If Hanzo of the Salamander was truly behind all this, then why would he be guiding the conflict?
Once conflict escalates, war can break out at any moment.
And when war breaks out, the first to suffer would be the Land of Rain, which would inevitably become the battleground for the great nations.
Is Hanzo just planning to let everything go down the drain?
It doesn't quite make sense. Shaking his head slightly, Takashi spoke:
"Akimichi Torifu is right. Whether the Sand Village is deliberately provoking or someone else is pulling the strings, the final outcome could very well be an all-out war. We have to be ready."
"But you shouldn't go to the frontlines."
"Why not?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.
Takashi replied solemnly: "From the village's perspective, you should be on the frontlines.
But from our perspective, you can't. You need to stay in the village."
"If the situation continues to escalate, I'm afraid Danzo Shimura will be brought back into the fold. Having you stay in the village is a way to counter this.
As for Danzo, it's better to keep him locked up."
When tensions rise and war breaks out, knowing the Third Hokage's character, he'd certainly want to bring Danzo back, pulling him out of prison.
But someone as insidious and ambitious as Danzo is best kept behind bars. Otherwise, he'd jump around, stirring trouble and causing unnecessary annoyance, even if he can't do much harm.
Due to Kushina, Danzo had gone to warn Takashi, leading Mito Uzumaki to become dissatisfied, which eventually caused Danzo to lose his position as the Hokage's advisor. Even if it was a powerless title, it was still a high position.
From his failed attempt to ally with Hanzo to assassinate him, it was clear that Danzo's hatred for Takashi ran deep.
Not to mention, Mito pushing Akimichi Torifu forward had torn the Hokage faction into two.
If Danzo were to come out, he'd certainly try every trick in the book to target them.
"What about the frontlines?"
Tsunade understood Takashi's concerns and knew that Danzo was a tricky character. Back then, her grandmother's influence had kept him at bay, but now that Mito was gone, Danzo could become a genuine menace if the Third Hokage didn't take action.
If she stayed in the village, she could prevent Danzo from being reinstated by the Third Hokage.
If she went to the frontlines, she wouldn't be able to oversee these matters. Poor Torifu would be left to stand alone, entirely unable to stop the Third Hokage.
"I'll go."
After weighing the options, Takashi chose to take her place, while Tsunade stayed in the village.
If he replaced Tsunade at the frontlines, at most, she'd miss out on a chance to boost her reputation. But did Tsunade even need that?
Not at all.
As for the so-called glory of the "Three Legendary Sannin," it was pure nonsense. The title wasn't an honor for Tsunade, Orochimaru, or Jiraiya—it was a disgrace.
If the three of them had truly defeated Hanzo of the Salamander, and he gave them the title out of respect, that would have been acceptable.
But instead, the outcome was that the Rain Village lost the battle, yet Hanzo managed to defeat all three of them, arbitrarily bestowing upon them the title of "Sannin."
It was just a way to mock them.
Takashi smiled, "Maybe war is an opportunity for me too. If I work hard, contribute more, and earn some merits, maybe people will start taking me seriously. I'm tired of everyone seeing Hyūga Takashi as nothing but some freeloader—a man who only made it because of the women around him."
"A freeloader? What do you mean?"
"Basically, a man whose reputation comes from the women in his life."
"Ah."
Tsunade paused for a moment, and then her expression began to change. "Pffft… Haha! Sorry, I couldn't help it. It's just too true! Hahaha, it's killing me!"
Unable to hold back, she laughed first.
It wasn't her fault—in truth, Takashi's rise had indeed followed such a path. First, he got to know Tsunade, who recognized his talent, and then she guided him step by step in his growth.
Then Kushina had grown fond of him, and finally, even Mito had seen his potential.
Tsunade, Kushina, Mito—three women, each with a unique and important background. It wasn't surprising that others viewed Takashi as a "freeloader."
Though Takashi didn't mind living off others, it didn't mean he liked people treating him as someone who only got by through connections.
Moreover, with Tsunade staying in the village, it worked more to his advantage, so he had no choice but to head to the battlefield in her place.
Though he was going to the frontlines in Tsunade's stead, Takashi had no intention of taking on the role of a medical ninja and charging into battle.
If he was going to be a medical ninja, he'd focus on healing. There was no need to risk his life unless it came to a point where even medical ninjas had to fight.
