Kapitel 280: CH - 275 Danzo's strategy!

"Punish the Wicked, Destroy the Grass Thieves!" The slogan of the Four Great Shinobi Villages Alliance reverberated across the shinobi world early that morning.

With the Four Great Shinobi Villages forming a ninja coalition and mobilizing their troops at the border of the Land of Wind, it became clear that they were preparing to launch an attack on Sand Village.

However, the situation took an unexpected turn. Why were they denouncing Grass Village? While it was not unusual for the shinobi world to harbor disdain for Grass Village—after all, who didn't scowl at the mere mention of its name—why were they specifically targeting Grass Village when their focus was supposed to be on Sand Village?

This puzzling development left many ninjas and village leaders scratching their heads. Were the Four Great Shinobi Villages planning to strike Sand Village or Grass Village? What was the true objective behind this announcement?

As rumors swirled and uncertainty grew, everyone turned their attention to that morning's edition of the Shinobi Times Daily, featuring riskily reported news by a renowned journalist.

…

Bathed in the soft light of dawn, the coalition of the Four Great Shinobi Villages stood poised at the border of the Land of Wind. From a distance, their amassed forces appeared as a formidable, dark expanse.

At the heart of their formation, a banner fluttered in the wind, emblazoned with the slogan, 'Punish the Wicked, Destroy the Grass Thieves,' a bold declaration of their wartime resolve.

Despite the fervent declarations of their slogan, the true target of the Four Great Shinobi Villages was not Grass Village. Their actual aim was the already abandoned Sand Village. Their strategy was to exploit Sand Village's weakened state, divide its remnants, and further their own interests at the expense of Sand Village's remnants.

Once a powerful member of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Sand Village had been gravely weakened by a series of calamities. The untimely deaths of the Third and Fourth Kazekage, coupled with the abandonment by the Land of Wind's daimyo, had led to severe economic and military setbacks.

The Four Great Shinobi Villages did not seek to annihilate Sand Village entirely. Though the daimyo had ordered its dissolution and placed a substantial bounty on it, the leaders of the Four Great Shinobi Villages were aware that completely destroying Sand Village could have far-reaching consequences for them as well. They were shinobi too, and the potential repercussions of such a total obliteration were not lost on them.

Therefore, the optimal outcome for the Four Great Shinobi Villages was to restore balance. The daimyo would come to recognize the vital role of the shinobi villages, while the villages would continue to fulfill their agreed-upon roles.

However, the conflict made the decline of Sand Village all but inevitable. Even if a compromise were reached, the absence of daimyo support and the loss of their Kazekage meant that Sand Village would likely struggle to maintain its status as one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.

At this moment, Danzo, appointed as the chief strategist for this operation, moved through the ranks of the ninja coalition, leaning on his cane. As he surveyed the disciplined forces, a hint of satisfaction flickered within him. This grand endeavor was destined for success.

Following this campaign, Konoha would no longer face financial constraints. Although Sand Village had declined, it remained one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, rich in resources. Danzo was confident that a successful operation would allow him to realize his own ambitions.

Konoha was currently under the influence of Grass Village, with even the children engrossed in their movies. This cultural encroachment had severely undermined Konoha's spirit. Hiruzen's outdated thinking failed to grasp the significance of these issues, leaving Danzo as the village's last hope. If it weren't for Danzo's efforts, Konoha might already have fallen. Time was running out, and Danzo needed to execute his plan swiftly to save the village.

From his position in the rear, Danzo would oversee the operation as the strategist. He was certain that, with the combined strength of the Four Great Shinobi Villages, overcoming Sand Village would be a mere formality.

With calm confidence, Danzo stood at the forefront, gripping his cane, and declared, "We shall be victorious in this battle!"

His words, though untroubled and serene, exuded a potent confidence. The poise and authority of the seasoned shinobi strategist were evident, earning admiration from the leaders and representatives of the Four Great Shinobi Villages.

