Amegakure.
At this moment, Danzo was waiting for news of Hanzo's victorious return.
In his view, for Hanzo to deal with the leader of a newly rising organization should not be a problem at all.
Just as his confidence remained steady, a low voice came from the shadows.
"Lord Danzo."
"Speak."
Danzo looked toward the Root shinobi reporting to him, already imagining the good news that would follow.
Root would successfully establish cooperation with Amegakure and obtain even more resources from it.
And in doing so, Root would also be able to expand its recruitment.
As for Hiruzen's expansion of the Anbu, Danzo had long been aware of it.
"Hanzo's team is already a couple miles away, but… the situation is not quite right."
"Explain clearly."
The confidence on Danzo's face diminished slightly as his brows furrowed.
"Our people observed from a distance. Amegakure shinobi formation is loose, more than half are wounded, and Hanzo himself appears to have been injured. Most importantly…"
The Root shinobi paused for a moment.
"They did not bring back any prisoners, nor is there any sign of victory."
Danzo's single eye narrowed slightly.
A brief silence fell within the secret chamber, broken only by the steady dripping of water.
"The Akatsuki organization's strength has exceeded expectations."
Danzo spoke slowly, his voice betraying no emotion.
"Or could it be that Tsunade and the others interfered?"
"According to analysis of intelligence from the front lines, Tsunade did not directly participate in the battle. However, her disciple, Kiyohara, displayed… abnormal combat capabilities. In addition, the red-haired shinobi of the Akatsuki summoned some kind of gigantic summoning beast, suspected to possess the ability to absorb chakra."
"Absorb chakra…"
Danzo looked at the Root shinobi, suspecting for a moment that the report might be false.
Was it not merely the suppression of a newly emerged organization in the Land of Rain? How could so many unexpected developments occur?
Where exactly had this situation escalated to? Was this still the shinobi world?
"What intelligence is there regarding Nagato?"
"His eyes… seem to be the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths."
The Root shinobi carefully observed Danzo's expression as he spoke cautiously.
"The Sage of Six Paths…"
Danzo recalled certain ancient records, legends concerning the Sage of Six Paths and the so-called Rinnegan.
Most people treated them as myths.
But what if they were not myths?
"Where is Hanzo now?"
"He has entered the outer perimeter of Amegakure's alert zone. He is expected to reach the tower in about a quarter of an hour."
Danzo stood up and spoke directly, "Prepare to withdraw."
"My lord?"
"This cooperation has already failed. Hanzo's prestige has been damaged, and internal instability within Amegakure is inevitable. If we remain here any longer, we will only become targets for all sides."
Danzo walked toward the exit of the secret chamber and paused before the stone door.
"Tell Hanzo that Konoha will continue to monitor the situation in the Land of Rain. As for the mining rights… we will discuss them again once he has stabilized his position."
"Yes."
The Root shinobi bowed and retreated into the shadows.
Danzo pushed open the stone door, and the sound of rain outside suddenly became clear. He stood at the turn of the staircase, listening to the rain striking against the outer walls of the tower.
Kiyohara…
That brat again!
Danzo had once believed he was merely another fleeting genius. The shinobi world had never lacked geniuses, but those who could survive to become legends were exceedingly rare.
But now it seemed that this young man might be far more than just a genius.
"The bloodline of the Uchiha, combined with Tsunade's teachings…"
Danzo muttered to himself.
"Hmph. It only makes that inherently evil bloodline even more detestable."
Danzo clenched his fist.
He had never liked the Uchiha, especially after repeatedly failing to recruit Kiyohara, and after Kiyohara had even attacked one of his training bases.
All of this combined made Danzo feel that Kiyohara was a pure Uchiha through and through.
That was right, a being evil by nature.
However, contrary to Root's expectations, Hanzo and his group returned even sooner.
Hurried footsteps echoed from below the staircase.
Several Amegakure shinobis carried a stretcher as they rushed upward. Lying on it was Kanzo's corpse, the wound at his throat crudely treated, yet still horrifying to behold.
Danzo stepped aside to let them pass, his gaze sweeping over the body.
A single strike, a clean kill.
Efficient and decisive, without any unnecessary movement.
This was the method of a seasoned veteran of the battlefield, yet Kiyohara was only a teenager.
