The Hokage Building.
Conference room.
Hiruzen stood at the front of the platform, behind him a massive map of the shinobi world.
Seated below were the current "Konoha Committee" members, listening intently to the Hokage's deployment.
"Kusagakure directly borders the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth, but the northern part of the corridor between the Land of Frost and the Land of Iron is under the de facto control of the Land of Lightning. Along the corridor through the Land of Rain and the Land of Birds, there are spies from Sunagakure."
"So, if we want the Great Hidden Villages not to intervene directly, we must first carry out a coercive expulsion."
Hiruzen tapped the map.
"Around the three directions bordering the Land of Grass, we must have renowned shinobi lead the teams and apply sufficient pressure, forcing those shinobi who are not from Kusagakure to withdraw from the Land of Grass and be driven back to the border line."
"And once they reach the border line, given the current situation of the shinobi world, the renowned shinobi of the other hidden villages will also be there to receive their spies, and will engage with us in negotiations or questioning."
"Most likely they will not open fire directly, but if fighting breaks out, we will counterattack as well! However, the overall strategic objective is still to buy time for the forces clearing out Kusagakure."
"That is to say, within the time it takes for the spies of the other hidden villages to retreat to the border line, we must take down Kusagakure!"
"First establish a fait accompli and seize the initiative…"
Hiruzen said in a low voice: "According to intelligence, Kusagakure is divided into two factions, already locked in an irreconcilable struggle."
"Among them, the high-level members of the militant faction all wear animal masks on their heads. Upon encountering them, kill them immediately."
"As for the remaining Kusa shinobi, we may first order them to abandon resistance, but any act of defiance is still to be met with lethal force."
"First eliminate the high-level resisting forces and dismantle their organizational cohesion. A small hidden village already mired in internal strife has a fragile structure; once it loses its leaders, it will find it difficult to mount any effective counterattack."
Hiruzen's tone was not loud, and his voice relatively steady, yet it was filled with killing intent.
Three instances of "kill" in succession seemed as if they would cleave Kusagakure in two with a single stroke.
"Let us clarify the expectations of this military operation. First, to rescue the Konoha shinobi and their descendants abducted by Kusagakure. We cannot stand by and watch our own people suffer in a foreign land."
"Second, the protection and development of our industries. We need military prestige to make the nobles of the Land of Fire place greater trust in the village, to break the covetous intentions of the other hidden villages, so that we may maintain a relatively peaceful period of development."
"Time stands on our side."
"Therefore, after taking down Kusagakure, the subsequent actions will be equally critical."
The "Konoha Committee" members all nodded in succession, strongly supporting Hiruzen's decision this time.
In a village where the Will of Fire now shone brightly—or even in the former Konoha—going to rescue companions abducted by hyenas was, everywhere under heaven, a matter of law and justice.
Even Jiraiya, who harbored a certain degree of anti-war sentiment, was quite stirred at this moment—he practically wished he could charge in right now!
Being anti-war meant hoping for peace, not letting others hit you without hitting back.
When your own people had been captured and made into slaves and human batteries, saying anything else was useless!
"First, after rescuing the shinobi captured by Kusagakure based on intelligence, classify them on the spot and have them line up quickly and in an orderly manner according to each hidden village."
"During this period, the Uchiha, Kurama, and Yamanaka clans' shinobi will use genjutsu to conduct subconscious hypnosis."
"Pay attention: once we have the results of killing the high-level members of Kusagakure's militant faction, we must quickly read the information in their minds and find the location of the Box of Bliss."
"Danzō, you will take a group of ANBU and escort the Box of Bliss back to Konohagakure. It must be fast, and the movements must be covert."
"If you encounter manuscripts, the Uchiha clan's shinobi will make copies. We can transcribe them after we return… As for valuables, we can divide them together with the other victimized hidden villages. There is no need to invite trouble over such a small amount of money."
Attacking Kusagakure had its greatest strategic significance in providing endorsement for Senju Tobirama's identity, and in rescuing Konoha's shinobi.
Now there was an additional Box of Bliss. If all three of these points were achieved, then Konohagakure would have profited greatly.
Engaging in large-scale plundering of valuables and manuscripts would make it easy for the other hidden villages to use as a pretext; diplomatically, it would put Konohagakure at a disadvantage, and it would also be unfavorable for promoting Konoha's products and values.
Most importantly, the gains would not be very large.
What Konohagakure needed now was time and reputation. Even if you squeezed Kusagakure dry, there would only be a few drops of oil.
"After the matters on Kusagakure's side are handled, the three routes of our shinobi that have reached the border will directly notify them to lead their teams to Kusagakure to receive their people, and on site negotiate Kusagakure's compensation to the victims and what follows."
