The lights were brightly lit in the Hokage's office meeting room.
Sarutobi Hiruzen held a cigarette and gazed sternly at the three individuals before him. He wasn't the aging leader from the Chunin Exams; even in this final peak period, he exuded authority.
"The tactics of the Hidden Cloud Village are indeed despicable. We must strike! After enduring three wars and the Nine-Tails incident, the younger generation might not have matured yet. If we don't take action, other ninja villages might take advantage. We can't avoid confronting the Hidden Cloud Village."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's presence was imposing, but Homura Mitokado's brows furrowed in concern. "Sarutobi, be careful not to act rashly. The village is still recovering from the losses of the three wars. If Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village get dragged into a war, it might be years before we can catch our breath if other villages decide to team up against us."
"Indeed, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure are all recuperating and shouldn't be provoked," added Koharu Utatane, also frowning at the current situation.
The Third Great Ninja War was undoubtedly the most devastating in Konoha's history. While the First and Second Wars were brutal, they were mostly fought on foreign soil. However, the Third War had reached the Fire Country's borders, turning Konoha into the battleground. The battle with Taiseki was fought within the Fire Country, and Kirigakure even sent its Seven Ninja Swordsmen deep into Konoha's heartland. This illustrated just how dire the situation had become for Konoha.
The Battle at the Kannabi Bridge had even allowed Minato to force Iwagakure to retreat, elevating his reputation to rival the legendary Sannin and solidifying his candidacy for Hokage.
The Third War was the harshest by far, leading even the Third Hokage to consider stepping down due to the losses suffered.
Quietly observing, Danzo Shimura's voice carried a cold smirk, "Perhaps you're overthinking things. The incident involves the Hyuga Clan, and it's an opportunity to quell internal unrest within the village."
"Enough, Danzo!" Homura Mitokado's brows furrowed upon hearing Danzo's words. He was about to retort, but Danzo continued with a sneer, "Did I say something wrong? The Uchiha and Hyuga, the two strongest clans in Konoha, have already become integral to the village's strength. The Uchiha control the police force—how can any of you command them?"
"Moreover, under the strict rules of the Hyuga Clan, between the main and branch families, their traditionalism runs deep. Just like the Uchiha, they're unyielding. This is an opportunity to remind the Hyuga Clan that even if they're strong, they still must follow the village's lead."
Danzo went on, "And what about the Uchiha Clan? If they get involved in a war now, what if another Nine-Tails incident occurs?"
Danzo's words caused Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane to tense up instantly. The Sharingan and the Nine-Tails were indeed their greatest concerns.
But upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe and said with determination, "Danzo, don't indulge in baseless speculation. Konoha hasn't reached the point you're describing."
Hiruzen was still at his peak, and he couldn't bear hearing how his current leadership was being criticized. With full confidence, he declared, "As long as I'm here, Konoha won't fall into chaos!"
The painful lessons of the Third War were still fresh in his mind; he couldn't afford to make the same mistakes again. The losses from the war had forced him to step down. With a determined frown, Hiruzen had already made up his mind.
"The village needs to recover, and it's time to discipline the Hyuga Clan. They need to know who's in charge now. Danzo, continue to monitor the Uchiha Clan covertly. As for the emissaries from the Hidden Cloud Village causing a commotion, I'll handle them."
"Send Orochimaru to the border, and notify all the border ninjas to be ready for war at any moment. I want to see if the youngsters from the Hidden Cloud Village dare to initiate a battle. If they do, Konoha won't back down!"
Hiruzen was unwavering in his determination, exuding immense power. Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane smiled, relieved. "Hiruzen, it's good to see you so confident."
They had faith in their old friend's capabilities. As for Danzo Shimura, witnessing the Third Hokage's autocratic display, a pang of bitterness struck his heart.
Damn monkey, showing off your authority once again, just like always.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had repeatedly proven his capability to lead during the most chaotic times, making him a master of strategy and courage.
