Only when it's in your own hands can it truly be secure.
However, this kind of matter was not for Kakashi to decide; the Third Hokage's order to him was to investigate, not to engage in conflict with the Hidden Rain Ninja.
After receiving the Hidden Rain's clear stance, Kakashi turned around and led the Anbu away from here, hurrying back toward the Land of Fire.
The Hidden Rain Jonin remained standing motionless, not sure whether the sweat or rain in his palm was more, silently letting out a sigh of relief in his heart.
Honestly, getting into a conflict here with Konoha's Anbu would bring no benefit to Hidden Rain.
But now Hidden Rain had nowhere left to retreat; next, they would face Konoha's accountability.
Only by making it through this ordeal could Hidden Rain truly break free from Konoha's control.
◎
Kakashi reported Hidden Rain's status truthfully to the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Daimyo of the Land of Rain had died in a sudden accident, and there seemed to be changes within Hidden Rain Village; the leader Kanzo's fate was unknown, and communication with Konoha was cut off.
The Anbu led by Kakashi were unable to enter Hidden Rain to gather more intelligence.
So, ultimately, the top priority was to find out what incident had occurred inside Hidden Rain.
It's just that Konoha had too many affairs to handle right now; the Hidden Cloud was tying up much of Konoha's forces, Uchiha required Anbu surveillance, and the three S-rank Renegade Ninja might be lurking in the shadows, eyeing Konoha and planning the next attack.
And now with Hidden Rain involved, Hiruzen's brows furrowed even deeper.
Until just this past October, Konoha had still appeared peaceful and harmonious.
But with the outbreak of the Nine-tailed incident and the death of the Fourth Hokage, various problems emerged, leaving Konoha feeling overwhelmed.
If they wanted to fully investigate the changes inside Hidden Rain, the current Anbu alone could not handle it.
Most of the Anbu had their own tasks and could not spare themselves.
However, there was one Anbu division that could help him.
That was Danzo's Root.
But letting Danzo meddle in Hidden Rain... Hiruzen shook his head.
Danzo was not suitable.
It was precisely because he had let Danzo handle diplomatic relations with Hidden Rain at the start, that Danzo ended up disobeying him and did many unspeakable things behind his back.
"Kakashi, return and stand by for orders. Maintain contact at all times."
Helplessly, Hiruzen could only give Kakashi an order to stand by.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Kakashi nodded and disappeared from the office.
◎
"Lord Danzo, this is intelligence transmitted by Kakashi."
Dressed in a black coat with sunglasses, Aburame Ryuma held out a scroll of intelligence records, speaking with no trace of emotion.
As a senior manager within Root, his status beneath only one person in the division was exalted.
When Danzo had been unable to command Root, he was the one in charge.
Coming from the insect-controlling clan, the Aburame family, he was a radical whose priority was Konoha's interests above all.
Simply doing outward-facing tasks like an ordinary ninja did not satisfy him.
Only Root matched his way of handling things.
For this reason, Danzo relied heavily on him—even for someone as important as Kakashi, Ryuma knew everything clearly.
Danzo took the scroll Ryuma handed over and opened it to look.
"Hidden Rain... wants to break free from Konoha's control? As expected, Hiruzen can't be relied on. If it were up to me, I would never let Hidden Rain slip from Konoha's grasp."
The contents of the report left Danzo extremely dissatisfied.
The Land of Rain was a crucial buffer zone in war.
Hidden Rain could serve as a shield to block enemy attacks on the Land of Fire during times of war.
If this defensive wall were lost, it would be a huge loss for Konoha.
"Yes, with the Third Hokage back in power, many in the village have voiced opposition. They want to select the Fifth Hokage from among the Sannin."
Ryuma sighed softly.
The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato, although also an enemy of Root, as one of the younger generation to ascend the position of Hokage—even at the cost of Root's interests—this was still positive for Konoha.
At least, that Fourth Hokage was no appeaser; on the battlefield, his sharp, merciless methods and legendary achievements inspired awe even among Root Ninja.
"Hiruzen won't let anyone touch the Hokage's power, not even with the Fourth alive. His intent all along was to raise the Fourth as his puppet—otherwise, Orochimaru would already be the Fifth Hokage."
Danzo would not miss any chance to throw Hiruzen under the bus.
Ryuma could not refute Danzo's opinions.
He too had complaints about the Third now—hesitant to act, and when acting, incapable of seeing things through.
Konoha... needed a Hokage with greater decisiveness and courage.
"Then how do we resolve the Hidden Rain situation?"
"Root's personnel were previously scattered, and it will take time to reassemble the team. Besides, there's been an unknown upheaval within Hidden Rain, and Kanzo has not contacted us. Most likely, he's been eliminated. Even if Root were to intervene now, it's going to be extremely tricky to salvage the situation over there."
A profound look appeared in Danzo's eyes.
Ryuma nodded; this matter was indeed not easy to handle.
Hidden Rain only surrendered to Konoha because of Kanzo, that ninja who prized his own life above all.
As long as he was alive, Hidden Rain could bring benefits to Konoha.
Once he died, Hidden Rain's link with Konoha would be completely severed.