Chapter 411: The Chaos is About to Begin
After the Uchiha matter was settled, Ikura said, "The joint Chunin Exam over in Kirigakure has already begun. They've referenced our model and also divided the exam into three rounds. The first and second rounds are over. The disciples of both Kawakita and Megumi have made it to the third round."
"The third round will begin in about ten days. Megumi won't be coming back during this time. However, besides our candidates, candidates from Kumogakure have also entered the third round."
"Oh? Kumo is participating too? What about Konoha, did they participate?" Ishiro was a little curious.
Ikura shook his head. "No. Konoha wanted to participate, but for some reason, they were rejected by the Mist. Ever since Hoshigaki Kisame took power, the Mist's attitude towards Konoha has been filled with hostility."
After speaking, Ikura glanced at Ishiro. Kisame's rise to power was orchestrated by him, so Ikura suspected he had done something.
Ishiro rolled his eyes. "Before the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura Karatachi, died, the Mist discovered that he was being controlled by Sharingan genjutsu."
"In other words, the chaos in Kirigakure in the past few years was all because of a certain Uchiha. Under these circumstances, it's understandable for the Mist to be hostile towards Konoha. This really has nothing to do with me."
Ikura gave two cold laughs, clearly not believing him. He continued, "Kumogakure's purpose in participating in this exam is not pure. I'm afraid they will take the opportunity to make trouble during the third round."
Ishiro asked, "Do we know who Kumo will send to attend? Is it the Fourth Raikage?"
Saka said, "Most likely, but it's not certain yet. Actually, Kirigakure did not invite the Fourth Raikage, just as they did not invite you."
Ishiro: "..."
Why did you have to bring me up?
Bella said, "Kirigakure is our ally now. If they are attacked, it won't be good for us either. Should we send people to help them?"
Ishiro shook his head. "We can help, but we can't be hasty. We have to wait for them to ask for aid. If the Fourth Raikage really is going to make a move on them, we also have to wait until they have suffered heavy losses before reinforcing."
"Keep an eye on the movements of Kumo's Jinchuriki, Killer Bee and Yugito Nii. Actually, everyone underestimates Kirigakure. A Fourth Raikage with a group of elites is not enough to take them down."
"Hoshigaki Kisame is not a puppet I selected. He is a ninja who can truly fight against a Kage. Although he is still a Quasi-Kage, his chakra amount, which is comparable to a Tailed Beast's, is enough to make up for the gap to a certain extent."
"Although he is not the Fourth Raikage's opponent, on his home turf, it is still possible for him to hold him off. If Kumo wants to gain a decisive advantage, then they will have to dispatch at least one more Jinchuriki."
Saka said, "I will have our intelligence ninja pay attention to this. It's just that the whereabouts of a Jinchuriki are a village's top secret; I'm afraid it won't be easy to find out."
Ishiro thought for a moment. "Do your best. If it really doesn't work, we'll just get Megumi and the others out ahead of time."
Ikura said, "Why don't I make a trip to Kirigakure? I've recently developed a fighting style that suits me. It might not be suitable against the Fourth Raikage, but it's quite good against a Jinchuriki."
Saka nodded and immediately said, "Alright. If you go, the Mist probably won't refuse."
Everyone in the office turned their gazes to Ishiro, all of them painstakingly suppressing their laughter.
Ishiro rolled his eyes. "Go in secret. Just disguise yourself as a liaison. Of course, you have to greet the Mizukage. Consider it us fulfilling our duty as an ally."
A few days later, Rasa received a letter from Iwagakure.
"Lord Kazekage, I have received news that a rogue member of the Uchiha clan plans to join forces with Danzō Shimura to attack the Uchiha clan members who remain in Konoha. P.S.: That rogue Uchiha is the same one who released the Nine-Tails two years ago and killed the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze." The letter was signed: Tsuchikage.
In Rasa's office, his confidants—Pakura, Baki, and Ryosuke—were all present. They had all read the letter.
Baki, as a professional in charge of intelligence, was the first to ask, "Lord Kazekage, is the Tsuchikage inviting you to attack Konoha together?"
Rasa shook his head. "The Tsuchikage wants me to be the scapegoat."
Baki: "..."
Ryosuke said, "Master, should we help Konoha or cooperate with the Tsuchikage?"
Ever since Ryosuke had shown his talent in Iwagakure, he had been recruited by Rasa and had since considered himself Rasa's disciple, although Rasa had not taught him much. But Rasa had opened up the village's various ninjutsu and puppet techniques to him, provided all sorts of resources for his training and puppet making, and had even given him the Third Kazekage puppet to use. He was indeed worthy of being called a teacher.
