28 Strike Back (1/2)

Being cautious, Hiruzen reminded everybody to stay sharp and ordered a few of his shinobi to flank around in the unlikely case it wasn't Fuzen.

However, Hiruzen immediately recognized the tiger-mask and the familiar figure waiting on the tree branch.

”He's safe! Gaijin here is part of the Anbu squad sent here previous to this whole incident,” Hiruzen placated those behind him.

”Took you guys long enough!” Fuzen admonished. ”Well, let's get a move on. What's left of our team has created an entry hole in their perimeter which should allow us an easier attack route.”

Standing up, he indicated for them to follow his lead.

”The little fellow makes quite the impression, doesn't he?” Jiraiya noted.

”Oh, that's for damn sure, he always had a flair for the dramatic.”

Following Fuzen's guidance, they soon reached the small fortification where Akata and Koda were found waiting. Both of them greeted the Hokage and escorted him inside.

”Jiraiya, you're with me. Everybody else spread out in a perimeter!” Hiruzen ordered his people.

Without wasting unnecessary time, Akata guided Jiraiya and Hiruzen over to a desk where maps lay spread out. Fuzen followed after them. Using the map as reference points, she explained what had happened since they successfully managed to kill the Mountains Daimyo and their representatives.

A minute in, Jiraiya held up a hand for her to pause. ”Hold on a second... You're saying the little one by himself killed both the Daimyo and representatives while they were being guarded by the Kazekage? And he's still alive? How?”

”Yes, that's right,” Akata confirmed with a flat voice. ”Now if you'll allow me to continue?”

”Ah, yeah. Sure,” Jiraiya appeared embarrassed.

Fuzen suspected Akata secretly enjoyed making men feel dumb, she certainly had a certain flair for it. She reminded him of a predator that attacked the second men didn't appear confident in themselves.

”And that's what we've gathered so far,” Akata finished her briefing.

”You forgot one detail,” Fuzen reminded her and nodded towards the tied up Pakura.

”That's right! We got ourselves a prisoner, sir! Her name is Pakura and apparently, she's the pupil of the Kazekage.”

Hiruzen turned to see whom Akata was referring to, ”For now, our goal is to break up this deal between the Land of Wind and Land of Mountains. Negotiating her release isn't enough for Sunagakure to just give and return home. We need to show them we're willing to fight! We have to make sure they know Konoha won't simply stand by idle while they conspire behind our backs!”

Jiraiya nodded his head in agreement. He'd no intention of standing by idle while something was being stolen from under their noses.

”So, what's the plan?” Jiraiya asked.

”It depends on whether or not the Suna force is just a warning for us to back off, or is actually there to fight,” Hiruzen noted and faced Akata. ”What's your impression of the enemies. If we attack, will Sunagakure rally together with the Land of Mountains?”

”I can't say for sure. However, if Suna is faking it, they're putting up one hell of a show for us.”

Hiruzen pulled one of the maps closer. ”Okay, so let us assume they're here to fight, not bluffing. We can't rival the size of their force but we're quicker, more agile...” He mused. ”The Fire Daimyo basically asked me to raze Kagero Village to the ground.”

”As it stands that's going to be mighty difficult,” Jiraiya said.

”Woaw, aren't you smart,” Akata congratulated him for stating the obvious.