Chapter 529: Kumo Makes Its Move
After returning to the camp, Ishiro immediately contacted the village, asking if there was any definite news about Danzō.
Soon, the village's reply arrived: Danzō should be in the Land of Wind.
Although Iwagakure's intelligence ninja hadn't seen Danzō himself, they had spotted numerous Root ninja in the territory Konoha had just acquired in the Land of Wind.
Ishiro thought for a moment, then said to Ōnoki, "Lord Third, I'll leave things here to you for now. I'm going to make a trip to the Land of Wind to... have a chat with Danzō."
Ōnoki considered the current situation. Between Iwa and Konoha, Iwa held the upper hand. Although the four of them hadn't been able to take down Konoha just now, it didn't mean Konoha dared to attack proactively. As for the village, Ōnoki wasn't worried either. With Akino Atsumi available, they could quickly transfer large forces between the two fronts.
After analyzing, Ōnoki said, "Go quickly and return quickly. You are the Tsuchikage, after all. Morale is vastly different with you here versus without you."
Ishiro nodded, then secretly left the Iwagakure camp.
After Ishiro left, Ōnoki had Shinya Matsutani transform into Ishiro's appearance and occasionally show his face around the camp.
Ishiro crossed the Land of Rain at top speed and entered the Land of Wind.
Most of the Land of Wind was still the same endless desert. Ishiro arrived at a valley in the western region that Konoha had occupied. This was the location Konoha had chosen, intending to learn from Iwa and establish their first branch base.
Previously, when Danzō was Hokage, he had planned to turn this territory completely into his private domain, just like his Root organization. Thus, he had dispatched a large number of Root ninja here. It was precisely because of this that Shikaku Nara and the others had been able to breach Root so easily that day. But it was also because of this that, although the Root headquarters was destroyed, Danzō could still gather a large number of subordinates here.
Originally, after gathering these subordinates, Danzō was supposed to leave the western Land of Wind as per Shikaku Nara's demands. Konoha would send new personnel to garrison the area. At the same time, Danzō also had to release the Tongue-Cursing Seal from the Root members belonging to the various clans who remained in the Land of Wind.
Danzō's physical condition had not yet recovered. He was powerless to contest Shikaku Nara and the others, so he had indeed been considering where to go next.
But no one expected Ishiro's reaction to this news to be so extreme—mobilizing a massive army, and on such a grand scale. This almost violated Iwagakure's established strategic doctrine.
The result was that Konoha was immediately thrown into a crisis of annihilation, and they temporarily had no time to deal with Danzō.
Thus, Danzō decided to wait and see. If, by the time Konoha was free to deal with him, he had already recovered his strength, then he wouldn't give up the Land of Wind. If, by then, he had mastered powerful Wood Release, Danzō felt that returning to Konoha to forcefully "clean house" was also a possibility.
So, when Ishiro arrived at Danzō's valley, Danzō was recuperating there.
With Ishiro's powerful sensory abilities, this temporary base, which didn't even have barriers set up yet, couldn't block his probe at all. Ishiro quickly located Danzō and began to brazenly sense his condition.
Originally, Danzō hadn't noticed Ishiro's arrival. But when Ishiro began to focus his senses specifically on him, Danzō's Kage-level instincts kicked in.
Danzō, who was receiving treatment from Root medical-nin, abruptly opened his eyes and roared, "Who's there?!"
His furious shout was full of vigor. Infused with chakra, it echoed throughout the entire valley and reached Ishiro's ears outside.
Ishiro smiled faintly. Danzō's bluff might fool others, but not him. Ishiro could clearly sense Danzō's extreme weakness. This weakness wasn't from injury, but from overexertion.
"Hokage," Ishiro's voice drifted into the valley, "it seems suppressing the First Hokage's cells and the Mangekyou Sharingan has taken quite a toll on you."
