The potential threat from the Land of Lightning.
Should they send troops to the Land of Rain?
As the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi knew it was time to make a decision.
"The Land of Rain has not declared war on us, and the Land of Iron has not requested aid. If we send troops now, it will be difficult to justify it to everyone," said Hiruzen Sarutobi.
At this point in his life, still in the prime of both his strength and body, Hiruzen was far more decisive than he would be in his old age. He quickly made up his mind.
"The matter of the Land of Rain will be handled by the ANBU. Danzo will take charge of everything there, and Shinnosuke will assist him."
"Understood!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke answered at once.
"In that case, leave it to me," Danzo said coldly, clearly satisfied with Hiruzen's decision.
Then Hiruzen turned toward Tsunade.
"Tsunade, the hospital must be fully prepared, especially the logistics and medical reserves."
"Don't worry, I've already made arrangements." Tsunade placed one hand on her hip and replied with confidence.
Hiruzen nodded, then continued, "Orochimaru, Jiraiya, you two must also be ready. If we enter a direct war with the Land of Rain, you will serve as the main combat force and head to the front lines alongside Elder Danzo."
In this war, Hiruzen intended to use the opportunity to temper his three disciples and prepare them for the day they would rise to the top.
"Understood," Jiraiya and Orochimaru responded together.
After settling the matter of the Land of Rain, Hiruzen began making arrangements against the possible threat from the Land of Lightning.
"Homura, I'll be counting on you in the Land of Lightning direction. After this meeting, take five hundred shinobi and head to the border to guard against an attack from Kumogakure."
"I'll keep an eye on them," Homura Mitokado replied calmly.
Even when facing the Third Raikage, he did not seem pressured in the slightest.
"There's no need to go that far. Leave the Land of Lightning to me."
Just as the two finished speaking, Kizaru, who had been silent until now, finally opened his mouth.
"Oooh, how scary~ But if it's just Kumogakure, I can handle that side by myself, you know~"
The moment Kizaru spoke, most of the people present remained calm. Only the future Sannin, who still didn't know the full details of his raid on Kumogakure, turned to look at him in surprise.
"No. That's too dangerous!" Tsunade rejected the idea immediately, concern clear in her voice.
"Kizaru, don't be reckless!" Jiraiya added at once.
Orochimaru said nothing, not because he did not care about his kohai, but because he believed their teacher would never agree to such a request.
To his surprise, however, Hiruzen Sarutobi did not reject it immediately. Instead, he fell into deep thought.
Not only Hiruzen, but even Kizaru's biological uncle remained silent, a strange expression crossing his face.
From the reactions of several people in the room, Orochimaru seemed to understand something. He looked at Kizaru with faint surprise and growing curiosity in his eyes.
And as Orochimaru suspected, Hiruzen was not doubting the strength of his young student.
What he was considering was whether this arrangement was worth making.
Originally, Hiruzen's plan for Kizaru was to keep him in the village alongside the Sannin, then use him as a hidden card to provide support wherever the situation shifted.
But now Kizaru had volunteered to go to the border himself and hold one entire front alone.
That idea stirred something in Hiruzen.
For the first time in his life, holding so many powerful cards in his hand, Hiruzen found himself struggling with the luxury of choice.
After thinking it over for a long time, he considered that Konoha was not officially at war yet. If he suddenly mobilized five hundred shinobi to the border, it could easily create tension among both the villagers and the daimyō.
In the end, Hiruzen made his decision.
"Very well. Since you have that confidence, I'll leave the Land of Lightning to you alone."
He looked at Kizaru solemnly, his voice carrying clear appreciation.
"Old man, have you lost your mind?" Tsunade said sharply as she stepped forward.
"Are you trying to send Kizaru to his death?" she demanded, her worry for him obvious.
Hiruzen looked at Tsunade standing before him and said evenly, "During the last mission, Kizaru infiltrated Kumogakure alone. He killed and injured hundreds of Kumo shinobi, destroyed a large number of buildings, and while retreating, he ambushed the Third Raikage when he returned with reinforcements. He even managed to wound him badly."
