Konoha's nights in the rain possessed a unique desolation.
The downpour fell like silvery-gray, sticky spider-silk, weaving a web that clung to the clustered buildings. Villagers in raincoats hurried along the streets, their quick steps reflecting the tense, storm-laden atmosphere. Cold street lamps lined the roads, igniting one after another like pale moons floating up from the earth, casting light on a path that vanished into boundless darkness.
And at the village's remote, seldom-trodden border, beneath the surface, dense, heavy shadows lay concealed.
Within a Root base, several small figures fought fiercely in a sealed room. Shimura Danzō watched the spectacle with an expressionless face.
"Lord Danzō."
A Root ninja appeared behind Danzō, kneeling on one knee and presenting a scroll. "This is the outcome of the discussions between Lord Third and the Hyūga clan."
Danzō withdrew his cold gaze, turning slightly to take the scroll. He scanned its contents, and his brow furrowed tightly.
"Hmph. As expected, Hiruzen chose compromise again," Danzō sneered, his voice laced with scorn. "The Hyūga clan is ruthless indeed, to think of sacrificing Hyūga Hizashi in place of Hyūga Hiashi."
The kneeling Root ninja beside him lowered his head slightly. Beneath the shadow of his black hood, a flicker of discontent crossed his features.
While many saw Shimura Danzō as a shady figure unfit for the light of day, to other nations, he was Konoha's undisputed "hawk."
Being called a "hawk" meant his influence had grown into a legitimate faction. Many ninjas were drawn to his radical ideology; not all in Root were there by force.
Where the sun shines brightest, the shadows are deepest and widest. Root existed within Konoha's shadow, its roots sunk deep into the darkness, eliminating threats to the village from the shadows—by any means necessary.
In a way, Danzō possessed a certain "charisma." The ninjas of Root were a militant group, deeply dissatisfied with the Third Hokage's perceived weakness.
In their view, if the Third truly had the resolve to wield the forbidden techniques from the Scroll of Seals and mobilize all the village's clans, they could crush any other village.
Not like this—constantly reacting, always on the defensive, winning wars that felt utterly meaningless.
War in the ninja world never truly ceased. The end of one conflict was merely preparation for the next.
It could be said that Danzō's ability to grow Root to its current size was due in large part to Hiruzen Sarutobi's indecisiveness and soft stance towards external threats. Many who joined Root had lost family in the wars, carrying deep-seated hatred for other villages.
This ninja, with his black sunglasses and the purple tattoo on his right cheek—a member of the Aburame clan—was one such hawk.
"Ryōma."
Danzō spoke his name, a dark glint flashing in his eyes. "I will insert you into this escort mission. I still have some personnel stationed near the border. I am temporarily placing their command under you..."
He paused here, narrowing his eyes slightly, his voice turning icy. "If Kumogakure accepts this 'explanation' quietly, so be it. But if they remain unsatisfied... then pour oil on the fire."
Since Kumogakure insisted on pushing again and again, Hiruzen couldn't blame him for steering the village's sentiment.
Konoha's strength may have waned somewhat, but that didn't mean Kumogakure had earned the right to lord over them.
Did they think Lord Tobirama's forbidden techniques were created for show?
"Yes, Lord Danzō!"
Aburame Ryōma kept his head bowed, but a spark of excitement was undeniable on his face.
.....
BOOM!
In the Land of Lightning, atop a mountain that pierced the clouds, Kumo was jolted awake by the roar of thunder as pale serpents of lightning tore across the sky.
A raging storm gathered, dark clouds churning into a massive vortex above the village, creating a breathtaking and intimidating natural spectacle. It looked as if some monstrous beast thrashed within the whirlpool, its breaths the blinding white flashes of lightning that illuminated two figures inside the Raikage's office.
The Fourth Raikage, clad only in his white cape and revealing a powerfully built torso, sat at his desk. Next to him stood Mabui, with her green eyes, silver hair, and dark skin, holding a stack of documents.
"So the old fool Sarutobi Hiruzen actually backed down?"
The Fourth Raikage's eyes scanned the scroll, a derisive sneer spreading across his rugged face. His voice was a low rumble. "The older he gets, the more useless he becomes. If he'd stood his ground and fought back, I might have respected him!"
He turned to look at Mabui beside him, but instead of the expression he expected, he saw her frowning, deep in thought. Knowing she wouldn't wear that look without reason, the Raikage's expression grew serious. "What's the problem?" he asked, his tone grave.
Even if they hadn't gotten the war they wanted, shouldn't their objectives have been half-achieved? They had secured a main branch member of the Hyūga clan, sowed discord between the Hokage and the clans, and exposed Konoha's hollow bluster.
"Lord Raikage, it's just... it feels a bit too smooth," Mabui said, her brow still furrowed. "The Daimyō's attitude earlier was somewhat dismissive. I'm concerned they might have left some mistake for Konoha to seize upon, which could explain why Hiruzen made his decision so quickly."
The Land of Lightning Daimyō's ultimatum had been delivered unilaterally to the Fire Daimyō, who then relayed it to Hokage Hiruzen. So, the Fourth Raikage and Mabui were unaware that the Lightning Daimyō had misunderstood their request.
Mabui simply felt Konoha's surrender was too swift. Even if the Third Hokage had been assertive internally since his return, it seemed impossible to silence all opposition in such a short time.
After all, he was the head of the Hyūga clan's main family. The Hyūga wouldn't yield so easily. From the very start, she had even thought a war between the two nations was more likely than Konoha handing over Hyūga Hiashi.
"So, you think it's a trick?" The Fourth Raikage gradually cooled down, now sensing something was off.
"Yes," Mabui nodded. "I advise you to send someone to inquire with the Daimyō. If there's a flaw in the plan, it's most likely on that end."
Hearing this, the Fourth Raikage frowned. Even someone as hardline as him could only deal with the Daimyō as an equal, and he truly disliked getting entangled too much. Moreover, he understood perfectly well that the Daimyō, deep down, had no real desire to go to war with the Land of Fire. It hadn't been long since the end of the Third Great Ninja War; a period of recovery was only sensible before considering another conflict.
So, if there was some mistake, it was hard to say whether the Daimyō made it unintentionally or on purpose.
But as Konoha's old rival, the Fourth Raikage knew them too well. If they didn't strike while Konoha was weak, given that village's fertile ground for talent and profound foundation, some genius might suddenly emerge out of nowhere, propping up the collapsing edifice or turning the tide at the critical moment.
Furthermore, unlike Konoha's ninjas, who had tasted victory in the war, or its ordinary citizens who had suffered its effects, within Kumo, hatred for Konoha and Iwa ran deep, fueled by severe casualties.
"Mabui, go to the Daimyō's court yourself," the Fourth Raikage said, having made his decision, his tone now calm. "Have Toroi take a squad of ANBU to handle the handover with Konoha. If Hiruzen Sarutobi truly intends to play tricks... have them strike directly!"
"Yes, Lord Raikage."
Hearing the name "Toroi," Mabui felt a wave of relief as she acknowledged the order, much of her vague unease dissolving.
As long as Konoha didn't send a ninja on the level of the Legendary Sannin, she believed no one could gain the upper hand against Toroi.
Because Toroi was a Jōnin of Kumogakure... and he possessed the Kekkei Genkai: Magnet Release.