Chapter 110: The Undercurrents In The Ninja World (Part 2)

"The Hidden Stone Village has reportedly organized a massive army in preparation for war, according to intelligence from the Anbu."

"We, too, shall inevitably be involved in the next Shinobi War!"

Dodai nodded, analyzing the situation.

"Our primary enemy remains the Hidden Stone. Given our historical enmity, it is impossible for us to form an alliance with them."

"Konoha is not our main adversary. There is no need for us to provoke them."

"The Daimyo is fully supportive of our current policies. Just the other day, he allocated an additional 900 million ryō to bolster our military funds."

The Third Raikage nodded in satisfaction and said, "Unlike the other Hidden Villages, where the nobles are like insects concerned only with their luxuries, our Daimyo remains a respectable figure."

"However, the village's high-level combat strength still needs improvement. The Hidden Stone's methods won't work on the battlefield. Only shinobi like me can truly sway the tide of battle."

A twinge of unease passed over A's face. He seemed to sense what the Third Raikage was about to say.

"Send word: B will be sent to the Falls of Truth in a week."

"Also, issue a village-wide order to gather any willing shinobi to become the host of the Two-Tails, promising special rewards!"

A opened his mouth, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately bowed his head in silence.

The current host of the Eight-Tails was B, A's cousin and the Third Raikage's nephew. The two were close, but B had struggled to control the Eight-Tails within him. His inability had caused significant harm to the Hidden Cloud Village.

If B was sent to the Falls of Truth without having undergone proper training, there was no doubt that death awaited him.

"As a village leader, everything must be for the sake of the Cloud Village. Even my own kin must serve the village's future."

"If the time ever comes for me to sacrifice myself for the village, I will not hesitate!"

"And you, as my son and future successor, must also be prepared to carry this burden."

The Third Raikage placed a large hand on A's shoulder, as if seeing through his thoughts, and spoke solemnly.

A's entire body trembled, and he replied with a firm voice, "I understand, Raikage-sama!"

Seeing his son's reaction, the Third Raikage sighed before offering a detailed explanation.

"Our village's tailed beasts must be deployed as weapons of war. A tailed beast that we cannot control will only drain our resources and bring disaster upon us."

"Konoha's Nine-Tails is beyond their control. That leaves our Eight-Tails as the strongest tailed beast in the ninja world. Once released onto the battlefield, it will be unstoppable!"

Dodai coughed, drawing the attention of the Raikage and his son back to a new topic.

"As for Konoha, we might be able to leverage their internal conflicts for our village's benefit."

"Reports from merchant caravans suggest that the Uchiha clan has been at odds with Konoha's higher-ups. The conflict is intensifying and has even become a public confrontation."

"During the three months that Uchiha Fuma has been missing, Konoha's leadership has grown more aggressive, testing the Uchiha, which has fueled considerable unrest."

The Third Raikage nodded thoughtfully, signaling Dodai to continue.

A, on the other hand, looked completely baffled.

"In the last war, although Konoha repelled the Hidden Sand and Hidden Rain, they suffered significant losses. There is considerable dissent within Konoha regarding the Third Hokage's leadership."

"If we send an emissary to propose an alliance with the Third Hokage now, he would be inclined to agree, even at a cost, to strengthen his political standing."

"Forming an alliance with us would allow him to achieve something even his mentor couldn't, which would greatly bolster his standing in the village."

"As a result, he would likely be willing to compromise in some areas. We could send shinobi to Konoha under the guise of an alliance, and then seize the opportunity to recruit talented shinobi with unique abilities to bolster our own forces."

"This would essentially be an unspoken agreement between us and the Third Hokage."

A's eyes widened in disbelief. Dodai's suggestion was beyond what he could have imagined, but it sounded incredibly convincing.

After a long pause, A tentatively asked, "Isn't targeting the Uchiha clan's Sharingan a bit too risky?"

Noticing the bemused expressions of the Third Raikage and Dodai, A quickly closed his mouth.

Dodai waved dismissively, signaling that A needn't worry, and patiently explained.

"Aiming for the Uchiha clan would only make the Third Hokage more cautious and reveal our intentions too clearly."

"Moreover, Uchiha Fuma is not someone to trifle with. If we anger him, and he retaliates against the Cloud, even the Third Hokage wouldn't be able to restrain him with village laws. It would be a loss for us."

"My suggested target is the Hyuga clan. The Byakugan is invaluable on the battlefield, and the rate of its activation is far higher than the Sharingan."

"Additionally, with the Uchiha clan rising in prominence, the other clans in Konoha are growing restless. If we can help suppress the Hyuga clan's influence, the Third Hokage would likely cooperate."

The Third Raikage clapped his large hand, looked at Dodai, then pointed to A with a sigh.

"Our village has a bright future thanks to Dodai's guidance. You, my son, need to learn from him."

"Draft the orders: in one week, we will send an official letter to the Third Hokage, proposing an alliance!"

A looked at Dodai with admiration. After years of focusing on his taijutsu training, today felt like a door to new knowledge had opened before him.

.......

At the Hidden Mist Village~

The Third Mizukage's face was twisted in fury. The Seven Swordsmen, dispatched to the Hidden Grass Village for a mission, had failed to report back for three months.

There was no doubt—they had been killed. According to Mist's spies within the Hidden Stone, the culprit seemed to be Uchiha Fuma of Konoha.

"Have those Konoha shinobi forgotten the glory of our victory in annihilating the Uzumaki clan? How dare they provoke us like this!"

Beside him, Gengetsu, the Mist's representative elder, remained expressionless. As the voice of the various ninja clans, he held authority and influence on par with the Mizukage.

