"This intelligence gathering business is all about combining internal and external sources. If the internal intel is cut off, we look for clues externally. I’ve already inford the Nine Heavenly Stems through secret channels. The mont there’s any movent in the other ninja villages, we’ll get the news imdiately."
Yamashita Tetsu spoke with supre confidence.
"Yes, that’s the logic, but intelligence takes ti to flow back and forth. Isn’t this a bit too rushed?" Jing Hang expressed his concern.
"Of course it’s rushed. The external intel isn’t ant to root out the traitor; it’s to figure out who we should retaliate against after the rebellion."
Yamashita Tetsu winked mischievously.
"Could you just spit it all out at once?" Jing Hang was clearly annoyed.
"My apologies, my apologies," Yamashita Tetsu said with a bow. "I’ve co up with a plan. Let know if you think it’s feasible."
"Alright, tell ."
"Since their target is you, why not turn the tables on them?"
"You an...?"
"I’ll stage an assassination attempt on you in advance!"
Yamashita Tetsu grinned wickedly.
Jing Hang’s eyes widened in shock for a mont, but he quickly understood.
"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Only our Sand Village’s ’strategist mutt’ could co up with such a twisted idea."
Their target is , right? If I suddenly "disappear," wouldn’t their plans be disrupted and the rebellion forced to start earlier than expected?
"Wait! No, this isn’t right! Wouldn’t that put Rasa in danger?" Jing Hang interjected.
According to the Sand Village’s "Ergency Act," passed by the Village Representative Council, if the Kazekage were to et with an accident or beco unable to handle village affairs due to health reasons, the Kage Assistant would assu full authority over the Kazekage’s duties.
If Jing Hang were "assassinated," then Rasa, his staunch supporter, would naturally beco the "second target." This wouldn’t do. Betraying a brother? That wasn’t Jing Hang’s style—especially since he’d need Rasa to fight for him in the future... or rather, to charge into battle!
"Don’t worry. If they attempt to assassinate you, they’re operating in the shadows while we’re in the open. We don’t know who the assassin is or when they’ll strike, making it hard to defend against. But if you’re ’assassinated’ in advance and Rasa becos the new target, then they’ll have to adjust their tiline. The strategic situation shifts from their advantage to ours.
Moreover, external forces interfering will also have to change their deploynts. In the ensuing chaos, we’ll have the perfect opportunity to strike."
"You make a compelling argunt. But we still need to ensure Rasa’s security."
"Of course. And only the three of us—yourself, , and Rasa—can know about this plan. Not even Lady Tsunade can be inford. Since the enemy managed to steal the weakening agent, there must be spies in the dical Departnt."
"Good point," Jing Hang nodded.
"But there’s still one problem. We need to find a suitable assassin—soone who won’t arouse suspicion and has the right identity and motive."
"I’ve already found the perfect candidate."
"Who?"
"The grandson of the forr Minister of Military Affairs, Dust Sand—Ying Zhao."
Land of Earth, Iwagakure, Tsuchikage Tower - Secret Chamber
"Mr. Zetsu, it’s not that I don’t want to honor our agreent, but it’s simply impossible right now. Iwagakure’s strength is far inferior to Sunagakure’s. Moreover, we’ve just withdrawn from the Ninja Alliance. If we go to war now, the other four great ninja villages will surely take advantage of the situation, and the foundation of Iwagakure will be destroyed."
The real power behind Iwagakure, Kitsuchi, looked deeply troubled.
"Lord Kitsuchi, we had an agreent. I helped release your father and trapped the Fourth Tsuchikage Shii in a genjutsu. In return, you agreed to fulfill two conditions for . It hasn’t been that long, and you’re already going back on your word?"
Zetsu spoke calmly.
"The agreent was between you and my father. If you’re so insistent, you can go find him to fulfill it."
Kitsuchi’s expression darkened.
"Hahaha, is that so difficult? Summoning..."
Zetsu was about to perform the Edo Tensei to summon Ōnoki, but Kitsuchi quickly stopped him.
"Mr. Zetsu, there’s no need for that. I know exactly how that technique works. Even if you summon my father, he would still be under your control. He wouldn’t sacrifice the village’s interests, even in this state!"
Kitsuchi’s tone was firm.
"Oh? You won’t fall for that trick? Lord Kitsuchi, let remind you: the genjutsu on Shii was cast by , and I can lift it as well. Think about it—once I release the genjutsu, can you and your brothers withstand the wrath of Son Goku?"
Zetsu’s tone carried an unmistakable threat.
"This..."
Kitsuchi hesitated. He knew that if Shii woke up, he would be the first to face her wrath.
"Lord Kitsuchi, I’m not asking you to mobilize Iwagakure’s entire military against Sunagakure. To be honest, Sunagakure is already on the brink of a large-scale rebellion. All I need is for you to send a few hundred elite ninja. With internal and external coordination, even if we don’t destroy Sunagakure, we can significantly weaken their strength. Isn’t that exactly what you want?"
Kitsuchi was no rookie. He had followed Ōnoki into battle as a teenager, and years of ninja experience had honed him into a cautious and prudent leader. He knew that while he had seized control of Iwagakure, the coup had severely weakened the village. The losses of Ōnoki, Shii, and other Kage-level combatants had left Iwagakure in an unprecedentedly fragile state. Picking a fight with Sunagakure now would be suicidal.
What to do?
Caught in a dilemma, a brilliant idea suddenly struck Kitsuchi.
"Mr. Zetsu, how about this? Let’s et halfway."
"et halfway? What do you an?"
Zetsu asked.
"For this plan to attack Sunagakure, Iwagakure won’t participate directly. However, we can fund the operation and hire rcenaries to do the job."
"rcenaries?" Zetsu pondered.
"That won’t work. Most rogue and rcenary ninja are too weak. They wouldn’t be able to effectively disrupt Sunagakure."
"Well, if that doesn’t work, there’s nothing more I can do," Kitsuchi said dismissively, waving his hand.
"The group I’m suggesting is highly reliable and exceptionally capable in combat. Their strength rivals that of Iwagakure’s own ninja."
"Who are they?"
"The Akatsuki organization from Agakure. They’ve recently seized control of the entire village. We’ve worked with them before; their skills are top-notch."
Kitsuchi spoke earnestly.
"You an them?" Zetsu lowered his head in thought.
After a long pause, Black Zetsu finally looked up.
"That could work. Fine, I won’t press further. If you can convince the Akatsuki to launch an attack on Sunagakure on schedule, your obligation will be considered fulfilled. We’ll owe each other nothing.
But let remind you—do not reveal anything about ."
Kitsuchi exhaled in relief. He had finally navigated through this tricky situation.
"Deal."
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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