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Early that morning, the Second Hokage summoned Konoha's top jonin squad leaders to his office for a meeting.
Once everyone was present, the Second Hokage got straight to the point."Kirigakure is currently holding elections for their next Mizukage. Right now, they're terrified we might launch a full-scale attack while they're vulnerable. But we can't afford to strike at the Hidden Mist right now. Iwagakure has reached out—they're asking for help. The Cloud ninja are stuck near the border of the Land of Waterfalls and can't retreat. That whole village's already been destroyed by the Cloud. I've agreed to send aid to the Rock. So for now, we need to wrap things up in the Land of Whirlpools as quickly as possible."
Uchiha Kagami spoke up."If we don't beat the Mist into submission by force, they'll never surrender. I say we go all in and wipe out the four thousand Mist ninja still hiding in Whirlpool. That should be enough to scare Kirigakure into giving in."
Someone else shook their head."Fighting here isn't in our favor. Most of Konoha's shinobi specialize in Earth, Fire, or Wind Release. Out at sea, that's a huge disadvantage for us."
Homura Mitokado added,"Not to mention, those four thousand Mist ninja are led by a strong member of the Yuki clan. Wiping them out would be no small feat. And even if we could do it, the cost would be way too high."
The Second Hokage interrupted,"The ocean's my domain. Those bloodline limit nobodies don't scare me. But I was surprised by one thing—the Yuki clan guy pulled off their strongest secret jutsu with just one hand seal. I'll admit, that caught me off guard. Ice Release is strong against Water Release, sure, but it's not gonna be a problem for me. The real challenge is figuring out how to flush them out of hiding."
While the others continued arguing, one shinobi, Aki, looked to the Second Hokage for permission to speak. The Hokage nodded and said,"Alright, quiet down everyone."
Once the room settled, Aki began,"We could spread a fake rumor throughout the Land of Whirlpools. Say that we've made contact with a few of the big families in Kirigakure and are supporting their candidate for Mizukage in exchange for military supplies. In return, these families supposedly agree to tell us where the four thousand Mist ninja are hiding—and the best route into the village. Then we pick a suitable ambush site and say that's where the 'deal' is happening. What do you think those Mist ninja hiding in Whirlpool will do?"
Someone else chimed in,"If we make it believable, we might even trigger distrust inside the Mist Village itself. That could be enough to break their unity. And our real goal is just to crush the Mist forces hiding in Whirlpool. I like it. There's a perfect spot for an ambush—an enclosed valley surrounded by the sea."
He turned to the Second Hokage.The Hokage nodded."Good. You and Uchiha Kagami will handle the operation in full. I'm counting on you. Sarutobi, your team will handle recon and keep an eye out for those seven Mist freaks."
Once the assignments were handed out, the Hokage dismissed the meeting.
Meanwhile, at Iwagakure...
"Lord Third Tsuchikage, what are we supposed to do? The Second Hokage clearly doesn't want to help us!"A panicked Iwa shinobi turned to Ōnoki, who had just been appointed as the Third Tsuchikage.
Ōnoki ignored him for a moment and turned to the ANBU who'd returned from Konoha."Are you sure the Second Hokage specifically asked for all our research on Kekkei Tōta?"
The ANBU repeated everything the Second Hokage had said, word for word.
Ōnoki sat silently for a while, staring up at the ceiling, mumbling to himself."Don't tell me… they're trying to develop a Kekkei Tōta of their own? That can't be right. It took my teacher nearly thirty years to create Dust Release. And as far as I know, Konoha doesn't even have anyone with a natural affinity for three elements. You can't just find those types of shinobi lying around! It takes both the bloodline and the natural triple affinity to make a real Kekkei Tōta."
He looked back down at his subordinates."Do we have any intel from our spies in Konoha about someone like that? Anyone young and talented with three affinities? Even a kid?"
An ANBU shook his head."The most promising Konoha ninja right now is Sarutobi Hiruzen—he only has Earth and Fire. Then there's Shimura Danzo, who's working under the Daimyō of the Fire Country. He only has Wind. No one else stands out. No sign of anyone with all three."
