"Nidaime-sama, the current situation is that we can't do anything to the Hidden Cloud, and they can't do anything to us either. Why don't we mobilize the troops defending against the Hidden Mist Village and the Hidden Stone Village and bring them here as reinforcements? That way, we'll have absolute certainty of victory."
"Absolutely not, Danzo," Hiruzen immediately spoke up.
"Although we are already at war with those two major ninja villages, we still cannot lower our guard. If they launch a surprise counterattack, what will we have left to fight with?"
"Monkey is right," said Tobirama Senju, nodding. "The village forces cannot be mobilized. Danzo, think of another plan."
"In that case, we have no choice but to compete with the Hidden Cloud's top fighters," Danzo said after a moment. "Let's challenge them to a duel and settle the outcome in a single battle."
"Is that feasible?" Tobirama looked around at everyone present. It wasn't that he lacked confidence—he simply didn't have many truly powerful experts under his command.
"No problem, Nidaime-sama. I have confidence in myself," said Danzo Shimura, patting his chest.
"That's right, Nidaime-sama. We can't keep dragging this out with them. It's disadvantageous for us," the others agreed.
"Very well," Tobirama said after a brief pause. "Danzo, I'll leave the matter of issuing the challenge to you."
He had no real choice. This campaign had already cost the Senju Clan dearly. He had brought most of the clan's strength with him, and nearly half of them were already gone. They could not afford a prolonged stalemate.
---
Isamu watched Tobirama with a faint smile, silently mocking him.
You thought bringing the Senju clan and dragging other clans into the war would easily crush the Hidden Cloud.
You didn't expect them to be such a tough opponent, did you?
Just because you sit in the Hokage's seat doesn't mean you are in the same level as Hashirama.
Ridiculous.
The Senju family fortune will eventually be squandered.
While inwardly mocking Tobirama, Isamu completely failed to notice that the Second Hokage was staring directly at him.
"Isamu, Isamu! Nidaime-sama is asking you something," Hiruzen said, patting him on the shoulder.
"Huh? Oh—I'm here. What's wrong?"
Seeing everyone looking at him, Isamu quickly snapped out of his thoughts.
"I'm asking what you think about this duel," Tobirama said seriously. "If the Hidden Cloud agrees, who do you think we should send to fight?"
"I don't have any opinion," Isamu replied casually, waving his hand. "You can arrange it however you want, Lord Senju. After all, no one dares to oppose you."
"You brat!" Danzo immediately jumped to his feet. "Is that how you speak to Hokage-sama? Watch your attitude!"
As Tobirama's loyal subordinate, Danzo naturally couldn't tolerate anyone speaking to his teacher like that.
But now that his strength had grown tremendously, Isamu had no intention of tolerating him.
"I'm talking to Hokage-sama," Isamu shot back coldly. "The Hokage hasn't said anything yet, so why are you barking like a dog?"
"Do you think you're the Hokage?"
"How ridiculous."
"You—you—!" Danzo sputtered in anger, unable to find a response.
"Enough," Hiruzen said quickly, pulling Danzo back into his seat. "Let the Second Hokage speak. And Isamu, you should watch how you speak as well."
"Some people act tough despite lacking strength," Isamu said lightly. "Don't worry, Sarutobi-ge. I understand the situation."
Danzo clenched his fists under the table.
Damn Uchiha…
Damn Uchiha Isamu.
Just wait until I get the chance. I'll make you pay.
Danzo's glare was practically murderous.
---
"Since you think Danzo lacks strength," Tobirama said suddenly, "then you'll go first when the duel begins."
"We'll decide the rest of the lineup later."
With that, he waved his hand and left the room.
---
After Tobirama departed, Danzo was still glaring at Isamu. Seeing this, Hiruzen quickly pulled Isamu outside the meeting room.
"Isamu, why are you still speaking to the Second Hokage and Danzo like that during wartime?" Hiruzen said earnestly.
"We should be united right now. Internal conflict will only benefit the Hidden Cloud."
Isamu shrugged.
"I wasn't wrong, was I? Who would dare refuse the Hokage's decision? It's arranged however he wants."
"That may be true, but…" Hiruzen hesitated, unable to refute him.
After a moment, he asked, "What about Danzo? Aren't you worried he'll come looking for trouble later?"
"Danzo?" Isamu scoffed.
"I'm not afraid of him. It's not like he started disliking me yesterday."
"So what if I confronted him?"
If Danzo really dared to cause trouble, Isamu wouldn't mind sending him to the afterlife a little earlier.
"Alright, alright. You always have your own reasoning," Hiruzen sighed.
"Go get some rest for a few days. Teacher said that if the Hidden Cloud accepts the duel, you'll be the first one to fight."
"You need to prepare."
"Got it, got it," Isamu replied lazily.
Hiruzen soon left as well.
---
Meanwhile, inside Tobirama's residence, the Second Hokage sat on the edge of his bed with a gloomy expression.
On one hand, the heavy losses of the Senju Clan weighed heavily on his mind.
On the other, Isamu had openly insulted Danzo in front of him earlier.
That Uchiha brat is becoming more and more arrogant.
When we return… I'll deal with him properly.
---
Of course, Isamu had no idea what Tobirama was thinking.
At that moment, he was happily soaking in a bath while humming a tune.
"We common folk… are truly happy today…"
Even if he knew what Tobirama was planning, he would have dismissed it with a sneer.
Deal with me?
You'd better make it back alive first.
---
As for the system mission—
Isamu only needed three more kills to complete it.
But he wasn't in any hurry.
It was just three people.
The system hadn't even set a time limit.
There was no need to rush.
---
Three days later, the Hidden Cloud finally accepted the challenge.
They couldn't afford to drag the war out either. If both villages exhausted themselves completely, the remaining great villages would surely take advantage of the situation.
The duel was scheduled ten kilometers away from both camps.
This ensured fairness—and if either side attempted anything suspicious, their respective armies could still provide support.
Soon, Tobirama arrived at the agreed location with several Konoha elites.
At the same time, the forces of Kumogakure arrived, led by the Second Raikage.
---
Seeing the Raikage, Isamu quietly studied him.
The Second Raikage looked quite similar to the later Third Raikage and Fourth Raikage.
The only obvious difference was the mustache.
His skin had the same bronze tone.
Isamu couldn't help wondering:
Why does every Raikage have bronze-colored skin?
Do they use some kind of bronze-tanning skincare product?
---
While Isamu was distracted by his thoughts, the Second Raikage spoke.
"So, Second Hokage—"
"Will you go first?"
"Or should I?"
It wasn't surprising that the Raikage spoke so confidently. His strength was evenly matched with Tobirama's, and he had no reason to be cautious.
Hmph.
"Second Raikage," Tobirama replied coldly, "you know very well that if the two of us fight, there won't be a clear winner."
"Let our subordinates decide the outcome instead."
Although he disliked the Raikage's arrogance, Tobirama had little choice.
Their strength was evenly matched.
For now, the outcome would have to depend on their subordinates.