Sarutobi Hiruzen's face darkened as he was about to accuse the other party of being shameless, but he immediately recalled Hidden Cloud Village's notorious tradition of behaving like jealous monsters.
Steal or rob anything as long as it's coveted!
The Third Generation Raikage seemed to have pulled this trick before. He had stolen from Hidden Rock Village in the past, and now he was repeating the same tactic right under Konoha's nose.
Bang.
The door of the Hokage Office was suddenly pushed open, and Danzo walked in.
"Danzo, what brings you here?"
"Of course, it's about the matter you're discussing, Hiruzen. Don't forget that the Root is an indispensable force within the village."
Having said that, Danzo placed a dossier on the table and continued speaking.
"This is intelligence gathered by the Root about that elite squad beside the Third Generation Raikage. Although incomplete, there are strategies we can target; also, similar events seem to be happening in the Land of Earth, where it's the Third Raikage's son."
Sarutobi Hiruzen picked up the intelligence scroll for a brief look. The Root's information revealed details of various ninjas around the Third Generation Raikage, even including perception ninjas.
It's probably very difficult to implement an encirclement.
"Danzo, what are your thoughts?"
Danzo glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen after hearing his words, secretly sneering: "Apart from surrounding and killing, the only option is to use similar tactics against Hidden Cloud Village.
But the difficulty of the first method is known, Hiruzen. If you want to kill the Third Generation Raikage, you'll need to personally step up; as for the second method... Root has obtained information that Hidden Cloud has stationed many ninjas in the Land of Hot Water, making passage very difficult."
The Hokage Office suddenly went quiet, broken only by the sound of Sarutobi Hiruzen lighting his pipe.
The Third Generation Raikage can't be ignored, or Konoha's logistics and procurement can't be guaranteed, unless he's personally supervising the transport.
However, if managed... facing a high-mobility elite squad is indeed a difficult affair.
The second method isn't suitable either, as the Third Raikage must be dealt with first. Otherwise, allowing enemy ninja villages to cause chaos in the Land of Fire will certainly prompt accountability from the Daimyo Mansion.
"Notify Hatake Sakumo..."
Before Sarutobi Hiruzen could finish his words, an Anbu knocked and entered, handing over a report scroll.
Upon reading, Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned deeply.
Kushina visited the Uchiha Clan Land, and when departing after speaking with Uchiha Yoichi, she suddenly sat on the ground. Though checks confirmed her seal hadn't loosened, nor were there signs of illusion techniques, Kushina's face was flush, and her body slightly quivered at the time.
The Uchiha have intentions towards the Nine-tails?
The first thought that sprang to Sarutobi Hiruzen's mind was this, but then he shook his head. According to records left by Teacher Tobirama, only the Mangekyo can control the Nine-tails.
Though Uchiha Yoichi is a genius, he only has three Tomoe, and Kushina wasn't under illusion techniques...
Still, this can't be overlooked; the Nine-tails' proximity to the Uchiha is effectively taboo within the village.
The Nine-tails was initially sealed inside Lord Mito due to Uchiha Madara controlling it to attack the village, allowing the First Hokage to seize the Nine-tails.
This must be strictly guarded!
"Hiruzen, what's the issue?"
Curious about Sarutobi Hiruzen's frown after reading the scroll, Danzo asked.
"A minor matter, I'll deal with it later."
Sarutobi Hiruzen discreetly put away the scroll. If Danzo learns this involves Uchiha Yoichi, it will undoubtedly result in conflict.
"Notify Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru, have them come over."
Following orders, the Anbu left the Hokage Office. Hearing this, Danzo asked, "Do you intend to have them both lead elite ninjas to deal with the Third Raikage? While their strength is sufficient, killing him is difficult..."
Although Hatake Sakumo is an exceptionally powerful Wind Release ninja, facing the Third Generation Raikage will still be challenging.
