Chaos Brewing

After discussing the Uchiha matter, Ikura said, "The Joint Chunin Exams Kirigakure have already begun. They've adopted our model and divided the exams into three rounds. The first and second rounds are over. Kawakita and Tomoko's students have both advanced to the third round."

"The third round will begin in about ten days, Tomoko won't be back during that time. However, in addition to our contestants advancing to the third round, the Cloud ninja contestants have also made it."

"Oh? The Cloud ninja are participating in the competition too? What about Konoha? Did Konoha participate?" Yichen asked curiously.

Ikura shook his head and said, "No, Konoha did want to participate, but for some reason, the Mist ninja refused. Ever since Kisame Hoshigaki took over, the Mist ninja have been full of hostility towards Konoha."

After speaking, Ikura glanced at Yichen. Kisame Hoshigaki had orchestrated Yichen's rise to power, so Ikura wondered if Yichen had done something behind the scenes.

Yichen rolled his eyes and said, "The Fourth Mizukage Karatachi Yagura, was discovered by the Mist ninja before he died. He was controlled by Sharingan Genjutsu."

"In other words, the chaos in Mist ninja in the past few years was all because of a certain Uchiha. Under such circumstances, it's understandable that Mist ninja is hostile to Konoha. I really have nothing to do with this."

Ikura chuckled coldly twice, clearly unconvinced. He continued, "The Cloud ninja's motives for participating in this Joint Chunin Exams are impure. I'm afraid they'll take advantage of the situation during the third round."

Yichen asked, "Do you know who the Cloud ninja will send to participate in the Joint Chunin Exams the Kirigakure? Is it the Fourth Raikage?"

Saka said, "It's highly likely, but it's not certain yet. Actually Kirigakure didn't invite the Fourth Raikage, just like they didn't invite you."

Yichen:...

Why did you bring me up?

Ming said, "The Kirigakure is now our ally. If they are attacked, it won't benefit us either. Should we send someone to help the Kirigakure?"

Yichen shook his head and said, "We can help, but we can't rush Mist ninja. We have to wait for Kirigakure to ask for help. If the Fourth Raikage really intends to attack Kirigakure, we have to wait until Kirigakure suffers heavy losses before sending reinforcements."

"Keep an eye on the movements of Cloud ninja Eight-Tails Jinchuriki Killer B, and Two-Tails Jinchuriki Yugito Kirigakure. The Fourth Raikage leading a group of elites isn't enough to take down the Kirigakure."

"Kisame Hoshigaki, the Fourth Mizukage, is not a puppet I chose. He is a true ninja capable of fighting against Kage Level. Although he is only a quasi-Kage, his Chakra reserves, comparable to those of Tailed Beast, are enough to make up for the gap to a certain extent."

"While Kisame Hoshigaki is no match for the Fourth Raikage, he might be able to hold him off on Kirigakure turf. If Cloud ninja wants to gain a decisive advantage, they'll need to send at least one more Jinchuriki."

Saka said, "I'll have the intelligence ninjas keep an eye out for that. But the whereabouts of the Jinchuriki are a secret of the ninja village, so it might be difficult to find out."

Yichen thought for a moment and said, "Let's do our best. If it really doesn't work, we'll bring Tomoko and the others out ahead of schedule."

Ikura said, "How about I go to Kirigakure? I've recently developed a fighting style that suits me. It might not be suitable for dealing with the Fourth Raikage, but it would be quite good against Jinchuriki."

Saka nodded and immediately said, "Ikura, if you go, the Mist ninja shouldn't refuse."

Everyone in the office turned their gaze to Yichen, each one struggling to suppress their laughter.

Yichen rolled his eyes and said, "Go secretly, disguise yourself as a liaison. Of course, we need to inform the Mizukage first; it's our duty as allies."

A few days later, Rasa received a letter from Iwagakure).

"Kazekage, I have received information that a former Uchiha Clan member who defected is planning to join Shimura Danzō with the Uchiha Clan remaining in Konoha. Note: The defector is the same Uchiha released the Nine-Tails and killed the Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Minato Namikaze, two years ago." The letter was signed by the Tsuchikage.

In Rasa's office, his confidants, including Pakura, Baki, Ryosuke, were all present, and they had all read the letter.

As the intelligence expert, Baki was the first to ask, "Lord Kazekage, does the Tsuchikage mean to invite you to join the attack on Konoha?"

Rasa shook his head and said, "The Tsuchikage means I should take the blame."

Baki:...

Ryosuke asked, "Sensei, should we help Konoha or cooperate with the Tsuchikage?"

After Ryosuke displayed his talent in Iwagakure, he was recruited by Rasa and has since considered himself Rasa's disciple, even though Rasa didn't teach him much.

However, Rasa opened up all the village's Ninjutsu and Puppet Technique to him, provided him with various resources for training and making puppets, and even taught him the Third Kazekage Puppet. He truly deserved the title of teacher.

