The Approaching Second Battle

In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat facing his beloved... no, his close friend Shimura Danzō, with a low table between them bearing an elegant tea set.

"Did you call me here just to show off your tea ceremony?"

After a long silence, Shimura Danzō couldn't help but speak, a hint of displeasure on his stern face.

He had been busy outside the village last night when he received an urgent summons from his friend Sarutobi Hiruzen and rushed back at top speed, thinking there was an emergency—only to find this bastard putting on a tea ceremony performance for him.

If he weren't still maintaining some composure, he would have flipped the table.

Didn't this guy know how busy he, Shimura, was?

Every minute was worth dozens of ryō!

"Ah, Zō, you're still so impatient!"

Shaking his head slightly, Hiruzen poured the brewed tea into two cups, pushing one over to Shimura Danzō.

"Little Kentei did quite well. At yesterday's graduation ceremony, he used a seal-less ninjutsu similar to the Monster Strength Technique to defeat one of my Anbu subordinates. I estimate it's at about D-Rank level."

Seeing the impatience on Shimura Danzō's face grow even stronger, Sarutobi Hiruzen stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the point about yesterday's incident.

This made a glint of light flash in Shimura Danzō's old eyes, as he roughly guessed what his old friend meant.

Picking up the teacup in front of him, he pretended to savor it, then said calmly, "I haven't been idle all these years either!"

He naturally knew that his son had been secretly developing a taijutsu technique similar to the Monster Strength Technique, called the Super Strength Technique. However, the last time he heard from his daughter-in-law Keiko, that Super Strength Technique had only been developed to E-Rank. He hadn't expected it to reach D-Rank by now.

An E-Rank Super Strength Technique was negligible, but a D-Rank one had considerable practical combat value. Learning it would allow one to become a Taijutsu-specialized Chunin.

From this perspective, his son was a rare genius. Unfortunately, due to that incident back then, he had been born prematurely before fully developing in his mother's womb, leaving some aspects of his body underdeveloped and causing his meridians and acupoints to mutate, making him unable to form hand seals and release ninjutsu.

Truly a pity!

"Developing a taijutsu technique, especially one with internal explosive force like the Monster Strength Technique, carries no small risk and requires unimaginable sacrifice. Don't let those old-timers get a handle on you!"

Taking a sip of tea himself, Sarutobi Hiruzen offered a friendly reminder.

The Sarutobi Family and the Shimura Clan had maintained friendly relations since the Warring States Period, even intermarrying. Their family's secret Great Fireball Jutsu, combined with the Shimura Clan's Wind Release, could unleash several times the power.

He and Shimura Danzō had grown up together, gone to school together, and been teammates. Even now, they remained in a state of mutual alliance—one's glory was the other's glory, one's loss was the other's loss.

He naturally didn't want to see Shimura Danzō make a mistake and give those old-timers a handle.

If he lost Shimura Danzō's support, his own situation wouldn't be good either.

He might be the Hokage now, but most of the village's higher-ups were from the Senju Clan, old-timers from the era of the First and Second Hokage, elders of the highest order.

These old-timers were not easy to deal with, and they kept a constant watch on him and his allies.

Over the years, he had been meticulous and careful, not daring to show the slightest flaw, living quite uncomfortably.

"I understand this better than you!"

Shimura Danzō replied dismissively, not taking the matter to heart.

He had also been keeping an eye on that son of his and knew very well that he was a complete prodigy. He had basically perfected the Super Strength Technique to D-Rank on his own, without external help, and had never conducted any human experiments, so naturally, there was no handle to be found.

Sometimes he even wondered if that child was really his own seed—he was far too outstanding, nothing like the son Shimura Danzō could have fathered!

"How are the Four Great Shinobi Villages doing lately?"

Seeing that his old friend had a handle on things, Sarutobi Hiruzen ended that topic, his expression turning serious as he asked about important matters.

The First Shinobi World War had ended too long ago. That much time was enough for the Four Great Shinobi Villages to prepare for the next war.