Danzō recognized Ishiro's voice. Although the two hadn't interacted much directly, he remembered the Tsuchikage's voice. Considering Ishiro's renowned sensory abilities, Danzō knew his condition couldn't be hidden. But he absolutely refused to show weakness in front of Ishiro. He got up from the sickbed, dressed neatly, and only then walked calmly out of the room.
Danzō stood at the doorway, looking up at the sky.
Ishiro hovered in the air, looking down at Danzō.
Ignoring the Root ninja surrounding them, ready to strike at any moment, the two simply stared at each other silently for several seconds.
Danzō couldn't stand Ishiro's condescending posture, but feeling insecure, he didn't dare to turn hostile directly. So, Danzō spoke first, "Tsuchikage, what business do you have with this old man?"
Ishiro replied, "Naturally, to continue our cooperation. Our collaboration has always been pleasant. I believe neither of us wants to end it just because of a few traitors, correct?"
Danzō's eyes flickered. Cooperation? At a time like this, Ishiro is still willing to cooperate with him? Danzō was surprised. "How does the Tsuchikage wish to cooperate?"
Hearing Danzō's slightly softer tone, Ishiro chuckled. "Hokage, do you perhaps think we can still cooperate as equals, like before?"
"Although I initiated this cooperation, you are in more desperate need of external support than I am, are you not?"
"Before we cooperate, shouldn't the Hokage show some sincerity first?"
Hearing this, Danzō's calm expression vanished, replaced by a somewhat savage look. But he knew the initiative was not his. Thus, Danzō gritted his teeth. "What does the Tsuchikage want?"
Ishiro smiled faintly. "I don't want anything else. I want the Four Red Yang Formation."
An idea struck Danzō, and he sneered, "It seems the Tsuchikage has already experienced the power of our Konoha's barrier."
"Does the Tsuchikage think I can just give you something so important simply because you ask?" Danzō tried to regain the upper hand.
But Ishiro retorted, "Danzō, do you think you're still the Hokage? Don't think just because I politely call you 'Hokage,' you truly own Konoha."
"The current Hokage of Konoha is the Seventh, Kakashi Hatake. I hear his statue on the monument is almost finished."
Danzō's fists clenched inside his wide sleeves. This time, his anger wasn't primarily directed at Ishiro, but at his regret for not killing Kakashi directly earlier. Perhaps if Kakashi had died, Shikaku Nara and the others wouldn't have dared to rebel.
"Sure enough, I became too soft during my time in power. I was intoxicated by the position of Hokage, and my actions lost their previous decisiveness," Danzō thought bitterly.
Taking a deep breath, Danzō said, "Tsuchikage, the Four Red Yang Formation is the strongest barrier in the shinobi world. If you want it, bring out something tangible."
The corner of Ishiro's mouth lifted. "I, and Iwagakure, can publicly support you as the rightful Hokage. We will deny the legitimacy of Kakashi's position."
"At the very least, I can also cede this piece of territory in the Land of Wind to you."
Danzō was tempted. Having the title of Hokage indeed allowed him to declare Kakashi, Shikaku, and the others as traitors to the entire village. But his claim had a time limit. Kakashi was already in power. The longer time passed, the less useful his title as "Sixth Hokage" became. But if Iwa could help him maintain this title, constantly denying Kakashi's legitimacy... then, once Danzō recovered, he could continue to challenge Kakashi and the others directly as the rightful Hokage. It would even reduce resistance significantly when he eventually launched his counterattack.
Even in his lowest state, Danzō had not given up on retaking the Hokage position and everything that belonged to him.
But Danzō thought again. "I also need five more scrolls of Wood Release insights." The usefulness of the Wood Release insights was something Danzō had already experienced. They were the most effective tool for rapidly recovering his strength. His political failure left Danzō with only the path of military force. Now, Danzō pinned all his hopes on Wood Release and the Mangekyou Sharingan. Especially Wood Release—Danzō had been Hokage. A Hokage who could use Wood Release held special significance in Konoha. Danzō believed that when he returned to Konoha wielding Wood Release, most ninja wouldn't resist.