…
On the second day, as expected, the envoys from the Land of Lightning arrived at the Hokage's office building in anger, causing a commotion. However, being the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't involve himself in such matters. Therefore, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, both higher-ups in Konoha, were assigned to deal with the situation.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane took turns confronting the envoys from the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning, engaging in a heated argument.
In Root's headquarters,
Danzo Shimura's face became extremely grim upon his return. His exposed eye bore a sense of malevolence, and he exclaimed in anger through clenched teeth, "You monkey! What a clever tactic, and I fell for it again."
Only after returning to Root did Danzo realize that not only had Konoha suffered heavy losses in the Third Great Ninja War, but the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning was also in dire straits. Could the Hidden Cloud Village match Konoha's strength, allowing them to be bold enough to fight? Did they really think the Hidden Cloud Village wouldn't dare?
"You cunning monkey! You're exploiting the fact that the Hidden Cloud Village won't initiate war."
In this moment, Danzo was nearly biting his teeth in frustration. He realized that he might once again be blamed for disciplining the Hyuga Clan. Damn it, you took all the benefits, and when it's my turn, I'm left to shoulder the blame.
"Very well, Sarutobi, you're ruthless. Since you're heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless too." The eye revealed by Danzo held a malicious glint. "Konoha doesn't solely belong to you, Sarutobi. You've suppressed me for far too long. I won't let Shinzo, that brat, ride on my shoulders."
Konoha's actions were swift. In the afternoon, Orochimaru's figure appeared outside Konoha's gates.
"Teacher, please be careful on your journey to the border."
Yoru respectfully came to see them off. Just last night's incident had led to the Third Hokage sending Orochimaru to make an appearance at the border today. Truly, this old Hokage shouldn't be underestimated.
Based on the original storyline, after the Hyuga incident, it was deduced that Orochimaru would defect a year later. However, before his defection, he took Mitarashi Anko to the Land of Water near the border. Clearly, he was already considering defection at that time, but he was thwarted by the Third Hokage in Konoha.
Thus, it's speculated that Orochimaru was dispatched to the border by Sarutobi as a means to deter enemy nations. (Providing an explanation)
"Haha, Yoru-kun, rest assured."
Anko, carrying a backpack, was filled with excitement. She had no idea what this journey had in store for her.
"Teacher, would it burden you if Anko accompanies you?"
Yoru gave his teacher a meaningful look as he said this, but Anko widened her eyes. "Yoru, don't think that having the Sharingan makes you a genius. Just wait, I'll catch up to you sooner or later."
Orochimaru didn't seem perturbed by their argument. Instead, he smiled in his unique way and rasped, "Yoru-kun, perhaps in the future, Anko will need to rely on you. After all, every ninja mission is fraught with danger, even a C-rank mission shouldn't be taken lightly."
Clearly, Orochimaru was implying that their plans were both dangerous. Wherever Anko followed, danger loomed. Either she should distance herself or exit early to allow both of them to move forward without hindrance.
Upon hearing this, Yoru smiled. In the original historical trajectory, Anko evidently refused to follow Orochimaru's defection, resulting in her being left behind. However, this could also be seen as a form of unconventional protection.
"Very well then, take care, teacher."
They exchanged glances and smiled. This was Orochimaru's chance to transfer all the information within Konoha.
As the sun set, Orochimaru, clad in a Konoha vest and forehead protector, disappeared from view along with Anko. Seeing this scene, Yoru sighed softly, a melancholic expression on his face.
Indeed, there's no guarantee of success. Only when one's strength reaches a level where they can confidently push forward can they face anything without fear.
"Um, Yoru-sama."
At that moment, a soft voice reached Yoru's ears. He turned his head, looking puzzled at the person addressing him. It was a ninja guarding Konoha's gate, wearing a blue hat and holding a senbon in his mouth. Awkwardly, he greeted Yoru.
Seeing the newcomer, Yamato's expression turned astonished. Shiranui Genma? Quickly, he composed himself, smiled, and nodded in response. Internally, though, he felt a bit nervous. Had he revealed something?
"Well, who are you?"