The moment Hiruzen finished speaking, Tsunade froze in shock.
Her expression faltered as she looked at Hiruzen, then turned back toward Kizaru behind her.
Faced with Tsunade's worried gaze, Kizaru did not boast or show off. He only smiled and gave a small nod.
Not just Tsunade—even Jiraiya and Orochimaru, hearing the full details of Kizaru's feats for the first time, stared at him in silence.
What a monster.
Neither of them said it aloud, but the thought in their hearts was almost exactly the same.
"But last time was a raid," Tsunade said after regaining herself. "If the Third Raikage leads the main force in an invasion this time, and Kizaru has to face them alone, it'll still be dangerous."
"Tsunade-neesan, don't worry." Kizaru spoke up gently. "I can fly. If I can't handle them head-on, I'll retreat immediately."
Right. He could fly.
Tsunade, reminded of that fact now that her panic had cleared, finally calmed down.
She nodded, accepted Kizaru's reasoning, and stepped back to her place without arguing further.
Seeing that Tsunade had stopped objecting, Hiruzen turned toward Danzo again, waiting to hear his opinion.
"I agree," Danzo said simply.
Without wasting any words, the man who had long hoped to shape his nephew into the next Hokage through war gave his approval at once.
Seeing that, Hiruzen made the final arrangements.
"Kizaru will take responsibility for the Land of Lightning front. Homura, you will remain in the village and oversee the overall situation."
As he spoke, Hiruzen looked toward the other advisor beside Homura.
"Koharu, I'll leave the village's logistics to you."
Utatane Koharu gave a quiet nod in agreement.
"This afternoon, I'll hold a village-wide meeting to announce these arrangements," Hiruzen said in conclusion.
With that, he rose from his seat and looked around at everyone present, his expression stern and resolute.
"This time, I'm counting on all of you."
No one answered aloud, but every person in the room returned his gaze with serious faces, their eyes filled with determination and confidence.
When the meeting ended, everyone except Danzo and Hiruzen left the Hokage's office to make their final preparations.
Kizaru was about to leave with Tsunade and the others, but Danzo stopped him and told him to wait outside.
A few minutes later, Danzo came out of the office. Without saying a word, he brought Kizaru straight to Root's underground base.
Inside one of the base's secret rooms, Danzo faced Kizaru and spoke in a low voice.
"At the meeting this afternoon, Hiruzen and I have already decided that we'll focus on publicizing your deeds—how you alone are going to the border to hold back the Land of Lightning."
"My, my… that's quite the responsibility, you know~" Kizaru said with a smile.
"Once war breaks out, you will become the hero of the village," Danzo continued. "When that time comes, no one will be qualified to compete with you for the position of Fourth Hokage. Not even Tsunade."
Become Hokage?
That obsession truly was at the center of Danzo's heart now.
Kizaru only smiled and nodded.
Danzo watched him for a moment in silence before changing the subject.
"But remember this—your life matters more than becoming a hero. The moment you sense real danger, I want you to retreat immediately. No matter what consequences come from that retreat, I alone will bear them."
A trace of surprise flashed across Kizaru's face as he looked at Danzo.
"You are my nephew," Danzo said, the corners of his mouth lifting faintly. "Everything I have, and everything belonging to the Shimura clan, will one day be inherited by you. So you must stay alive for me. Do you understand?"
"Understood," Kizaru replied seriously, though there was a hint of warmth in his smile.
Danzo raised his right hand and, with rare reluctance, patted Kizaru on the shoulder.
"Go back. Rest well. You leave tomorrow."
With that, Danzo turned and walked toward the door of the secret room.
"Uncle, over there in the Land of Rain… stay safe," Kizaru said, looking at Danzo's back with genuine concern.
"Hahaha!"
Hearing that, Danzo laughed happily and walked out of the room with a smile on his face.
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