The night before, 8 PM.
Konoha Village, Hokage Building, a small meeting room.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at the head seat in his Hokage robes, calmly smoking his pipe. To his left was Danzo Shimura, and to his right, Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu.
At that moment, Homura and Koharu were reviewing intelligence reports. Danzo, of course, had already read them long before even Hiruzen.
"That old bastard Ōnoki… his intentions are truly vile," Homura muttered with hatred, adjusting his glasses.
He hadn't moved when Mist retreated. He hadn't moved when Cloud was driven back. But the moment Konoha relaxed its defenses, he struck. Clearly calculated. He had also been stirring trouble behind the scenes for months, fanning flames and sowing discord wherever he could.
Why hasn't that decrepit old man died yet?
"Complaining won't change anything," Koharu sighed, tossing the scroll onto the table. "What's done is done. We should be discussing countermeasures instead. Hiruzen, Danzo... what are your thoughts?"
Danzo's eyes flashed with cold light. "What other thoughts? Only by thoroughly crippling Iwagakure will Ōnoki finally settle down." His tone was expressionless, but the underlying steel was unmistakable.
"Then… who do we send?" Homura asked, his gaze shifting toward Hiruzen.
The Hokage removed his pipe, exhaled a thick cloud of smoke, and spoke in his deep, steady voice:
"Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen."
"The Iwagakure–Kusagakure allied forces are coming in full force. Shinnosuke and Shikaku's combination is sound tactically, but their raw combat power is lacking. Iwa has dispatched Kitsuchi, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki, and several other elites. If our top-tier strength falters, the front collapses."
"Sending Shinnosuke would be irresponsible to the frontline troops and to Konoha itself. Shinnosuke and Shikaku will instead take over in the Land of Rice Fields. That theater has calmed somewhat, and with their abilities, they'll manage."
The elders exchanged looks and gave small nods of agreement.
"I've also heard Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen have mastered the Spirit Transformation Technique?" Homura asked.
Indeed, Gen had shared credit for assassinating ten elite Cloud shinobi, and Orochimaru hadn't denied it. For someone obsessed with learning every jutsu in existence, whether or not he had truly mastered it hardly mattered, what mattered was the perception. And Hiruzen, knowing his student's genius, did not doubt him.
"Mm," Hiruzen confirmed. "Though the technique has its flaws, it is elusive and deadly, capable of striking from thousands of meters away."
"On the Cloud front, while they didn't win outright, they seized a major advantage. They've already been sent twice in succession. Push them a third time, and…" He didn't finish. The implication was clear.
Ninja like Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen, with such power, were not to be pushed endlessly. There were limits.
Danzo's eyes flickered. If they are pushed too far… if they clash with Hiruzen and his son… wouldn't that be my opening?
Hiruzen spoke again, cutting through the silence:
"I understand. This will be the last time. The order must be worded carefully to imply as much. And when the war subsides, I will appease them by granting selections from the Scroll of Seals, two jutsu for Orochimaru, one for Gen, along with other rewards."
Koharu exhaled with relief. "Good. It's fortunate you've thought this through, Hiruzen."
Homura nodded, though privately he thought; What a pity. Hiruzen is still too rational. He wants to support his son but won't force it. Shinnosuke has strength, but not enough. If he cannot surpass Orochimaru and Gen, how could he ever be accepted as Hokage? Even I wouldn't accept a weak Hokage.
Danzo, meanwhile, kept his face blank and serious, though his thoughts churned. Years of practice had made him a master of daydreaming through meetings while wearing a mask of loyalty.
Koharu broke the silence. "The war in the Land of Rice Fields has dragged on long enough. With the advantage, we should send reinforcements, defeat Kumogakure there, and bring about peace."
Concentrating resources against Iwa? They didn't even suggest it. None of them wanted Orochimaru to accrue more credit. If there had been another viable commander, Hiruzen wouldn't have picked Orochimaru at all. And when Iwa was pushed back, no one intended to sing Orochimaru's praises too loudly anyway.
Homura and Danzo both gave their support to Koharu's proposal.
Hiruzen nodded. "Then we'll do it. I only hope Shinnosuke won't disappoint me."
"Now… let's turn to the countermeasures for Iwagakure and Kusagakure's joint offensive."
The next morning.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke, Nara Shikaku, and a squad of elites departed the village under orders. After traveling overnight, they arrived near the front by 9 PM.
Orochimaru and Uchiha Gen came out to meet them, both wearing dark expressions.
After hearing the orders, master and disciple's faces grew even darker. Neither spared Shinnosuke so much as a polite word, and the tension was thick enough to cut with a kunai.
Thankfully, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza smoothed things over; otherwise, the awkwardness might've dug a three-room house out of the earth.
Once the handover was completed overnight, Orochimaru and Gen departed together, still grim-faced.
"Orochimaru-sensei, this is the second time," Gen said flatly. "Maybe they think we're easy to bully. I think it's time we showed them some color."
"Hm… yes. A little color is warranted." Orochimaru's lips curled faintly. "Later, I'll give you a bottle of a secret laxative. Slip it into their breakfast tomorrow."
Gen: "…"
That's the kind of 'color' you meant? Are we playing pranks now?
"Fufufu…" Orochimaru chuckled at Gen's deadpan look. He patted his student's shoulder. "Don't be indignant on my behalf. I truly don't care anymore."
"Then earlier—"
"Not caring doesn't mean I'll smile politely. If I don't bare my fangs, the old fools will trample me. Besides, if I didn't come, you'd be alone, forced into a corner and offending too many. Shinnosuke may not be as strong as you, but his seniority and position outweigh yours. There's no need to burn that bridge completely."
"They're in the wrong. Showing some displeasure is fine. But we don't need to act further."
"And if we do nothing at all?" Gen pressed.
"They gained credit against the Mist. Let's see if they can handle themselves here. If they can't, they'll only humiliate themselves further. If they can… then let them have the credit. It changes nothing for us."
Gen smirked. "I'd bet they're not tough enough. Last time they barely managed a stalemate."
"Exactly. Let them fail." Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed.
"Sarutobi Shinnosuke?"
"Just a bit talented, nothing more."
"Nara Shikaku?"
"A clever mind… but still just a hanger-on."