Despite the Mizukage's anger, Gengetsu remained indifferent.

"And what do you plan to do, Mizukage-sama?"

"Under your leadership, the Mist is already engulfed in internal strife. A significant number of bloodline ninja have rebelled and established a stronghold in the Land of Waves, forming a troublesome faction."

"With our current manpower and morale, do we really have the strength to declare war on Konoha?"

A layer of violent tailed beast chakra flickered across the Mizukage's body as he glared coldly at Gengetsu.

"Those bloodline ninja refuse to accept my leadership as Mizukage. They are nothing but unstable elements. Eliminating them would only strengthen our forces."

"Whether it's Kinkaku and Ginkaku from the Cloud or the Uchiha from Konoha, they all prove one thing: power must reside with the Kage!"

Gengetsu shook his head, sighing at the Mizukage's violent aura.

"Mizukage-sama, it's not that the clans refuse to follow you. They only seek proper treatment."

The Mizukage let out a derisive laugh, as though he had heard a joke, and spoke in a low voice.

"Enough. Deal with the ninja clans that participated in the rebellion, and we'll consider the matter closed."

"As for Konoha, once I have the chance, I will personally use the power of the tailed beasts to settle this humiliation, stroke by stroke!"

Gengetsu sighed and respectfully bowed before leaving the meeting room.

"Those damned clans and old geezers are the ones hindering the Mist's revival!"

Once alone, the Mizukage smashed the desk in front of him, roaring in anger.

...

Konoha~

"I hope you can give me this opportunity."

Danzo knelt on the ground, earnestly pleading with Uzumaki Mito.

"Mito-sama, I am fully prepared and will be able to control the power of the Nine-Tails."

Mito sighed softly but didn't respond immediately. With her mastery of sealing techniques over the decades, she had never been able to completely control the power of the Nine-Tails. How could Danzo possibly achieve that?

But now, the situation had reached a point where there was simply no one else to rely on.

"Danzo, the power of the Nine-Tails is extremely dangerous. According to legends, it is the embodiment of malice accumulated over millennia."

"If you fail to control this power and cause the Nine-Tails to go on a rampage, not only will you perish, but the damage to Konoha would be beyond calculation."

Danzo quickly interjected, clearly having prepared his response long in advance. Throughout his life, his greatest failures had stemmed from hesitation and slow reactions.

"Mito-sama, after sealing the Nine-Tails, I will set up the 'Reverse Four Symbols Sealing' technique within my body. If the Nine-Tails escapes, I will use my life to ensure Konoha's safety."

The Third Hokage was startled by these words; this wasn't something he and Danzo had discussed beforehand.

"That is unacceptable, Danzo!"

"Even disregarding whether the 'Reverse Four Symbols Sealing' can contain the Nine-Tails, if it succeeds, it will mean the loss of the Nine-Tails' power for Konoha!"

"If you are so unsure about controlling the Nine-Tails, then let me bear this responsibility!"

Danzo, visibly angered, yelled at the Third Hokage in frustration, "Stay out of this, Hiruzen!"

"As the Hokage's advisor, this is my responsibility to bear!"

"How can you, as the Hokage, become a jinchuriki? Don't say such disrespectful things!"

At this moment, Danzo even used Hiruzen's title as Hokage to shut him down. It was clear that Danzo was determined to acquire the power of the Nine-Tails.

Mito sighed again, feeling a headache from the unfolding drama.

The designated jinchuriki had been pushed aside by these two students of Tobirama, leading to this situation.

Originally, she had wanted to discuss the matter of the Nine-Tails with Fuma and Tsunade together. However, Tsunade was currently in Ryūchi Cave training in senjutsu and couldn't be contacted, and Fuma had been away on a mission for months.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, the Nine-Tails within Mito opened its eyes, sensing something both familiar and detestable.

"Satori? How is this guy in Konoha at this time?"

"Has the Box of Ultimate Bliss been opened by foolish humans again?"

Mito's expression changed as well. Her extraordinary sensory abilities detected a demonic aura rapidly approaching Konoha. Then her brows relaxed, for she knew who had returned to the village.

When it came to her enigmatic grandson-in-law, she had adopted a hands-off approach.

It was obvious that Fuma wasn't someone who could be swayed by familial or emotional ties when making major decisions.

Rather than trying to use his relationship with Tsunade as leverage, Mito thought it better to let her granddaughter enjoy a happy and carefree life, free from the complex web of village politics.

"Hiruzen, Danzo, come back in a few days. The matter of the Nine-Tails is too important; I need more time to consider."

"However, Danzo, if there are no unforeseen circumstances, you should start preparing."

Danzo, elated, respectfully said, "There will be no unforeseen circumstances, Mito-sama!"

At that moment, both Danzo and the Third Hokage sensed it—a familiar yet unfamiliar powerful presence rapidly approaching Konoha.

.......

At the Entrance of Konoha~

The barrier above Konoha trembled violently under the force of a terrifying gale, seemingly on the verge of shattering at any moment.

Fuma hovered in the sky, his black wings stretching wide, blotting out the sun. He looked down with amusement at Fugaku, whose face was filled with shock.

"Fugaku, it's been months. Why are you still assigned to gate duty?"

"Have you really fallen this low?"

Fugaku's posture moments ago had been comical. As the gatekeeper, he wasn't standing tall and scanning the passersby with vigilance.

Instead, he was slumped in his seat like an old man, holding a scroll of ninjutsu notes, occasionally nodding as he read, deeply engrossed in his study.

"Brother Fuma, you're finally back!"

Recovering from his shock, Fugaku ran joyfully into the shadow of Fuma's wings, waving his arms in excitement.

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