"With this layer of justice, it will not be easy for them to make a fuss."
"No one hopes that after someone has rescued their own people, they will still condemn the one who lent a hand…" Hiruzen gave a cold laugh.
"Besides, it's not as if we didn't let them get a little bit of oil. Smart people will keep their mouths shut."
"On this point they have no moral standing—or rather, any village that lets its own people suffer grievances has no moral standing."
The various "Konoha Committee" members nodded deeply in agreement.
They could imagine that scene…
Iwagakure shinobi who had been imprisoned were rescued by Konoha, and their village came to take them back…
Yet their own hidden village would then turn around and condemn Konoha—especially when Konoha had not carried out large-scale plundering of Kusagakure, and instead had jointly negotiated compensation in resources from Kusagakure…
So what, exactly, would that be trying to express?
That as long as you encountered misfortune—or made a mistake—your own hidden village no longer treated you as a person, was that it?
No matter what, they would have to pinch their noses and express some thanks.
"Jiraiya, Orochimaru, Sakumo."
"Each of you will lead an elite team. Split into three routes, responsible for expelling the spies of the other hidden villages and for the subsequent negotiations."
"Danzō, Hizashi, Fugaku, and Minato—you will lead the elite of the ANBU, the patrol forces, and the guard division, and carry out a decapitation-style strike against Kusagakure. You must resolve the battle within one hour and organize on-site order."
"The relevant intelligence is on everyone's tables."
"If there are any problems, raise them immediately after reviewing it. Everything can be coordinated and resolved."
The Konoha Committee members nodded in acknowledgment.
The mission appeared somewhat difficult—to dismantle a hidden village within one hour, even if it was a small one…
Especially since not all of Konoha's armed forces were being mobilized.
Jiraiya and the other two were now the backbone of Konoha; they would not directly participate in this operation.
Yet after examining it carefully, no one raised any objections.
Because a united Konoha indeed possessed a comprehensiveness that the other hidden villages did not.
Under Danzō's intelligence compilation, the internal structure of Kusagakure and Hōzuki Castle, as well as the personnel lists, were laid out as if transparent—only the architectural blueprints were missing from being written on top.
In addition, with Hizashi leading the team, the elite of the branch family's Byakugan would conduct all-round scanning, preventing any ambushes.
And with Minato's Flying Thunder God used for flanking breakthroughs, it was completely unreasonable.
Once inside Kusagakure, the elite three-tomoe Uchiha squad led by Fugaku would be able to deliver a dimensionality-reducing strike against Kusagakure's shinobi.
There was a saying that had long circulated within the jōnin circle…
If you do not possess strength close to that of a 'Kage,' do not face a three-tomoe Uchiha one-on-one…
"Sensei, I have a proposal!" Tsunade raised her hand and spoke loudly.
"Let me switch with Sakumo. I will lead the team; he can go to Kusagakure!"
Hiruzen's brows furrowed.
He knew that Tsunade currently had a problem…
After experiencing the Second Shinobi World War, Tsunade had developed an extremely severe hemophobia. At the sight of blood, her limbs would grow weak, her consciousness would blur, and she would lose her combat state.
Conducting research was naturally no problem.
But if she were to lead a team, it was possible that they might engage in combat with spies.
In such a condition, Tsunade could not shoulder such a heavy responsibility.
As if sensing Hiruzen's doubt, Tsunade immediately bit down hard on her finger and stared directly at the blood.
She did not tremble, nor did she faint. She only frowned slightly, yet remained conscious.
"Sensei, this is not war. This is to rescue our comrades."
"Ever since you said that the 'Medical Scroll' would be named after Nawaki, I dreamed of him."
"Nawaki said he hoped that I, as his elder sister, would become strong and inherit his will to become Hokage. And a Hokage cannot fear blood—whether it is one's own or the enemy's."
"Even if it is our own people's…"
"So, Sensei, I have come back!" Tsunade clenched her fist tightly as she said this.
Hiruzen was taken aback.
No—I dreamed of Tobirama-sensei. That was just something I said casually…
But seeing Tsunade in such a resolute state, it did not seem like she was lying.
And Tsunade indeed had dreamed of Nawaki—but most likely it had not truly been Nawaki visiting her in a dream.
Rather, it was a kind of self-internalization of her obsession.
After witnessing Konoha's rapid development, and seeing how it treated shinobi as living, breathing individuals while strongly supporting her medical work, Tsunade had in fact already begun to feel somewhat better.
The village, which once showed signs of fragmentation, was now gradually integrating into a unified whole.
