The triumphant news from the Land of Lightning brought Konoha into celebration, yet the Fire Daimyo—the supreme ruler of the Land of Fire—was not particularly pleased. The day after the report reached Konoha, the Fire Daimyo's envoy arrived at the Hidden Leaf Village and promptly met in private with the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Though details and process of the discussion remained undisclosed, neither the Konoha ninja clans nor the Jonin assembly had time to care about such trivialities. After all, whether it was the eighty billion ryō Sakumo Hatake had squeezed out from the Lightning Daimyo's treasury or Hyuga Soushu's tax-farming proposal, neither left room for any other topic to be discussed!
This was the first time Konoha ninja had ever profited from war!
What interested the ninja clans most was whether those five large districts could indeed collect the required taxes within the contracted timeframe, and how much profit they would generate. After all, bids for contracts were fixed and unchangeable—should an upper-rank ninja who obtained the right to tax farming fail to gain sufficient income, the contracted amount still had to be paid down to the last penny.
Therefore, this model would surely ignite a legendary chapter unlike anything ever seen among the Konoha-style clans across the ten central districts of the Land of Lightning.
But what did ninja, whose lifelong skill had always been efficient killing, know about such matters? Especially elite Jonin bold enough to invest real money and brave enough to lead the charge—they were ruthless people who'd devour others without leaving a trace. Though within the Hidden Leaf Village there remained a small group of traditionalists who upheld principles of compassion or firmly believed that "ninja should not meddle in secular affairs," their fierce objections were eventually swept aside by the tide of reality.
Ultimately, because those "morally sound" principles were not only unshakeable but offered no promise of real benefit. For ninja living on the edge of blades and blood, nothing surpassed direct material incentives in effectiveness.
After all, something morally sound meant you couldn't defy it—but didn't necessarily imply it would bring benefit either.
Moreover, among the ranks of ninja supporting tax farming quickly emerged a faction skilled at nitpicking and sophistry. Using all sorts of twisted justifications, they engaged in fierce verbal debates with the older generation who claimed adherence to the true Ninja Way, giving the common folk of Konoha plenty to gossip about over their meals.
Amidst this atmosphere, Sakumo Hatake returned to Konoha, his accompanying party unusually modest and sparse.
Unlike his low-key demeanor and the deliberate neglect from the Hokage Tower, the Konoha ninja showed extraordinarily high enthusiasm.
Once word unexpectedly spread that Lord Sakumo was returning to report his mission, over a thousand village ninja spontaneously lined up at the village gate, gazing toward the northern direction of the Land of Lightning. They waited until the afternoon before finally spotting Sakumo Hatake emerging on the northern horizon.
"Hail to you, Lord Sakumo!"
The gathered Konoha ninja erupted into cheers so loud they seemed to shake the sky. Somewhat surprised by such grand reception, Sakumo waved back in greeting.
Meanwhile, high inside the Hokage Office atop the seat of Konoha's power, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and his two advisor elders silently observed the unprecedented spectacle of Sakumo's return through a crystal ball.
"The hearts of the people have scattered, and leadership has become difficult."
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi observed for a while but eventually could not bear to continue watching. He flicked his hand, dispelling the Telescope Technique, then let out a deep sigh.
"We cannot allow Master Tobirama's life work to vanish in our hands!"
Homura Mitokado said with a gloomy expression: "Hiruzen! This time you absolutely cannot hesitate anymore!"
"Exactly!"
Koharu Utatane immediately added: "Undoubtedly, Sakumo is an exceptional ninja—but those ruthless warmongers surrounding him are far less honorable!"
"As the village's Kage," Homura continued slowly, "it's time for you to demonstrate the firm resolve of a Hidden Leaf leader. Otherwise..."
He paused briefly before continuing, "Danzo probably won't last much longer."
After Sakumo Hatake resolutely returned to the village despite opposition from his subordinates, Danzo—who had been supporting peace negotiations at the Lightning Daimyo's court—became a thorn in the side of the Northern Expeditionary Ninja Force. Particularly, Sakumo's staunch supporters wanted him gone more than anything else!
In these loyalists' eyes, their beloved Lord Sakumo had been urgently summoned back to the village right when victory was practically guaranteed simply because someone wanted to steal the credit!
According to the principle of suspecting whoever benefits the most, Sakumo's followers naturally turned their gaze toward the recently arrived Danzo.
This extremely dangerous situation inevitably restricted Danzo's capabilities. Worse still, during this negotiation mission northward, he hadn't brought many trusted ninjas along due to the hasty departure. Therefore, he could only rely on trusted subordinates of the Hokage as backup.
