"According to the investigation by the Anbu clan, all the Uchiha have returned to the village," Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in the Hokage's seat, looking at Danzo in front of him. "But recently, the Uchiha clan has not been fulfilling their duty of guarding Konoha properly. Most of the clan members have been staying at home."
After the meeting ended, he had subtly given Danzo a look, asking him to come to the Hokage's office. After all, some matters…
As the Hokage, the light of Konoha, he could not be directly involved. The darkness of the village had to be handled by the Shadow.
"The Uchiha clan may be planning a coup," Sarutobi Hiruzen said solemnly, smoking his pipe. "I heard there's been a lot of movement inside."
"..."
Hearing such a clear hint from Hiruzen, Danzo stared at him speechlessly. "Maybe they're just having a family gathering?"
"They'll probably return to normal in a few days."
"Sigh!" Hiruzen exhaled smoke and sighed. "I hope so too. But during wartime, Konoha cannot afford any unexpected incidents. So, I have to trouble you to investigate what the Uchiha clan is really up to."
Danzo, you've changed. You weren't like this before. You used to love Konoha so much.
Whenever there was any threat to the village, you would act immediately without hesitation. Now, you're saying…
They're just having a gathering??
You've changed!!
"Right now, Konoha's Anbu are all out on missions," Hiruzen said, taking another puff of smoke. "We can only rely on your Root."
"Remember…"
"What supports the great tree of Konoha from beneath is the vast, deeply rooted…"
"Foundation!!"
"I'll have Root investigate," Danzo said helplessly. "But is this really necessary?"
"No matter what, Konoha is the strongest among the Five Great Shinobi Villages…"
"Do we really have to compromise?"
Did he spend all those years reading for nothing?
If he tarnished his reputation now, how could he ever inherit the title of Hokage?
So…
Sorry, my old friend.
"There's no other choice now," Hiruzen said, exhaling smoke. "The enemies Konoha is facing in this war are too numerous. If we don't resolve this quickly, the village will fall into even greater trouble." His gaze was clear as he looked at Danzo. "Everything we do is for Konoha!!"
"For the peace of the shinobi world!"
If the Uzushio army hadn't suddenly withdrawn, Konoha wouldn't be in such a dire situation now. So…
"Make Uzushio return all the money. And the three airships Konoha ordered—have the Akatsuki deliver them too!"
"Sigh!" Danzo sighed gloomily. He understood the crisis Konoha was facing. If things weren't handled properly, Konoha might cease to exist in the shinobi world. And then, his dream of becoming Hokage would be shattered. But…
"Before, I had no choice…" Danzo raised his head, looking at Hiruzen with a gaze full of hidden regret. "But now, I just want to be a good person."
"..."
What the…
Hiruzen cursed inwardly. You want to be a good person??
If you become a good person, what does that make me, the Hokage?
"I understand you," Hiruzen sighed and nodded. "No one else gets you, but I do…"
"Everything you're doing now…"
"Is for Konoha!!"
...
Orochimaru didn't know if he should say this, but wasn't Uzushio supposed to be the righteous ally, Konoha's friend, loyal and honorable?
Why did they withdraw their troops??
"What's the current situation?" Orochimaru rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. "Have the Rain and Sand Villages started their attacks yet?"
His position as Hokage…
How did it come to this…
It's slipping away!!
He wondered what his teacher would do now.
"They've joined forces with the Rock Village to surround us," the Konoha-nin reported. "The front lines aren't looking good, especially since the Sand and Rain Villages have deployed a new type of weapon."
"Though its power isn't overwhelming, it can instantly activate jutsu."
"Oh?" Orochimaru became curious. "What does it look like?"
A new weapon?
Who invented it?
"It's shaped like a glove," the Konoha-nin said. "And it seems even ordinary people can use it. That's why the Rain and Sand Villages suddenly have so many more 'shinobi.'"
Hearing this, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "Do we know where they got them from?"
If even civilians could use them, and if there were enough of them…
Maybe Konoha still had a chance to turn the tide.
After all, Konoha had plenty of people and money!!
"We still don't know," the Konoha-nin shook his head. "We've sent shinobi to investigate."
"But right now…" The ninja smiled bitterly. "We might not be able to hold out."
"Sigh!" Orochimaru sighed and stood up. "The only option left is…"
To carry out an assassination mission!
"Notify Konoha—we need Hatake Sakumo's assistance here."
No matter what, Konoha could not lose this war!!
And neither could he…
Afford to lose!!
...
Uzushio…
"Konoha's airships are ready," Kakuzu walked in and reported to Uzumaki Jun. "Should we deliver them now?"
"Send them over," Jun nodded. "Konoha must be struggling right now. We should give them some hope."
"If Konoha asks you for a refund later…"
"Just say the Akatsuki and Uzushio have no connection."
Kakuzu rolled his eyes. "No one can take money from me."
"Oh, right. The research department just submitted a funding request for chakra extraction experiments." Jun pulled out a recently delivered document, looking puzzled. "What were you saying earlier?"
"..."
Kakuzu took the file and stared at him blankly. "Nothing. I'll review it. If it's reasonable, I'll approve the funds quickly."
He didn't dare delay the research department's budget. After all…
Scientific weapons and gloves were major sources of income!!
"Then I'll leave it to you." Jun yawned and nodded. "Take the price list for the scientific weapons too."
"It might come in handy."
"Understood." Kakuzu nodded. Once these weapons appeared in battle, many villages would likely want to purchase them.
"Should we raise the prices?"
"No need," Jun shook his head. "Business should be fair. We can't change prices daily."
Besides, Konoha would probably place large orders. No need to hike prices—what if they ran out of money?
"Take a detour through the Land of Rain. Other villages might want to buy too."
Jun smiled mysteriously. "I wonder what Konoha will do now?"