The Land of Thunder isn't stupid. They wouldn't put in so much effort just to solve Konoha's problems.
Besides, with Kusagakure as a buffer, the Land of Thunder can reduce a lot of spending on border defense.
They know very well that Kusagakure's strength isn't enough to defend against Konoha alone, so they'll definitely end up relying on the Land of Thunder.
This Kusagakure, which has united many small countries, will bring many benefits to Kumogakure.
"So, do you understand now?"
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, puffed on his pipe, the smoke hiding his face. "Konoha is indeed strong, but not strong enough."
Otherwise, the current situation wouldn't be the Land of Earth and the Land of Thunder supporting Kusagakure to cause trouble for Konoha. Instead, they would be moving east and advancing west, slowly taking over their land and stationing Konoha Ninja in these small countries to protect them.
Mifune was still a little unwilling to give up. "Are you just going to let the Kusagakure Ninja challenge Konoha like this?"
The current situation is more serious than he previously understood. If it continues, the Land of Iron really has no hope of restoration. He has to persuade Konoha to take action.
Faced with Mifune's questioning and stirring up trouble, Sarutobi Hiruzen simply replied, "It doesn't matter. Konoha can wait."
The Land of Fire is vast and rich in resources, the most abundant of all countries. Konoha's ninja are also the most promising of all the ninja villages.
Why have the past Hokage never actively invaded other countries? Isn't it because simply developing steadily is victory?
Other ninja villages also know this, so they have launched many wars to drain Konoha's war potential.
Mifune was speechless.
Indeed, Konoha isn't the one in a hurry, but himself. But he can't offer higher terms.
Although he took a lot of funds from the Land of Iron, it's far from enough to trick Konoha into jumping into a war of Uzumaki.
Mifune was very disappointed. They had talked for so long, but the Third Hokage wouldn't budge at all. He didn't even mention any high-value conditions, completely denying him the opportunity to bargain.
"Instead of letting Konoha take action..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen took the documents from the other party and said slowly, "Restoring your country is something you should do yourselves."
"The Kusagakure invasion has indirectly screened people for you. With those people there, there's still some hope."
"Konoha will provide you with some help in this area."
Mifune's face was dejected. He thanked him indifferently and left the Hokage's office like a lost soul.
After watching Mifune leave, Sarutobi Hiruzen put down his pipe and poured himself a cup of tea.
As the steam rose, the Third Hokage's gaze fell on the intelligence report, his expression slightly serious.
The conservative strategy he discussed with Mifune earlier wasn't fake, but in reality, it would barely allow Konoha to avoid losses.
When everyone else is making a profit, not making a profit is itself a loss.
Moreover, he's very sure that the Land of Grass definitely has hidden strength besides what's on the surface. Otherwise, it couldn't be moving so quickly.
Intelligence, resource mobilization... everything, it can't be done with just Kusagakure's manpower, no matter how talented they are.
As the leader of the largest ninja village for decades, Sarutobi Hiruzen knows this very well.
So, who exactly is helping the Kusagakure Ninja?
The Third Hokage took a sip of hot tea. "Let those samurai test them out first..."
Friend or enemy, this relationship isn't forever. If the other party really poses such a great threat, Iwagakure and Kumogakure could turn against them at any time.
…
After leaving the Hokage's office, Mifune waited for a while at the agreed-upon restaurant and quickly met with his subordinates.
Mifune gripped his glass, anxiously asking, "What did Danzo say?"
The samurai Okisuke lowered his head. "Leader, I didn't even see Danzo."
"Sigh..."
Mifune sighed and poured the wine into his mouth, drinking in silence, cup after cup.
He didn't expect anything from Danzo anyway. He heard that the other party had suffered a serious injury recently and his strength had greatly declined.
But not even seeing this last shred of hope is truly depressing.
Seeing his leader in this dejected state, the samurai Okisuke didn't look down on him because of it. Instead, he felt somewhat fortunate.
If the leader had died during their escape earlier, then he would be the one frowning here now.
The task of restoring the country is not easy. Not just anyone can bear it.
After drinking a few cups with Mifune, the samurai Okisuke suddenly paused and said hesitantly, "Sir, when I was investigating in Konoha, I happened to hear some news that might be useful."
"What is it? Tell me." Mifune grabbed his glass, his face flushed with a hint of drunkenness.
"That Uchiha who picked us up in the Land of Hot Water earlier awakened a new eye power, called Blood Wheel Eye."
The samurai Okisuke looked at his leader, who didn't seem to take it seriously, and said seriously, "This isn't something he trained on his own. Instead, he spent a lot of money to undergo a 'body strengthening surgery' to get it."
Mifune's hand, which was pouring wine, stopped in mid-air and he turned his head. "You mean..."
"Just like you're thinking, this surgery can greatly increase a person's strength."
At this point, the samurai Okisuke paused. "But at the same time, this surgery also has considerable risks. So, Konoha has already classified it as a forbidden technique."
"Risks..."
Mifune repeated these two words and asked, "Is that all you want to tell me? Who performed the surgery on him?"
"One of the 'Sannin', Orochimaru." The samurai Okisuke scratched his head. "That's all I was able to find out..."
"That's enough."
Mifune suddenly stood up. The wine had flushed his face red, but there wasn't a trace of drunkenness in his eyes.
…
At the same time, Danzo, who refused to meet with the visiting samurai, secretly received another group of people.
Danzo was expressionless, his eyes flashing with cold light. "Kusagakure Ninja, what are you here for? The agreement announced the other day is no less than a declaration of war against Konoha."
"But you still saw me, didn't you? Without Root's help, I wouldn't be able to get into Konoha."
The Kusagakure Ninja wearing a demon mask chuckled. "It seems that things really aren't going so well for you in Konoha, just like the rumors said."
"If you came here today to anger me, then you've succeeded."
Danzo stared at the Kusagakure Ninja in front of him, his eyes gleaming fiercely.
"Sorry, sorry, I accidentally spoke the truth."
The masked Kusagakure Ninja stood up straight and said seriously, "We're here to do business with Danzo-sama."
"It's foreseeable that the Land of Fire will be in a semi-closed state for a long time to come, and normal commercial activities will be restricted."
"But... private, secret transactions will not be affected."
"The latter requires sufficient intelligence and personnel to provide cover, and that shouldn't be difficult for Danzo-sama."
A long time? Restricted?
Danzo looked at the masked ninja in front of him who was speaking eloquently and sneered in his heart.
Does he really think that old man Hiruzen will let a bunch of Kusagakure Ninja ride on his head?
---
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