Ishiro said, "Deal." As he spoke, he directly took out several copies of the Wood Release scrolls he had prepared earlier and tossed them down to Danzō.
A Root ninja leaped up, caught them, checked them for problems, and then handed them to Danzō.
Danzō looked them over, nodded, then returned to his room and wrote out a scroll detailing the Four Red Yang Formation for Ishiro.
After obtaining the scroll, Ishiro was very satisfied. His tone softened. "Hokage, could you tell me about the process of those rebels' uprising?"
Seeing Danzō's face darken, Ishiro added, "I can exchange the latest intelligence on the shinobi world situation."
Danzō was also very concerned about the developing situation, but he didn't dare send too many subordinates out for reconnaissance right now. His own safety was paramount. He was currently in a weakened state; these subordinates needed to stay and protect him. The intelligence he had received before was already outdated, certainly not as timely or comprehensive as what Ishiro, the Tsuchikage, would know. Besides, he had already been ousted by Shikaku Nara and the others; revealing the process wasn't a big deal.
Thus, Danzō and Ishiro conducted a friendly exchange of intelligence.
After listening to Danzō's description and combining it with Iwagakure's own intel, Ishiro finally got a rough picture of what had happened in Konoha that day.
Ishiro asked, "Hokage, you're saying... Kakashi didn't participate in the rebellion? You were defeated by Shikaku Nara and those people, who don't even have a Kage-level fighter among them?"
"After playing the game of shadows for so many years, you couldn't even figure out if there were spies among the people operating on you?"
Danzō glared fiercely at Ishiro, embarrassed and enraged. After becoming Hokage, he had indeed become complacent. He had developed a mindset that all Konoha ninja should obey his orders, that they wanted to obey his orders. Applying the Tongue-Cursing Seal to his subordinates was actually just a habit born from his cautious nature. After applying the seals, he had relaxed his efforts to brainwash them and also relaxed his surveillance over them. Before, with Hiruzen Sarutobi as the Third Hokage, Danzō knew Hiruzen liked to plant spies in his Root. So Danzō had always acted meticulously. But recently...
Danzō reflected on his actions and felt he had become too comfortable during his time as Hokage.
Ishiro didn't mention the fact that he was attacking Konoha in Danzō's name; saying such a thing wouldn't benefit him. Finally, Ishiro asked if Danzō needed to exchange liaison ninja for future contact. But after consideration, Danzō refused. Danzō was currently in a weak position. If he sent someone to Iwagakure, they would truly just be a liaison. But if Ishiro sent someone here, they would serve the additional function of gathering intelligence.
Seeing Danzō's decisive refusal, Ishiro left the Land of Wind with some regret and returned to the Iwagakure army camp.
...
Konoha Camp. After Ishiro's group of four conducted their probing attack and left, the Konoha high command discussed the battle situation. The first to speak was the actual commander of the Konoha army this time, Shikaku Nara. After this battle, Shikaku's prestige in Konoha had risen somewhat.
"Everyone, after today's contact, we can confirm that Iwagakure does indeed have seven ninja capable of Kage-level combat power on the front lines."
"They are: the Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, Kawakita, Shinya Matsutani, Han, Sōkai Uchiha, and Izumi Uchiha. The seven match the list Iwa publicly announced."
"Additionally, the Iwa army numbers around twelve thousand. Compiling intelligence from other areas, it's highly unlikely Iwa will send further reinforcements."
"Today's battle was primarily the Tsuchikage testing our army's combat capability. That's why the main Iwa army did not cross the border."
"Logically, Iwa, holding superiority in both troop numbers and top-tier strength, should take the offensive tomorrow."
"Today, we revealed many of our trump cards to the Tsuchikage. One night is enough time for Iwa to devise targeted tactics."
"With the addition of the main Iwa army, tomorrow's battle will certainly be much harder than today's."
