"Then, if it were you, what would you choose?" Orochimaru asked in his quiet, hoarse tone.
"Me? I wouldn't let my comrades die, and I wouldn't let the mission fail. I have the strength—and the confidence—to make both possible," Uchiha Shigure said firmly.
"I see…" Orochimaru nodded slightly.
"Orochimaru?" Tsunade's voice came from behind him.
"Tsunade… I didn't expect you to return," Orochimaru said, turning around.
"I came back because of this child," Tsunade said, resting her hand on Shigure's head.
"This is no ordinary child," Orochimaru replied, shaking his head.
"Of course I know that better than you." Tsunade smiled faintly, then said, "Orochimaru, let's go see the Third Hokage together. There's something important we need to talk about—you should come too."
"…Alright." Orochimaru agreed, and the three of them headed for the Hokage's office.
Inside, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his familiar desk, smoking his pipe as always. But today, even he looked weary. The rain outside was steady and grey.
"Shigure… Orochimaru… Tsunade… My three pupils together again—it's been a long time. Something important, I assume?" Hiruzen asked.
"Old man," Tsunade began, "it's about the war." She quickly explained Shigure's prediction.
"So, old man, what do you think? Does Shigure's analysis make sense?" Tsunade pressed.
"To think he could analyze the world's situation so clearly…" Hiruzen exhaled a thin stream of smoke. "Shigure's logic is sound. However, the Great Ninja War won't erupt just yet. Iwagakure and Kumogakure have both shown restless signs. I've already stationed several jōnin along the borders to monitor their movements."
"What about Sunagakure and Kirigakure? Why hasn't Konoha deployed anyone there?" Tsunade asked.
"Sunagakure will be handled if any signs appear—and as for Kirigakure, there's no intelligence suggesting hostility right now," Hiruzen said calmly.
Orochimaru added, "Indeed, the Hidden Mist lacks the strength to invade others. Sunagakure, on the other hand, still has the Third Kazekage—the strongest in its history. I fought him once before and barely escaped. He's not an opponent to take lightly."
Shigure nodded. "Before a true Great War breaks out, there will always be small clashes. We should quietly build our strength now, to prepare for what's coming."
"Well said."
The door creaked open as three figures entered—Koharu, Homura, and Shimura Danzō.
"Oh? Danzō? You actually agree with Shigure this time? That's rare," the Third Hokage remarked.
"Hiruzen, the coming war could be Konoha's greatest opportunity," Danzō said, his expression grim. "If we prepare first, we can use the conflict to increase our dominance—make Konoha stronger than all four great nations combined."
"Danzō, what exactly are you planning?" Koharu asked sharply.
"Yes, what kind of 'gain' are you talking about through war?" Homura pressed.
Danzō folded his arms. "Through war, we can force the other nations to cede territory and pay reparations. That would replenish our treasury and weaken them permanently."
Shigure frowned. "You're overestimating Konoha's reach. You really think we could take on all four nations at once?"
"Not alone," Danzō countered. "We can turn them against each other—ally with one nation to destroy another, then eliminate our ally afterward. One by one, the balance collapses."
Shigure shook his head inwardly. Absurd.
The equilibrium between the Five Great Nations and the smaller surrounding ones was delicate but firmly established. Anyone who disrupted it would be crushed by the remaining powers.
Danzō can't be ignorant of that. So what's his real goal? Shigure thought. Is he using my prediction as a political weapon—to let Hiruzen take the fall in war, then seize control himself?
The Third Hokage's sharp eyes revealed nothing, but his tone was decisive.
"Konoha cannot betray its allies. In all previous wars, no nation has ever been completely destroyed. Such a course would bring disaster—and turn the entire world against us."
Seeing that his ploy failed, Danzō merely smirked. "Do as you wish, Hiruzen. Just don't lose this war. I'll ensure Konoha gains diplomatic advantage." Then he turned and left the room.
"Tsunade-hime and Orochimaru—good, you're both here," Koharu said. The two advisors remained, continuing the discussion.
"Only Jiraiya's missing… then all of Hiruzen's students would be together again," Homura said, half smiling.
They had already accepted Shigure's strength and intellect; even with Uchiha blood, he was no longer seen as a threat.
"Sensei, what did Danzō mean by 'diplomatic means'?" Tsunade asked.
Hiruzen leaned back slightly. "When you three fought Hanzō of the Salamander in the Land of Rain, Danzō had already made contact with him. I don't know what sort of negotiation he arranged, but afterward, Hanzō refrained from annihilating you. Part of that was due to your strength… part, Danzō's diplomacy."
Shigure nodded silently. At least for now, Danzō's shadowy influence was not entirely useless.
After finishing his mission report, Shigure temporarily stopped taking assignments. Orochimaru was sent to reinforce Konoha's western border, while Tsunade declared she would search for Jiraiya.
"Shigure, I have something for you," Tsunade said one afternoon.
"Huh?" Shigure blinked. Don't tell me—it's that necklace?
But instead, Tsunade bit her thumb and performed a hand sign.
A puff of smoke appeared—and a massive slug emerged on the floor.
"This is… the Slug Sage?" Shigure murmured in astonishment.
"How may I assist you, Lady Tsunade?" the slug asked in a gentle, echoing voice.
"Lady Slug, this young man is Uchiha Shigure, my brother-in-arms. I hope you'll guide him," Tsunade requested respectfully.
"Guide him?" Shigure repeated, confused.
"I see," said the giant slug. "You wish for him to enter Shikkotsu Forest and receive the Slug Sage's inheritance?"
"I believe he can do it!" Tsunade said without hesitation.
"This… but I've already inherited the Ryūchi Cave's power. I can't accept another Sage inheritance, right?" Shigure asked.
"It won't conflict at all. You'll see when you get there," Tsunade said with a mysterious smile—one that sent a shiver down Shigure's spine.
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