บท 252: Chapter 252
"…That's roughly the situation. Any more questions?"
Yoichi explained his plan to the Konoha leadership. It was quite straightforward—overpower the enemy with sheer force. Sunagakure would have no room to resist against the overwhelming might of Konoha's assembled forces.
Inside the village, Pakura was rallying people to merge with Konoha, while outside, Konoha's ninja army was already gathered. Sunagakure, having just been attacked by Uchiha Madara's group, had suffered severe losses, including the capture of the One-Tails. There was no way Sunagakure could stand against Konoha now.
Tobirama crossed his arms and asked, "Fifth Hokage, are you really prepared to unify the shinobi world? Have you thought about the consequences—ninja from the five great villages and the nobility of each nation?"
"More or less. The fact is, I don't need to care about those nobles or the other villages' ninja. Even in Konoha, the number of ninja will be streamlined and improved—only the most exceptional of each generation will become shinobi."
Yoichi spoke bluntly, as he held absolute authority in Konoha.
"As for those who don't make the cut, they'll have to develop other skills. Anyone who can use chakra and ninjutsu is still valuable. But let's leave that aside for now. We need someone to take command. Who wants the job?"
After finishing, Yoichi's gaze first fell on Sakumo, but then he realized there was someone even more suitable.
"Second Hokage, are you interested?"
"Me?"
Tobirama was taken aback but then said, "But I'm in Edo Tensei form."
"That's not a problem. Just make sure you don't get sealed. I doubt Sunagakure has anyone capable of sealing you. Besides, I need to stay in the village to watch over the Nine-Tails and the Two-Tails. We need a decisive commander on the front lines."
When Yoichi mentioned the Nine-Tails and Two-Tails, Tobirama understood that Yoichi was preparing for the possibility of Madara's involvement.
Yoichi continued, "The Fourth Hokage would have been a good choice, but he has grudges against some of Suna's higher-ups. If he leads the frontlines, it'll turn into an all-out war. So, you're the best candidate."
Tobirama didn't decline, saying, "Very well, I'll take on this task."
Back when Konoha had just been founded, he and the Daimyō of the Land of Fire had considered unifying the other ninja clans and smaller nations. However, with Konoha and the Land of Fire setting a precedent, other nations followed suit, supporting the consolidation of various ninja clans.
In just one year, the five great nations and the five great villages were established. By then, unifying the shinobi world had become much more difficult and would have required a significant cost.
Tobirama had once tried to persuade his brother, Hashirama, to continue unifying the shinobi world, believing that it was the only way to achieve lasting peace. But Hashirama, unwilling to sacrifice the lives of hundreds or even thousands of shinobi, abandoned the idea, and the five-village system was solidified.
Now, the opportunity for unification had arisen again, rekindling Tobirama's interest. Even if it was difficult to annex all five great nations, absorbing the Land of Wind and the Land of Rivers would make Konoha and the Land of Fire the dominant force in the shinobi world.
At that point, no other village would dare challenge Konoha.
"The ninja corps will take about four to five days to reach the border of the Land of Wind, but Pakura in Sunagakure can't wait that long. We need a powerful force to support her right away."
Yoichi paused, then looked around before continuing, "First Hokage, Second Hokage, Jiraiya, Uchiha Masato, Uchiha Shisui…"
He listed over thirty names, all of them powerful figures within the village. If they clashed with Sunagakure, the destruction they would cause would be far greater than that of Edo Tensei bodies.
Their primary mission was to protect Pakura and the thousand-strong force she had gathered. This group could sway three to four thousand villagers to join Konoha, leading to Sunagakure's eventual collapse.
This was Konoha's best opportunity to annex Suna. If Suna managed to regroup and eliminate Pakura's forces, even if Rasa and his council were severely weakened, Konoha would still have to pay a heavy price.
After Yoichi finished, Sakumo voiced his concern, "Won't this leave the village too vulnerable?"
