Namikaze Minato instinctively objected, his voice firm: "No!"
"Why not?" Orochimaru's golden eyes glinted with curiosity.
"Is it just because she is your wife? Deploying the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki can not only avenge your disciples but also strike a severe blow to Kirigakure while reducing Konoha's casualties."
He stepped forward, his voice smooth but insidious. "Especially the last point. Everyone knows how grave Konoha's losses are. Even children have been sent to the battlefield. If we have Kushina's power combined with the four of us, we could overwhelm Kirigakure and end this war quickly. Think of how many lives would be saved. Isn't that a good thing?"
Orochimaru's smirk widened. "Besides, Kushina has already contributed greatly. Minato, as her husband, you would share in that success. Of course, I would receive some credit as well, but my primary concern is Konoha."
Minato was silent, hesitation evident in his eyes. The logic was sound—this would end the war quickly, and it would benefit Konoha. But to let Kushina take such a risk…
Sensing Minato's turmoil, Jiraiya interjected: "Your plan may work, but what if Kushina loses control? What if other villages learn that she's left Konoha? They won't just stand by."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "What are you so afraid of? We send an elite escort. Kushina is no fragile flower. If anyone dares interfere, we eliminate them. And do you really doubt Konoha's ability to keep secrets?"
He glanced at Jiraiya with feigned disappointment. "As for control, you worry too much. Kushina has trained extensively in using the Nine-Tails' chakra. We merely need her to exert controlled power. Even if something goes wrong, she's a sealing expert herself, and between the five of us, do you truly believe we couldn't suppress the Nine-Tails if necessary?"
Tsunade crossed her arms, listening carefully. Orochimaru continued, "With Tsunade here, any injuries can be healed. Kushina is not just the Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki—she is a shinobi of Konoha. She should be willing to fight for her village. And it's not as though she hasn't fought before, Minato. You know this better than anyone."
Orochimaru's words carried weight. Minato took a deep breath, his resolve settling. "Senior Orochimaru is right. I was letting my emotions cloud my judgment. For the sake of ending the war, I agree to let Kushina participate."
With Minato's agreement, neither Tsunade, Jiraiya, nor Nara Shikaku objected.
Tsunade nodded. "How much of the Nine-Tails' power can Kushina control?"
Minato responded, "She can reliably use up to six tails. In extreme cases, she can push to seven, but the risk of losing control increases significantly."
Tsunade considered this before concluding, "To be safe, let's limit her to five tails."
"Understood," Minato agreed. He knew well that even five tails of power would be devastating. When Naruto fought Pain years later, he had unleashed eight tails, but that was with only half of Kurama. Kushina, however, housed the complete Nine-Tails, making her potential destruction on the battlefield immense.
"It's settled then," Jiraiya said. "We'll draft the proposal and send it to the Hokage."
A classified scroll detailing the strategy was swiftly sent to Konoha via a specialized ninja hawk. None of them spoke of the destruction that would befall Kirigakure—such consequences were already understood.
If Kirigakure failed to withstand the assault, they would be forced to retreat. When Kushina arrived, their combined strength would push the Mist Village forces back into the sea.
---
Meanwhile, at the Konoha Frontline Field Hospital, Uchiha Gen entered a dimly lit tent, lifting the flap to step inside. "Kakashi, I'm here to see you."
Kakashi lay motionless on a makeshift bed, his eyes fixed on the pine-green fabric of the tent's ceiling, lost in his thoughts.
"Kakashi, Gen is here," Uchiha Shisui said gently, sitting on a wooden post beside him. He reached out and lightly shook Kakashi's shoulder. Only then did Kakashi react, turning his head slightly to acknowledge Gen before lapsing back into silence.
Shisui sighed, his expression filled with guilt. "He's been like this since he woke up—two days now. If only we had been stronger... Rin didn't deserve this. If she had survived, Kakashi wouldn't be like this."
Gen's expression darkened. "What exactly happened? With the strength of Team 7, it shouldn't have gone this way."
Shisui gave a bitter smile. "Maybe it was just bad luck. Kirigakure deployed two ANBU squads, and there were already many hidden Mist ninjas infiltrating the Land of Fire. Kakashi and I fought with everything we had, but in the end, we couldn't prevent Rin from being taken."
Gen fell silent. He understood too well the brutal reality of war. Two elite ANBU squads, additional Mist reinforcements, and the manipulations of Black and White Zetsu—against such overwhelming odds, even highly skilled shinobi like Kakashi and Shisui stood little chance.
If he had been there, he might have fared slightly better, but only marginally. The Mist played dirty, and no amount of skill could overcome sheer numbers and deception. Even if he managed to hold out, Madara and Black Zetsu wouldn't have allowed their plans to fail.
"A battle this large… no one could have stopped it unless they were at the very top," Gen murmured, patting Shisui on the shoulder. "This was inevitable."
Shisui nodded solemnly. "You're right. I'm trying to accept reality, but Kakashi…"
Gen exhaled. "Only time, and maybe Minato-senpai, can help him now. Kakashi is a remarkable shinobi. He'll pull through."
"I hope so," Shisui said softly.
Gen stood up. "I have other matters to attend to. I'll check in later."
Shisui nodded as Gen left, the weight of war pressing upon them all.
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