After Riku left, Namikaze Minato stood there for a long time.
His thoughts were tangled. Try as he might, Minato couldn't make sense of Shiranui Riku.
"Minato."
Jiraiya appeared beside him, having overheard the entire exchange between Minato and Riku.
Minato looked troubled as he asked, "Sensei Jiraiya… am I wrong? I don't feel like I am. Those are our comrades. I just want them to survive. I've never shown mercy to enemies… but when it comes to our own people—"
Jiraiya placed a reassuring hand on Minato's shoulder. "You're not wrong, Minato. And neither is Riku. But this is war. There's no perfect answer in war. There will always be sacrifices. That's a bitter truth we all have to live with."
He looked out at the night sky, then continued. "Riku and Orochimaru are alike. They're both highly rational. They look at every situation coldly and make the best strategic decision without letting emotions get in the way. As long as the gains outweigh the losses, they're willing to accept those losses."
Jiraiya gave a faint smile. "You and I, on the other hand… we're alike too. You're not the type to give up on your comrades until the very end. You want everyone to make it back alive."
"But, Minato… this is the battlefield. You've been here long enough. You must know by now—there's no war without sacrifice. All we can do is hold back our emotions temporarily and make the most rational moves we can for the sake of the village."
He gave Minato a reassuring pat. "We're all fighting for Konoha. But listen—don't ever doubt yourself. You're better than Riku in one very important way. And I don't mean strength."
Minato blinked in surprise. "Better… how?"
Jiraiya smiled again. "You carry the Will of Fire. That's selflessness, Minato. You care deeply about Konoha. You see every villager as part of your family. You want to protect everyone equally. That's the heart of what makes a Hokage."
"Riku, like Orochimaru, is different. He's cold. He tends to isolate himself. He can be extreme in how he acts, and he rarely forms bonds with others. People like him are valuable—they can be the 'general' in a shogi match. But someone like you? You're the 'king' piece. The one who leads the entire game."
Minato stood stunned for a moment. He hadn't expected Jiraiya to say that he had what it took to become Hokage.
"I… I still have a long way to go," Minato said, a little embarrassed.
Jiraiya laughed heartily. "Of course you do! That's why you need to work harder—so you can become a 'king' who commands the strongest 'generals'."
Then, lowering his voice, Jiraiya leaned in close. "Don't you want to pursue speed? I'll put in a request to the old man and get permission for you to learn a jutsu from Konoha's Forbidden Scroll."
Minato's eyes widened.
"It's a space-time ninjutsu created by the Second Hokage," Jiraiya said. "It's called the Flying Thunder God Technique. Once you master it… you'll be the fastest shinobi in the ninja world."
Minato's voice trembled slightly. "Sensei…"
Jiraiya gave his shoulder a firm pat. "I'm your teacher, after all. Now, go rest up. Tomorrow night's going to be tough. If we want to reduce casualties, we need to give it everything we've got."
The next day.
All the Konoha ninjas stationed in the Land of Hot Springs had gathered.
There were fewer than a hundred of them now.
Originally, around 150 Konoha shinobi had been sent to this front, but many had fallen in battle against the Cloud Ninjas.
Orochimaru's piercing snake-like eyes swept across the group before him.
Normally, people would tremble under that gaze, shaken by Orochimaru's eerie, oppressive aura.
But not these shinobi.
These were battle-hardened ninja, high in spirit. Their eyes gleamed with anticipation as they stared at Orochimaru. The recent string of losses had left them frustrated and eager to strike back. With Orochimaru and Jiraiya—two of the Legendary Sannin—now taking charge, they were finally ready to retaliate against the Cloud Ninjas.
Excitement surged through the air.
"Line up according to the type of ninjutsu you specialize in," Orochimaru ordered.
The ninjas moved quickly, forming groups based on their affinities.
The largest group were Fire Release users.
Next came Earth and Water style users—roughly equal in number.
There were fewer Lightning Release users.
And the smallest group? Wind Release specialists.
In addition, there were five genjutsu (illusion) users, and only three sensory-type ninjas.
Orochimaru addressed them all: "As you've likely heard, we will launch a surprise assault on Yugakure Village tonight. This attack will determine whether our entire campaign in the Land of Hot Springs can proceed successfully."
"Every one of you has an important role in this mission. I will now assign tasks. When the operation begins, you are to follow your assignments exactly."
"First, our sensory ninja will gather intelligence on Yugakure's current defenses."
"Then, Jiraiya and I will be the first to infiltrate. We'll strike the areas with the heaviest concentrations of enemy forces."
"Once the Cloud Ninjas' attention is diverted, the Earth Release users will act. Use Earth Style techniques to break up the battlefield and prevent the enemy forces from regrouping or overwhelming us with numbers."
"Following that, Earth and Water Release users will coordinate to unleash mudslides, disrupting enemy movement."
"Next, Fire Release users will divide into smaller units and cooperate with the Wind Release team. You'll create flame storms throughout Yugakure."
"Meanwhile, the rest of the Fire users will advance from the frontlines, launching long-range bombardments to draw enemy fire."
"Lightning Release ninjas will serve as mobile support, assisting wherever the front is weakest."
"The illusionists will pair with the lightning team to provide flexible backup."
Orochimaru's tone sharpened: "Our goal is not to occupy Yugakure permanently. We aim to destroy the Cloud Ninja stronghold there. If we drive them out, our mission will be considered a success."
"Each team will choose a leader. Jiraiya will assign one of his toads to every team leader. These toads will relay new instructions during the operation, and it'll be the team leader's job to keep everyone informed."
"You have one hour to prepare. Get to it."
The shinobi began to organize and discuss leadership roles.
Orochimaru walked over to Riku.
"Riku, you're quick and agile—and I trust your instincts. I want you to act alone. Infiltrate and assassinate their commanding officer."
Riku responded with calm determination, "Understood, Orochimaru-sensei."
Jiraiya stepped forward. "Minato has exceptional mobility and strength, too. Let's assign him to the same assassination mission."
Orochimaru glanced at Minato. "He's your student—you make the call."
Jiraiya turned to Minato. "Can you handle it, Minato?"
Minato looked at Riku for a moment, then nodded with quiet resolve.
"I can."