"Danzo."
Hanzo's voice came from below the stairs.
"It seems the battle was intense."
Danzo spoke calmly.
Hanzo ascended the staircase and stood shoulder to shoulder with Danzo.
Neither of them looked at the other; their gazes were both fixed on the endless curtain of rain outside.
"The Akatsuki organization is more troublesome than expected."
Hanzo said.
"Especially that red-haired Nagato… and Kiyohara."
"What techniques did Kiyohara use?"
"Sage Art."
Danzo's pupils contracted slightly.
"The Sage Art of Mount Myoboku?"
"Not certain."
Hanzo shook his head.
"But it is undoubtedly Sage Art. The fluctuations of natural energy, that unique chakra sensation… I cannot be mistaken."
"Taught by Tsunade?"
"Doesn't seem like it."
Hanzo pondered for a moment.
"I am familiar with Tsunade's combat style. Her mastery of Sage Art is not profound. What Kiyohara used… feels more like a self-developed system of Sage Art. Though rough, its potential is astonishing."
The two fell silent once more.
The rain grew heavier, large droplets striking the window with sharp, crackling sounds.
"Let us set aside the matter of the mines for now."
Danzo was the first to break the silence.
"You should deal with your internal issues first. After this defeat, some people will likely start to stir."
Hanzo did not refute him.
He knew Danzo was speaking the truth.
Amegakure had never been a monolith. The open and covert struggles between various shinobi clans and factions had never ceased.
He had suppressed them all through iron rule and strength, but once he showed signs of weakness, those dormant ambitions would inevitably rise again.
"As for Konoha…"
"I will handle it."
Danzo turned and walked down the stairs.
His figure disappeared around the corner.
Hanzo remained standing alone by the window. The rain reflected in his eyes, making those once eagle-sharp eyes appear clouded.
He raised a hand to press against the bandages on his chest, where waves of pain continued to spread.
Kiyohara's punch had not only broken his ribs, it had shattered the invincible image he had maintained for years.
"Even heroes grow old…"
Hanzo let out a self-mocking laugh.
He recalled Yahiko's words, the orange-haired youth who had looked at him with eyes filled with disappointment and anger.
"You are no longer the Hanzo you once were."
Perhaps that boy was right.
Hanzo closed his eyes, and images from many years ago surfaced in his mind.
Back then, the Land of Rain was engulfed in war. He had stood alone at the border, behind him the shattered remains of villages, and before him the allied forces of the three great nations.
He had believed he was protecting this country.
But now it seemed that what he had protected might have only been the power in his own hands.
"My lord."
A Amegakure jonin approached cautiously.
"The casualty report has been compiled. The number of dead…"
Hanzo listened quietly to the report.
"I understand. Have the medical team treat the wounded with full effort. Compensation for the fallen will be issued according to standard. Also…"
He paused briefly.
"From today onward, Amegakure will enter a state of martial law. All external missions are to be suspended, and all shinobis currently outside are to be recalled."
"Yes!"
The jonin quickly withdrew.
...
Mountains' Graveyard.
Madara sat on a wooden seat before the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, his aged body wrapped in a black robe.
His breathing was faint, so faint it was almost imperceptible, yet the rise and fall of his chest proved that he was still alive.
Only after the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path returned, and White Zetsu inserted the tubes into him, did his complexion improve somewhat.
As he absorbed the chakra within the statue, Madara slowly opened his eyes.
"Where is Obito?"
Madara asked.
"He is still on the way back."
White Zetsu replied.
"Is that so."
Madara said quietly.
Originally, he had thought that Obito was already strong enough, but after witnessing Kiyohara, he realized it was far from sufficient.
The intelligence from the battlefield had already reached Madara through White Zetsu.
"After Obito returns, I should let Kiyohara give him another round of stimulation."
That was what Madara thought.
The Uchiha were a cursed clan. The greater the pain they experienced, the stronger their power became, and the more deeply they could draw out the strength of the Sharingan.
Madara understood this very well, so he intended to use Kiyohara to drive Obito's growth.
This had already been proven feasible in previous operations.
The next day.
Konoha, the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen sat behind his large desk. The pipe in his hand had long since gone out, yet he did not notice. Spread out on the desk before him was the latest intelligence scroll sent back by Tsunade.
