Ninja War and Open Schemes

"Then, from this moment on, our alliance is officially established, Lord Hanzo."

"This Old Man understands. But you must withstand the pressure for us, or neither of us will gain anything."

Inside a building in the Land of Rain, Ebizo and Hanzo were discussing their strategy for attacking Konoha.

After three days of probing and clashes, they had finally worked out a plan that both sides found barely satisfactory.

Both Sunagakure and the Amegakure Ninja held great expectations for this battle.

For these two shinobi villages, crippled by nature from birth, swallowing up a lush, vibrant stretch of land greatly stirred their nerves.

In a sense, this could be called their own unconventional "war of founding."

The exhausting diplomatic tug-of-war had ended. Ebizo rubbed his sore face and relaxed as he took out a cigarette.

An expectant smile unconsciously appeared on his face. Through the curling smoke, he seemed to see the children of the Land of Wind no longer having to run through sandstorms or endure the torment of hunger, growing up freely and beautifully.

He handed Hanzo another cigarette. Seeing the gas mask permanently hanging over his face, Ebizo laughed dumbly and enjoyed his own smoke.

Hanzo sneered. If they were not allies for the moment, he would have treated Ebizo to some Ibuse-brand local specialty.

"In any case, this is not the time for us to let our guard down. Let me stress this again: you Sunagakure must draw Uchiha Hanma over."

Ebizo narrowed his eyes, considering Hanzo's intentions before slowly replying,

"No one can say for certain what will happen on the battlefield. All we can do is commit more troops."

"If Hiruzen Sarutobi still fights conservatively, he will surely send either Hatake Sakumo or Uchiha Hanma against us Sunagakure."

"After all, our Puppet Technique is a nightmare for those ninjutsu-based shinobi."

Hanzo's expression darkened. Even after signing an alliance agreement, he did not trust the people of Sunagakure.

If Puppet Technique truly had no answer as Sunagakure claimed, they would not still be trapped in the desert.

Konoha's foundation and strength were unmatched in the Shinobi World. Hanzo understood that deeply.

"I do not care about any of that. If Uchiha Hanma does not have a clear position on the battlefield, then I will absolutely not act personally."

"You Sunagakure must put some capital on the table as well. Prepare to deploy your Tailed Beast instead of leaving it in a temple as some good-luck ornament!"

Ebizo waved a hand. "Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is the First's wife. Sarutobi and the others would not be shameless enough to send her onto the battlefield."

"The chances of a Tailed Beast appearing in this war are not high."

Hanzo did not respond. Even the weakest among the Five Great Nations, the Land of Wind, unconsciously revealed this sort of arrogance in its tone when facing the Land of Rain.

After all, the Land of Wind possessed a Tailed Beast known as a "natural disaster." The Amegakure Ninja, meanwhile, had only an old man and a few Ibuse.

"I am merely warning you. Also, do not try any tricks on the battlefield. To Konoha, the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain are no different. Both are merely small countries."

Ebizo's expression did not change in response to Hanzo's threat. He finished his cigarette in one drag, rose amiably to shake hands, then turned and left.

"Damn Amegakure Ninja. Even the way they speak carries that damp, gloomy stench."

"Damn Sunagakure. Even the way they speak carries the smell of barrenness."

That was the Shinobi World. Here, trusting an ally was worse than trusting the Sage of Six Paths. Turning around to stab someone in the back was commonplace, while loyalty was a quality worthy of laughter.

One month later, Konoha Square.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wore the Hokage's ceremonial robes and stood atop the platform, solemnly reading the order sent by the Daimyo.

". To protect the peace of our vassal state, the Land of Rivers, Konoha Shinobi Village is hereby ordered to launch a forceful counterattack. Drive away the invading enemy at all costs and preserve the prestige of the Land of Fire."

". Issued by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire on July 5th, Year 38 of the New Era of the Land of Fire."

The Third Hokage coughed and silently swept his gaze over the villagers' expressions.

Nearly fifty years old, he had sat in the Hokage's seat for more than twenty years, yet had never led a large-scale war.

The outcome of this war would surely leave a deep mark on Konoha's history and render a historic judgment upon the achievements of the Third Hokage.

Would he be a flourishing ruler who inherited the Second's legacy and preserved it well, or a ruler who held a golden rice bowl yet still went begging, bringing ruin to his nation?

