Chapter 97: The Great Battle Begins
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Ōnoki, with his seasoned political instincts and battlefield acumen, immediately sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough the moment he read Hiruzen Sarutobi's "Peace Declaration." Without hesitation, he issued a swift order: leave only 200 ninja behind to monitor the movements of the Kumogakure camp, while he personally led a force of 5,000 ninja back to defend Iwagakure at full speed.
Just as Ōnoki had anticipated, the Third Raikage's retreat was even swifter than his own. By the time they checked the massive camp, it was already completely abandoned.
Simultaneously, he sent an urgent message to Akatsuchi, who was stationed in the village, ordering him to lead 2,000 reserve troops to rendezvous with the main force. The goal was to intercept the Sunagakure army at Jiming Plain.
Ōnoki knew that this battle could not be fought within the village. The conflict had already drained the villagers of Iwagakure to their limits. If the fighting reached the village itself, any potential uprising among the populace could spell the end of Iwagakure as one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
Meanwhile, on the Sunagakure side, their efficiency in preparing for this war was remarkable. Especially after the successful attack on the Tsuchikage's office, the entire village was filled with a sense of determination and confidence in victory. The preparations for troop mobilization and supplies, originally estimated to take three months, were completed in just two.
Jinghang wasted no time. Leading the army himself, he marched through the Land of Stone and directly into the Land of Earth. The advance was relentless, with the main force heading straight for Iwagakure.