Genmai had an embarrassed smile on his face as he stepped forward. He looked at the person before him who was clearly younger but already a prominent figure in Konoha. There was an odd feeling, as if this person had more charisma than him.
"Um, I'm Shiranui Genmai, the Fourth Hokage's guard."
It was evident that Genmai's face flushed with embarrassment as he said this. As guards, they were still alive, but the Fourth Hokage had passed away?
Still, Shiranui Genmai scratched his head awkwardly and lowered his voice. "Um, Yoru-sama, do you have time later? We're about to change shifts in half an hour."
Seeing Shiranui Genmai's cautious yet embarrassed expression, Yoru also wanted to know what he was planning. He even felt a bit guilty.
"Sure, I'll be at the first tavern on the main street later."
Yoru nodded slightly, a smile on his face. Genmai visibly relaxed, showing a grateful expression. Despite his age, he had reached this point without arrogance or a sense of superiority. Instead, he radiated a sunny disposition, leaving Genmai feeling deeply moved.
When they initially became the Fourth Hokage's guards, they were on cloud nine. But in a blink of an eye, within less than a year, they had experienced the harsh realities of society, learning firsthand about the fickleness of human relationships and the cooling of tea left untouched.
…
Under the cover of night, three shinobi entered a private room in a small tavern.
"Yoru-sama, I apologize for keeping you waiting."
Shiranui Genmai, Raidō Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami entered the room with apologetic expressions. Upon seeing this, Uchiha Yoru smiled and waved his hand. "I haven't waited long. Please, have a seat."
Yoru was curious about why these three had come to find him. He had spent the past half hour thoroughly reviewing everything, but hadn't noticed any oversights. Their demeanor also didn't seem to indicate that they had discovered anything.
These three individuals, Shiranui Genmai, Raidō Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami, were clearly around eighteen or nineteen years old. Facing a shinobi younger than themselves made them visibly nervous, leaving them fidgety and uneasy.
Seeing their expressions, Yoru nodded with a smile. "May I ask what brings the three of you to me?"
In terms of rank, Shiranui Genmai and Raidō Namiashi were special jounin, while Iwashi Tatami was a chunin. Yoru was a jounin. In terms of status, the three were civilians, while he was from the prestigious Uchiha clan and held actual power. He was also one of the current Three Sannin as Orochimaru's disciple. Thus, referring to him as "sama" was not an exaggeration.
Raidō Namiashi and Iwashi Tatami exchanged awkward smiles, their gazes constantly indicating Shiranui Genmai. Clearly, he was their leader, as they formed the "Genmai Team," as indicated by their team name.
Prompted by his teammates' looks, Shiranui Genmai gave an embarrassed smile. Under their gazes, he steeled himself and hesitated before tentatively speaking to the young man who was even younger than him. "Um, currently, the Hidden Cloud Village and our village are about to establish a peace treaty. At that time, it's likely that Orochimaru-sama will ascend to the position of Hokage."
"We... we," Shiranui Genmai hesitated nervously, biting his lip. He lowered his head and spoke in a low voice, "Our Genmai Team wants to join the Seventh Division of the Police Department, and we are willing to serve Orochimaru-sama."
Upon hearing this, Raidō Namiashi and Iwashi Tatami also stood up hastily, respectfully bowing at a ninety-degree angle. Seeing this scene, Yoru's expression shifted from confusion to realization. So, this was their intention.
Realizing this, Yoru's face broke into a knowing smile as he looked at the three. Amidst this peculiar atmosphere, the silence lingered for a good while, subjecting the trio to their own turmoil and unease. Finally, Yoru broke the silence.
"Please, have a seat. Perhaps we can discuss this further."
Yoru's smile was genuine. It was clear that they had walked into his hands. He would certainly accept them, but they needed some testing. After all, if things were too easily obtained, they might not be valued.
~~~
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— 50 Advance Chapters!
Discord Server:
— https://discord.gg/JPwBJPcUzR
(I post Trial Chapters of FanFic I think I would post or not in Discord. We also have Minecraft Server for "Reborn with Steve Stand")
The lights were brightly lit in the Hokage's office meeting room.