Whether it was the Sarutobi faction, Hiruko, the Hyūga, the Uchiha…
Even that hard-to-evaluate Hokage advisor, Danzō, was exhausting himself for the sake of the village…
Such an atmosphere had influenced Tsunade and finally made her understand what she truly wanted in her heart.
It was true that she feared the departure of those closest to her.
But what she feared even more was meaningless, unprotected sacrifice.
That their deaths would be like weeds, blown away by the cruel winds of the shinobi world, leaving no trace behind.
A coldness that could not even shake the present situation in the slightest.
But now, all of these problems were being improved in an orderly and forceful manner.
And so that so-called hemophobia had naturally come close to recovery.
The Konoha Committee members applauded vigorously for Tsunade, celebrating the return of the Princess of Konoha.
Interestingly, however, two people found something about this rather peculiar.
If you've returned, then you've returned—but what exactly do you mean by saying you intend to inherit Nawaki's will to become Hokage?
There's no need for that!
Those two people were naturally Danzō and Orochimaru.
Orochimaru was pleased that Tsunade had recovered, yet at the same time he felt somewhat troubled.
He understood Tsunade. He knew just how stubborn this woman could be once she made up her mind. She would not yield the position of Hokage simply because he was her childhood friend…
If she said she would compete, then she truly meant to compete.
'However, if Tsunade wants to compete, so be it… With her temperament, she cannot manage all those twists and turns. She will not interfere with my research; on the contrary, she will only devote herself even more.'
'It's merely healthy competition…' Orochimaru consoled himself in this way.
At the same time, however, he felt a faint regret regarding his own life maxim.
Change is not necessarily a good thing…
At times, it may bring both joy and worry.
Danzō, on the other hand, thought more directly. The pressure on him suddenly increased considerably.
Tsunade's status within Konoha was extraordinarily transcendent.
Take, for instance, how she had just directly addressed Hiruzen as "Sensei" in such a formal meeting…
Danzō could nitpick at Orochimaru, but he could not nitpick at Tsunade.
Because this one was truly a princess who, from the moment she left her mother's womb, had been carried around by the First-sama—someone Senju Hashirama had adored beyond measure since she was little…
Although her temperament was somewhat overbearing, at heart she was very kind.
Her medical ninjutsu had saved no one knew how many Konoha shinobi, and she enjoyed excellent popularity within the village.
If one tried to make an issue of that, the only one who would be hurt would be Danzō himself.
Although Danzō's reputation had improved somewhat with Hiruzen's help…
If one day he used his old method of slapping labels onto Tsunade, it would instantly backfire upon him…
It was as if she possessed "magic immunity."
Danzō let his thoughts run wild, but after a moment he steadied his mind.
For now, there was only one course: work diligently and contend for the position of Hokage step by step with tangible achievements…
After all, he believed Hiruzen to be fair.
Even if Tsunade was the granddaughter of the First and Second, Hiruzen's disciple, and the princess of the Land of Fire…
Danzō still believed that Hiruzen would not entrust the position to an unworthy person.
At that moment, Jiraiya beside them suddenly raised his hand and shouted, "Sensei, I also want to become Hokage!"
He did not mean anything else by it; it was mainly that Tsunade and Orochimaru had already openly declared their competition…
Leaving only him in the Sarutobi team, which made him seem rather out of place.
But when Jiraiya said this, a burst of good-natured laughter inexplicably spread through the room. Everyone assumed he was joking…
Jiraiya's face instantly turned bright red.
What—was it just because he was usually a bit unserious, and had once complained that being Hokage was meaningless?
Did everyone really have to laugh at him like this!
"Enough. Do not keep talking about becoming Hokage all the time. Everyone has their own measure in their hearts…"
Hiruzen smiled as he gestured for Jiraiya to sit down, then nodded to Tsunade and said, "Then this part will be entrusted to you, Tsunade. Sakumo, do you have any issues on your side?"
Sakumo stood and replied, "No. However, there is one situation I need to report to you…
"If Minato and I act together, the time required to take down Kusagakure can be shortened by fifteen minutes."
Sakumo had sparred with Minato before and knew just how unreasonable his Flying Thunder God Technique was.
Without prior preparation, almost most shinobi would fall victim to that 'first-encounter kill.'
And as long as Minato teleported him and the elite Uchiha inside…
Against Kusagakure, which lacked heavily armored defensive units such as the Third Raikage, Jinchūriki, or large-scale destructive ninjutsu…
It would almost be like cutting grass.
Their two fighting styles were too well suited for dealing with ordinary shinobi. Together, they even produced a kind of chemical reaction…
"Good!"
"Then—move out!" Hiruzen waved his hand.
After several years, Konoha's war machine began to turn once more.
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