Ryosuke did not ask if Rasa would participate but directly asked which side he would choose. This was because he understood Rasa and knew his ambition; he would definitely participate in the end. It was also because he knew that one could not gain any benefits by being a bystander in this kind of matter. To profit, one must participate. Iwagakure was a good example. Its rise was due to its repeated participation in all sorts of messy affairs, gathering benefits bit by bit.
Rasa looked at Ryosuke with approval. This young man's talent and intelligence were far superior to Baki's; he had not disappointed his cultivation. Rasa was now placing more and more importance on him and had even begun to train him as his successor.
Rasa said, "Siding with Konoha is impossible. They will not allow us to enter their territory and stir up trouble."
"Although they have, in fact, already lost their dominant position in the ninja world, on the surface, Konoha is still the hegemon."
"Neither the Third nor the Fourth War subverted Konoha's hegemonic status. So, Konoha will definitely maintain its superficial sovereignty."
"If we want to profit, we can only, like Iwagakure, incite the Uchiha clan's resistance. The more chaotic Konoha is, the greater our opportunity."
"What we need to discuss today is not whether to participate, nor which side to help. In fact, even if we and Iwagakure have the same goal, we will each do our own thing and will not interfere with each other."
"What we need to discuss today is what we want to gain from this trip to Konoha."
Pakura and the others exchanged glances and began to ponder what Rasa had said.
While the Suna-nin were discussing how to carve up Konoha, in Kirigakure, on the other side of the ninja world, Ikura had also met with Hoshigaki Kisame.
"Lord Mizukage, on the orders of our Lord Tsuchikage, I have come to assist Kirigakure in resisting Kumogakure's attack," Ikura said.
Hoshigaki Kisame did not have those roundabout thoughts. He asked directly, "Have you received definite intelligence?"
Ikura shook his head. "No intelligence, it's just a precaution. If Kumo does not make a move, I will not show my face. Iwagakure's representative will still be Megumi."
Kisame nodded. "I thank Lord Tsuchikage for his good intentions in advance. Then, I will ask you, Senior Ikura, to please return to the Iwa reception area and await developments."
At the same time, in an izakaya in Konohagakure, Kakashi also unexpectedly received a letter. It was delivered by a waiter. It was clear that this person had just been paid and was not a real intelligence ninja.
Kakashi did not investigate the source of the intelligence but accepted it without changing his expression.
Ever since returning from the joint Chunin Exam in Iwagakure, Kakashi had occasionally exchanged intelligence with the Iwa-nin. This was not the first time.
He did not open the letter directly but finished his meal as usual. Then, on his way back to the Hokage's office for his shift, he checked the intelligence when no one was around.
Seeing the content, Kakashi's face changed drastically.
A rogue Uchiha? The culprit of the Nine-Tails' rampage? Targeting the Uchiha clan?
"Damn it! No matter who you are, I won't let you succeed! I will protect Obito's clan!" Kakashi decided that no matter what, he had to stop that Uchiha rogue from coming to Konoha to cause destruction.
The intelligence was, of course, from Ishiro. But he had not given Kakashi any information related to Obito. In any case, Obito would not kill Kakashi.
After reading the letter, Kakashi first took leave from Tsunade, then went to the Anbu data room to check the intelligence related to the Nine-Tails' rampage. Finally, he secretly went to the location of the Root headquarters.
Of course, he was not going to force his way in; he did not want to become a rogue ninja yet. He went to the outside of Root to look for traces. Since that Uchiha was cooperating with Danzō, he might have left some clues. Perhaps he could even intercept him.
Tsunade watched Kakashi's somewhat abnormal behavior. Although she did not stop him, her heart was not calm. What is Kakashi going to do? Did something happen on the Uchiha's side again?
Ever since Hiruzen had handed over power, Tsunade had quickly gained control of the village's various important institutions. She had now truly grasped Konoha in her hands. At this point, even if Hiruzen wanted to go back on his word, it would be impossible for him to easily take back power from her.
Recently, she had been in contact with Fugaku Uchiha again.
At first, Fugaku had not responded much to Tsunade's goodwill. His political sensitivity was so low that he hadn't even noticed the changes in Konoha's high command. Of course, this was also partly due to his somewhat self-defeating attitude. But after Tsunade had repeatedly shown goodwill, Fugaku had finally, belatedly, discovered that the sky over Konoha seemed to have changed.
Fugaku inquired in detail about the recent personnel changes in the village and was surprised to find that Tsunade's direct lineage had completely grasped the village's right to speak.
Soon, the first formal contact between Fugaku and Tsunade began.
There were only four people present at the entire meeting. Besides Fugaku and Tsunade, there were only Shisui Uchiha and Kakashi. And both of them were standing guard outside the room. They had not dared to eavesdrop on what the two leaders had said. They only knew that when the two had left, they both seemed to be in a very good mood.
This greatly encouraged Shisui and Kakashi, making them feel that their efforts had not been in vain.
(End of Chapter)
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