"They're all making small moves. Sunagakure seems to be leaning toward an alliance with Iwagakure. Kirigakure and Kumogakure are unclear for now, but they're certainly prepared, just waiting for an opportunity!"

His expression also turning serious, Shimura Danzō reported the intelligence he had gathered.

During this period, Sarutobi Hiruzen handled internal affairs while he handled external matters, specializing in gathering intelligence on the Four Great Shinobi Villages.

"And that Demi-God of Amegakure?"

A gleam flashed in his old eyes as Sarutobi Hiruzen mentioned Hanzo of the Salamander, the one known as the Demi-God.

He had fought Hanzo of the Salamander during the First Shinobi World War and knew something about him—he was not a man content to stay in obscurity.

"Not entirely clear, but my people have discovered some suspicious ninjas moving through the Lands of Waterfalls, Grass, Iron, and Rice Fields. For now, I can't determine which side they belong to."

A cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth, Shimura Danzō reported a piece of uncertain intelligence. Though he couldn't yet confirm which side those ninjas were from, he already had his suspicions.

"It seems that Demi-God intends to make an appearance in the Second Shinobi World War as well!"

Turning his head to look at the map of the shinobi world hanging on the wall, his gaze sweeping over the five countries—the Lands of Rain, Grass, Waterfalls, Iron, and Rice Fields—Sarutobi Hiruzen also smiled coldly, having basically guessed the intentions of that Demi-God of Amegakure.

To be honest, the Land of Rain was truly a terrible place—a land surrounded on all sides by war. It was encircled by the three great nations of the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth, leaving no room for development. During the First Shinobi World War, it had nearly become the main battlefield for Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure.

That might have been tolerable in the past, but now it had produced a man called the Demi-God, Hanzo of the Salamander.

In the Land of Rain, an environment highly favorable to him, even Hiruzen wasn't confident he could defeat this man.

"For Amegakure to become the Sixth Great Shinobi Village, they need to possess a tailed beast. The Seven-Tails of Takigakure is their best choice. But their appetite is too big—they want not just a sixth great shinobi village, but a sixth great nation as well!"

His gaze also shifting to the map on the wall, Shimura Danzō let out a cold laugh, carrying undisguised contempt.

Hanzo of the Salamander's scheme was indeed impressive. If he could actually take the Lands of Grass, Waterfalls, Iron, and Rice Fields, connecting these five small nations into one, he would indeed have the foundation to become a sixth great nation. Then Amegakure and the Land of Rain could escape the awkward situation of being sandwiched between the three great nations.

Unfortunately, the shinobi world was too small. The Five Great Nations and the Five Great Shinobi Villages would never allow anyone else to rise up and carve off a piece of this cake.

Moreover, the samurai of Kusagakure, Takigakure, and the Land of Iron are no easy opponents to deal with. Hanzo of the Salamander alone isn't enough to swallow up so many forces.

After all, he's merely a Demi-God, not a true god like the First Hokage, who could suppress the entire shinobi world!

"Has Mito's intelligence been detected by Kumogakure and Kirigakure?"

Withdrawing his gaze from the map, Sarutobi Hiruzen asked a cold, detached question—one that was both strange and taboo.

"Unfortunately, Mito's identity as the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki has already been discovered by those two villages. Though they haven't obtained detailed intelligence, they certainly know the key to the Jinchuriki lies in the Uzumaki Clan's Fuinjutsu."

Speaking with the same detached tone, Shimura Danzō understood exactly why his old friend was asking this.

This was an opportunity—a golden chance they had waited years for. If handled well, it would allow them to truly seize power in Konoha.

"Next, Kumogakure and Kirigakure will surely send troops to attack the Land of Whirlpools, aiming to seize the Uzumaki Clan's Fuinjutsu legacy. Keep a close watch there and be ready to provide support at any time.

Uzushio Village is Konoha's ally. We cannot stand by and watch them be destroyed. No matter the cost, we must protect Uzushio Village!"

His expression turning stern, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke with unwavering resolve.

"Bearing the pressure of two great shinobi villages won't be easy. If the battle turns unfavorable, I won't die defending the Land of Whirlpools!"

