Swish!
Minato appeared in Jiraiya's tent, the golden streak of his Flying Thunder God Technique fading as quickly as it arrived. Jiraiya turned to face him, his arms crossed, an eyebrow raised in mock exasperation.
"Boy, what have you been up to for most of the day?"
Jiraiya's tone was light, but the look in his eyes carried curiosity. By now, he was accustomed to his student's unpredictable movements and uncanny efficiency.
"Just taking some precautions. They may not even be necessary," Minato replied with a faint smile. "I set up more than a dozen sensing barriers along the border of the Land of Grass."
Jiraiya blinked, then turned toward the map spread across the table. His fingers traced the borders of the Land of Grass and the Land of Fire. After a moment, his eyes flickered with realization.
"You think the Rock Ninja might launch a feint on the front battlefield while sneaking a team through the Land of Grass into the Fire Nation's border?"
"We can't rule out the possibility," Minato said, his tone calm but firm.
The memories of his past life sharpened his perception. During the previous war, Iwagakure had used precisely this tactic to devastating effect, coming dangerously close to Konoha. It was only the desperate destruction of the Kannabi Bridge that had severed their supply line and turned the tide.
Jiraiya frowned deeply, leaning over the map. "It's a bold strategy, but it would cost them dearly. A diversion like that would require a significant number of elite ninja. If they weaken their main force, they risk losing the front battlefield entirely."
Both master and student stared at the map, and the realization struck them at the same time.
"Unless they're planning to overwhelm us with sheer numbers," they said in unison.
Their eyes met, both reflecting the same grim understanding.
If it were any other village, such a strategy would be implausible. But Iwagakure, with its vast army rivaling even Konoha's, was the one nation capable of executing such a plan.
Minato broke the silence. "Even if we have sensing barriers in place, they're limited. We can't cover the entire Land of Grass border, and the Rock Ninja would eventually find a way through. If this happens, our forces in the Land of Fire will be spread thin, leaving other battlefronts vulnerable."
Jiraiya's brow furrowed further. He had thought of these risks but had no practical solutions to counter them.
"I take it you've already considered a way to deal with this," Jiraiya said, his voice tinged with both trust and exasperation.
Minato shrugged, his faint smile returning. "I don't have the solution, but someone else does."
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed. "You mean Aburame Shibi?"
Minato nodded. "If anyone can give us the intelligence we need, it's him. We just need to wait for his report."
Jiraiya sighed, leaning back against the table. "Fine, I'll trust you on this. For now, it's the best chance we've got."
Ten hours later, the flap of the tent rustled as Aburame Shibi entered, his quiet presence starkly contrasting with the urgency of his task. His sunglasses masked any emotion, but his posture was steady and confident.
"Thank you for your hard work," Minato said warmly, breaking the silence.
Shibi nodded curtly. "The situation is as follows: there is a massive buildup of Iwagakure ninja at the border between the Land of Grass and the Land of Earth. Based on my preliminary observations, their numbers exceed 1,000."
Jiraiya's expression darkened as the weight of the numbers sank in. Combined with the 1,500 Rock Ninja already positioned on the front line, the enemy forces totaled over 2,500—a massive army poised to crush Konoha's defenses.
"Anything else?" Jiraiya asked, trying to mask his concern.
Shibi nodded again. "Until shortly before I returned, their numbers were still increasing."
The room fell silent as the implication sank in.
"How did you manage to gather all this information?" Jiraiya finally asked, his curiosity overriding his tension.
Shibi's response was as calm as ever. "My insects told me."
"Insects?" Jiraiya echoed, incredulous.
Minato chuckled. "Sensei, if Shibi says his insects told him, you can believe it. His abilities are unparalleled."
Jiraiya hesitated but relented with a sigh. "Fine. I'll trust you on this."
Shibi continued, his tone still measured. "I didn't stop there. I also planted parasites on several high-ranking Iwagakure ninja, including their elite special jonin. If they make any significant movements, I will know."
Even Jiraiya, who had seen countless extraordinary feats in his lifetime, was momentarily stunned. He stared at Shibi, then turned to Minato.
"You weren't kidding," Jiraiya said, shaking his head in disbelief. "This kid might just be the MVP of this war."
Shibi didn't react to the praise, his stoic demeanor unwavering.
Minato smiled and turned to Jiraiya. "Sensei, with this information, we have what we need. You can focus on leading the main force to confront the Rock Ninja head-on."
"And the ones sneaking through the Land of Grass?" Jiraiya asked.
"Leave them to us," Minato said confidently. "Shibi and I will handle them."
Jiraiya hesitated, his instincts as a commander urging caution. But as he looked at Minato, the memory of his student's victories against the Sand and Cloud flashed in his mind.
"Alright," Jiraiya said at last. "The two of you handle the flies. I'll deal with the front."
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