At the Same Time — Land of Wind, Kazekage Tower
"The decision has been made."
Chiyo's tone was solemn as she looked toward a young man with striking blue hair.
"From this moment forward, you are the Third Kazekage."
Ebizō added in his deep, weathered voice, "There's no time for a formal succession ceremony. My network has confirmed the situation—we can't afford delay. From now on, the village's strategy and command will rest in your hands."
He handed the new Kazekage a report.
Ebizō continued, "While the village was under lockdown, I analyzed the intelligence we gathered. At that time, I predicted that Konoha and Iwagakure would clash within the Land of Rain. So, I dispatched a small reinforcement unit to fortify the border defenses between the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain. Judging by recent developments, that decision was correct."
"However," he sighed, "we were delayed by internal matters, and now the war can no longer be avoided. The Suna Village must enter this conflict. Lord Third, what are your thoughts?"
After carefully reading the report, the Third Kazekage furrowed his brow. This would be his first war since taking the title of Kazekage—a battle that would determine his prestige and authority. There was no room for failure.
"According to Elder Ebizō's intelligence," he began, "Konoha's forces have already entered the Land of Rain, securing the initiative. Iwagakure's army has not yet advanced, but they've fortified their borders and are positioned to attack or defend as needed."
"If we enter the battlefield now, we've already lost the advantage. Therefore, we'll first strengthen the defenses along our Rain Country border. Our current garrison there is no match for Konoha's army—under no circumstances can we allow them to cross into our territory. With the Second Kazekage's recent death, the last thing we can afford in this great power struggle is to appear weak."
He paused, then continued decisively:
"At the same time, regarding the Land of Rain's battlefield, we should open contact with Amegakure. Hanzō of the Salamander's personal power alone rivals that of an elite platoon. With Amegakure's support, he can hold off either Konoha or Iwagakure's advance. We can use him temporarily—to regain our lost initiative."
"Hanzō understands the devastation that war brings to his land. Offer him the right incentives, and he'll agree to cooperate. Once we've recovered our advantage, we'll no longer need to concern ourselves with Amegakure's position. Anything he gains from us—we'll make him give it back later."
Around the council table, the senior shinobi nodded silently, acknowledging the young Kazekage's plan.
But Chiyo wasn't finished. "There's another matter. Based on current intelligence, Konoha's army has already entered Rain Country territory. I have a proposal."
As one of the Second Kazekage's direct disciples alongside Ebizō and the new Kazekage, Chiyo was both an advisor and a battle-hardened veteran.
"According to our analysis," she said, "Konoha's forces pose the greatest immediate threat to us. Their commander is reportedly a brilliant strategist—but physically weak."
She narrowed her eyes. "I intend to lead an assassination squad myself. If Konoha loses its commanding officer, and they have no secondary command structure…"
The Third Kazekage's eyes gleamed. "Then if our troops are already in position, we can exploit the chaos and crush them before they reorganize."
He frowned after a moment's thought. "But such a mission is too dangerous, even for you, Elder Chiyo…"
"That's why," Chiyo interjected, "I'll need your cooperation to draw their attention away. Distract part of their main force. You mentioned using Amegakure earlier—let them help. They won't want Konoha running rampant in their country either."
"I plan to infiltrate through the Land of Rivers," she added. "But I'll need an elite squad to avoid detection by Konoha's scouts."
The Third Kazekage nodded. "There are plenty of capable agents in the ANBU ranks—you may choose whomever you like. Also…" He paused briefly. "I'll be going to the Rain Country front myself."
The room erupted in protest.
"Lord Kazekage, that's too dangerous!" said one of the jōnin. "If you and Elder Chiyo both leave the village, our internal defenses will be weakened. If Iwagakure launches a surprise attack, Sunagakure will be in grave danger."
The Third Kazekage's tone was calm but firm. "It's fine. I'll leave behind a Summoning Scroll. If needed, you can use it to summon the serpent Shinya from Ryūchi Cave. Unless Ōnoki himself joins the battle, that will buy enough time for us to return."