History would begin writing its verdict on him, stroke by stroke, from this battlefield onward.

Remembering the time he had volunteered to stay behind as the rear guard, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at the sea of people before him.

A surge of bold pride rose in his heart. This was the result of his efforts, proof of Konoha's prosperity!

He coughed heavily and said in a low voice,

"Silence, everyone. The Hokage Order will now be issued!"

"By order, Orochimaru is appointed supreme commander of the battlefield against the Amegakure Ninja. Tsunade and Jiraiya are appointed deputy commanders."

"By order, Hatake Sakumo is appointed supreme commander of the battlefield against Sunagakure. Kato Dan and Nara Lushan are appointed deputy commanders."

"By order, Uchiha Hanma is appointed supreme commander of the Hunter-Killer Unit. Uchiha Fugaku is appointed deputy commander."

Upon hearing Fugaku's name, a trace of surprise flashed through the eyes of the many Jonin present.

A kid barely in his teens as deputy commander? Was this a joke?

Setsuna beside Hanma was already blazing with rage. If the occasion had not been inappropriate, he would have charged onto the stage.

The Third's expression remained unchanged as he solemnly handed the orders to the three supreme commanders. Then he turned toward the crowd and gave a slight bow.

"This battle is Konoha's first war in twenty years of peace."

"Many people in the Shinobi World have already forgotten Konoha's prestige. They wish to provoke our shinobi and seize our land!"

"For the Land of Fire, for Konoha, for the Will of Fire—everyone, give it everything you have!!"

The Third roared loudly. The surrounding Anbu reinforced his speech with ninjutsu, and his voice echoed throughout all of Konoha.

The civilians' eyes were filled with expectation, while the shinobi wore varying expressions.

Some wept bitterly and roared about blooming with youth. That was Might Duy.

Some stood with steady expressions and respectful eyes. That was Hatake Sakumo.

Some looked thoughtful, narrowing their eyes as they studied the Third. Those were the leaders of the major shinobi clans.

Only the Uchiha Clan had anger in their eyes, mixed with excitement. They yearned for war, yet also resented the order.

The Third lowered his head and swept his gaze across the reactions of the entire crowd. A trace of satisfaction appeared on his face as he solemnly declared,

"Then, I wish you all victory in battle. All Konoha combat units, heed my command—depart!"

"Depart! Depart! Depart!"

At the village-wide assembly, the thunderous response resounded throughout Konoha.

Watching the surging response, the Third Hokage struggled to control his expression, but the smile on his face could not be hidden.

In the shadows of the assembly, Shimura Danzō watched the scene with dark eyes, his thoughts unknown.

The troops were assembling, and forces from every side were gathering in an orderly manner.

Uchiha Setsuna moved close to Hanma and asked angrily,

"What is going on? More than half the troops under your command are our Uchiha clansmen, and the rest are civilian shinobi!"

"How dare those bastards in the Hokage Building treat us Uchiha like this!"

Hanma looked toward the Third, a chill flashing through his eyes as he quietly comforted Setsuna.

"Take it easy, Clan Head. Let me teach you a saying: a lack of patience in small matters ruins great plans. I know what I am doing."

As a battlefield's supreme commander, aside from earning military merit, what else could one gain?

Most importantly, it was an unparalleled opportunity to forge bonds of comradeship with all kinds of shinobi in the village.

War was a meat grinder for shinobi combat, but it was also a furnace that catalyzed bonds and friendship.

Through war, a battlefield commander could weave a vast network of comrades who would become his staunchest supporters.

The Third's move could be called an open scheme.

Using Hanma's combat style as an excuse, he first assigned him to the Hunter-Killer Unit, which bore no battlefield responsibilities.

A few days earlier, he had even sought Hanma out in private, mentioning the relationship between Minato and Kushina with a faintly threatening undertone.

After some back-and-forth, the two reached an agreement.

The Hunter-Killer Unit would have the Uchiha Clan serve as its main force and could select only a small number of shinobi clans as supplements.

As for Kushina and Minato's relationship, the Third could no longer interfere, and Kushina could choose for herself whether to become the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.

The Third had paid a considerable price for those terms.

Hanma put an arm around Setsuna and whispered, "Guard the home well, old Clan Head. Trust me. I will not let them stay pleased with themselves for long."