Konoha, First Training Ground.
In the past, the ninja academy's final exams and graduation ceremonies had merely been routine formalities. Now, however, they had become major events within the village.
Because they were no longer dull, threshold-based assessments, but rather a combination of "achievement showcase" and "genius competition."
They struck directly at what both shinobi and villagers wanted to see—the moments of the children's growth, and their concern for Konoha's future…
To accommodate the enthusiastic audience, Hiruzen waved his hand and once again activated this massive training ground.
As Hiruzen entered and walked toward the high platform, cheers erupted from the crowd. People jumped and shouted, expressing their respect toward their leader.
"Hokage-sama!"
"Third-sama!"
Hiruzen smiled faintly and waved in response, drawing even louder reactions.
This stage belonged to the academy students…
But even more so, it belonged to the Hokage!
Every child's growth was a direct display of the Hokage's governance—a visible political achievement for the entire village…
And the duel between "Seisui" and the already famous Minato was a manifestation of Konoha's unbroken inheritance.
Flagship figures were the most concrete, persuasive proof and memory anchors of political merit.
All of these served as support for Hiruzen in forging an iron-like prestige.
'Mito-sama has come as well…' Hiruzen scanned the crowd and his thoughts stirred.
He had specially reserved a seat for Mito.
But when he saw the curious look on Yamato's face beside her, he understood.
She didn't want Yamato to feel special from a young age, huh?
The noble character of the founding generation!
Hiruzen silently gave a thumbs-up in his heart.
"Hiruzen, the quality of our academy students—based on my intelligence—has already surpassed the other hidden villages by a clear margin…"
Sitting beside him, Danzo observed for a while before speaking in a low voice: "In three to five years, when this batch matures, we'll have the capital to take the initiative in war! With proper personnel allocation, handling the full assault of two hidden villages won't be a problem—three, we could still hold…"
Although he had followed Hiruzen for many years…
Danzo's first instinct upon seeing Konoha's growing military strength was still war.
"You… always only see the surface-level benefits."
Hiruzen shook his head.
"What war would we initiate? Even if we win and seize some spoils, is it worth causing ideological division?"
"As leaders of the village, we enjoy the cohesion brought by the Will of Fire. That means we must also abide by the ingrained perception in the hearts of shinobi. That's the basic rule of the game—at the very least, our outward actions and ideology cannot be split."
Danzo froze.
Then what was the point of growing stronger if they didn't go to war?
"Hiruzen, this is letting a strategic opportunity slip!"
Danzo frowned.
"Look at Minato, and these kids—Uchiha Seisui, Kakashi, Uchiha Shisui—they're clearly future squad leaders."
"The combat power of mid-level ninja is also steadily increasing."
"This is Konoha's golden generation. If we seize the moment before other villages produce similar talents, we can maximize our advantage!"
Inside the training ground—
Academy students stepped forward one after another.
Under the joint inspection of the Hokage and the villagers, they displayed their specialties.
Some demonstrated mature advanced Five Element techniques; others showed sharp kenjutsu and taijutsu…
Even those with slightly lesser aptitude had honed at least one lethal ninjutsu to a respectable level.
Only a few were still at the stage of showcasing the Three Basic Techniques, but even they confidently reported their strengths in other areas without discouragement—
Such as field cooking, or forging ninja tools.
In the past Konoha, the vast majority of academy students were already qualified to be assigned to combat squads…
That was precisely why Danzo was anxious.
What if the other villages caught up? Time waits for no one!
"Other villages might produce one or two outstanding geniuses—but those would only be isolated cases."
Hiruzen said with a chuckle: "A single genius appearing is unreasonable—but groups of geniuses, and a solid ninja force, must rely on a mature and fertile environment to be nurtured. That is Konoha's advantage."
"But how did that environment come about? Wasn't it built with money?"
"If we can take the enemy's money and use it to feed our ninja and our nation, then in essence, that is an even greater victory in war…"
"The battlefield is not only in direct combat."
"As for the war you want—it will come in time. But we should take the posture of retaliation."
Danzo listened with a frown.
He vaguely grasped part of Hiruzen's thinking, but not clearly.
"The Land of Rain hasn't been getting along very well with our Administrative Department recently?"
Hiruzen let out a light laugh.
"The nobles of the Land of Fire have already begun spreading the reputation of 'Sage Region Pills.' The nobles of the major hidden villages may still be reserved, but the Rain Country nobles—who have openly cooperated with us—don't care about that…"
"With the nobles pushing, Hanzo—who already wants to form an alliance with Konoha—will sooner or later come to negotiate with us."
"He's just observing for now…"
"Once we sell 'Sage Region Pills' into the Land of Rain, given its position bordering three nations, and since it's not as politically sensitive as Konoha, we can push a little further—and it will naturally spread into the nobles of other countries…"
Hiruzen said with a smile: "This way, the 'dead money' of other nations' nobles will become 'living money' for Konoha."
"Money only has value when it flows. Otherwise, it's just worthless paper…"
Danzo stared at Hiruzen in astonishment and pondered for a long time.