"Sage Art…"
Hiruzen read the term aloud, lightly tapping his pipe against the edge of the desk.
He recalled many years ago, when Jiraiya had returned from his training and excitedly demonstrated Sage Mode.
At that time, the toad-like features on Jiraiya's face had still been quite obvious, but his eyes had shone brightly.
"Old man, look. This is the Sage Art of Mount Myoboku. With this, I will definitely…"
Definitely what?
Hiruzen closed his eyes.
His memories had already begun to blur.
Back then, Jiraiya had said many bold things, talking about changing the shinobi world, about finding the Child of Prophecy, about achieving true peace.
Now, that once loud and impulsive white-haired disciple had grown into a powerful man capable of standing on his own.
"Kiyohara has also learned Sage Art…"
Hiruzen opened his eyes again, his gaze falling upon the descriptions of Kiyohara's performance in battle within the report.
"Directly withstood Hanzo's iaijutsu slash… Wind Release jutsu's power surpassing standard S-rank…"
Each line of description caused Hiruzen to continuously raise his evaluation.
The speed at which this child was growing had already exceeded everyone's expectations.
No, perhaps Orochimaru had already foreseen it. That disciple who had always held an unusual obsession with exceptional bloodlines had shown an extraordinary interest in Kiyohara from the very beginning.
No wonder Orochimaru had been the first among the Sannin to extend an olive branch to Kiyohara, even taking him on as an assistant.
A light knock sounded at the office door.
"Come in."
An Anbu shinobi entered silently and knelt on one knee. "Hokage-sama, the latest intelligence from the Land of Rain front has been compiled."
"Report."
"After Hanzo retreated to Amegakure with his remaining forces, he immediately declared martial law throughout the village. All external missions have been suspended. According to reports from our embedded agents, there are already signs of instability within the village. Representatives from three shinobi clans held a secret meeting last night, but the content is unknown."
Hiruzen nodded. This was within expectations.
Hanzo's prestige had suffered greatly in this battle. The forces he had suppressed for years would inevitably begin to stir.
"What about the Akatsuki?"
"Yahiko is gathering the remaining members and treating the wounded. Nagato has fallen unconscious due to chakra exhaustion. Akatsuki suffered eleven deaths and twenty-three severe injuries in this battle, but their morale has not decreased, instead it has risen because they directly repelled Hanzo."
The Anbu shinobi paused briefly before continuing, "Additionally, the spies stationed in the Land of Rain are asking whether they should remain to provide further assistance."
Hiruzen pondered for a moment.
The geographical position of the Land of Rain was far too special. Situated between the three great countries of Fire, Wind, and Earth, it had always been a battleground contested by all sides.
Because of this, every major country had placed numerous spies there, including Konoha. Hiruzen could receive intelligence not only from Tsunade, but also from those spies.
Now that Hanzo was weakening and Akatsuki was rising, the balance of power in that land was about to be rewritten.
Occupy the Land of Rain?
The thought flashed through Hiruzen's mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
The Land of Rain lacked resources, with mountainous terrain and constant rainfall that made agriculture difficult.
If Konoha were to forcibly occupy it, they would not only face guerrilla resistance from the remnants of Amegakure, but would also directly border Suna and Iwa, inevitably increasing border conflicts.
More importantly, the war had already gone on for too long. Konoha's national strength had been heavily drained, and the villagers longed for peace.
"Inform Tsunade that the mission is complete. She can return."
Hiruzen finally said.
Tsunade's report had also suggested that Konoha could take this opportunity to establish cooperation with Akatsuki, and Hiruzen found that idea reasonable.
"As for the Akatsuki… in the name of the Hokage's office, send them a batch of medical supplies and basic shinobi tools. Tell Yahiko that Konoha recognizes Akatsuki as a legitimate political organization within the Land of Rain and is willing to cooperate on equal terms."
"Yes."
The Anbu shinobi noted the orders but did not immediately leave.
"Anything else?"
"Regarding the publicity of this battle…"
The Anbu shinobi asked cautiously.
"Should it be kept confidential?"
Hiruzen's fingers lightly tapped the desk.
Publicity.
That word reminded him of the Second Great Shinobi War many years ago.
