The Third Hokage pondered in silence for a moment, then listened as Nara Shikaku continued: "According to our intelligence, most of Gato's mercenary ninja are former rogue ninja from Kirigakure. This further confirms my assessment: the power backing Gato is almost certainly the Hidden Mist."
The Third Hokage nodded and casually inquired, "If, as you suggest, Shikaku, the Hidden Mist is behind Gato, why would they resort to such measures?"
"After all, compared to the wealth of a small nation like the Land of Waves, fostering good relations with them and using it as a stepping stone for trade with other mainland nations would be a far more urgent priority for the Land of Water, which has recently shifted its policies and begun opening its ports."
Nara Shikaku shook his head, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You've already seen through this, Third Hokage. Why ask me?"
The Third Hokage chuckled. "I simply wanted to hear if your keen intellect might have considered angles I've overlooked."
"In that case, I'll explain," Nara Shikaku said after a moment's thought. "Gato is essentially a black glove used by the Hidden Mist to rapidly accumulate wealth through ruthless exploitation. This oppressive extraction serves to subsidize the Land of Water's economy, which has been weakened by years of internal strife and isolation. As everyone knows, black gloves rarely meet a good end."
"When Gato's usefulness wanes, Kirigakure will likely execute him under the pretense of harboring rogue ninja from the village. This allows them to seize all the wealth he has accumulated over the years while simultaneously reclaiming some of the defectors who fled during Yagura's reign, thereby replenishing Kirigakure's dwindling manpower."
"Moreover, from a political standpoint, the Hidden Mist's execution of Gato would undoubtedly earn the gratitude of the Land of Waves' oppressed populace. This small nation would become even more reliant on the Hidden Mist, who would be seen as their savior. As a vital trade hub between the Land of Water and the mainland countries, controlling the Land of Waves would grant the Hidden Mist dominant influence over regional commerce."
'Just like what we in Konoha are doing now,' Nara Shikaku added silently to himself.
Gato's exploitation of the Land of Waves had bled the nation dry, rapidly reducing it to poverty and destitution.
Konoha, however, seemed to turn a blind eye to the situation, as if feigning ignorance.
In reality, they were waiting for the pig to fatten before slaughtering it, intending to swoop in as saviors, earn the gratitude of the Land of Waves in one stroke, and thereby secure dominance over this crucial maritime trade hub.
Nara Shikaku didn't voice this plan aloud, but both he and the Third Hokage understood it implicitly.
"As perceptive as ever, Shikaku," the Third Hokage remarked with a faint smile, his expression turning serious.
"Regardless of which power backs Gato, we cannot allow the Land of Waves to fall into enemy hands, nor can we tolerate our neighbors being exploited and harmed by such a vile man. Shikaku, you may leave now. I will make the necessary arrangements regarding the Land of Waves."
"Understood!" Nara Shikaku bowed slightly and withdrew.
After Shikaku left, the Third Hokage picked up the documents he had left behind, studied them intently for a long while, then placed them in a drawer.
After a moment of contemplation, he tapped out a coded signal.
A ninja clad in Anbu attire materialized instantly in the Hokage's office.
"Third Hokage, your orders, please!"
"Notify Kakashi to come to my office at 8 p.m. tonight."
"Understood!"
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Uchiha Clan Compound, a vast training hall.
The training hall was enormous, spanning nearly 1,500 square meters and soaring to a height of nearly 30 meters.
Originally a massive warehouse used by the Uchiha Clan for storing supplies, Sasuke had spent a fortune the previous year hiring Konoha's finest craftsmen to transform it into a sprawling indoor training ground.
At the center of the training hall stood nearly a thousand wooden stakes, each about five meters tall but only as thick as an infant's fist. Suspended above these stakes by Uchiha-forged steel wires were solid, brutish black lead balls.
With a single slash to sever a wire, the balls would plummet under gravity's pull, unleashing a devastating impact capable of crippling or even killing anyone caught beneath. A direct hit to the head would splatter one's brains across the training hall.
At this very moment, Sasuke was engaged in intense training.
Sasuke stood alone atop a wooden stake, blindfolded with a black cloth.
He continuously dodged the rapidly swinging lead balls that crashed into each other, occasionally erupting in fierce sparks and deafening booms that severely disrupted his hearing.
The lead balls varied in height, constantly undulating with varying force in unpredictable patterns. Standing on the restrictive wooden stake, a single misstep could result in a severe collision.
Though Sasuke's current physique meant a blow to the head wouldn't be fatal, a serious injury and unconsciousness were inevitable.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Sasuke's expression remained calm as he listened intently.
Despite the wooden stake's extremely limited footing, he moved with astonishing speed, darting through nearly a thousand stakes to evade the lead balls' relentless assault.
When evasion proved impossible, Sasuke either punched through the oncoming balls or braced himself with his back, legs, or other resilient parts of his body to withstand the impact.
Though this training regimen would be considered extremely dangerous for most ninjas, Sasuke appeared to handle it with effortless ease.
After some time, the lead balls' oscillations gradually slowed. Sasuke carefully stepped down from the stake, applied medicine to several minor bruises and cuts, and bandaged the injuries.
Sasuke sat directly on a meditation cushion, lost in thought. He was reviewing and digesting everything he had gained from this mission.
Aoi Rokushō!
In the original timeline, this guy wouldn't make his official debut for another seven months.
One key difference was that, by then, Aoi Rokushō would already be a Jonin of Amegakure.
The Aoi Rokushō Sasuke encountered this time, however, was still a rogue ninja. This suggests that in the original timeline, Aoi Rokushō's initial contact with Amegakure during this very encounter led to his eventual joining of the village.
Notably, it was after their battle with Aoi Rokushō in the original timeline that Sasuke's original self, unable to bear being outshone by Naruto, triggered the rooftop duel that ultimately led to his defection from Konoha.
Sasuke had initially worried about encountering Akatsuki members during this mission, but instead, he only faced some elite Rain Ninja. Even then, their engagement was largely a probing skirmish.
Taking advantage of the distraction created by Team Seven and the Konoha Anbu's engagement with the Rain Ninja, Sasuke personally confronted Aoi Rokushō alone.
Though there were initial complications, Sasuke ultimately crushed Aoi Rokushō with overwhelming force.
Based on his assessment, Aoi Rokushō's base strength likely hovered around the Special Jonin level. Even with the Sword of the Thunder God, he barely qualified as a standard Jonin.
(I give you chapter, you give me power stones)
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