Inside the Hokage Office, Hiruzen's pipe glowed erratically, reflecting his unpredictable expression.
Homura and Koharu sat on either side, their faces also grim.
Danzo stood by the window, his single eye fixed on the distant Uchiha clan compound. He lightly tapped his cane, as if he was once again plotting against the Uchiha.
Homura said with a heavy heart, "The Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans have completely sided with the Uchiha. Out of over 7,000 Konoha ninjas who surrounded and attacked the more than 3,000 Kirigakure ninjas invading the Land of Fire, only about 1,000 Kirigakure ninjas have escaped to the Land of Hot Water."
Koharu snorted, slamming her teacup down on the table. "They no longer see the Hokage, they only see their own interests."
In the shadows by the window, Danzo's cane suddenly struck the ground with a dull thud.
A dangerous glint flickered in his single eye. "The Ino–Shika–Chō are no longer reliable, and the Hyuga clan also seems to be leaning towards the Uchiha. The war will end soon, and then, Hiruzen, do you really intend to step down?"
Hiruzen slowly exhaled a puff of smoke, which twisted into the shape of a fan in the air. "It's too late to talk about that now. The problem is... how do we stop them?"
Danzo turned around, a chilling glint in his single eye. "Kirigakure is now incredibly weak. If the Uchiha truly invade, they could not only reclaim the 40 billion ryo but even force Kirigakure to cede territory. At that point, Fugaku's prestige will completely overshadow the Hokage."
"Therefore, we must end the war before they land." Homura said in a deep voice.
Koharu frowned. "But we can't just order a retreat, and besides, even if we did, the Uchiha wouldn't obey."
Danzo suddenly turned, his single eye gleaming in the shadows. "How about we have Kirigakure surrender proactively? We still have spies there."
Hiruzen rubbed his brow and asked, "What do you mean?"
Danzo slowly explained, "Root has spies in Kirigakure. Have them contact the Kirigakure high command and propose peace terms."
Koharu asked, "What terms?"
Danzo said lightly, "Return part of the plundered wealth, issue a public apology, and promise not to invade the Land of Fire again. As long as Kirigakure is willing to bow its head, we can legitimately declare the war over."
Hiruzen pondered for a moment. "What if Kirigakure refuses?"
Danzo's voice was cold. "Then have the spies spread rumors within Kirigakure, saying that Fugaku intends to destroy Kirigakure and the Land of Water."
Silence filled the office.
Finally, Hiruzen slowly nodded. "Danzo, proceed with your plan."
...
Inside the South Sand Castle conference room, Shun slapped the battle report onto the table.
The numbers on the parchment stung everyone's eyes: 731 killed, 407 captured, nearly half the enemy escaped.
"With three times the forces in the encirclement, don't you find this result suspicious?"
Shun's Sharingan slowly rotated, sweeping over every clan head present.
Unkai's genjutsu barrier subtly unfolded, isolating them from outside detection.
Tetsu suddenly stood up and asked, "You're saying there's a high-ranking official obstructing us in secret?"
Shun pulled out a secret letter and said, "Not only that, but we just intercepted intelligence that Kirigakure has already sent envoys to Konoha."
Unkai narrowed his eyes. "Captain Shun, speak plainly."
Shun lightly tapped the table, his voice low and dangerous. "We're fighting tooth and nail here, while some people, like the one in the Hokage Office, are probably busy secretly negotiating with Kirigakure."
Tetsu's pupils constricted. "You mean... Hiruzen and Danzo deliberately let the Kirigakure ninjas escape?"
Shun sneered. "What else? Kirigakure is now incredibly weak, it's the best time for us to break through in one fell swoop. But if the high command suddenly orders peace talks, all our military achievements, all our interests, will turn into smoke."
"Ino–Shika–Chō, this is a critical time, you should also state your position."
Everyone in the conference room looked towards the Ino–Shika–Chō, and the atmosphere fell silent.
Shikaku was silent for a moment, then finally sighed. "The Ino–Shika–Chō supports the Uchiha."
The war had dragged on for too long, and the Ino–Shika–Chō had also suffered significant losses.
Hiruzen's influence was weakening daily, while the Uchiha were rising powerfully on the battlefield, forcing everyone to re-evaluate their positions.
Shun nodded in satisfaction, then changed the subject, "So, Shikaku, what do you suggest for the best route to attack Kirigakure?"
Shikaku's finger traced a line on the map. "Kirigakure excels at Water Release and naval combat. Crossing the sea from the Land of Waves or the Land of Hot Water is too risky. The safest route is through Uzushiogakure ."
Hiashi frowned slightly. "Uzushiogakure? That would add two extra days."
Shun said meaningfully, "It doesn't matter. We're short on time, yet we're not. I bet Kirigakure will soon send envoys to seek peace, and Hiruzen will definitely agree."
Shikaku, undoubtedly a highly intelligent person, pointed out the key. "So, we must attack Kirigakure before negotiations begin."
Shun stood up, a cold glint in his eyes. "Not only that, but send orders to block all routes to Konoha. Any Kirigakure envoy, kill without mercy."
...
Three days later, the Konoha ninja army infiltrated the Land of Water via the Uzushiogakure coast.
Waves crashed against the rocks. Shun stood on the edge of the cliff, gazing at the distant Land of Water shrouded in blood mist.
He said in a low voice, "Fugaku-sama, once we attack Kirigakure, Konoha's power structure will be completely rewritten."
Fugaku's Mangekyo Sharingan slowly rotated in the shadows. "How are you so sure?"
Shun came to his side and whispered, "Everything is arranged. I've even dealt with Root's informants."
Just last night, three Kirigakure envoy groups were ambushed and killed at the Land of Fire border, with no survivors. Even two Konoha ninjas sent to the Land of Water were dealt with by them.
Shun's voice was cold and certain. "No envoys, no peace talks. And we will be the heroes who end the war."
Fugaku was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "Proceed."
The waves surged, and 4,000 Konoha ninjas, like a black tide, swarmed towards Kirigakure.
Meanwhile, in the distant Konoha, inside the Hokage Office.
An Anbu suddenly appeared. "Report! All liaison teams sent to Kirigakure have lost contact!"
Danzo said angrily, "Damn it, it must be the Uchiha! They even dare to kill Konoha's envoys now, they're trying to rebel."
Hiruzen's pipe silently went out in his hand, and he let out a heavy, helpless sigh. "Ah..."
He looked out the window, as if he could already smell the coming storm.