He continued, "My presence on the Rain front will not only help draw attention away from Chiyo's assassination squad but also ensure her safe retreat. Furthermore, it will pressure Iwagakure to focus its attention on the Land of Rain, facilitating our dealings with Amegakure."
Seeing the council's hesitant but accepting expressions, the Third Kazekage concluded, "Then it's settled. Proceed according to plan."
---
Konoha — Root Headquarters
A masked ninja knelt before Danzō, reporting in a low voice.
"Lord Danzō, intelligence from Amegakure has arrived. Hanzō has left the village—his whereabouts are unknown. He can't be contacted. Also… there's something else."
Danzō's single visible eye narrowed. "What is it?"
The Root operative hesitated. "It's about Yakushi Nono. She may have been exposed. Hanzō seems to have discovered her identity by accident. According to the agents monitoring her, he spoke to her about something—but didn't kill her. Instead, he let her go, without even reassigning her post."
"What?" Danzō's voice rose sharply. "She was exposed? Impossible."
His tone grew colder. "Where is she now?"
"On her way back to Konoha, my lord. The agents tailing her have kept her under observation."
Danzō's brow furrowed deeply. "Tell me—do you really believe someone with her ability would allow herself to be exposed? Do you think Hanzō, of all people, would discover her and do nothing? Do you understand how many of our secrets she carries?"
Each question struck like a blade. The kneeling ninja's head bowed lower with every word.
Danzō snorted coldly. "She's always opposed Root's methods. I've long known she wanted out—but I assumed she'd try to defect to Hiruzen in the end. I underestimated her resolve."
He rose from his seat, hands clasped behind his back. "She must have foreseen this chaos. With the war coming, this is the perfect time to cut ties with Root. I thought she'd simply disappear into obscurity, but it seems…"
The Root agent's eyes widened. "She defected to Hanzō?"
Danzō shook his head. "No. Hanzō may be powerful, but Amegakure is nothing compared to Konoha. Even he couldn't protect her for long, and she knows that. More likely, she made some sort of deal with him."
He fell silent for a moment, lost in thought.
"…Her usefulness is at its end. Even if she hasn't betrayed us, someone carrying that much classified information can't be allowed to live. My subordinates should be ready to sacrifice themselves for Root's mission. Clearly, I'll need better control—perhaps even… over their lives themselves."
He turned back toward the kneeling ninja. "Spread the order. Yakushi Nono is a traitor to Konoha. Eliminate her."
He paused. "Be cautious—Hanzō may intervene."
As the agent departed, Danzō's mind spun with calculations.
Why had Hanzō vanished without a trace?
What connection did Nono's betrayal have to him?
Was his disappearance related to Konoha's forward army?
Could the information leak itself be bait?
What deal had Nono struck—and how much did Hanzō now know about Konoha's infiltration network within Amegakure?
Could the intel flowing from Rain Country still be trusted?
Or was it all part of an elaborate trap, waiting for Konoha to walk in?
The more he thought, the more his head throbbed.
"No more shadow channels," he muttered. "Send an envoy directly to Hanzō. I want to know exactly where he is."
Turning sharply, he strode from the room.
Nono's situation needed to be reported to Hiruzen immediately. She knew too much. Danzō didn't know how much she'd told Hanzō—but even a little was dangerous.
If Hanzō passed that information to another nation, Konoha's entire intelligence network could collapse overnight. The rumors already suggested Amegakure had allied with Sunagakure.
In the worst-case scenario, every one of his spy cells in foreign lands could be exposed—or worse, turned against Konoha. The cost of even one piece of false intelligence could destroy them all. That would be beyond even his ability to contain.
As he walked, Danzō's expression hardened further.
"Hanzō must be eliminated… no, not yet. Killing him now would only provoke him—and the price would be too high. For now, I'll keep him in check, then strike when the time is right."
He clenched his fist.
"From this point forward, no single person will ever hold this much information again—not unless they are absolutely loyal to me."