He had to admit—his old friend was playing a far more insidious game than he expected.
"But what if other hidden villages refuse to let us sell?"
"The Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning will indeed be difficult. Expanding there will require some clever methods, and full coverage is unlikely—their nobles are tightly bound to their villages."
"But the Land of Wind and Sunagakure already have tense relations. As for the Land of Water…"
Hiruzen smiled.
"What noble would like the Blood Mist Village? They're the ones who fear the blade the most."
"Tenzō has already reported to me—at the current level of purges by the Third Mizukage, their internal contradictions won't be containable within three years. At that point, they'll have no choice but to release that pressure outward…"
"Across the entire shinobi world, weakening Konoha is the consensus of all the Kage. To avoid a chain reaction, the Third Mizukage will most likely tear up treaties and declare war on us."
There was a trace of bitterness in those words.
From past Hokage to Madara, Konoha had indeed inherited a tremendous legacy.
But because of that, no matter how much Konoha proclaimed its love for peace, in the eyes of the other hidden villages, its threat level remained at maximum.
Because no one could guarantee—
That Konoha wouldn't produce another "Madara."
Even Hashirama wouldn't work—after all, the "God of Shinobi" personality was a once-in-a-century anomaly…
If a Konoha ninja ever appeared with Hashirama's strength and Tobirama's personality, wouldn't the other hidden villages explode?
"So what you're saying is, we wait for Kirigakure to declare war on us first?"
Danzo shifted his gaze toward Nakamaro and the others, a realization dawning on him: "After reading Tenzō's report, I originally thought about directly turning them, but now it seems there's no rush…"
"Let them go back to Kirigakure and stay there for a while. If they can catch the war, even better!"
"Given how the other great hidden villages operate, if Kirigakure goes to war with us, they'll definitely observe for a period to gather intelligence. If we have a few insiders…"
A sharp glint flashed through Danzo's eyes: "Treating Kirigakure like a large-scale Kusagakure—it's not impossible!"
The value of a few Kekkei Genkai ninja was limited…
But the value of proactively winning a full-scale counteroffensive war was immeasurable.
"Following your line of thinking, Hiruzen…"
"If we defeat Kirigakure, then the nobles of the entire Land of Water will become our blood supply. Their ninja and their territory will also be for our use!"
Excitement surged across Danzo's face.
Hiruzen waved his hand: "Don't put it so crudely. This is trade, not robbery! Which noble of the Land of Fire bought 'Sage Region Pills' because I forced them with the Five Elements?"
"Besides, even if we win, don't rush to take over their territory and ninja…"
"It's enough to build up a pro-Konoha faction. Place the right people in key positions, let the local forces get a share of the benefits passing through, and then we absorb the talented ones."
"If you occupy their land, how will the other hidden villages view Konoha? Will the business still continue?"
"And those mid- and lower-level ninja who grew up in the Land of Water, steeped in the mindset of the Blood Mist Village—what use are they? You have to understand, ruling comes with high costs…"
"Konoha doesn't take in just anyone. I don't need cannon fodder."
Hiruzen said calmly: "If you want to enter Konoha, then show real ability! Ninja who haven't shed blood for the village still want to enjoy the Will of Fire? There's no such good deal."
It was midday, yet Danzo suddenly felt a chill.
In the eyes of this Root of Konoha, sunlight fell upon Hiruzen—but the light and heat seemed to be absorbed into him, like a black body…
Wasn't he supposed to be talking about the Will of Fire?
This wasn't mercy toward Kirigakure, nor a reluctance to swallow them whole…
It was picking and choosing—devouring only the essence of Kirigakure and even the Land of Water!
So who exactly was the true darkness of the shinobi world?
"You… you're right, Hiruzen. But what if the plan changes?" Danzo suppressed the unease in his heart, masking it with stubbornness.
"Then we adapt as things come. Whatever comes our way, we deal with it."
Hiruzen looked at Danzo with a faint smile: "If others heard that, they'd think you were in a hurry to rack up military merit…"
"Competing for Hokage is a long-distance race. Don't lose your composure just because someone else speeds up for a moment."
"An advisor cannot have a typical genin mindset. That would be unqualified."
Danzo's heart skipped a beat.
Part of his desire for war really did come from that…
Orochimaru's contributions in research were now so great that he, as an advisor, was falling behind.
But if war broke out…
Even if Orochimaru became a commander, he, as both advisor and ANBU commander, would still have the advantage.
Danzo subconsciously wiped away cold sweat: "I understand, Hiruzen…"
But Hiruzen was also thinking—
If the Third Mizukage suddenly calmed down, he would really have to find a way to make Kirigakure attack.
The nobles of the Land of Water, with the deterrence of the Blood Mist Village, were simply too easy to profit from…
If he could take Kirigakure, the nobles of the Land of Water would become his most solid allies in the future.
—'So it's not coercive extortion? You're even giving them Sage Region pills? That's too civilized!'
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