Sarutobi Hiruzen held a cigarette and gazed sternly at the three individuals before him. He wasn't the aging leader from the Chunin Exams; even in this final peak period, he exuded authority.
"The tactics of the Hidden Cloud Village are indeed despicable. We must strike! After enduring three wars and the Nine-Tails incident, the younger generation might not have matured yet. If we don't take action, other ninja villages might take advantage. We can't avoid confronting the Hidden Cloud Village."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's presence was imposing, but Homura Mitokado's brows furrowed in concern. "Sarutobi, be careful not to act rashly. The village is still recovering from the losses of the three wars. If Konoha and the Hidden Cloud Village get dragged into a war, it might be years before we can catch our breath if other villages decide to team up against us."
"Indeed, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure are all recuperating and shouldn't be provoked," added Koharu Utatane, also frowning at the current situation.
The Third Great Ninja War was undoubtedly the most devastating in Konoha's history. While the First and Second Wars were brutal, they were mostly fought on foreign soil. However, the Third War had reached the Fire Country's borders, turning Konoha into the battleground. The battle with Taiseki was fought within the Fire Country, and Kirigakure even sent its Seven Ninja Swordsmen deep into Konoha's heartland. This illustrated just how dire the situation had become for Konoha.
The Battle at the Kannabi Bridge had even allowed Minato to force Iwagakure to retreat, elevating his reputation to rival the legendary Sannin and solidifying his candidacy for Hokage.
The Third War was the harshest by far, leading even the Third Hokage to consider stepping down due to the losses suffered.
Quietly observing, Danzo Shimura's voice carried a cold smirk, "Perhaps you're overthinking things. The incident involves the Hyuga Clan, and it's an opportunity to quell internal unrest within the village."
"Enough, Danzo!" Homura Mitokado's brows furrowed upon hearing Danzo's words. He was about to retort, but Danzo continued with a sneer, "Did I say something wrong? The Uchiha and Hyuga, the two strongest clans in Konoha, have already become integral to the village's strength. The Uchiha control the police force—how can any of you command them?"
"Moreover, under the strict rules of the Hyuga Clan, between the main and branch families, their traditionalism runs deep. Just like the Uchiha, they're unyielding. This is an opportunity to remind the Hyuga Clan that even if they're strong, they still must follow the village's lead."
Danzo went on, "And what about the Uchiha Clan? If they get involved in a war now, what if another Nine-Tails incident occurs?"
Danzo's words caused Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane to tense up instantly. The Sharingan and the Nine-Tails were indeed their greatest concerns.
But upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe and said with determination, "Danzo, don't indulge in baseless speculation. Konoha hasn't reached the point you're describing."
Hiruzen was still at his peak, and he couldn't bear hearing how his current leadership was being criticized. With full confidence, he declared, "As long as I'm here, Konoha won't fall into chaos!"
The painful lessons of the Third War were still fresh in his mind; he couldn't afford to make the same mistakes again. The losses from the war had forced him to step down. With a determined frown, Hiruzen had already made up his mind.
"The village needs to recover, and it's time to discipline the Hyuga Clan. They need to know who's in charge now. Danzo, continue to monitor the Uchiha Clan covertly. As for the emissaries from the Hidden Cloud Village causing a commotion, I'll handle them."
"Send Orochimaru to the border, and notify all the border ninjas to be ready for war at any moment. I want to see if the youngsters from the Hidden Cloud Village dare to initiate a battle. If they do, Konoha won't back down!"
Hiruzen was unwavering in his determination, exuding immense power. Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane smiled, relieved. "Hiruzen, it's good to see you so confident."
They had faith in their old friend's capabilities. As for Danzo Shimura, witnessing the Third Hokage's autocratic display, a pang of bitterness struck his heart.
Damn monkey, showing off your authority once again, just like always.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had repeatedly proven his capability to lead during the most chaotic times, making him a master of strategy and courage.
