Konoha,
Root base,
The familiar group of four gathered once again.
"Danzō, this is the plan you spent five years creating?"
Homura couldn't help but question him.
Five years… five whole years.
He had given Danzō so much funding and convenience along the way, and in the end, it lost to something like "falling pork prices"?
How could that not be frustrating?
"Danzō, what other plans do you have? The matter with Orochimaru must be put on the agenda."
Koharu added.
"Hmph, everything is still within my expectations. What do you people understand? Just wait and see what happens next."
Shimura Danzō said firmly.
Koharu and Homura both looked at Danzō with strange expressions—a blatant "I don't believe you."
Sigh.
"Danzō, how are things going with the Hidden Rain Village?"
???
Koharu and Homura shared the same confusion: You had another plan behind our backs? Well done, Hiruzen. Well done, Danzō.
"Hanzō agreed. His condition is that the Land of Fire will take the lead in proposing that the Land of Rain be promoted to one of the six great nations, and that Hanzō himself becomes a Rain Kage on the same level as the Hokage."
"Wishful thinking. A tiny country, a pitiful little village, and yet he dares to speak so arrogantly."
Koharu snapped without hesitation.
"This precedent cannot be set. If the Land of Rain becomes one of the six great nations, then what about the already strong Land of Iron? And a Rain Kage? Even the Hidden Waterfall Village, which possesses the Seven-Tails, wouldn't dare make such a demand."
Homura added.
"Koharu, Homura, it's just a verbal agreement. And after this matter is over, Hanzō won't dare to say such things again."
Hiruzen said confidently.
"Hiruzen, what's your next move?"
Homura asked.
"It was originally the next step after Danzō's plan succeeded, but now it should be treated as the primary plan—use overwhelming military achievements to push Orochimaru onto the path of becoming the Fourth Hokage."
Hiruzen said.
Orochimaru… to make you the Fourth Hokage, I've truly exhausted myself as your teacher.
Second Hokage Senju Tobirama: Isn't the next Hokage just appointed by the current one? It's just a single sentence.
First Hokage Senju Hashirama: Doesn't someone naturally take over as the next Hokage? You don't even need to say anything.
"Danzō, explain the details of your arrangement with Hanzō. I'll mobilize personnel."
"I'll handle funding and logistics reserves."
Koharu and Homura were already used to it—
Hiruzen and Danzō made the plans, and the two of them ran the errands.
"The preliminary agreement is this: Hanzō will maintain a stalemate with Konoha on the battlefield for half a year, then be defeated by Orochimaru. After that, we will join forces with the Hidden Rain Village to attack the Land of Earth."
"Trading an offensive against the Land of Earth for a victory over the Land of Rain… that's a loss. Ōnoki's Hidden Stone is far stronger than Hanzō's Hidden Rain."
Homura analyzed.
"Exactly. Ōnoki's Hidden Stone is powerful, which is why it must be weakened. We all know what kind of strength the Hidden Sand, which didn't participate in the First War, showed in the Second War. So a Hidden Stone that suffered almost no losses in the Second War is something Konoha cannot allow to remain intact."
A dangerous glint appeared in Hiruzen's eyes.
He had killing intent.
"Then how do we deploy personnel? With two battlefields, we'll need to consider troop distribution."
Koharu asked.
"Orochimaru will lead our direct forces to the Land of Rain. This is a guaranteed victory—our people should also gain some achievements."
"As for the Hidden Stone front, throw all the ninja clans over there. Let them fight Ōnoki to the death. No matter who wins or loses, it fits our plan."
Danzō said viciously.
Hidden Stone: Aburame Shiken, Senju Hideki, Uchiha Kamito, Inuzuka Ryoha, Hyūga Hiyasu—you're sending all of them? So we're the real target.
"That's not appropriate. The combined strength of the ninja clans is too great."
Koharu said.
"One Uchiha clan member, and one from another clan. A qualified Uchiha can turn any teammate into an enemy."
Homura said.
No one understood the Uchiha temperament better than the four of them.
"Fine, then Senju."
"The Senju have declined to that extent—can they still send people?"
"The Senju may have declined, but there are still plenty of Senju supporters. And hasn't the current clan head, Senju Hideki, been gaining momentum lately? Time to suppress him a bit. Young people shouldn't rise too early."
"Exactly. And as long as a Senju wants to become Hokage, as long as their strength meets the standard, no one can stop them."
Tsunade: Personally tested—didn't even want to become Hokage but was forced into it. So annoying.
"Don't be jealous. The Senju's prestige was built by a group of lunatics who traded their lives for it. Unless another group like that appears, no one will surpass them."
"How could that be? There won't be another batch of fools like that."
"So that's the general plan. I'll go make preparations—need to coordinate funding with the Daimyō's office again. What a hassle."
Homura left first.
During wartime, he was exhausted as the finance minister.
After the war, he was still exhausted as the finance minister.
Even in peacetime, he was still exhausted as the finance minister.
Damn it—where's the justice in that? Where's the law?
Aburame Shiken: Ah, mining coal feels great. I've been spending money so hard and still can't finish it. So frustrating.
The remaining three refined some details, then dispersed.
...
Back in the Hokage's office,
Hiruzen summoned—
Orochimaru.
With a pale face and heavy dark circles under his eyes, Orochimaru stood there.
"What's wrong with your eyes?"
"I've just been conducting experiments for several days straight. Nothing serious—no need to worry."
"In half a year, you'll lead a force to the Land of Rain. Prepare yourself."
"Danzō-sama has already informed me of everything. I will act according to the plan."
"Ah… good."
Hiruzen wanted to say something more to Orochimaru, but didn't know what to say.
"Sensei, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Ah… alright."
As Orochimaru walked away,
Hiruzen watched him with reluctance in his eyes.
Outside the window, among the ANBU guarding the Hokage, Sarutobi Shinnosuke clenched his teeth so hard they nearly shattered.
...
(A/N: After finishing a chapter, what if the word count isn't enough?)
Late at night,
Uchiha Kamito and Inuzuka Ryoha quietly sneaked into the Hyūga clan compound.
"I'm telling you, is this plan even reliable?"
Ryoha asked skeptically.
"Relax. Hyūga Hiyasu has a habit of sleeping naked. We'll secretly take photos of him—I have to vent my anger."
"And how do you know he sleeps naked?"
Ryoha gave Kamito a strange look.
Something's wrong with you.
"That's not important."
"Right, not important."
"Who's there?!"
Hyūga Hiyasu suddenly appeared.
"You're trying to ambush a Hyūga with the Byakugan? Am I seeing things, or are you two just idiots? Die—Gentle Fist!"
"Damn it, Uchiha Kamito! I shouldn't have trusted you!"
"Damn it, this has nothing to do with me! Hyūga Hiyasu, have you had your Byakugan activated this whole time?!"
The Hyūga compound once again welcomed a noisy night.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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