The Third Hokage's sharp gaze locked onto Danzo, his tone cutting through the air like a blade. "Given the current situation, do you have a better solution?"
Danzo's eyes flickered, his lips pressing into a thin line. For a moment, his gaze shifted to Minato, standing quietly nearby, before he swallowed his retort and fell silent.
The Third Hokage turned his attention back to Minato, his expression softening. "Minato, go home and prepare. The coming battles against the Rock Ninja will be relentless. You'll likely have to fight continuously."
Minato nodded, offered a polite farewell to the gathered leaders, and vanished in a flash of yellow light.
When he reappeared in front of his home, his usually bright azure eyes carried a shadow of contemplation. The exchange between the Third Hokage and Danzo lingered in his mind, an unspoken tension that hinted at underlying motives.
"Am I overthinking this?" Minato murmured to himself. He shook his head, dismissing the thought, but the seed of suspicion had already been planted. This war wasn't just a battlefield of kunai and jutsu—it was a battlefield of politics as well.
Regardless of the intrigue, Minato knew his immediate priority was clear: turning the tide against Iwagakure's forces.
Hours later, Minato arrived at Konoha's camp in the Land of Grass. Unlike his previous visits, this time, his arrival caused an immediate stir. As he materialized in a burst of yellow light, hundreds of eyes turned toward him.
The awed and reverent stares made him uncomfortable. Ever since the Third Hokage had announced his accomplishments, every Konoha ninja on every front had looked at him this way.
Minato pushed through the murmurs and entered Jiraiya's tent, where his sensei awaited him. Jiraiya's expression softened into a grin when Minato entered, though his eyes carried an understanding that came from years of experience.
"So, the old man sent you here, huh?" Jiraiya said, folding his arms. "I figured he'd want you to reinforce this front."
Minato nodded, skipping pleasantries. "Sensei, how do you think Iwagakure will launch their attack on us?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "You've got that look in your eye, kid. Just tell me what you're thinking."
Minato offered a faint smile and pointed to the large map spread across the table. "The first thing we need to determine is how much of their strength Iwagakure is committing to this offensive. Their strategy hinges on their numbers, and we need to know what we're up against."
Jiraiya frowned thoughtfully, nodding. "We'll send out intelligence teams immediately."
"Wait," Minato interrupted. "The Sand and Cloud Ninja paid heavily for underestimating our ability to gather intelligence. Iwagakure won't make the same mistake. Their intelligence network is formidable, and their troops will be cloaked in secrecy. Conventional methods won't work."
Jiraiya crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. "Then what do you propose?"
"We need to bypass their front lines entirely," Minato said. "If we wait for them to reach us, we lose the initiative. We need intel before their forces mobilize fully."
Jiraiya studied him for a moment, then sighed. "You're saying I should gather the intel myself? I'm flattered, kid, but as the commander here, I can't leave the main force."
Minato chuckled. "I wouldn't suggest that, Sensei. I already have someone in mind for this task."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"Aburame Shibi," Minato replied. "He's part of your unit, isn't he?"
Jiraiya scratched his head, trying to recall the name. "Shibi… Oh, that quiet kid? What about him?"
"He's the perfect candidate," Minato said confidently. "His ability to manipulate insects makes him an exceptional scout. He can gather intelligence without being detected, even by Iwagakure's forces. Their secrecy won't stand a chance against him."
Though unfamiliar with Shibi's capabilities, Jiraiya trusted Minato's judgment. Minutes later, Shibi stood before them, his face impassive behind his dark sunglasses.
"Shibi, long time no see," Minato greeted him warmly.
Shibi gave a faint nod in response, his demeanor calm and reserved as always.
Minato outlined the mission, his instructions precise yet concise. Shibi listened attentively, his expression unreadable behind his glasses.
"I understand," Shibi said simply. "Give me a day."
Jiraiya watched him leave with a skeptical glance. "You sure about this, Minato? He doesn't exactly scream 'reliable' to me."
Minato chuckled. "Don't worry, Sensei. Shibi will exceed your expectations."
Jiraiya sighed, still not entirely convinced. "Fine, but if this blows up in our faces, I'm blaming you."
After leaving Jiraiya's tent, Minato ventured to the edge of the forest bordering the Land of Grass. The air was crisp, the sunlight filtering through the dense canopy above.
Finding the heart of the forest, Minato leapt gracefully from tree to tree, finally landing atop the tallest tree in the area. He pulled out one of his special kunai and embedded it in the wood.
With a series of rapid hand seals, chakra flowed from Minato into the kunai. Intricate barrier patterns spread outward, invisible to the naked eye, until they covered the entire forest in an enormous protective dome.
Minato smiled faintly at his handiwork before disappearing again in a golden flash.
For the next half day, Minato worked tirelessly, setting up similar barriers across the border. Each one consumed immense amounts of chakra, forcing him to draw on the power of the Nine-Tails twice.
By the time he finished, the borders of the Land of Grass were laced with dozens of barriers. Each would serve as an early warning system, ensuring Konoha remained one step ahead of the Iwagakure forces.
As Minato stood atop a cliff overlooking the forest, the faint glow of dusk bathed the landscape in gold. A small smile crossed his lips as he vanished once more
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