Konoha Village, Hokage's Office.
The cigarette in Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth trembled violently as he read the report in his hand. A thick puff of smoke burst from his lips, filling the room with tension.
Uttering an annoyed sigh, Koharu Utatane glanced over. "Hiruzen, what happened at the frontlines? You're making it sound like a disaster. Was there an ambush?"
"See for yourselves," Hiruzen said grimly, holding his pipe aside and passing the report to his three advisors.
Homura Mitokado and Koharu leaned forward imdiately, joined by Danzō Shimura. As their eyes scanned line after line, their expressions darkened.
"This can't wait," Danzō spoke first, voice cold. "Forget the other nations—now even a small country like the Land of Rain dares to act this boldly. They're not even pretending to respect us anymore. We need to establish dominance."
Koharu nodded sharply. "Agreed, Hiruzen. This is more than a political matter. If we allow ourselves to be humiliated by a minor nation, the smaller countries surrounding the Land of Fire will all grow ambitious. They'll try to take bites out of us."
Homura adjusted his glasses. "Exactly. Those buffer nations—like the Land of Rain—exist to serve as shields between the Five Great Nations. They're strategically vital, but weak. Dealing with them drains our resources, and we're already stretched thin defending four borders.
If we show weakness, those fence-sitters will imdiately change sides. All it takes is for them to offer their land as supply routes or bases for other great nations, and suddenly our defensive line will be pushed back to our own borders. The war could spill into the Land of Fire itself."
Koharu concluded, "We must crush this kind of behavior before it takes root."
Listening to them all, the Third Hokage could only massage his temples. "Truly… troubleso tis. Good thing the frontlines are under the command of a Nara genius. Anyone else would've already walked into a disaster."
Danzō's single visible eye glead. He folded his right hand under his robe, already planning his next move. "Hiruzen, we need to wipe out Sunagakure's assassination squad imdiately. And that strategist—keep him alive at all costs. As for Agakure and Hanzō of the Salamander… leave them to Root."
Hiruzen frowned but didn't object. He knew Danzō's thods—unscrupulous but effective. "Very well," he agreed at last. "Send Jōnin Moonlight with twenty kenjutsu specialists. If the enemies are puppet masters, that should be enough."
He exhaled, thinking aloud. "We also need to watch the Land of Lightning. The Third Raikage is a powerhouse—station at least one elite team on that front. As for the Land of Water, it's isolated by sea. No movent there yet, so we can redirect so troops from that side."
"If the Land of Lightning makes a move, they'll have to cross the Lands of Frost and Hot Water first," Homura added. "Neither has a Hidden Village, so we'll have reaction ti. But Sunagakure's assassins won't all be puppet users. We should send additional elites."
Koharu nodded. "If we can crush Sunagakure's forces early, it'll intimidate the other nations and prove Konoha's fangs are still sharp. A first victory will rally not just our ninja, but every citizen of the Land of Fire."
"Then it's settled," Hiruzen said. "If Suna and A are truly cooperating, we'll send reinforcents. This first battle must not be lost."
After a pause, he added, "Dispatch Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade as well. As long as they don't run into Ōnoki, they'll be fine. If there's movent from the Land of Lightning, I'll go there personally."
He stood and declared, "That's the plan. Send out the orders."
When the three advisors left, the Hokage's office fell silent again.
Hiruzen looked at the growing pile of reports on his desk and exhaled a long, weary breath.
---
anwhile—Root Headquarters
Danzō had already returned to his underground base. His tone was low and commanding:
"Wind. Cloud."
Two masked figures appeared instantly, kneeling on one knee.
"Lord Danzō."
"Establish contact with Hanzō of the Salamander," he ordered. "We'll work with him. I have a bargaining chip he won't be able to refuse."
---
Land of Rain
Having fully adapted to Hanzō's mories and body, the reincarnated Hanzō now sat in the Agakure's leader office, calmly reviewing docunts.
Since I've co this far, I might as well play the part properly, he thought. From now on, I am Hanzō.
"Lord Hanzō," ca a report from a familiar voice—Hattori Murakami, the sa subordinate who'd first brought him intelligence earlier.