Back then, the title of the Legendary Sannin had been given by Hanzo, not as praise, but as mockery.
Three young geniuses had joined forces yet still been defeated by Hanzo, who had then "mercifully" spared their lives and granted them that title.
For a time, it had been a humiliation for Konoha.
Now, Tsunade's disciple, together with Akatsuki, had directly defeated Hanzo.
This was the best possible material for propaganda.
"Promote it extensively."
Hiruzen said slowly, a sharp glint of a seasoned politician flashing in his eyes.
"Emphasize two points. First, that Konoha shinobi assisted a local peaceful organization in the Land of Rain to resist tyranny. Second, highlight that this demonstrates the strength of the new generation of Konoha shinobi."
He paused, then added, "Just like the Chunin Exams, we need to show the strength of Konoha to all nations through undeniable power."
"Understood."
The Anbu shinobi accepted the order and withdrew.
The office fell silent once more.
Hiruzen stood up and walked to the window.
Villagers who had risen early had already begun their day, and the laughter of children drifted from afar.
Such a peaceful scene had been bought with the blood of countless shinobi.
"Rewards…"
Hiruzen returned to his desk and spread out a new scroll.
Kiyohara and the others had rendered great service this time. They deserved rewards.
Shizune should be promoted to Tokubetsu Jonin.
That child had followed Tsunade for years, and her medical ninjutsu, poison techniques, and taijutsu had all reached a respectable level. Her performance in the Land of Rain mission had also been commendable.
As for Kurenai, she possessed outstanding talent in genjutsu and well-rounded combat abilities. She could be promoted to Jonin.
Although she was young, in times of war, exceptional talent needed to be promoted beyond standard rules.
Tsunade…
Give her money.
That girl was always short on funds.
Hiruzen smiled bitterly and wrote down a mission reward of one million ryo on the scroll.
Finally, there was Kiyohara.
Hiruzen's brush hovered above the paper for a long time without descending.
Money?
That child did not seem particularly attached to wealth.
Ninjutsu, then.
Hiruzen ultimately decided that after Kiyohara returned, he would reward him with ninjutsu.
"And then there is the matter of Root…"
Hiruzen's brows furrowed.
At the end of her report, Tsunade had specifically mentioned Danzo's actions in the Land of Rain, his attempt to eliminate Akatsuki, and even sending Root shinobis to attack Konan.
These actions had not been approved by the Hokage's office at all.
"Anbu."
"Here."
Another Anbu shinobi appeared.
"Inform the finance department that starting next quarter, Root's funding will be reduced by twenty percent."
The Anbu shinobi was slightly taken aback but did not ask further questions. "Understood. Should Lord Danzo be informed?"
"When he returns, I will speak to him personally."
Hiruzen said.
As for Homura and Koharu, he decided not to inform them for the time being.
Although those two old friends were also Hokage advisors, when it came to dealing with Danzo, they always tended to smooth things over.
This time, he intended to make Danzo understand that the Hokage was the highest authority in Konoha.
The Anbu shinobi accepted the order and vanished.
Hiruzen picked up his pipe again and took a deep draw.
The sharp taste of tobacco circled through his lungs, and as he slowly exhaled, it became a sigh so faint it was almost inaudible.
Konoha was like a great tree. On the surface, its branches and leaves flourished, but underground, its roots were already tangled and intertwined beyond clarity.
And as the Third Hokage, how much longer could he continue to prune those roots?
At the same time, in the Land of Earth, Iwagakure.
Onoki hovered in midair, his short body floating about a meter above the ground, his arms crossed as his brows remained tightly knit.
On both sides of the long conference table sat more than a dozen high-ranking officials of Iwagakure.
Kitsuchi sat on the left side. He was Onoki's son and one of the central pillars of Iwagakure.
"You have all seen the intelligence from the Land of Rain, correct?"
Onoki said.
Silence filled the conference room. In front of each person lay a briefing report detailing the basic situation of the events in the Land of Rain.
"Hanzo has been defeated."
Onoki continued speaking.
"He was defeated by a newly emerging organization and a Konoha squad. To be precise, he was defeated by Tsunade's disciple Kiyohara, as well as the summoned creature called forth by Akatsuki's Nagato."