Internally, they nodded in agreement. It was clear why both the Third Hokage and the leader of Grass Village valued him so highly. If their goal was to bring down Konoha, eliminating Danzo would be a crucial step.

Despite the recent turmoil and Konoha's diminished strength, it remained a breeding ground for exceptional talent. Veteran figures like the Third Hokage and his disciples had steadfastly protected and guided the village. The younger generation, including the likes of Kakashi Hatake, had also matured into formidable shinobi.

The high-ranking officials of the Four Great Shinobi Villages exchanged subtle glances. The alliance, born from a mix of temporary interests and the machinations of Konoha's shadowy influence, had united them. Yet, beneath the surface, old rivalries and competitive spirits remained.

The aging Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, cast a weary glance at Danzo and sighed inwardly. Stone Village, like Konoha and Sand Village in recent years, had also faced its share of challenges.

The village was grappling with a shortage of successors and severe internal conflicts. For example, his agreement with Konoha's declaration of war had already displeased their Jinchuriki.

Despite these troubles, Stone Village had one slight advantage: they had begun their recovery process ahead of Konoha.

Reflecting on this, Onoki stepped forward, his expression serious. "Advisor Danzo, I have a question."

Danzo raised an eyebrow and replied, "Third Tsuchikage, please, go ahead."

Onoki's probing tone made Danzo wary, but he maintained his composure. "We are allies now. If anyone has concerns, they should voice them."

Onoki sighed, "As expected of Konoha's strategist," and continued earnestly, "How can we ensure fairness, justice, and transparency in this battle? What if Konoha deliberately puts our ninjas at risk?"

The other leaders exchanged uneasy glances at Onoki's probing questions.

Danzo cursed inwardly but tapped his cane on the ground with deliberate calm. "With everyone here, if I were to act recklessly, it would be noted. I trust that the Third Tsuchikage would not simply stand by if I overstepped my bounds."

Onoki nodded, "That is fair. Very well, we will be keeping a close watch."

With this exchange, the leaders of the other Great Shinobi Villages were reassured and ready to proceed with their mission. The coalition would soon march on Sand Village.

As orders were issued and the ninja forces began their advance into the Land of Wind, Hiruzen Sarutobi, his face etched with concern, pulled Danzo aside. Taking a deep drag from his pipe, he whispered, "Danzo, I've had a troubling feeling all morning. Are you truly confident about this? The Four Great Shinobi Villages are united for now, but if something goes awry, it could ignite another Shinobi war. Konoha cannot afford more conflict."

Danzo's eyes narrowed slightly, and he smirked. "Relax, Hiruzen. You're becoming overly cautious. I've already assured you, our real target was never Grass Village." His gaze glinted with a hint of ambition. "Once this battle is over, Konoha's financial concerns will be a thing of the past."

He continued, "As for the Four Great Shinobi Villages unless Sand Village is genuinely dissolved, this alliance will hold until we achieve our objectives." Danzo cast a sidelong glance at Hiruzen, his smile unwavering. "You don't really believe Sand Village will disband so easily, do you?"

"No, that's impossible," Hiruzen replied, shaking his head. "It's still one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages."

"Precisely," Danzo agreed, nodding emphatically. "A great shinobi village like Sand Village won't just vanish overnight."

The two exchanged a knowing smile and nodded in mutual understanding. Reassured by Danzo's confidence, Hiruzen felt a weight lift from his shoulders. "If that's the case, I'll leave the matter in your hands. There are pressing issues in the village that require my attention. I must return."

"Rest assured," Danzo replied smoothly. "Sand Village won't disband so easily."

…

Meanwhile, in Sand Village, Akihiko and Hanzo stood in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on Chiyo. Bewildered, they exchanged puzzled glances, struggling to grasp the gravity of the situation.

For a moment, they were speechless. Had Sand Village truly decided to disband overnight? What on earth had transpired while they were asleep?