Meanwhile, in the Sand Village, a meeting was also being held regarding the escalating conflict with the Rain Village.
Compared to the atmosphere in Konoha, the mood in the Sand Village was far more heated.
The Third Kazekage, known as the strongest Kazekage, was an ambitious man who wanted to lead his village to grow stronger, surpassing the other villages.
Unfortunately, the Land of Wind was too poor, and its population and resources were too limited. The Sand Village had hit a developmental dead end—without enough resources and people, progress had come to a halt.
The only way to break this deadlock was to start a war and seize resources from other nations and villages. Taking over resource-rich territories would be even better.
And the Land of Fire had always been a juicy target in the eyes of the Sand Village.
"Hmph, the so-called Demigod…"
The Third Kazekage sneered, tossing the intelligence report onto the table. Unlike Konoha's suspicions, the Sand Village directly pointed the finger at Hanzo of the Salamander.
Given the chance to be a loyal dog, and yet playing these petty tricks in the shadows? Still, Hanzo's antics had ended up helping the Sand Village in a way.
The Third Kazekage had always wanted to break the stalemate, but he had to consider the opinion of the Daimyo's government.
Now, with the conflict escalating—without the Sand Village being the aggressor, whether Hanzo was scheming or Konoha was acting on its own—sending this news to the Daimyo would silence him.
Once the Daimyo was pacified, and with his support secured, then…
Looking at the map of the Land of Fire, the Third Kazekage's eyes began to burn with intensity.
The Land of Fire had an abundance of resources that the Sand Village desperately needed. With those resources, the Sand Village could push through its developmental limits and become increasingly powerful.
"Chiyo, send word to the Daimyo's palace." The Third Kazekage gave Chiyo a look.
Chiyo nodded. "We won't let you down, Lord Kazekage."
She understood the Third Kazekage's intent—exaggerate the situation a bit. Spread the narrative that Konoha was bullying them, provoking the conflict, and planning a war. All these words would be delivered to the Daimyo to incite his sense of crisis and anger.
Once they had the Daimyo's support, the Sand Village would be able to take the initiative.
At that time, there will be a legitimate reason to send people into the Land of Rain, and Konoha will have no choice but to fight. There will be no room for negotiations.
For this war, the Sand Village has been preparing for a long time. Everything is ready; all that is left is a favorable wind from the Daimyo's mansion.
And how do you provoke the Daimyo's anger and make him feel the crisis?
It's simple.
As long as someone helps create chaos, it will save the Third Kazekage a lot of trouble.
The trouble of framing someone else can be skipped; all that's necessary is to identify the conflict as caused by Konoha.
Creating chaos by oneself carries risks of exposure. If the Daimyo finds out he's been deceived, he will definitely be furious.
If someone else does it, then the Third Kazekage won't have those worries.
---
In Konoha, Tsunade once again arrived at the Hokage office building.
This was the third time the Third Hokage had summoned Tsunade after the meeting.
The first time was in the conference room, where Tsunade didn't give a clear answer. The second time, he urged her, and Tsunade said she needed more time to think. Now it was the third time.
Tsunade needed to give the Third Hokage a satisfying answer.
After all, things can't go on and on indefinitely.
"Old man."
As she walked into the Hokage's office, Tsunade greeted him first, then shut the door and casually plopped down on the sofa in the Hokage's office.
"Tsunade, according to the information collected by the village, the Sand Village has already dispatched a group of reinforcements and is preparing to enter the Land of Rain."
The Third Hokage did not explicitly ask Tsunade to go to the Land of Rain, but he was hinting at her that once the war breaks out, the front lines will need her.
It seemed that Tsunade didn't catch the Hokage's hint; she waved her fist and said:
"If war is inevitable, then let's fight!"
"Tsunade—"
"Old man, I won't go to the front lines. I need to stay in the village, at the medical department."
Tsunade directly cut off the Third Hokage's persuasion:
"Grandma is gone. Nawaki and Kushina are still young; they need me, and the medical department cannot function without me."
"But the front lines need you!"
The Third Hokage couldn't help but raise his voice.
Unfortunately, that didn't scare Tsunade.
"Don't try to intimidate me, old man. Otherwise, I'll be so scared I might run to the Daimyo's mansion, and then who knows what might happen."
"—"
The Third Hokage's aura was immediately snuffed out.
It was as if someone had grabbed him by the throat.