"Kiyohara…"
Kitsuchi spoke, his voice low and steady. "Father, according to intelligence, since the start of the Shinobi War, his record has been extremely eye-catching. He was involved in the destruction of Kannabi Bridge, and he even captured Pakura."
"He is too young. Even Hatake Sakumo did not have such achievements at that age."
One of Iwa's high-ranking officials spoke up.
"Hatake Sakumo did not know Sage Art."
Another executive interjected.
"The intelligence clearly states that Kiyohara used Sage Arts during battle. Although it is uncertain which sacred land it originates from, the fact that he could withstand Hanzo's iaijutsu slash head-on… that level of defense has already surpassed the scope of conventional ninjutsu."
Onoki slowly descended to the ground and walked to the map at the front of the conference room.
On the map, the position of the Land of Rain was specially marked.
"You all understand the geographical position of the Land of Rain."
Onoki pointed at the map.
"It lies between us, the Land of Fire, and the Land of Wind. During Hanzo's rule, the Land of Rain maintained neutrality, but in reality, it wavered among the three sides to gain benefits."
"Now that Hanzo is weakening, Akatsuki is rising to power."
Kitsuchi continued.
"Judging from Akatsuki's ideology, they lean toward peace and oppose the aggression of great nations. That may not necessarily be a bad thing for us. At the very least, the Land of Rain will not completely fall to Konoha."
"The issue is not Akatsuki, but Konoha."
Onoki turned around, his gaze sweeping across every high-ranking official present.
"Kiyohara's rate of growth has already exceeded that of a typical genius. If he is allowed to continue growing, what kind of monster will Konoha produce ten years from now?"
This question left everyone silent.
"Father, you mean…"
Kitsuchi asked tentatively.
"In the Third Great Shinobi War, we are already at a disadvantage."
"At the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, our supply lines were cut. Although we have made progress in the direction of the Land of Grass, overall, if the war continues, Iwa's losses will only increase."
He paused briefly before continuing, "My suggestion is to pursue peace talks with Konoha."
"Peace talks?"
One of the Iwagakure officials voiced an objection.
"Tsuchikage-sama, negotiating peace now would be equivalent to admitting defeat. The territory we have occupied in the Land of Grass will likely have to be relinquished."
"Then we relinquish part of it."
Onoki replied.
"Exchange land for time. Konoha does not want to continue fighting on two fronts either. To the east, they must guard against Kiri. To the west, they must guard against Suna. If we take the initiative to propose peace, Hiruzen will certainly accept."
"But…"
"There are no buts."
Onoki cut him off directly.
"The purpose of war is not destruction, but profit. If we continue fighting, all Iwagakure will gain is a longer list of casualties."
"With peace talks, we can preserve most of our existing gains while also buying time for development."
He rose into the air again, looking down at everyone from above.
"Kiyohara… place him on the S-rank threat list. Notify all Iwa shinobi currently on missions. If they encounter this person, they are permitted to retreat immediately, and it will not be considered a mission failure."
"S-rank?"
One of the officials expressed doubt.
"He is only in his teens!"
"Was Namikaze Minato not the same back then? He was only slightly older than Kiyohara."
Onoki said coldly.
Having witnessed the power of Madara firsthand, he knew exactly how terrifying the Uchiha clan could be, and how high the ceiling of a true genius could reach.
"What about when he is twenty-six? Or thirty-six? Are we supposed to wait until he becomes a second Madara before regretting that we did not take him seriously earlier?"
That statement silenced everyone.
Madara.
For the older generation of shinobi who had experienced the First Great Shinobi War, that name was synonymous with a nightmare.
Even though Madara had been "dead" for many years, his lingering influence still remained.
"Meeting adjourned."
Onoki waved his hand.
"Kitsuchi, stay behind."
The jonin gradually left the conference room, until only the father and son remained.
"Father, do you truly believe Kiyohara can grow to the level of Madara?"
Kitsuchi asked in a low voice.
Onoki did not answer immediately.
He floated toward the window and looked out at the stone buildings characteristic of Iwagakure.
The village was built among mountains, easy to defend and difficult to attack, yet it also felt closed off and oppressive.
"Kitsuchi, have you ever seen Madara?"
"No. I had not even been born when he died."
Kitsuchi found the question somewhat strange.