"So tell me, how many ninjas are needed to kill the Third Raikage?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen responded in a slightly annoyed tone. With many people, the Third Raikage can simply flee; given his mobility, Konoha ninja may not be able to catch up.
Having sufficient numbers makes it difficult to kill him, considering the Third Raikage is a ninja who battled the Eight-tailed for three days; even with a personal move, finding an opportunity is tough.
Only with sufficient numbers, all being elite ninjas, can they stall the Third Raikage. Prolonged engagement, denying him benefits, might prompt his departure.
Otherwise, a village leader plays hide and seek in enemy territory... if stalled by Konoha successfully for a day, Hidden Cloud Village will incur a day's loss.
Sarutobi Hiruzen doesn't wish to kill the Third Raikage, but given the slim chances, his action might waste time. Thus, using a steady method to drive him away is the better choice.
——————————————
Soon, Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru arrived at the Hokage Office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen promptly spoke to them: "Sakumo, Orochimaru, I have a task for you..."
After explaining the Third Raikage's destructiveness in the Land of Fire, both Hatake Sakumo and Orochimaru displayed concerns.
Orochimaru quickly guessed Sarutobi Hiruzen's intentions: "Teacher, do you intend to have Senior Sakumo and I stop the Third Raikage?"
"Hmm, they also have perception ninjas, making encirclement killing implausible. Merely stalling him, denying any destructive opportunity, fulfills our objective."
Exhaling a puff of smoke, Sarutobi Hiruzen continued: "They number thirteen. Sakumo, you and Orochimaru can lead three squads. Do you have confidence?"
Hatake Sakumo pondered momentarily before speaking: "Merely stalling the Third Raikage gives me confidence, though support from Third Hokage in ninja squads is hoped for."
Implied in his words is the need for elite ninjas; in this situation, Chunin virtually have no use, exhausting chakra with mere Jutsus.
"Sakumo, share your plan."
"Ninjas from the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, combined efforts can restrain the Third Raikage's subordinates. Hyuga, Inuzuka, and Aburame can guarantee we won't lose their track... Lastly, I hope for ninja proficient in Wind Release."
Wind counters Lightning, as Hidden Cloud Village, due to geographical environment, mostly comprises lightning attribute ninjas. Using ninjas skilled in wind attribute to counter them yields better effects.
"Ninjas proficient in Wind Release within the village..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment but identified few; this chakra attribute ninja is seldom seen, especially those excellently trained in Wind Release.
Suddenly, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his gaze toward Danzo beside him, a readily available strong Wind Escape user, aware of his old teammate's proficiency, even exceeding his in singular Wind Release Jutsus.
Danzo felt a chill down his spine, immediately realizing Sarutobi Hiruzen's intentions.
'Monkey, are you planning to dispatch me!?'
"Cough, cough!!"
Reacting swiftly, Danzo coughed twice, exposing his bandaged arm and right eye, injuries sustained not long ago, yet unremoved though healed.
"If necessary, I'll go..."
Utatane Koharu, seeing Danzo's condition, spoke sympathetically: "Danzo, have your injuries healed?"
"Such injuries are of no consequence!"
Mitokado Homura also chimed: "If you leave the village, what happens to Root? The village remains reliant on Root's intelligence, and you're also injured, best not to force yourself."
"Contributing to the village can't be termed forcing..."
Upon finishing, Danzo glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, only he as Hokage speaking could persuade him to stay.
Yet before Sarutobi Hiruzen could speak, Hatake Sakumo interjected: "Third Hokage, I hope Uchiha Yoichi joins this mission. Although young, his strength is formidable, offering significant help for the task.
As for other squad selections, I'll leave them to Third Hokage's arrangements."
"Uchiha Yoichi, alright, I'll have him notified."
Recalling the earlier intelligence about Kushina, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt sending him on a mission outside the village might be beneficial, creating distance from the Nine-tailed Jinchuriki, thus promptly consenting to Hatake Sakumo's request.