Even so, Danzo still didn't feel safe.
Especially after Kumo's envoys also arrived at the Lightning Daimyo's court, Danzo encountered countless assassination attempts from Cloud ninjas. Although he ultimately escaped unscathed each time, Danzo fully understood exactly what these incidents signified.
Therefore, to Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi and the two elder advisors, the Northern Expeditionary Ninja Force had clearly been completely brainwashed by Sakumo Hatake and his fanatical followers. Their actions were practically tantamount to treason against the village.
Yet what hesitated the Third Hokage was that White Fang Sakumo Hatake wasn't merely a high-ranking village official or a renowned military commander with outstanding achievements—he was the most recognizable symbol of Konoha's prestige today. Moreover, considering the massive following he commanded, Hiruzen genuinely feared any leak of information that might provoke widespread rebellion throughout Konoha.
The wily old monkey didn't mind hurting others if it didn't cost him anything; however, if an action would certainly harm both others and himself, then he needed to think carefully before acting.
"How much longer will you hesitate?" Koharu said discontentedly.
"We've long planned everything out, yet here you are holding things back again! What exactly are you waiting for?"
"You must destroy the White Fang," Homura continued intensifying pressure, "or eliminate those potential rogue ninjas harboring disloyal intentions!"
"Hiruzen," he added firmly, "you must make a decision now!"
"If you won't make a move, then we'll have to handle this ourselves!" Koharu immediately backed him up.
A string of forceful arguments left Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi even more speechless.
He lightly pressed his hand over the crystal ball, and once again images appeared inside it—Sakumo Hatake was conversing with two Policing Department members from the Uchiha Clan. From their expressions and smiles, it could truly be described as an amiable conversation.
"Then we'll proceed according to the original plan."
Head bowed low, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi whispered under his breath, "You know, I never wanted it to go this far."
"If that's settled, then prepare to eliminate him!"
Koharu Utatane immediately rose and walked out the door.
"Don't take it too hard—it was a decision made by all four of us, and frankly, you hesitated."
Homura Mitokado offered what seemed like a well-intentioned word of comfort before also rising and departing.
Soon after, the Hokage Office fell into silence.
"Hmph."
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi pulled out his pipe and began smoking. His face, hidden behind swirling smoke, looked troubled and contemplative, his aged eyes fixed on the image within the crystal ball—Hatake Sakumo and the Uchiha ninja chatting so congenially together.
No one could tell how long it was before the scene within the crystal ball shifted.
After exchanging firm handshakes with the Uchiha shinobi, Sakumo calmly walked forward amidst the escort of his supporters. The familiar street scenery made it clear—he was heading straight for Hokage Tower.
"Reporting for duty," whispered Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi under his breath. "Looks like the position of Jonin Unit Leader is no longer suitable for you, White Fang."
Meanwhile, in the southern Land of Lightning where Hyūga Soushu was idly waiting for revenue and supplies to arrive, he received an unexpected visitor.
The reason he was called a 'visitor' was because this dark-skinned ninja carried no offensive ninja tools, made no suspicious moves when encountering patrols outside the camp, and instead directly requested to see Hyūga Soushu—moreover, he obediently allowed the patrolling Konoha ninjas to seal his chakra.
Even though he didn't announce his identity, based solely upon his physique, skin tone, and tattoos, the Konoha patrol unit quickly deduced that this individual was a Kumo ninja.
Therefore, after reporting upward through the ranks, this mysterious guest from Kumo was secretly escorted and accommodated within the Ninja Force headquarters.
However, Hyūga Soushu did not meet with him immediately; instead, he kept him waiting for an entire day and night before finally ordering the man brought in for questioning at dawn.
"Lord Soushu, I am Kumo Jonin Kario, sent here by the Raikage to request an audience."
The moment they met, the Kumo ninja introduced himself, speaking with unprecedented deference.
"Oh, Jonin Kario, welcome! You must've had a tiring journey. Did you rest comfortably?"
Hyūga Soushu smiled politely, speaking in a composed tone. "If your accommodations or meals weren't to your liking, we can definitely re-arrange them."
"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Soushu, but my mission here is urgent—I've come with a specific request."
Karoi got straight to the point without further delay: "We heard that Captain A was captured by Lord Soushu following his defeat in Hakone Prefecture. Could you please tell me about his current condition?"
"A, you mean..."
Hyuga Soushu hesitated slightly, as if just now remembering that he still had such a bargaining chip in hand.
