"Hiruzen Sarutobi's prestige built up over the years in Konoha is undeniable. Whether it's the village elders or the high-ranking nobles of the Land of Fire, everyone still recognizes him. When he gives such a speech, naturally no one will oppose it—there won't be any resistance. After the war, he'll just prop up a spokesperson while pulling the strings from behind. This kind of manipulation? He's the absolute master of it."
Fugaku Uchiha pondered in silence for a long while, realizing things were indeed as Danzō had described.
"Will he actually step down after the war?"
"Whether he steps down doesn't matter much—it's just a question of being in front or behind the scenes."
"Then who will the spokesperson be?"
"Who? Minato Namikaze? Orochimaru? Even that wanderer Jiraiya is possible. Anyone but me—and definitely not you."
"Then we need to come up with a plan."
Fugaku leaned over and whispered something to Danzō.
Danzō's eye suddenly lit up.
"Excellent! That's a brilliant idea. This way, whether Hiruzen strips me of command or not, the Northern Army's five thousand soldiers will be bound to us. Let's do exactly that."
"As long as you honor your promise, the Uchiha clan will always support you."
Fugaku said.
"Hahaha, don't worry—I won't shortchange you."
Danzō patted Fugaku's shoulder.
"Danzō-sama, I have one more question."
"What is it?"
"We've discussed so much, but you never seem to consider another possibility."
"What possibility?"
"What if Sunagakure actually conquers Konoha?"
Fugaku asked.
Danzō's eye bulged wide, first showing disbelief, then erupting into wild laughter that wouldn't stop. Eventually he clutched his stomach, apparently laughing so hard it hurt.
"Hah! Sunagakure... conquering Konoha... Oh no... my stomach... Fugaku, you can't joke like that! If I laugh myself to death, you'll have to serve me for life. If Sunagakure ever conquered Konoha, the people who'd lose faith in the Will of Fire would pile higher than a mountain of corpses!"
"Did I say something wrong?"
Fugaku looked bewildered.
"Let me tell you something."
Danzō finally stopped laughing, his expression gradually turning serious.
"Konoha might face defeat, but it will never be destroyed. The great power of the Will of Fire is something no one can crush!"
Fugaku nodded.
"You're right. Having such thoughts is indeed laughable."
"All right, go handle things. Since we can't stay in Amegakure, we might as well destroy it on our way out."
Danzō waved dismissively, as if discussing something trivial.
Fugaku bowed to Danzō and slowly withdrew.
Only after the door closed did Danzō slowly raise his head. A flash of killing intent flickered in the eye not wrapped in bandages.
"Tobirama-sensei was right after all. This Uchiha clan is truly the source of Konoha's troubles. It seems they can't be allowed to remain."
"Lord Genshi, do you think we should deploy troops?"
In the courtyard of Kirigakure's Genshi residence, Fourth Mizukage Yagura Karatachi was playing Go with Lord Genshi. Compared to the raging fires of war on the mainland, the atmosphere here seemed exceptionally peaceful and serene. Eight years had passed since Kirigakure's internal strife, and the brutal fighting in the Genshi residence had become history. The shattered and collapsed buildings had long been restored, but the knife scars on the willow trees in the courtyard still told of past struggles' brutality.
"Once you've entered the game, how can you possibly stay outside it? Though Kirigakure is far overseas, we can't isolate ourselves there. Deploying troops is inevitable—the key is how to choose."
Genshi smiled as he placed a white stone on the board.
"Then which side should we help?"
Yagura asked.
"Hehe, which side do you want to help?"
Genshi countered.
"I think we should help the winning side."
"Oh! And who do you think will win?"
"Konoha suffered consecutive defeats at Lishi and Moon Lake, losing over ten thousand troops. They probably can't maintain their position as the ninja world's hegemon anymore—they're already the losing side."
Yagura placed a black stone at the center position.
"Oh, so you think Sunagakure is the winning side?"
"Isn't it?"
"Hehe."
Genshi smiled slightly and crossed his legs.
"As you get older, you like reminiscing about the past. Ever since ninja villages appeared on this continent, it's been rise and fall, one side singing while another takes the stage—everyone gets their turn. Today this one rises, tomorrow that one rises. Who wins? Who loses? That's very hard to say clearly."
Yagura looked confused.
"Lord Genshi, stop speaking in riddles. We need to make a choice now."
Seeing Yagura's expression, Genshi stopped deflecting and tossed his stone back into the bowl.
"Why don't we think about this from a different angle? Rather than choosing the ultimate victor, let's choose whoever offers greater benefits."
"Greater benefits?"
"Whether it's Konoha or Sunagakure, their victory or defeat really has nothing to do with us. We currently don't have the power to interfere with the mainland. Don't argue—I know you've been carefully building up strength these years, but in my view, we're still not quite at the level of Hōzuki Mangetsu's era Kirigakure. Even he couldn't complete that undertaking—do you have confidence you can?"
"Naturally not."
Yagura lowered his head.
"So, let's focus on managing our own territory first. We can deploy troops, but you need to show sincerity. Without proper benefits, you expect Kirigakure's men to risk their lives? Hmph! Wishful thinking."
Yagura suddenly understood.
"Then what level of benefits would be appropriate?"
Genshi pondered for a while.
"At least one tailed beast."
"Mm, that's reasonable."
"Remember—no verbal promises. Troops move only after the goods arrive. These days, hmph! Too many people don't keep their word."
After Hiruzen Sarutobi returned to Konoha Village, he immediately issued three orders. First, he commanded Orochimaru, who was defending the southern route, to abandon all defensive lines and rush back to the village. Second, he ordered the Northern Army's Danzō to abandon Amegakure and return to defend the village. Third, he issued a general mobilization order: all ninja between fourteen and sixty years old—whether retired veterans, freshly graduated academy students, office clerks, or prison guards—were all incorporated into the battle organization. Outside Konoha's high walls, they began digging trenches and deep moats again, and sandbags were piled in the streets. Mitokado Homura's diplomatic personnel were all sent out to seek aid from various ninja villages. This time, the clouds of war had drifted over Konoha's head.
Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi also issued a statement of self-reproach:
"In this great defeat, as Hokage, I commanded poorly and implicated our entire army. My responsibility is grave and inexcusable. I should resign voluntarily, but with the situation so tense—beacon fires surrounding us on all sides, mournful war horns echoing from eight directions—Sunagakure's great army approaches our gates while Kumogakure ninja watch us like tigers. In this moment of crisis, I must shoulder the Hokage's final responsibility and lead everyone to repel the invading enemies, ensuring Konoha's continuation. After the war, I will naturally step aside and seek worthy talent to inherit the Will of Fire."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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