Mobilizing two-thirds of the village's shinobi to deal with Sunagakure left only about two thousand ninja behind in Konoha.
"Don't worry, I'm still here. No one can harm the village."
Yoichi reassured him. He was now the strongest in the shinobi world, with both Rinnegan eyes evolved into six-tomoe Rinnegan, and the ability to form Truth-Seeking Balls. Even if the Iwa and Kumo villages sent two armies of 20,000 ninja, they would still end up as his nourishment.
Though consuming people would be crossing a moral line, Yoichi had the ability but had never resorted to such measures.
But if the enemy came knocking, he might give it a try.
Once Yoichi gave the order, all the assigned ninja began mobilizing. Yūhi Jinin had received his instructions months ago and had made sufficient preparations.
Within half a day, the ninja squads had gathered, though those named earlier had already set off. They needed to reach Sunagakure within a day, so time was tight.
"Lord Madara, Konoha seems to be on the move. About thirty-four strong shinobi have left the village, led by Tobirama and Hashirama, though it appears Hashirama has also been resurrected."
Black Zetsu reported to Madara after receiving intel from a White Zetsu clone. White Zetsu clones could relay information quickly through Mokuton roots underground, using chakra to transmit what they saw.
"Hashirama has been revived?"
Madara's interest was piqued upon hearing Hashirama's name. In the shinobi world, only Hashirama could truly intrigue him. Perhaps another Uchiha descendant who had awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan might as well.
If Hashirama were still in Edo Tensei form, Madara's interest might wane. But with Hashirama revived, Madara felt the urge to battle again.
"Is Hashirama coming for me?"
Bringing that many capable shinobi—it seemed like they were coming for him, knowing he had been revived.
"It doesn't seem so, Lord Madara."
Black Zetsu replied, "It appears they're headed for Sunagakure. Konoha has sent several ninja squads, around four or five thousand in total. It looks like they're trying to wipe out Sunagakure."
"Wipe out Sunagakure?"
Madara was taken aback. This massive force wasn't coming for him but rather Sunagakure?
"Heh, Hashirama, you fool."
Instead of feeling relieved, Madara was somewhat enraged by this. Did they think he was irrelevant?
"Lord Madara, perhaps our intel hasn't been leaked yet. Even if Hashirama wanted to find you, he wouldn't know where you are. Besides, Konoha's current leader is the Fifth Hokage. According to Fugaku's intel, this is likely his order."
Seeing that Madara was contemplating going after Hashirama, Black Zetsu quickly devised a plan to dissuade him. Kaguya's resurrection was within reach, and Black Zetsu couldn't afford for Indra's reincarnation to create more trouble now.
"Isn't this better, Lord Madara? With so many of Konoha's elites gone, Fugaku can return to the village and gather information on Yugito. He can even persuade Itachi. If they manage to capture the Two-Tails, it will be a harsh lesson for Hashirama and Konoha."
"Lord Madara, this brings you closer to your dream. If you're exposed now, the other villages will hide their Jinchuriki, making it harder to achieve your goal."
Their focus on the Two-Tails was because of Yugito's young age. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki resided near the center of Konoha, making her difficult to approach. Fortunately, Yoichi's family lived on the outskirts, as they preferred a quieter environment.
Madara considered Black Zetsu's words. The Eye of the Moon Plan was his true goal, a direct contradiction to Hashirama's dream of a false peace.
Now wasn't the time to reveal himself. The Four-Tails and Five-Tails had yet to be revived, and he had only recently sealed the Six-Tails in Kirigakure. The Seven-Tails and Eight-Tails were still on his list.
"Very well, let's go with that plan. Black Zetsu, you'll accompany Fugaku this time."
Madara turned to Fugaku and added, "You've mastered Yin-Yang Release. Even without the Mangekyō Sharingan, few can oppose you. With White Zetsu's help, capturing the Two-Tails Jinchuriki should be manageable."
Fugaku nodded, then seemed to recall something. "Lord Madara, I'd like to bring my son along. He's a genius, and being with me is the best way for him to grow."
