Ch-105 Chosen Battlefield.

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...

In the secluded, shadowy confines of Orochimaru's hideout, the sinister figure of the snake-like villain loomed. His piercing eyes locked onto Sasuke. Orochimaru leaned in, his voice dripping with a malevolent desire, and addressed the young ninja.

"Sasuke-Kun," Orochimaru licked his lips, "I want you to journey to the impending battlefield, where the Jiryoku is preparing to launch a devastating assault on the Toads."

Sasuke, deep in thought, absorbed Orochimaru's words. Memories of his past encounters with Jiryoku, each one marred by humiliating defeat, surged to the forefront of his mind. But now, with the passage of time and rigorous training, he had grown into a formidable force. Confidence coursed through his veins, and he knew that he wouldn't allow another shameful loss at Jiryoku's hands.

Though uncertainty swirled within him, Sasuke nodded resolutely. "I agree," he declared. "But on one condition—I must assemble my own team, handpicked from the shadows of your hideouts."

Orochimaru, his tongue flicking out like a serpent tasting the air, couldn't help but be intrigued. "It appears you already have a roster in mind," he mused. "Very well, Sasuke, you have your wish. But, my dear, consider this: Are you certain you want to depart now, especially when your so-called best friend, Naruto, is on his way to see you?"

Sasuke's gaze turned icy, his voice betraying none of the camaraderie that once bound him to Naruto. "I have no best friends," he stated coldly. "If I cross paths with him this time, I might have ended him. He should count himself lucky that he survived my wrath this time." With those words, Sasuke left Orochimaru's presence, setting forth on a journey filled with uncertainty, determination, and the ghosts of his past.

----

In the Mount Myoboku, a conversation between two venerable toads unfolded. Fukasaku, addressed Gamamaru, the esteemed Great Toad Sage, with a weighty matter on his mind.

"Great Toad Sage," Fukasaku began, concern etched on his amphibious features, "Disturbing news have reached our ears from the village of Konoha. The news of Jiryoku's audacious attack on our sacred Mount Myoboku has quickly spread. This dire situation has roused the interest of neighboring villages, prompting them to dispatch their ninjas to trail Jiryoku. This is an unsettling turn of events, for if Jiryoku were to locate Mount Myoboku, the Mount Myoboku that has remained concealed from the world for centuries would be unveiled. Such a revelation could bode ill for our cherished Mount Myoboku."

Gamamaru, seated regally upon his pond throne, gazed thoughtfully at Fukasaku. "Your apprehensions are well-founded, Fukasaku," he acknowledged. "Our sacred haven's secrecy must be safeguarded at all costs. Have you any counsel to offer in this hour of peril?"

With a determined expression, Fukasaku responded, "Indeed, I have a suggestion. Instead of waiting for Jiryoku to close in on us, we should seize the initiative and engage him in combat. By doing so, we can select a battleground of our choosing, keeping the sanctity of Mount Myoboku intact while thwarting any collateral damage during our confrontation with Jiryoku."

Fukasaku, appreciating Gamamaru's concurrence, nodded earnestly. "I shall make the necessary preparations so that our entire toad army can mobilize outside the confines of Mount Myoboku."

Gamamaru's thoughts then drifted to two powerful toads of Mount Myoboku. "Have Sage Gamashiroku and Sage Iwayado been roused from their slumber?" he inquired, his concern evident.

Fukasaku's eyes gleamed with assurance as he replied, "Indeed, they have awoken from their timeless rest. Their anger simmers at the audacity of one who dared to assail Mount Myoboku."

"Excellent," Gamamaru said with a nod. "I shall personally convene with them and address their concerns. You should focus on preparing for the imminent battle. Our Mount Myoboku's fate hangs in the balance."

With the roles defined, Fukasaku departed.

After leaving the hall, Fukasaku found one of the toads and gave it an important task. He told the toad to deliver a message to Jiryoku about where the battle would take place. They chose an empty spot in the Fire Country near a big river because it would be advantageous for the toads.

Fukasaku didn't leave anything to chance. He sent not just one, but two toad messengers, one to Jiryoku and the other to Konoha, the hidden leaf village. The goal was to inform Jiryoku about the battleground, tempting him to come there for a fight. At the same time, they wanted Konoha to get involved in the upcoming showdown. This would put pressure on Jiryoku and force him to face them at the chosen battleground, where the toads had the upper hand.

It was a brilliant plan, a clever strategy that set the stage for an epic battle. The toads were ready, and the fate of Mount Myoboku was at stake.

----

Following Fukasaku's instructions, the toads delivered the message to Jiryoku. He received this news at a time when he was incredibly frustrated. He had been searching for Mount Myoboku tirelessly but hadn't expected the toads to hide it so cleverly. They had created an intricate network of underground waterways, not just in the Fire Country but also in neighboring lands. This made it incredibly hard for Jiryoku, even with his mighty 'Observation Haki' at its peak, to find Mount Myoboku.

Faced with this daunting challenge, Jiryoku realized that locating Mount Myoboku was a near-impossible task. So, he made a pragmatic decision. He decided to accept the invitation to battle and head to the chosen battleground, where the toads were ready to face him.

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