…
On the second day, as expected, the envoys from the Land of Lightning arrived at the Hokage's office building in anger, causing a commotion. However, being the Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen wouldn't involve himself in such matters. Therefore, Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, both higher-ups in Konoha, were assigned to deal with the situation.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane took turns confronting the envoys from the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning, engaging in a heated argument.
In Root's headquarters,
Danzo Shimura's face became extremely grim upon his return. His exposed eye bore a sense of malevolence, and he exclaimed in anger through clenched teeth, "You monkey! What a clever tactic, and I fell for it again."
Only after returning to Root did Danzo realize that not only had Konoha suffered heavy losses in the Third Great Ninja War, but the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning was also in dire straits. Could the Hidden Cloud Village match Konoha's strength, allowing them to be bold enough to fight? Did they really think the Hidden Cloud Village wouldn't dare?
"You cunning monkey! You're exploiting the fact that the Hidden Cloud Village won't initiate war."
In this moment, Danzo was nearly biting his teeth in frustration. He realized that he might once again be blamed for disciplining the Hyuga Clan. Damn it, you took all the benefits, and when it's my turn, I'm left to shoulder the blame.
"Very well, Sarutobi, you're ruthless. Since you're heartless, don't blame me for being ruthless too." The eye revealed by Danzo held a malicious glint. "Konoha doesn't solely belong to you, Sarutobi. You've suppressed me for far too long. I won't let Shinzo, that brat, ride on my shoulders."
Konoha's actions were swift. In the afternoon, Orochimaru's figure appeared outside Konoha's gates.
"Teacher, please be careful on your journey to the border."
Yoru respectfully came to see them off. Just last night's incident had led to the Third Hokage sending Orochimaru to make an appearance at the border today. Truly, this old Hokage shouldn't be underestimated.
Based on the original storyline, after the Hyuga incident, it was deduced that Orochimaru would defect a year later. However, before his defection, he took Mitarashi Anko to the Land of Water near the border. Clearly, he was already considering defection at that time, but he was thwarted by the Third Hokage in Konoha.
Thus, it's speculated that Orochimaru was dispatched to the border by Sarutobi as a means to deter enemy nations. (Providing an explanation)
"Haha, Yoru-kun, rest assured."
Anko, carrying a backpack, was filled with excitement. She had no idea what this journey had in store for her.
"Teacher, would it burden you if Anko accompanies you?"
Yoru gave his teacher a meaningful look as he said this, but Anko widened her eyes. "Yoru, don't think that having the Sharingan makes you a genius. Just wait, I'll catch up to you sooner or later."
Orochimaru didn't seem perturbed by their argument. Instead, he smiled in his unique way and rasped, "Yoru-kun, perhaps in the future, Anko will need to rely on you. After all, every ninja mission is fraught with danger, even a C-rank mission shouldn't be taken lightly."
Clearly, Orochimaru was implying that their plans were both dangerous. Wherever Anko followed, danger loomed. Either she should distance herself or exit early to allow both of them to move forward without hindrance.
Upon hearing this, Yoru smiled. In the original historical trajectory, Anko evidently refused to follow Orochimaru's defection, resulting in her being left behind. However, this could also be seen as a form of unconventional protection.
"Very well then, take care, teacher."
They exchanged glances and smiled. This was Orochimaru's chance to transfer all the information within Konoha.
As the sun set, Orochimaru, clad in a Konoha vest and forehead protector, disappeared from view along with Anko. Seeing this scene, Yoru sighed softly, a melancholic expression on his face.
Indeed, there's no guarantee of success. Only when one's strength reaches a level where they can confidently push forward can they face anything without fear.
"Um, Yoru-sama."
At that moment, a soft voice reached Yoru's ears. He turned his head, looking puzzled at the person addressing him. It was a ninja guarding Konoha's gate, wearing a blue hat and holding a senbon in his mouth. Awkwardly, he greeted Yoru.
Seeing the newcomer, Yamato's expression turned astonished. Shiranui Genma? Quickly, he composed himself, smiled, and nodded in response. Internally, though, he felt a bit nervous. Had he revealed something?
"Well, who are you?"
