Chapter 131 Trap

Land of Grass.

(Couple of days before Kumo's withdrawal from the war)

Just after crossing the famous kannabi bridge in the dense forest was the base of iwa forces who had marched to invade land of fire, led by the Tsuchikage Onoki himself.

Among the numerous earth dome's built to serve as a resting place for iwa army was a huge dome heavily guarded, not even a fly allowed to roam around it.

Inside the main dome,

Roshi and Onoki sat face to face on a tatami with steaming cups of green tea and a map placed before them, both having thoughtful looks on their faces.

"We don't have enough top combat power to defeat the konoha army stationed here and a head on battle would at most end up in a stalemate which will only hurt us in a long run"

"Despite fighting kumo along with us konoha still has some top combat power like the nine tails jinchuriki and the hokage himself to deploy so in case of a stalemate they can request backup which we won't be able to handle"

Roshi with a troubled face put forwards some obvious facts before Onoki, the facts that had been worrying him since the moment Iwagakure had decided to participate in this war.

Iwagakure was currently even weaker than they were in the previous war so Roshi really didn't support the iwa council's decision of stepping into this war.

"I understand these concerns and to deal with them we have to make sure that with our first attack we strike konoha so hard that even if the reinforcements arrive they don't make a difference"

Saying that Onoki smiled dangerously and in the curious eyes of Roshi began to explain his plan.

"Take Ran (New Five Tails Jinchuriki) along with some capable shinobi to infiltrate the land of fire and attack some towns as with your news of being sighted konoha would surely deploy a strong squad led by at least two commanders to deal with you"

"The time when they deploy someone to deal with you guys our army stationed here will meet konoha forces on the battlefield with someone impersonating me to deceive them for so long as possible"

"The real me would arrive where you will be and together we'll quickly finish off the konoha commanders and head back as fast as possible, I believe Kitsuchi would be able to hold the konoha army back till we return"

(Kitsuchi= The shinobi from Iwagakure who could use strong earth style jutsu during the fourth ninja world war and was even able to utilize jutsu strong enough to trouble the ten tails)

Put forward Onoki his whole plan before Roshi who couldn't help but go into a deep thought, thumb rubbing his stubble at the same time.

"It's a risky plan as kitsuchi's failure can end up in a disaster for us but on the other hand his success will bring benefits vastly out scaling the consequences"

"Although I wasn't in the favour of this war but now that we have jumped into it we have no choice but to try everything for victory"

"I hope we are able to wash the shame of the last war by the end of this plan"

"We will"

Responded Onoki confidently at Roshi's words who didn't say anything further and just showed a determined look.

-------------------------

(Two days later)

Land of Fire.

Tanzaku Town.

The town surrounded by huge walls completely was pretty famous in the whole land of fire as in the previous war it had served as a base for konoha army that drove back the iwa forces.

This town located at the edge of land of fire was not used as a base in this war and perhaps that's way it was burning at the moment, screams of agony and despair sounding in the village.

The sky had turned dark and moon was mostly hidden under the dark clouds but despite any natural light the endless forest was brightly lit, at the center the famous tanzaku town most engulfed in flames with smoke reaching towards the sky.

Swish! Swish!

At this moment outside the burning town there was a movement as shadows flew out from the forest and landed, red eyes suddenly gleaming in the dark.

Outside the burning town had appeared around nine figures with seven of them having red eyes with tomoe spinning in them, the other two a white haired man and blonde woman.

"In a fight between shinobi why do common people have to suffer everytime? Even if you want to fight that badly than at least fight those who can fight back, not helpless people whose only sin is being weak"

Looking at the burning town and hearing the screams Jiraiya couldn't help but speak out his inner thoughts, his hands clenched into fists and a painful look on his face.

"Don't lose your calm now Jiraiya! I feel the same as you but we have to stay alert and not let our guard down especially when we are most likely walking into a trap."

Tsunade at Jiraiya's word also showed a look of pity for a moment but that was quickly replaced by a sense of duty, reminding him to be on his guard.

Swish! Swish!

Quickly the squad with Tsunade and Jiraiya at the front entered the burning town and it didn't take long for them to find who they were looking for.

On the street with fire burning everything around two figures suddenly stopped the advancement of konoha squad, before Tsunade and others a man of average height with a stubble and red hair and other a girl who looked around 15 with purple hair.

"Roshi and the new five tails jinchuriki… as expected it's a trap"

Looking at the figures blocking their path Tsunade and the rest didn't show much of a surprise and spoke up in a calm tone.

But their calm looks wavered a little when they sensed another chakra signature as slowly out of the flames walking out a man with short stature and a big nose, words leaving the mouth of Jiraiya who carried a solemn look.

"Onoki"

 (Two chapters today)