The rainy night in Konoha was particularly bleak. The rain, like sticky, silver-gray spider silk, wove a web that clung to the clusters of buildings.
The villagers of Konoha, clad in raincoats, hurried along the streets, the atmosphere still thick with the unease of a gathering storm.
The cold streetlights on the road, one after another, were like a series of moons floating in the sky, leading to a path of endless darkness.
And at the sparsely populated edge of the village, a dense and heavy shadow lay hidden underground.
Inside the Root (Ne) base, several small figures were fighting to the death in a sealed room, while Shimura Danzo watched with a blank expression.
"Lord Danzo."
A Root ninja appeared behind Danzo, kneeling on one knee and presenting a scroll. "This is the result of the discussions between Lord Third and the Hyuga clan."
Shimura Danzo withdrew his cold gaze, turned his head, and took the scroll from his hand. His brows furrowed tightly after a quick scan.
"That fellow Hiruzen, compromising again, as expected?" Danzo snorted, his tone laced with sarcasm. "The Hyuga clan is ruthless as well, to actually come up with the idea of having Hyuga Hizashi die in place of Hyuga Hiashi."
The kneeling Root ninja beside him lowered his head slightly, a trace of dissatisfaction also appearing on his face, which was hidden under the shadow of his black cloak.
Although Shimura Danzo was seen by many as a shady character who couldn't be brought into the light, he was, in fact, the bona fide "hawk" of Konoha in the eyes of other powers.
To be called a "hawk" meant that his influence had already reached the level of a "faction." Many ninja were drawn to his aggressive philosophy and were not all forced to join Root (Ne).
As dazzling as the sun is, the shadows it casts are just as deep and vast. Located in the shadow of Konoha, Root (Ne) sank its roots deep into the darkness, secretly eliminating obstacles that hindered the village, by any means necessary.
Therefore, in a way, Danzo had his own "charisma." The ninjas of Root (Ne) were all aggressive and very dissatisfied with the Third Hokage's weakness.
In their view, if the Third Hokage were truly ruthless and used the forbidden jutsu from the Scroll of Seals, combined with all the ninja clans of the village, they could crush any other village.
Instead of the current situation, where they were always on the defensive, winning wars that ultimately meant nothing.
The wars in the shinobi world would never cease. The end of one war was merely the preparation for the next.
It could be said that Shimura Danzo's ability to develop Root (Ne) to its current scale was largely due to Hiruzen Sarutobi's indecisiveness and weakness in foreign policy. Many ninjas who joined Root (Ne) had family who died in the wars and held deep-seated grudges against other villages.
This ninja, wearing black sunglasses with a purple mark tattooed on his right cheek and hailing from the Aburame clan, was also a member of the hawk faction.
"Ryoma."
Shimura Danzo called out his name, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes. "I will place you in this escort team. I still have some men stationed at the border. I will temporarily grant you command..."
He paused, narrowing his eyes slightly, and said coldly, "If Kumogakure obediently accepts this 'explanation,' then so be it. But if they continue to be relentless, then pour some oil on this fire!"
Since Kumogakure had been so aggressive time and again, Hiruzen couldn't blame him for manipulating the village's public opinion.
Konoha's strength was indeed weakened at the moment, but that didn't mean Kumogakure was qualified to ride roughshod over them.
Did they really think Master Tobirama's forbidden jutsu were just for show?
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
Aburame Ryoma bowed his head, unable to hide the excitement on his face.
——————
Rumble!
On a mountain peak in the Land of Lightning that soared into the clouds, shrouded in mist, Kumogakure (Hidden Cloud Village) was awakened by the thunder that streaked across the sky like a white python.
A fierce wind howled, and dark clouds rolled in, forming a massive vortex above Kumogakure, a stunning and powerful natural spectacle.
It looked as if some monster was thrashing about in the vortex, the incandescent lightning it spat out illuminating the two figures in the Raikage's office.
The Fourth Raikage (A), wearing only a white cloak that revealed his muscular physique, sat at his desk. Mabui, with her green eyes, silver hair, and brown skin, stood by with a stack of documents. "That old fool Hiruzen Sarutobi actually endured it?"
The Fourth Raikage's gaze swept over the scroll, a sneer appearing on his rugged black face. He grumbled, "The older he gets, the more useless he becomes. If he had just pushed back hard, I would have respected him!"
He then turned to look at Mabui but didn't see the expression he expected. Instead, she was frowning, seemingly lost in thought.
Knowing that Mabui wouldn't wear such an expression for no reason, the Fourth Raikage's face turned serious. "Is there another problem?"
Although they hadn't managed to start a war as they had hoped, their objective should have been half-achieved, right?
Not only had they obtained a member of the Hyuga Main Family, but they had also sown discord between the Hokage and the ninja clans, and tested Konoha's bluffing state.
"Lord Raikage, I just feel that things went a little too smoothly," Mabui said, her brow furrowed. "The Daimyo's attitude was somewhat perfunctory earlier. I worry that Konoha might have found some loophole, which is why Hiruzen Sarutobi made his decision so quickly."
The Land of Lightning's Daimyo's ultimatum was delivered unilaterally to the Land of Fire's Daimyo, who then relayed it to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Therefore, the Fourth Raikage and Mabui didn't know that the Land of Lightning's Daimyo had misunderstood their request.
Mabui just felt that Konoha had conceded too quickly. Even though the Third Hokage had been very firm internally since returning to power, it was impossible for him to suppress all opposition in such a short time.
That was the head of the Hyuga Main Family; the Hyuga clan wouldn't compromise so easily.
In fact, from the very beginning, she felt that the possibility of the two nations declaring war was greater than the possibility of Konoha handing over Hyuga Hiashi.
"So, you think there's a trick?"
The Fourth Raikage gradually calmed down, and now he also felt that something was amiss.
"Yes," Mabui nodded. "I suggest you send someone to inquire with the Daimyo. If there's a flaw in the plan, it's most likely on that end."
Hearing this, the Fourth Raikage frowned. Even he, who had always been tough, could only deal with the Daimyo as an equal and really didn't want to get too entangled.
Moreover, he knew very well that the Daimyo was not actually willing to go to war with the Land of Fire. After all, it hadn't been long since the end of the Third Great Ninja War. They should be recuperating for a while before considering war again.
So, if there really was some mistake, it was hard to say whether the Daimyo's actions were unintentional or deliberate.
But as an old rival of Konoha, the Fourth Raikage knew Konoha all too well.
If they didn't strike now while Konoha was weak, with Konoha's abundance of talent and deep foundation, a genius might suddenly emerge one day to save the day.
Furthermore, unlike the Konoha ninja who had won the war and the ordinary citizens who were affected by it, the hatred and resentment towards Konoha and Iwagakure within Kumogakure had deepened due to their severe casualties.
"Mabui, you go to the Daimyo's residence yourself."
With this thought, the Fourth Raikage made his decision. He said calmly, "Have Toroi take an Anbu squad to liaise with Konoha. If Hiruzen Sarutobi is really planning to play tricks, attack immediately!"
"Yes, Lord Raikage."
Hearing the name "Toroi," Mabui replied while breathing a sigh of relief. The inexplicable unease in her heart dissipated significantly.
As long as Konoha didn't dispatch a ninja on the same level as the Sannin, she believed no one could get the better of Toroi.
Because Toroi was a Jonin of Kumogakure and possessed the Kekkei Genkai, Magnet Release (Magnet Release).