"Fortunately, the Tsuchikage's final move today, the Sage Art: Five Elements Great Consecutive Bullets Technique, certainly won't be used when the two armies clash directly."
"So, facing the Iwa army tomorrow, we are not without the strength to fight."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sensed something unsaid in Shikaku's words and inquired, "Shikaku, is there something you wish to say?"
Shikaku pondered for a moment. "I still feel that Iwa is bluffing."
"Whether it's deliberately revealing the presence of seven Kage-level fighters, or the Tsuchikage's probing today, it all feels very intentional."
"I still maintain that the Tsuchikage is deliberately pressuring us. Their target is likely not us."
Kakashi frowned. "Shikaku-senpai, are you suggesting we don't ask Kumo for help?"
Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe and interjected, "But... what if Iwa is deliberately leading us to think this way, and their real target is us?"
"At that time, if we haven't requested aid from Kumo in time, we will have to face Iwa's superior forces alone."
"Even if, as you say, Shikaku, we have some confidence in holding off the Iwa army... what if Iwa bypasses us?"
"Or worse, what if Iwa engages us in a stalemate here while sending their powerhouses to attack the village?"
(Leaving aside other concerns, Iwa only sent four people today. What if the Tsuchikage sent the Jinchuriki to the village? What would the consequences be then?)
Shikaku fell silent. He also knew his guess was too optimistic; Konoha couldn't take the risk. But for some reason, Shikaku just felt that Iwa had no intention of attacking Konoha from the start. Shikaku knew this thought was dangerous. Logically, given Ishiro's personality, encountering a weakened Konoha, he definitely wouldn't let the opportunity slip. But as a veteran strategist and tactician, Shikaku's sixth sense kept telling him Iwa's target wasn't Konoha.
Finally, Shikaku sighed. It couldn't be helped. Even if his guess was correct, he couldn't risk it. When both Kumo and Konoha needed to take a risk, the scapegoat had to be Kumo.
Thus, a piece of intelligence was transmitted from the Konoha camp to the Kumo camp, already assembled by the coast in the Land of Lightning.
The Fourth Raikage opened the intel and read it carefully. Kakashi had been decent; he hadn't lied and told Kumo that Iwa's main force and seven Kage were already tied down by Konoha. Kakashi simply informed the Raikage that Konoha had stationed personnel outside Iwa's nearest branch bases. If any Iwa-nin entered those bases, Konoha would immediately notify Kumo. This was to alleviate Kumo's worries. (After the last great war, everyone suspected Iwa had the ability to teleport large armies long distances, likely between their bases.)
Although it was possible Iwa might set up a teleportation formation in their temporary camp, it would definitely take time. Such a large-scale formation couldn't possibly be set up overnight. Both Konoha (with the Flying Thunder God) and Kumo (with the Heavenly Transfer Technique) understood this.
Simultaneously, Kakashi also stated that although no one in Konoha had mastered the complete Flying Thunder God, they did have personnel with some understanding of space-time ninjutsu. Konoha would cover the Iwa army's location with sensors and constantly monitor for any space-time ninjutsu fluctuations. (Thanks to Obito Uchiha's unbeatable Kamui, all major villages now placed great importance on space-time ninjutsu. Like Iwa before them, Kumo and Konoha, even if unable to counter Kamui, at least wanted to be able to detect space-time fluctuations. Konoha had invested considerable manpower into space-time sensing research.)
Genma Shiranui, Raidō Namiashi, and Iwashi Tatami would take turns coordinating with Konoha's sensory teams, monitoring the Iwa camp 24/7. Although Konoha couldn't stop Iwa from using space-time jutsu, they could detect the abnormal fluctuations. (For example, the communication jutsu Ishiro used earlier to confirm Danzō's intel was recorded by Genma, but since the minor fluctuation didn't resemble ninja teleportation, it didn't require immediate reporting.)
After receiving Konoha's request for aid, the Fourth Raikage hesitated. Rasa had been caught off guard by Iwa while helping Konoha deal with the Uchiha, leading to his base being destroyed. Suna never recovered from that blow and had now even lost its status as one of the six great villages.
