The Land of Lightning isn't stupid—it wouldn't go out of its way just to help Konoha deal with an enemy.
On the contrary, by using Grass Ninja Village as a buffer zone, they've significantly reduced the need to invest in defending their own borders. They know full well that Kusagakure doesn't have the strength to stand against Konoha alone. Sooner or later, the village will turn to the Land of Lightning for support.
From that angle, a unified Kusagakure—absorbing surrounding small nations—offers clear strategic value to Kumogakure.
"You see," said Hiruzen Sarutobi, pipe smoke curling around his face, "Konoha is strong… but not strong enough."
If Konoha were truly unmatched, then instead of the Earth and Lightning countries backing Kusagakure to create trouble, it would be Konoha advancing east and west, steadily carving out influence and planting its ninja to protect these smaller nations.
Still holding onto hope, Mifune asked stubbornly, "So what—you're just going to let Kusagakure challenge Konoha like this?"
The situation was even more dire than he'd thought. If nothing changed, the Land of Iron would be finished. He was desperate for Konoha to intervene.
But Hiruzen didn't budge.
"It's fine. Konoha can afford to wait."
The Land of Fire was still the most resource-rich country on the continent, and Konoha's ninja had more long-term potential than those of any other village. There was no need to rush.
Konoha had never aggressively expanded its borders because slow, stable growth was a form of victory.
And the other villages knew this. That's why they kept launching wars—trying to chip away at Konoha's strength over time.
Mifune was speechless. The Hokage was right—it wasn't Konoha that was desperate. It was him.
And though Mifune had brought a sizable fortune from the Iron Country's reserves, it wasn't nearly enough to drag Konoha into another war.
In the end, the Third Hokage had made himself perfectly clear without offering a single compromise—he didn't even bother naming a high price. There would be no deal.
"Instead of relying on Konoha to act," Hiruzen said, taking back the report Mifune had brought, "you should focus on restoring your own country."
"The invasion by Grass Ninja Village has, in a way, helped you. They exposed those among your people who had no loyalty to begin with."
"Now you know who you can trust. In that, at least, Konoha will offer assistance."
Mifune bowed stiffly, his face grim, and left the Hokage's office like a man walking in a dream.
Once alone, Hiruzen put down his pipe and poured himself a cup of tea. As the steam rose, his gaze turned to the intelligence reports scattered before him.
Mifune was right—Konoha's conservative strategy hadn't failed, but it hadn't exactly kept pace with the changing world either.
In a time when everyone else was growing, merely staying still was a kind of loss.
And Hiruzen was certain that behind Kusagakure's rise, there had to be hidden hands. Their rapid growth—resource gathering, information networks, political maneuvering—was far beyond what a minor village should be capable of.
As someone who had led the largest ninja village for decades, he could tell: Kusagakure had help.
But from who?
The Third Hokage took a sip of tea and murmured to himself, "Let's have those warriors probe the situation first…"
In this world, allies and enemies could shift overnight. If Kusagakure really posed a threat, the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning would betray them without hesitation.
---
Later – in an izakaya
After leaving the Hokage's office, Mifune met with his men at a quiet tavern.
He raised his glass, trying to focus. "Well? What did Danzō say?"
Samurai Shousuke shook his head, ashamed. "Sir… I didn't even get to meet him."
"…I see."
The third captain beside him downed his drink in silence. He hadn't expected much from Danzō, especially with all the rumors about his recent losses.
Still, not being able to see him at all—that stung.
Shousuke glanced at Mifune's slumped figure. But instead of seeing a failure, he felt relief. If Mifune had died during their retreat, he would be the one carrying the burden of rebuilding the country. And that burden was heavy.
After a few drinks, Shousuke hesitated, then leaned in. "Sir, while I was in Konoha… I overheard something. Might be important."
"What is it?" Mifune asked, slightly drunk but suddenly alert.
"You remember that Uchiha who intercepted us in the Land of Hot water?"
"He awakened a new dojutsu. A mutation of the Sharingan—something they're calling the Setsurengan."
Shousuke spoke carefully, "But he didn't awaken it naturally. He gained it after undergoing a procedure… something called 'physical strengthening surgery.'"
Mifune stopped mid-pour. "You're saying…"
"Yes. The procedure dramatically enhances a ninja's strength. But it's risky. So risky, in fact, that Konoha declared it forbidden."
Mifune narrowed his eyes. "And who performed it?"
"Orochimaru—the one they call one of the Legendary Sannin."
"…That's all I needed to know."
Mifune stood up suddenly. His cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, but his eyes were clear and sharp.
---
Meanwhile – Elsewhere in Konoha
In a hidden room, Danzō met with a masked figure from Kusagakure.
His expression was cold. "What do you want? Just two days ago, your village practically declared war on Konoha."
The masked Kusanagi chuckled. "That may be true… but without your help, we'd never have even gotten into the village."
His tone shifted to mockery. "Seems like the rumors were right—your standing in Konoha isn't what it used to be."
"If you came here to insult me," Danzō growled, "you've succeeded."
"My apologies," the man said smoothly, straightening. "We're here for business."
"Konoha's about to become semi-closed. Trade will tighten. But black market routes? Those will thrive."
"To make that work, we need someone with information, manpower, and cover. That… would be you, Lord Danzō."
Danzō narrowed his eyes.
Konoha, isolated?
Hiruzen really plans to let Kusagakure walk over us?
He sneered.
That old man underestimates me—and overestimates them.
_____________________
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