"I understand the front lines need me, but I can't leave without peace of mind."
Tsunade made her stance clear to the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage asked in confusion, "Tsunade, what are you uneasy about? Could it be that I would target Nawaki or Kushina, or perhaps Hyuga Takashi?"
The only people in Konoha that Tsunade could worry about were Nawaki, Kushina, and Takashi.
"I don't feel at ease with that person in the Anbu prison. If I leave, and you decide to use him, Akimichi Torifu won't be able to stop him. You and I both know what he might do, so I can't leave."
I'll just put it plainly: I don't feel at ease. That's why I can't leave, unless you get rid of Danzo Shimura.
"I—"
The Third Hokage wanted to make a promise to Tsunade that he wouldn't use Danzo Shimura, but before he could say anything, he realized that it was a promise he couldn't make.
Because the Third Hokage needed someone to help him handle matters he couldn't address openly.
And Danzo Shimura was the best choice for that.
Besides, Danzo Shimura had proven himself to be capable in battlefield command during the First Great Ninja War.
"If the war breaks out, Takashi will go to the front lines in my place. He can do what I can do. Additionally, Nara Shikashin is an excellent strategist."
Tsunade had come to make things clear to the Third Hokage, explicitly telling him why she didn't want to leave the village for the front lines.
Now it was clear. Since he wasn't willing to make her a promise, why would she dare to leave?
Who knows if as soon as she leaves, Danzo Shimura gets released and starts causing trouble?
While laying her cards on the table, Tsunade also recommended Takashi and Nara Shikashin.
"Is Takashi capable?"
The Third Hokage was highly skeptical, though he had no doubt about Nara Shikashin. He was well aware of how capable Shikashin was.
If the Hokage faction hadn't been torn into two, with the Ino-Shika-Cho trio allied with Tsunade, the Third Hokage would not have removed Nara Shikashin from the position of Jonin Commander
Tsunade stood up from the sofa, adjusted her clothes, and said irritably:
"Old man, don't underestimate him. Takashi is someone I trained. I dare say, in all of Konoha, besides me, there is no better choice than him. Since you can't give me a promise, Takashi will go to the front lines in my place."
If Tsunade was willing to say that, it meant Takashi truly had the ability to replace her.
The Third Hokage irritably picked up his pipe and began smoking.
"Tsunade, Danzo's abilities—"
"Absolutely not!!!"
Tsunade harshly refused the Third Hokage.
Want to release Danzo Shimura?
I won't allow it. As long as I am in Konoha, Danzo Shimura will never be released from the Anbu prison.
Tsunade would go to Anbu at any time to make sure the Third Hokage wasn't trying to play any tricks by secretly releasing Danzo and letting him operate in the shadows.
"Sigh..."
The Third Hokage let out a long sigh.
What a mess.
Danzo, Danzo, you have really disappointed me.
"Is there no room for negotiation?"
The Third Hokage's voice grew solemn.
Tsunade's attitude was firm: "No room for negotiation whatsoever, unless you hand him over to me. If you do that, I will immediately lead people to the border camp."
Forget I asked.
The Third Hokage promptly shut his mouth.
Keeping Danzo Shimura in the Anbu prison meant that at least he was alive, even if he couldn't be used. If Tsunade got her hands on him, given her decisiveness, he wouldn't survive three days.
Forget three days—surviving three hours would be lucky.
"In any case, I won't leave, and Danzo Shimura cannot be released. Old man, I respect you, and I hope you respect me as well. Don't do anything that makes it hard for everyone."
When Takashi mentioned this matter, Tsunade still had some hope for the Third Hokage, but now, there wasn't any hope left.
If she left, Danzo Shimura would surely be released.
Since she had lost all hope, they'd do things by the book. She respected him and hoped for the same. Even though he was the Hokage, if things escalated, it wouldn't be good for anyone.
Tsunade left in a huff.
Not long after she left, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado arrived at the Hokage's office.
Noticing the Third Hokage's gloomy expression, the two knew the negotiation hadn't gone well.
"Hiruzen, did Tsunade refuse?" Koharu tentatively asked.
"She refused." The Third Hokage sighed. "She explicitly told me that she didn't want to leave the village because she was afraid I'd release Danzo and use him. However, she recommended Hyuga Takashi and Nara Shikashin."
"Hyuga Takashi? Can he manage?"
Koharu and Homura couldn't help but question his capability.
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