Chapter 42: Daring to Kill Even Konoha's Envoy
Inside the Hokage's office, the embers in Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe flickered on and off, illuminating his ever-changing expression.
Mitokado Homura and Koharu Utatane sat on either side, both looking grim.
Danzō Shimura stood by the window, his single eye fixed on the distant Uchiha clan grounds.
His fingers lightly tapped his cane—he seemed ready to scheme against the Uchiha again!
Mitokado Homura spoke in a heavy, serious tone: "The Ino–Shika–Chō have completely sided with the Uchiha. Over 7,000 Konoha ninjas encircled the more than 3,000 Kirigakure ninjas invading the Land of Fire. Now only around 1,000 Kirigakure ninjas have fled to the Land of Hot Springs."
Koharu Utatane snorted in dissatisfaction and slammed her teacup onto the table: "In their eyes now, there is no Hokage—only their own interests!"
From the shadows by the window, Danzō Shimura suddenly struck the floor with his cane, producing a dull thud.
A dangerous light flashed in his single eye: "The Ino–Shika–Chō are no longer reliable. The Hyūga clan is also leaning toward the Uchiha. The war will end soon. Hiruzen… are you really going to step down?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly exhaled a puff of smoke that twisted into the shape of a Uchiha fan in the air: "It's too late to talk about that now. The question is… how do we stop them?"
Danzō Shimura turned around; a cold glint flashed in his single eye: "Kirigakure is extremely weak right now. If the Uchiha really break in, they won't only recover the 400 billion ryō—they might even force Kirigakure to cede territory. At that point, Uchiha Fugaku's prestige will completely overshadow the Hokage."
"So, we must end the war before they land," Mitokado Homura said gravely.
Koharu Utatane frowned: "But we can't just order a withdrawal. Besides, even if we give the order, the Uchiha won't obey."
Danzō Shimura suddenly turned, his single eye shining coldly in the shadows: "How about letting Kirigakure主动 surrender? We still have 'high-level spies' over there."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pinched his brow and asked: "What do you mean?"
Danzō Shimura said slowly: "We have spies in Kirigakure. Let them contact the Kirigakure high command and propose peace terms."
Koharu Utatane asked doubtfully: "What terms?"
Danzō Shimura replied indifferently: "Return part of the looted wealth, issue a public apology, and promise not to invade the Land of Fire again. As long as Kirigakure is willing to bow their heads, we can legitimately announce the end of the war."
Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered for a moment: "What if Kirigakure refuses?"
Danzō Shimura's voice turned icy: "Then have the spies spread rumors inside Kirigakure—say that Uchiha Fugaku intends to destroy both Kirigakure and the Land of Water."
The office fell silent.
Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly nodded: "Danzō, proceed with your plan."
...
Inside the meeting room in Nansha City, Uchiha Sanpō slapped the battle report onto the table.
The numbers on the parchment stung everyone's eyes: 731 killed, 407 captured, nearly half the enemy had escaped.
"With three times the troops encircling them, don't you all find this result suspicious?"
Uchiha Sanpō's Sharingan slowly spun as he scanned every clan head present.
Clan Head Kurama quietly activated a genjutsu barrier, isolating the room from external surveillance.
Clan Head Kazami stood up abruptly: "Are you saying someone from the higher-ups is secretly interfering?"
Uchiha Sanpō took out a secret letter from his robes: "Not only that. We just intercepted intelligence—Kirigakure has already sent envoys to Konoha."
Clan Head Kurama narrowed his eyes: "Battalion Commander Sanpō, if you have something to say, just say it."
Uchiha Sanpō's fingers lightly tapped the table; his voice was low and dangerous: "We are fighting desperately here, while some people—for example, the one inside the Hokage Building—are probably busy making secret deals with Kirigakure."
Clan Head Kazami's pupils shrank: "You mean… Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzō deliberately let the Kirigakure ninjas escape?"
Uchiha Sanpō sneered: "Otherwise? Kirigakure is extremely weak right now—this is the best chance for us to break through. But if the higher-ups suddenly order peace talks, all our war merits and benefits will vanish into thin air."
"Ino–Shika–Chō… this is a critical moment. It's time for you to take a stand!"
Everyone in the meeting room turned their gazes toward the Ino–Shika–Chō. The atmosphere grew tense.
Nara Shikaku remained silent for a moment before finally sighing: "The Ino–Shika–Chō… will support the Uchiha."
The war had dragged on too long, and the Ino–Shika–Chō had also suffered heavy losses.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's influence was waning day by day, while the Uchiha's strong rise on the battlefield forced everyone to re-evaluate their positions.
Uchiha Sanpō nodded in satisfaction, then changed the subject: "Then, Shikaku, do you have any suggestions for the best route to attack Kirigakure?"
Nara Shikaku's finger traced across the map: "Kirigakure excels at Water Release and naval warfare. Crossing from the Land of Waves or the Land of Hot Springs carries too much risk. The safest route… is through the Land of Whirlpools."
Hyūga Hiashi frowned slightly: "The Land of Whirlpools? That would take two extra days."
Uchiha Sanpō said meaningfully: "It doesn't matter. We lack many things, but time is not one of them. I bet Kirigakure will soon send envoys to sue for peace—and Hiruzen Sarutobi… will definitely agree."
Nara Shikaku, a man of high intelligence, pointed out the key issue: "So we must break into Kirigakure before negotiations begin."
Uchiha Sanpō stood up, a cold light flashing in his eyes: "Not only that. Issue the order—block all routes leading to Konoha. Any Kirigakure envoys are to be killed without mercy."
...
Three days later, the Konoha ninja army crossed the coast of the Land of Whirlpools and infiltrated the territory of the Land of Water.
Waves crashed against the reefs. Uchiha Sanpō stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing at the distant Land of Water shrouded in blood mist.
He said in a low voice: "Clan Head Fugaku, once we break into Kirigakure, the power structure of Konoha… will be completely rewritten."
Uchiha Fugaku's Mangekyō Sharingan slowly spun in the shadows: "How can you be so sure?"
Uchiha Sanpō leaned closer and whispered: "Everything has been arranged. I even took care of Root's eyes inside."
Just last night, three Kirigakure envoy groups were intercepted and killed at the border of the Land of Fire—none survived.
Even two groups of Konoha ninjas sent toward the Land of Water were dealt with by them!
Uchiha Sanpō's voice was cold and certain: "No envoys means no peace talks. And we… will become the heroes who ended the war."
Uchiha Fugaku was silent for a moment, then finally nodded: "Begin the operation."
Waves surged as 4,000 Konoha ninjas poured toward Kirigakure like a black tide.
Meanwhile, in the distant Konoha Village, inside the Hokage's office.
An Anbu suddenly appeared: "Report! All联络 teams sent to Kirigakure have lost contact!"
Danzō Shimura said angrily: "Damn it—it must be the Uchiha's doing! They now even dare to kill Konoha's envoys—they're really planning a rebellion!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi's pipe silently went out. He let out a helpless, heavy sigh: "Sigh…"
He looked out the window, as if he could already smell the coming storm.
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