From memory, A had been overly defiant, so Hyuga Soushu had handed him over to the Uchiha ninja of the Intelligence Units for handling. He wasn't sure of the current situation.
"Given his special status as a Jonin, Raikage heir A is being held at another location."
Hyuga Soushu's expression remained calm, his tone indifferent.
"If your village wishes to negotiate A Jonin's return, may we speak directly with Lord Soushu?"
Kario pressed on.
"Of course! Everything can be discussed!"
Hyuga Soushu gave a slight nod.
"In that case, may I leave the camp temporarily to send word back to the village?"
Kario bowed respectfully, continuing his request.
"Please go ahead."
Hyuga Soushu waved dismissively.
What kind of price could a captured Raikage heir fetch? The thought intrigued Hyuga Soushu.
Meanwhile, Danzo, seated atop the volcano, was nowhere near as relaxed as Soushu, who was waiting for money to pour into his pocket.
Before Sakumo Hatake returned to the village, Danzo had already coordinated with his close confidants regarding the allocation of eighty billion yen from the Lightning Daimyo.
Twenty billion yen would go directly to Soushu for him to distribute as he saw fit. The remaining sixty billion yen—originally meant for the four thousand members of Danzo's Ninja Force—could still be distributed accordingly.
This initial division received general approval; many even felt they were profiting greatly. After all, Soushu also commanded two thousand ninja yet received only a quarter of the War Reparations quota—yet still managed to crush Kumo's four-thousand-strong force, achieving even greater glory than the northern strike unit that raided Kumo's nearby headquarters. Their total number was merely double that of Soushu's, but their allocated War Reparations quota was triple.
Danzo's scheme to create internal strife had already failed before it could even begin. At present, few of his subordinates were around him, so even if he wanted to spread rumors within Soushu's forces to provoke conflict, he lacked the means.
Moreover, during negotiations, for safety considerations, Danzo deliberately set up camp inside the Ninja Force headquarters. However, watching wagon after wagon loaded with Kinka (standardized gold coins), universally accepted across the entire Ninja World, arrive ceaselessly from the Land of Lightning caused unbearable pain in his heart. He simply couldn't bear to see those eighty billion golden yen fall into the hands of these arrogant and brutal ninja!
Eighty billion! If given to him, within ten years he could build an entirely new Root Division surpassing Konoha, and within twenty unify the Ninja World and end this chaotic era! Yet now, this mountainous fortune would simply be handed away—it was pure waste.
Distributing it freely to reckless ninja who lived on the edge of blades and showed no respect to the Hidden Village's leadership—it was blatant extravagance, like throwing away treasure on fools who couldn't appreciate its value.
"What a tragedy!"
The mere thought made him feel worse than being stabbed.
"Lord Danzo!"
At that moment, one of Danzo's Root subordinates rushed over urgently, bringing ill news: "The Daimyo has rejected the demand for two hundred billion yen in War Reparations!"
"Why not?!"
Danzo flared up immediately upon hearing that, slamming the table in front of him so hard it shattered into pieces. "He gave Sakumo eighty billion—why not give Konoha two hundred billion? Is he looking down on us?!"
"The Raikage has already arrived at the Daimyo's court and will attend tomorrow's peace talks."
A Root Division attendant murmured under his breath.
"Hmph!"
Just as Danzo was about to erupt in anger, he suddenly regained his composure.
Though he had hoped to eliminate the Third Raikage during the peace talks, deep down he knew it was utterly impossible.
The reason was simple—having locked in eighty billion Gold Kans, the Hidden Leaf ninja had lost all will to fight. Everyone was just waiting to split the cash and head back to the village to rest up.
Under these circumstances, Danzo could barely count on three or five men under his command. Attempting anything against the Raikage would be nothing short of delusional.
"What does our young lord think about this?"
At this moment, he specifically asked about the Fire Daimyo's position.
According to the one-country-one-village principle, the shinobi villages and their respective countries were supposed to be separate systems that should never interfere with each other.
However, this once-unbreakable rule had been twisted one after another by both Hatake Sakumo and Hyuga Soushu.
"His Highness's messenger might arrive tomorrow."
The Root attendant hesitated for a moment before cautiously asking, "Although I wonder if there might be some trouble passing through the central and southern regions of the Land of Lightning, considering those rogue ninja currently..."
He trailed off, but Danzo got the message.
After all, Hyuga Soushu had stirred up quite a commotion across the ten gun (districts) in central Lightning Country!
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