His expression still cold, Shimura Danzō spoke his true thoughts this time. He wouldn't stake everything for the Land of Whirlpools. Once the battle situation turned sour, he would inevitably retreat back to the Land of Fire.

After all, they were merely allies—not his own father, and not even the Shimura Family's allies, but the Senju Clan's.

"If the war truly reaches that point, you may retreat. But you must preserve a spark for the Uzumaki Clan. Mito's health isn't good; she won't last many more years."

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't insist, laying out his bottom line.

The Land of Whirlpools and Uzushio Village could fall, but the Uzumaki Clan must survive. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to face Mito Uzumaki.

Moreover, Konoha needed the Uzumaki bloodline!

"Mm."

Nodding, Shimura Danzō said nothing more, rising to leave the Hokage's office.

The Four Great Shinobi Villages had been making small moves lately. He had to keep a close watch to prevent any chaos.

Left alone in the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen turned his head, gazing out the window at the village, lost in thought, his mind wandering elsewhere.

Meanwhile, on the other side, as night fell, Shimura Kentei looked with satisfaction at the manuscript before him.

After more than ten hours of work, this heavily stylized "Ninpō Sōkyū" was finally complete!

"Don't push yourself too hard. Staying up late is bad for your skin!"

Seeing Shimura Keiko still burning the midnight oil with a focused expression, Shimura Kentei kindly advised.

"Can't sleep!"

She replied curtly, still fully immersed in organizing and understanding the Body Strengthening Technique in her hands.

The content of this Body Strengthening Technique was indeed extensive—over a million words. But precisely because of its length, the material was very straightforward. One could understand it at a glance without much mental effort.

Of course, understanding was one thing; actually training it required some effort.

Fortunately, with her E-rank Body Strengthening Technique as a foundation, she could directly begin cultivation, reducing the difficulty considerably.

Right now, she was too excited to sleep.

"Take your time, then. I'm going to bed!"

Standing up and stretching, Shimura Kentei gave a brief farewell, took a quick shower, and lay down on the bed in his boxers, quickly falling into a deep sleep.

Entering deep sleep rapidly to maintain optimal rest and maximize recovery of mental and physical strength was a basic ninja skill. Though Shimura Kentei wasn't yet a ninja, he had already mastered this technique.

In essence, it was just a simple self-hypnosis trick—nothing difficult.

"You little pervert, eating your sister's tofu isn't so easy!"

Seeing Shimura Kentei fall into deep sleep, Shimura Keiko, who had been writing furiously, suddenly turned her head. A dangerous smile crept across her fair face, her beautiful eyes locking onto his boxers.

She had to teach this brat a lesson!

Unaware that his fiancée had already set her sights on him, Shimura Kentei was locked in battle within the Black Cauldron Space. His opponent was once again a replica of Keiko, but this time updated with the latest data.

"Hiss!"

Within five seconds of combat, Shimura Kentei gasped in pain and collapsed to his knees, kneeling in defeat.

This spear technique that could directly wipe out the nest—he really couldn't withstand it!

"How did she get so much stronger!"

It took him a while to recover, and he looked gloomily at the replica of his fiancée standing before him, spear in hand.

He knew that the period before twenty was the golden age for a ninja's growth, but his fiancée's growth was just too massive.

In just one year, her strength had at least tripled. Before, he could barely hold out as a three-minute man, but now he had been downgraded to a five-second man!

"Don't use spear techniques this time. Attack me with ninjutsu!"

Realizing the vast gap between himself and his fiancée at her current stage, Shimura Kentei changed his combat approach, preparing to withstand her ninjutsu attacks in order to prepare for the upcoming Ninja Academy challenge.

Although the Ninja Academy only taught E-rank techniques like the Clone Technique, Substitution Technique, and Transformation Jutsu—none of which were offensive—the only attack methods were taijutsu and shuriken throwing.

But that was only for civilian ninjas. Those from ninja clans were bound to know some D-rank or even C-rank offensive ninjutsu. He had to be prepared for that.

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