The Raikage had originally planned to wait until Konoha and Iwa actually clashed before sending troops to the Land of Earth. But Kakashi had made a good point: the longer they waited, the greater the chance Iwa would successfully set up a teleportation barrier. Iwa's delay in entering the Land of Fire might very well be because they were setting up such a formation.
The Raikage wanted to take advantage of Iwa's main army being away to gain some benefit in the Land of Earth. He didn't want Iwa teleporting back and rescuing Konoha. If Iwa's army returned, it would be too late to react. Even if he managed to withdraw his troops in time, the whole operation would be meaningless.
Thus, the Fourth Raikage grit his teeth, summoned an ANBU, and declared, "Relay my order! Mobilize immediately! Target: Land of Earth!"
With the Raikage's command, an army of roughly six thousand Kumo-nin, already poised for action, quickly but orderly boarded ships and set out.
The Fourth Raikage employed a tactic very similar to Shikaku Nara's: he also split off a portion of his forces toward Kirigakure, guarding against a stab in the back. Therefore, the main invading Kumo army numbered only six thousand. Compared to the number of ninja Iwagakure had left in reserve, six thousand was still too few. But the Raikage wasn't worried; he also had his own secret weapon.
Kumo moved quickly, but such a large-scale mobilization couldn't possibly escape Iwagakure's intelligence network.
By the time Ishiro returned to camp from the Land of Wind, Ōnoki and the others were already preparing to return to the village. They had only hesitated because Ishiro hadn't returned, leaving them somewhat uneasy.
After hearing the news, Ishiro said, "Lord Third, wait a bit longer. Kumo has only just departed. If you return now, Kumo will retreat."
"I imagine Kumo, daring to send troops, must have prepared for us reinforcing."
"Let's wait until they are closer to the Land of Earth."
Ōnoki thought for a moment. "Fine. But is Akino Atsumi's teleportation timely and accurate? Don't let anything go wrong at the critical moment."
Ishiro chuckled. "Lord Third, rest assured. Her Flying Thunder God markers have long been prepared."
"I guarantee you'll appear right next to the Kumo army. You won't even need to travel."
Ōnoki shot Ishiro a glare, then said, "Ikura sent intel. He plans to engage Kumo in a naval battle."
"However, because he doesn't know Kumo's trump cards, he plans to probe them, just like we probed Konoha."
"Ikura intends to use high-end combat power for a decisive push. He, myself, Kawakita, Han, Rōshi, and Deidara—the six of us—will intercept the Kumo army together."
Ishiro asked, "Captain Kitsuchi alone is guarding the village? Has the village army been assembled?"
Ōnoki nodded. "Don't worry. Assembly is complete. The moment Ikura and the others leave, the village will immediately enter a state of war."
Ishiro nodded. A state of war meant a situation similar to the Konoha camp: if an enemy appeared, they could immediately launch coordinated attacks with a large number of directed ninja. So, although the village only had Kitsuchi, with the support of the army, it wouldn't be easily breached. Even facing three or four Kage-level opponents, Kitsuchi could hold out until Ishiro and the others returned via Flying Thunder God.
Ishiro thought for a moment. "Ikura wants to conserve strength, reduce casualties among ordinary ninja, and prepare to occupy more territory after the war."
After a pause, Ishiro continued, "Probing with high-end power is fine. But our goal isn't just to gather intel on Kumo; it's to cripple them."
"So, just the six of you isn't enough. How about this: let Kawakita lead two thousand troops as reserves. That way, if anything unexpected happens, they can support you."
"And if you gain the upper hand, you can immediately convert the advantage into a decisive victory."
"Besides, Kawakita is a close-combat ninja; he's not much help in your probing anyway."
"Also, we've had quite a few new graduates in the past two years. It's time they saw the world."
Ōnoki considered it. "Alright. I'll inform Ikura."
(End of Chapter)
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