Ōnoki frowned."They must have someone. The Hokage wouldn't have asked for that research otherwise. If we give them fake data, he'll know instantly. But if we give them the real thing... and they really do create a new Kekkei Tōta? That's handing a loaded weapon to our future enemy. But if we don't hand it over, and they arrive late, we'll lose hundreds more ninja..."
He sighed, then clenched his jaw."Fine. Prepare the real research. Give it to Konoha. Let's solve this crisis first—we'll deal with the rest later."
Just then, an ANBU rushed in from outside."Lord Tsuchikage! The Gold and Silver Brothers—Kinkaku and Ginkaku—have broken through our defenses at Castle Iwa! We can't hold them! They're as strong as tailed beasts! We need backup!"
Elsewhere, the Second Hokage sat meditating when someone walked in.
"Sensei, we really did find a powerful family in Kirigakure. They actually agreed to our terms. We didn't fake anything—we just let the information leak out."
The Second Hokage raised an eyebrow."Tch. A pathetic clan like that still exists in the Mist? No wonder they're stuck living poor and miserable on some island."
The student hesitated."Sensei… isn't this kind of… underhanded?"
The Hokage snorted."Nothing wrong with it. Scum like that deserve to be manipulated. I've never had patience for clans like them. What's the name of the family?"
"The Kaguya Clan," the shinobi replied."They're ultra-aggressive, but thanks to the Hozuki Clan, they never got to produce the Second Mizukage. They've got a serious grudge against the village. They're hoping to use the war to put one of their own in power."
The Second Hokage closed his eyes again."Do what I said. Once this is over, leak the info to the Land of Water. Until the Mist moves, leave me to my training."
The shinobi bowed and quietly left the room.
"Hey, Monkey Bro, are all the Yuki Clan men really that pretty? Like, they look like girls?"Aki asked, munching on a peach while Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to relax nearby.
Hiruzen sighed."The Land of Water's got more bloodline clans than it knows what to do with. Hozuki, Kaguya, Yuki—every one of them's got some weird quirk. You really gonna ask me about all of them?"
Aki grinned."Come on, you're the only one who actually fought a Yuki ninja. Just tell me!"
Hiruzen groaned."At first, I didn't even know he was a guy! I said something stupid like, 'I don't hit women.' Next thing I know, he's trying to kill me! Dude went nuts! If Sensei hadn't shown up, I'd be dead."
Aki burst out laughing."Man, I'd pay to see old man Sasuke whack your butt with a stick after hearing you flirted with a guy."
"Hey!" Hiruzen snapped. "You still owe me seven million! When are you paying me back?!"
Aki winced."I'm broke, man! I've only got my body left. And I didn't even spend the money—Tsunade blew it all gambling. Go ask her! Leave me alone!"
"Your seven million, my five million..." Hiruzen muttered."You really are hopeless. Hah! Nine years old and already chasing girls—got your eye on Tsunade, huh?"
Aki panicked."Hey, I'm nine! And besides, Tsunade's like a black hole. If I really dated her, the whole Uchiha clan would go bankrupt!"
While they were bickering, a huge explosion suddenly echoed from their ambush site. Homura came running over."Battle's started! The Mist ninja made the first move—no time to joke around, let's go!"
The three of them quickly geared up and raced off.
The Second Hokage stood alone before nearly four thousand Mist ninja, calm as ever. Across from him stood the Mist commander, arms crossed, looking proud.
"Name yourself," Tobirama said coolly.
The Mist leader glanced around at the surrounding Konoha ninja who had them pinned in the valley."As expected of the Second Hokage. You've got guts, standing here all alone in front of us."
Tobirama sneered."I don't see a single real threat here."
The Mist commander turned to his men."Everyone—break out and retreat! I'll hold off the Second Hokage. Go—NOW!"
He turned back, formed a single hand seal, and faced Tobirama."I am Mizunashi Seiyu, head of the Yuki Clan of Kirigakure!"
"....."