Black Ops: Anbu Naruto

Unlike Konoha ninja, those from smaller hidden villages do not participate in wars as often or engage in regular combat with ninja from other major villages as frequently as Konoha ninja do.

They tend to focus on advancement in other domains. Each village has its own strengths, and warfare is not limited solely to direct battlefield confrontations. Large-scale wars typically involve only major powers such as Konoha, Iwagakure, or Kumogakure.

The future will bring more ambushes, raids, sabotage, and indirect conflicts until one side is severely weakened, after which the final decisive battle will occur.

Of course, this doesn't mean small villages lack powerful ninja.

Shinobi from Amegakure, Kusagakure, and Takigakure are also formidable in battle and can serve as pivotal forces on the battlefield, engaging enemies in fierce, direct confrontations.

Other villages will also contribute shinobi to the war effort, and some minor villages are even home to powerful ninja, although they typically only engage in smaller skirmishes—precisely because they may be the ones to dismantle the barriers separating minor villages from the Five Great Countries.

Fighting on so many diverse fronts presents a significant challenge for Konoha, compounded by the need to redirect some of its forces to stabilize Sunagakure until it can free up enough manpower to properly defend its borders.

For Kumogakure, the situation is relatively better since they have the option to launch an attack only after full preparation. Especially considering most of Kumogakure's enemies must pass through Snow Country, which is surrounded by Land of Water.

Alternatively, they could launch a naval assault, in which case Kiri could provide support from the eastern seas while Kumogakure focuses exclusively on the western front.

Kiri's position is somewhat awkward because they must first transport their forces to their destination before officially joining the war effort.

However, this also means they won't have to deploy many troops early in the conflict nor immediately expend large amounts of resources transporting personnel and supplies. Plus, all naval battles will fall under their responsibility.

"Damn it!" Kiba Inuzuka grumbled loudly. He couldn't believe the war would be this difficult or that his sister and mother wouldn't be able to handle a battle of this scale. "Why don't we just charge straight at them and wipe them all out? Wouldn't that solve everything?"

Neji rolled his eyes at Kiba's recklessness, but there was some validity to his question. Neji replied with a slightly sarcastic tone:

"Sure… As if we all know exactly where Takigakure is located, how to invade it, or even the exact coordinates of Tachibana Village. Don't forget—we're talking about facing someone who can wipe out an entire village with a single jutsu. That's no easy feat."

Kiba awkwardly looked away.

"Enough showing off. No matter how strong we are, war is still war—it needs to be taken seriously. And once we return, we'll definitely need to train even harder."

"

******

## Iwagakure – Tsuchikage's Office ##

The diminutive elder Tsuchikage, Onoki of the Two Scales, sat in his office carefully reading incoming battle reports from multiple fronts, with particular attention paid to the southern front of the Land of Earth and the battles involving the Land of Wind and Sunagakure.

"Bang!"

A thunderous crash shattered his focus. He shot his gaze upward and watched as a man wearing an orange vortex-patterned mask emerged from a spiraling orange vortex.

Clad in a black cloak marked by crimson clouds, his hands rested within his sleeves.

"Ah, Iwagakure—I haven't visited in some time."

Onoki didn't immediately attack the intruder, because he felt that if this person were an assassin, he wouldn't have revealed himself so brazenly or used such an obvious space-time technique under his nose.

"Who are you?"

"I am Madara Uchiha, though that isn't really important," the man answered briefly.

Could this really be Madara Uchiha!?

Inside, Onoki was shaken to his core. He had once faced Madara Uchiha in battle, and the crushing weight of that encounter still lingered in his memory.

He would never forget that terrifying aura—yet the man standing before him now exuded none of Madara's legendary presence.

Even so, if this man truly wasn't afraid of retaliation and dared enter Iwagakure alone, he must have considerable confidence behind him.

"Very well," Onoki said, swallowing his fury as he resolved to watch and wait. "What exactly do you want? I warn you—if you can't provide a sound reason, entering Iwagakure will prove to be a fatal mistake."

His tone carried clear threats. "Especially wearing Akatsuki's signature attire? You've got nerve showing yourself to me like this. Do you not fear I'll strike you down in vengeance for Han and Roshi?"

Madara strolled casually around the room as he spoke:

"As for Akatsuki... they've already disbanded… though that's beside the point. You're aware, no doubt—the ninja world has descended into chaos."

"The war," Onoki replied coldly. It had nearly twenty years since he last discussed war. "Iwagakure will not get involved in this conflict. We have no reason to step into this mess."

"Not even if Konoha is involved too?"

What exactly did this guy want? Trying to convince him to join other villages in this all-out melee? Did he really think Iwagakure was foolish enough to fall for that?

"The era of retribution has passed. This is not a matter for us to meddle in. The finest revenge for Iwagakure is to refuse aid to those self-appointed saviors who failed to protect their own Jinchuriki. If they're incapable themselves, let them perish on their own, just like we did."

"I advise you not to leap to conclusions so hastily," Madara said in a slightly accusing tone. Before Onoki could flare up, he continued, "Right now, the entire world is in complete disorder, yet poor little Iwagakure remains left behind. I see this as an opportunity."

"What kind of opportunity?"

Lord Onoki barked furiously, pounding the desk with such force that he seemed ready to shatter the masked man before him into a thousand fragments.

Madara turned around, slowly tightening his left hand into a clenched fist.

"A chance to rule everything... from the southern regions of the Land of Earth to lands far beyond."

He caught a flicker of greed in Onoki's eyes and felt a quiet satisfaction bloom within — as if a seed had begun to take root.

"Personally, I'd prefer to see Iwagakure rise above all other villages..." he continued. "It would be far more amusing than watching the muscle-bound brutes of Kumogakure or the lifeless corpse of Konoha ruling the world. So, Lord Tsuchikage, think carefully. With your consent, the entire western region—and far more—shall fall under Iwagakure's dominion!"

With those words, his form dissolved into an orange spiraling vortex, vanishing from the office in an instant, leaving behind only a pensive Lord Onoki.

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