Genmai had an embarrassed smile on his face as he stepped forward. He looked at the person before him who was clearly younger but already a prominent figure in Konoha. There was an odd feeling, as if this person had more charisma than him.
"Um, I'm Shiranui Genmai, the Fourth Hokage's guard."
It was evident that Genmai's face flushed with embarrassment as he said this. As guards, they were still alive, but the Fourth Hokage had passed away?
Still, Shiranui Genmai scratched his head awkwardly and lowered his voice. "Um, Yoru-sama, do you have time later? We're about to change shifts in half an hour."
Seeing Shiranui Genmai's cautious yet embarrassed expression, Yoru also wanted to know what he was planning. He even felt a bit guilty.
"Sure, I'll be at the first tavern on the main street later."
Yoru nodded slightly, a smile on his face. Genmai visibly relaxed, showing a grateful expression. Despite his age, he had reached this point without arrogance or a sense of superiority. Instead, he radiated a sunny disposition, leaving Genmai feeling deeply moved.
When they initially became the Fourth Hokage's guards, they were on cloud nine. But in a blink of an eye, within less than a year, they had experienced the harsh realities of society, learning firsthand about the fickleness of human relationships and the cooling of tea left untouched.
…
Under the cover of night, three shinobi entered a private room in a small tavern.
"Yoru-sama, I apologize for keeping you waiting."
Shiranui Genmai, Raidō Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami entered the room with apologetic expressions. Upon seeing this, Uchiha Yoru smiled and waved his hand. "I haven't waited long. Please, have a seat."
Yoru was curious about why these three had come to find him. He had spent the past half hour thoroughly reviewing everything, but hadn't noticed any oversights. Their demeanor also didn't seem to indicate that they had discovered anything.
These three individuals, Shiranui Genmai, Raidō Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami, were clearly around eighteen or nineteen years old. Facing a shinobi younger than themselves made them visibly nervous, leaving them fidgety and uneasy.
Seeing their expressions, Yoru nodded with a smile. "May I ask what brings the three of you to me?"
In terms of rank, Shiranui Genmai and Raidō Namiashi were special jounin, while Iwashi Tatami was a chunin. Yoru was a jounin. In terms of status, the three were civilians, while he was from the prestigious Uchiha clan and held actual power. He was also one of the current Three Sannin as Orochimaru's disciple. Thus, referring to him as "sama" was not an exaggeration.
Raidō Namiashi and Iwashi Tatami exchanged awkward smiles, their gazes constantly indicating Shiranui Genmai. Clearly, he was their leader, as they formed the "Genmai Team," as indicated by their team name.
Prompted by his teammates' looks, Shiranui Genmai gave an embarrassed smile. Under their gazes, he steeled himself and hesitated before tentatively speaking to the young man who was even younger than him. "Um, currently, the Hidden Cloud Village and our village are about to establish a peace treaty. At that time, it's likely that Orochimaru-sama will ascend to the position of Hokage."
"We... we," Shiranui Genmai hesitated nervously, biting his lip. He lowered his head and spoke in a low voice, "Our Genmai Team wants to join the Seventh Division of the Police Department, and we are willing to serve Orochimaru-sama."
Upon hearing this, Raidō Namiashi and Iwashi Tatami also stood up hastily, respectfully bowing at a ninety-degree angle. Seeing this scene, Yoru's expression shifted from confusion to realization. So, this was their intention.
Realizing this, Yoru's face broke into a knowing smile as he looked at the three. Amidst this peculiar atmosphere, the silence lingered for a good while, subjecting the trio to their own turmoil and unease. Finally, Yoru broke the silence.
"Please, have a seat. Perhaps we can discuss this further."
Yoru's smile was genuine. It was clear that they had walked into his hands. He would certainly accept them, but they needed some testing. After all, if things were too easily obtained, they might not be valued.
~~~
Patreon.com/Bleam
— 50 Advance Chapters!
Discord Server:
— https://discord.gg/JPwBJPcUzR
(I post Trial Chapters of FanFic I think I would post or not in Discord. We also have Minecraft Server for "Reborn with Steve Stand")
