moreover, this time we are launching a surprise attack on Yugakure, and there are not many Jonin among the Yugakure Ninja and the stationed Cloud Ninja; most are Chunin and Genin. With Orochimaru and me present, the probability of success is very high."

"And we are not trying to capture Yugakure; as long as the desired effect is achieved, our plan will be considered a success."

Minato Namikaze still felt it was too risky.

Minato Namikaze was very clear that if Chiba's plan were implemented, there would certainly be casualties, and perhaps not a small number of them.

During his time in the Land of Hot Springs, Minato Namikaze had become good friends with the Ninja stationed here.

Minato Namikaze really could not bear to see his comrades get injured, and even less did he want to see his comrades die.

However, the power to decide was not in Minato Namikaze's hands, but in the hands of Jiraiya and Orochimaru.

Jiraiya said to Orochimaru, "Then let it be Yugakure, Orochimaru. I am now handing command over to you. All the Ninja here, including me, will follow your orders."

Orochimaru nodded and said, "Then gather all the Ninja that can be assembled now. Since it is a surprise attack, we must be fast. Otherwise, if they find out I have already arrived in the Land of Hot Springs, the effect will be greatly diminished, and they will also be on guard."

"Alright, I will go make arrangements immediately."

Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze left the tent and went to make arrangements immediately.

Chiba had also wanted to leave the tent, but Orochimaru called out to him, saying that since this was Chiba's idea, he should stay and discuss the details of the battle plan with him.