"I have."
Onoki's voice carried a rare heaviness.
"I was very young at the time, following Lord Mū to attend a Five Kage Summit. Madara stood beside the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama. He did not say a single word, he merely glanced over…"
Onoki shook his head, as if trying to shake off the memory.
"That kind of pressure… I still remember it to this day. It was not a difference in strength, but a difference in essence, like the difference between humans and tailed beasts."
Kitsuchi fell silent for a moment.
"Kiyohara does not yet have that kind of pressure."
"Which is why we must prepare before he reaches that stage."
Onoki turned around.
"Peace talks are the first step. The second step… is to make contact with the Akatsuki in the Land of Rain."
Kitsuchi was taken aback. "Contact Akatsuki? Aren't they allied with Konoha?"
"There are no eternal allies, only eternal interests."
Onoki said meaningfully.
"If Akatsuki wants to change the Land of Rain, they will need resources, technology, and international recognition. Konoha can provide those, and so can we."
"I understand."
Kitsuchi nodded.
"I will arrange for reliable personnel to make contact."
"Be careful. Do not let Konoha notice."
"Yes."
After Kitsuchi left, Onoki remained alone, floating in the empty conference room.
Outside the window was the village he had protected all his life. Every stone carried the efforts of generations of Tsuchikage.
And now, a new threat was rising.
"The Uchiha… truly a troublesome clan."
Onoki muttered to himself, his voice fading into the air.
At the same time, in the Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
The sound of the waterfall roared deafeningly.
Yugito stood beneath it, allowing the torrent to crash down upon her body.
Her chakra surged within her, resisting the force of the waterfall.
"Yugito, take a break."
Samui's voice came from the shore.
The blonde kunoichi held a stack of documents, a helpless expression on her face.
"Not yet."
Yugito gritted her teeth.
"I am still not strong enough."
"You are already very strong."
Samui said.
"To be able to fully control the power of the Two-Tails, there are only a handful of people in Kumo's history who have managed that."
"So what?"
Yugito stepped out from beneath the waterfall. Her soaked clothes clung tightly to her body, outlining her toned figure.
Kumogakure had not been established for that long, and there had not even been many hosts of the Two-Tails to begin with.
"And I still lost to Kiyohara."
Samui let out a sigh.
Ever since Yugito's defeat by Kiyohara, she had become even more relentless than before.
Her training intensity had tripled, she took on more missions, and her rest time had grown shorter and shorter.
"This is the latest intelligence from the Land of Rain."
Samui handed over the documents.
"Kiyohara has achieved another feat. Together with Akatsuki, he repelled Hanzo of the Salamander."
Yugito took the documents and quickly scanned them.
Her beautiful face grew increasingly serious as she read.
"Sage Art…"
she murmured.
"He has even learned Sage Art."
"And judging from the description, it enhances his taijutsu, and even alters his appearance."
Samui added.
"Hanzo's sword technique, Iaijutsu Slash, is said to be capable of cutting through the armor of the Land of Iron, yet it only left a white mark on Kiyohara's arm."
Yugito clenched the documents tightly, crumpling the paper in her hand.
Humiliation.
That word burned within her heart. As the Two-Tails jinchūriki, as the pillar of Kumogakure's next generation, she had been defeated by a Konoha shinobi.
Even though there had been many factors in that battle, and her control over the tailed beast's power had not yet been fully mastered at the time, defeat was still defeat.
"I am going to train."
Yugito tossed the documents back to Samui and turned to leave.
"Wait."
Samui called out to her.
"The Raikage asked me to tell you not to push yourself too hard. Excessive training will damage your foundation."
"I know my limits."
Yugito left without turning back.
Samui watched her departing figure and shook her head.
She knew she could not persuade Yugito. This proud companion of hers had never been one to accept defeat easily.
"Kiyohara…"
Samui repeated the name silently.
Such a rate of growth was simply unbelievable.
Moreover, last time, it was because she had been captured by Kiyohara that Yugito had gone to rescue her.
Akatsuki base.
Kiyohara paid no attention to the turmoil of the outside world.
He raised his hand and touched the mark on his forehead. It had already begun to take on a faint outline and shape.
If he could not wait any longer, perhaps he would soon be able to condense the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
(End of Chapter)