[Land of the Hyuga Clan, Branch Family Compound]
"Lord Koshin, we have found a large number of Explosive Tags in the old district."
"This is the distribution map of the Explosive Tags."
Hyuga Sota had already drawn the distribution map of the Explosive Tags within a short time.
Koshin took a pen and marked a few strokes on it, discovering that most of the covered area was the old district.
But it also covered part of the new district, and even on top of the Hokage Rock.
Koshin held the first Explosive Tag, examining it carefully, with a thoughtful look in his eyes.
Then he asked, "How many of these Explosive Tags can still be triggered?"
Sota's eyes flashed, "These Explosive Tags are of very high quality. It's estimated that about ninety percent can be triggered."
"What is the expected blast impact range?"
Sota pointed to several districts on the map, "These districts will completely disappear. The Hokage Rock will also be blown up."
Koshin began to fall into deep thought.
Using just these Explosive Tags to try to destroy Konoha would be a bit difficult.
But now is the key moment of confrontation between the Uchiha and Konoha.
Could something be made of this?
If he chooses to act, he definitely won't survive afterward.
'But... is there still hope for the Branch Family?'
Koshin pondered for a long time, recalling the teachings of Hiashi in his mind.
("A ninja must see clearly the future situation to survive.")
During the years under the Third Hokage's rule, the Senju Clan disappeared, and both the Uchiha and their Hyuga Clan gradually declined.
Even when the Cloud's invasion was repelled, the clan leader was still made to take responsibility with his life.
In the end, under the coercion of the Great Elder, Lord Hizashi was the one to offer his life.
Koshin's eyes glimmered with a light called conviction, "Sota, how many people know about this matter? Do the ANBU know?"
Sota's heart skipped a beat, "Lord Koshin, all these Explosive Tags were camouflaged. Some are even inside the wooden beams of buildings. Only Byakugan can see them."
"Currently, only 18 people know."
"Mm, they're all our people."
Sota emphasized "our people," meaning all from the Branch Family.
Koshin instructed, "Remember, you've already fully investigated and reported it to me. No one else knows anything. Be sure to instruct the others the same."
Sota's expression shifted slightly, but he didn't speak.
Koshin glared fiercely at Sota, "Did you hear me?"
Sota lowered his voice, "Lord Koshin, these won't cause much damage to Konoha."
Koshin looked stern, "I'm your superior. After your report, it no longer concerns you."
Saying so, Koshin picked up the schematic and prepared to leave.
Suddenly a hand grabbed his arm. Sota's voice carried a trace of pleading, "Lord Koshin, our New Bud Plan hasn't been implemented yet. You mustn't be impulsive."
Koshin turned to look at Sota. In Sota's eyes were deep reluctance, anxiety, and fear,."Lord Koshin, Lord Hizashi is already gone. The Branch Family has no one left."
"You...", Koshin looked into Sota's eyes and softened his tone, "The New Bud Plan's activation time is too long. It will take at least ten more years."
"With Konoha's situation so tense right now, whether it's Uchiha taking power or... Konoha being destroyed, both are our opportunities."
"My body isn't in great shape. I might not live another ten years."
Sota persuaded, "Lord Koshin, right now the Hokage and Uchiha are still in a deadlock. We mustn't act rashly."
"You were the one who taught us that."
Koshin touched Sota's hair, "You brat, you've grown up."
"These Explosive Tags went undiscovered for over twenty years. If it weren't for someone attacking Konoha this time…"
"Perhaps even in another ten years, no one would know about these Explosive Tags."
"Although we don't know how these Explosive Tags were placed in such numbers…"
"But now that we've discovered them, naturally we can use them."
"I will do the preliminary preparation. If I'm not confident, I won't act."
Koshin's words eased Sota's tension.
"You know in this conflict, who is the most important person on the Uchiha's side?", Koshin asked Sota.
Sota answered without hesitation, "Uchiha Kairen."
Koshin shook his head, "No, it's Uchiha Rengoku."
Sota was a bit surprised, but still calmed down to listen to Elder Koshin continue.
"Though Kairen is strong, his behavior differs from before."
"If Fugaku and Itachi had this kind of decisiveness, things wouldn't have developed like this."
"Rengoku returned from missions outside and handled everything with clear purpose."
"All of the Third Hokage's responses were within Rengoku's expectations."
Koshin thought back to the previous confrontation. Fugaku and Kairen were both following Rengoku's cues. That alone showed Rengoku was not simple.
"Uchiha Rengoku will not remain idle going forward, but whether he'll step into the spotlight is hard to say."
"Keep an eye on this person. Don't make an enemy of him."
"The matter of the Explosive Tags is to be set aside for now. Continue monitoring all of Konoha as usual."
"The Third Hokage may still have other forces we don't know about."
"You may leave now."
Sota gave a salute to Koshin, then withdrew.
Koshin's eyes returned to the map of Explosive Tag placements on the table and murmured, "Sota, you all are the true new buds…"
———
[Sunagakure]
[Kazekage's Office]
"Kazekage-sama, Gaara lost control again."
Rasa showed an impatient look upon hearing Maki's report.
"Has he been subdued?"
Sunagakure now had a complete control method and no longer needed Rasa to be at Gaara's side.
Maki replied, "Gaara's outbreak wasn't serious. The sealing squad was nearby and already subdued him."
Rasa said gloomily, "As expected, a failure."
Two years ago, Rasa ordered Yashamaru to push Gaara into desperation and lie to him that Karura hated him.
Rasa decided that if even then Gaara didn't lose control, he'd postpone handling Gaara.
But Gaara found out that even Yashamaru, who had loved him for years, didn't truly love him, and still lost control.
Over the past two years, Gaara continued to lose control regularly, and those who died at his hands had already reached double digits.
Rasa's patience with him had gradually run dry.
Maki sighed silently. Two years ago, when Yashamaru was still alive, Gaara's outbursts were rare.
But Rasa insisted on pushing Gaara. After Yashamaru's death, the frequency and destruction of Gaara's outbreaks obviously grew.
But things had come to this point; Maki didn't have many options. He pushed another report toward Rasa.
"Kazekage-sama, we need to procure another batch of supplies."
The Land of Wind's environment was harsh. Many resources had to be procured to keep Sunagakure running normally.
But Sunagakure was very poor, especially with the frequent tailed beast incidents, so the Wind Daimyo gave even less funding.
Rasa sighed, took down his robe from the wall, "I understand. Let Yura in Konoha report back immediately if there's any intel."
"Yes, I understand, Kazekage-sama."
Maki watched as Rasa stepped onto the sand mat and flew out, knowing that Rasa was once again going to extract gold dust to support Sunagakure's finances.
Just for this alone, Rasa's position in Sunagakure was unshakable.
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