"The evacuation of civilians is proceeding smoothly. The armies of the three Great Nations have halted their advance without any interference. With a little more ti, we'll complete the transfer of all noncombatants."
"Good work," Hanzō said with a nod.
Murakami continued, "There's one more matter. The Tsuchikage of Iwagakure has sent an envoy. He says he wishes to negotiate an alliance. Here's his letter."
He handed over a yellow scroll. Hanzō unrolled it and read:
[To the Esteed Hanzō:
We are aware of your grand ambition—to secure a rightful place for Agakure among the nations and save your people from suffering.
Yet the Land of Rain lies at the crossroads of three powers—a strategic prize for all.
Now Konoha's forces trample your soil, bringing ruin to your people, while Sunagakure waits like a vulture to strike.
Your valor and resolve in protecting your nation inspire admiration.
We, too, in Iwagakure bear grievances against Konoha.
Perhaps we might et at the border to discuss our mutual interests.]
Hanzō sighed inwardly. So basically, they want to et them at the border to plan a joint offensive against Konoha. All this flowery nonsense just to say that? At least the flattery's decent.
Still, this wasn't sothing to take lightly.
Ōnoki was a cunning old fox. One misstep and he'd turn the whole situation against him.
But maybe I can use this opportunity…
"I understand," he said aloud.
He closed the scroll. "Bring in Iwagakure's envoy."
A tall, thin man entered and bowed. "Lord Hanzō."
Hanzō didn't waste ti. "Tell the Tsuchikage I'll et him at the border in three days."
The envoy blinked, surprised by the quick agreent. "Excellent. We'll await your arrival. I assure you, it will be a eting full of… surprises."
Hanzō gave a faint chuckle. "Heh. I look forward to it."
After the Iwa ninja left, Hanzō turned to his aides.
"That'll be all for today. You may go."
He vanished with a Body Flicker before they could respond. The remaining two A ninja exchanged glances and quietly left as well.
---
Agakure – Supply Depot
Hanzō appeared in a flash. The guards straightened imdiately.
"Lord Hanzō!"
"How many explosive tags are currently stored?" he asked.
"Thirty Thousand in total, my lord. What are your orders?"
"I'll be taking twenty thousand," he said.
"Yes, sir!"
They rushed to prepare the supplies. A few monts later, a large scroll was handed to him.
"All inside, Lord Hanzō."
He accepted it—but as he looked at the A ninja, sothing felt off.
This one…
His steady gaze froze the woman in place. Cold sweat ran down her back, but she forced herself to remain calm. "Is… sothing the matter, Lord Hanzō?"
"No," he said softly. "Nothing at all. But if you ever find yourself in trouble, co to . As long as it's not excessive, I'll help you. I'm sure you'll know how to find ."
With that, he vanished.
The woman stood there trembling.
Behind her, another A ninja laughed. "What's wrong? Did Lord Hanzō charm you that much?"
"Haha… yes," she forced a smile. "Lord Hanzō really is amazing."
But inside, she was terrified.
He's seen through .
He didn't expose . He didn't strike. But those words… he knows.
She glanced warily at her "comrades."
As expected of the Demigod. Even I don't know how many spies that man planted here. Maybe one of these people watching right now works for him.
With that man's paranoia, anyone beyond his control—or who poses even the slightest threat—gets eliminated.
If he learns I've been compromised… I'm dead.
She was certain—this was her first ti eting Hanzō. And yet, from a single look, he had sensed her.
So that's the instinct of a true predator…
Her heart pounded.
Terrifying man. After all my years of deep cover, it's all over now.
She and her true master had an unspoken agreent: during every mission, one of his agents would accompany her—ostensibly to "learn from her experience."
She always knew. And he knew that she knew. Neither ever spoke of it.
She possessed far too much sensitive information—on both her own side and the enemy. If it ever leaked, the consequences would be unimaginable.
What now? I'll have to plan my next move carefully…
---
That night, back in his quarters, Hanzō opened his eyes and murmured quietly to himself:
"The Wandering Miko… Yakushi Nonō."
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