"Do as you please. Let White Zetsu assist you."
Madara responded indifferently. He had seen many geniuses in his time. Both he and his brother, Izuna, had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, making them rare prodigies within the Uchiha clan.
For the Uchiha, the Sharingan was the ultimate measure of strength. Without the Mangekyō, one could never reach the pinnacle of the shinobi world.
"Let's go, Fugaku. Now that Konoha's forces are greatly diminished."
Black Zetsu suppressed his excitement as he addressed Fugaku. Each captured Tailed Beast brought Kaguya's revival closer.
Soon, Kaguya would return.
Filled with anticipation, Black Zetsu slipped underground, planning to wait for Fugaku outside Konoha while gathering intel.
...
"Mother, I'm off to school."
"Wait a moment, Itachi. Did you take your lunch?"
Seeing the lunchbox still on the table, Mikoto hurried to grab it and handed it to Itachi at the door. Recently, she had been waking up early every day to check on him.
"Kimimaro and Haku both took theirs, but you always seem to forget."
Itachi looked at the three-layered deluxe bento with a slight frown. It was far too flashy. Every time he ate lunch, he was surrounded by curious classmates, forcing him to eat in secret lately.
He wasn't sure about Kimimaro and Haku, but he wasn't keen on bringing such an extravagant lunch, especially since the portions were too large.
"Mother, this is too much. Next time, something simple like rice balls will do."
"This is based on how much you eat at home on your days off. You're practicing breathing techniques now, right? With that and your ninjutsu training, you'll need plenty of energy."
Mikoto smiled warmly as she placed the bento in Itachi's bag, filling it to the brim.
"Your father used to eat a lot too. He could eat enough for ten people. The more you eat, the stronger you'll become, Itachi."
Itachi sighed inwardly but smiled at Mikoto, "I understand, Mother."
After saying goodbye, he headed out the door, where Haku and Kimimaro were already waiting for him.
Haku, noticing Itachi's stuffed backpack, chuckled, "Itachi-niisan, you brought it again. You could always trade lunches with your classmates. They seem to enjoy that."
"I'll try."
Itachi sighed, preferring to eat lunch alone. Eating in groups was too much trouble for him.
"Haku, Kimimaro, I'll find you at lunch."
"Alright, Itachi-niisan."
"Sure, I'll join you both at lunch."
With that, the three headed toward the ninja academy. Although all three were already stronger than most genin, there was still much to learn at the academy. Without knowledge, even a powerful ninja would be no more than a giant infant.
Now, there was no such thing as early graduation, unless someone was so exceptional that Yoichi personally granted them permission.
As they made their way to the academy, Itachi suddenly spotted a mark on the roadside, which caused his eyes to flash with recognition. He stopped in his tracks.
Seeing this, Haku and Kimimaro also halted and turned back, asking, "What's wrong, Itachi-niisan?"
"...I just remembered something. I need to go back. You two go ahead to school."
Itachi hesitated for a moment before smiling at Haku and Kimimaro. The two exchanged a glance before Haku replied, "Alright then, Itachi-niisan, don't be late."
"I won't."
After Haku and Kimimaro left, Itachi stood there, pondering for a moment, then darted down a nearby alley. With his current strength, even a jōnin would have a hard time keeping up with him. He easily avoided detection as he weaved through the streets.
Following the mark, he arrived at a secluded construction site. After scanning his surroundings, Itachi realized there were no more marks to follow.
"As expected of my son, Itachi. You were able to notice such a subtle code."
A voice suddenly called out. From behind a pile of construction materials, a figure emerged, and as he approached, Itachi's memories flooded back, recognizing the familiar face immediately.
"F-Father?"
"It's me, Itachi. It's been a long time."
Fugaku gazed at his son, who had grown so much. It stirred emotions in his heart. When he had left, Itachi had been only about three years old. Now, he was seven or eight.
(End of Chapter)
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