Ryosuke didn't ask Rasa if he would participate; instead, he directly asked Rasa which side he would choose.

Ryosuke's motivation stemmed from Ryosuke: firstly, his understanding of Rasa and his knowledge of Rasa's ambitions, knowing that Rasa would ultimately participate; and secondly, Ryosuke knowledge that bystanders would gain nothing from such matters, and that participation was essential for any potential benefit.

The Iwa ninja are a good example. Their Iwa ninja was achieved by repeatedly getting involved in all sorts of messy things and gradually accumulating benefits.

Rasa looked at Ryosuke with admiration. This young man was far superior to Baki in both talent and intelligence, and he had not disappointed his mentor.

Rasa is Ryosuke more and more now; he's even started Ryosuke as his successor.

Rasa said, "It's impossible for us to side with Konoha. Konoha won't allow us to enter their territory and cause trouble."

"Although Konoha has effectively lost its dominant position in the Ninja World, Konoha is still nominally the Ruler of the Ninja World."

"Neither the Third Shinobi War nor the Fourth Shinobi War overturned Konoha's dominant position. Therefore, Konoha will definitely maintain its apparent sovereignty."

"If we want to profit, we have to do what the Iwa ninja did: incite a rebellion by the Uchiha Clan. The more chaotic Konoha becomes, the greater our chances of gaining."

"Today's discussion isn't about whether to participate or not, nor is it about taking sides. In fact, even if we and the Iwa ninja share the same goal, we each do our own thing and won't interfere with each other."

"What we need to discuss today is what we can gain from this trip to Konoha."

Pakura and the others exchanged glances and began to ponder what Rasa had said.

While the Sunagakure was discussing how to divide up Konoha, in the Kirigakure on the other side of the Ninja World, Ikura also met Kisame Hoshigaki.

"Mizukage, I have come to assist Kirigakure Cloud ninja the orders of our Lord Tsuchikage," Ikura said.

Kisame Hoshigaki didn't have any of those subtle, calculating thoughts; he asked directly, "Have you received any concrete intelligence?"

Ikura shook his head and said, "There's no mission intelligence. This is just a precaution. If the Cloud ninja doesn't take action, I won't intervene. The Iwa ninja's representative will still be Tomoko."

Kisame Hoshigaki nodded and said, "I thank the Tsuchikage for his kindness. Now, please return to the Iwa ninja's reception area to await further developments, Senior Ikura."

Meanwhile, in an Izakaya (Japanese pub) in Konoha, Kakashi unexpectedly received a letter. The letter was delivered by a waiter at the Izakaya, and it was clear that this person had only taken money and was not a real intelligence ninja.

Kakashi didn't delve into the source of the information, but instead calmly accepted it.

Since returning from the Joint Chunin Exams Iwagakure, Kakashi has occasionally exchanged information with Iwa ninja; this wasn't the first time.

Kakashi didn't open the intelligence report immediately. Instead, he finished his meal as usual and then checked the report on his way back to the Hokage's Office when no one was around.

Upon seeing the contents of the intelligence report, Kakashi's expression changed drastically.

A defector Uchiha? The mastermind behind the Nine-Tails' Rampage? Targeting the Uchiha Clan?

"Damn it, no matter who you are, I won't let you succeed. I will protect Obito's clan." Kakashi decided that he would stop that Uchiha Clan missing-nin from causing trouble in Konoha no matter what.

The information was naturally provided by Yichen, but Yichen didn't give Kakashi any information related to Obito, since Obito wouldn't kill Kakashi anyway.

After reading the letter, Kakashi first asked Tsunade for leave, then went to the Anbu archives to look up information about the Nine-Tails' Rampage, and finally secretly went to the Root headquarters.

Kakashi certainly wasn't going to force his way into Root; he didn't want to defect yet.

He went outside Root to search for clues. Since that Uchiha was cooperating with Danzo, he might have left some leads. Who knows, he might even be able to catch him off guard.

Tsunade observed Kakashi's somewhat unusual behavior. Although she didn't stop him, she was uneasy. What was Kakashi up to? Had something happened to the Uchiha again?

Since Hiruzen Sarutobi relinquished power, Tsunade quickly seized control of all the village's important institutions. She now truly has Konoha under her thumb. Even if Hiruzen Sarutobi wanted to back out, it wouldn't be easy for him to take power back from her.

Recently, Tsunade has been in contact with Fugaku Uchiha again.

Fugaku initially didn't respond much to Tsunade's goodwill; his low political acumen meant he didn't even notice the changes in Konoha High-ranking officials. Of course, this was also partly due to Fugaku Uchiha's somewhat self-destructive tendencies.

However, after Tsunade repeatedly showed goodwill, Fugaku Uchiha finally realized that Konoha seemed to have undergone a change.

After learning about the recent personnel changes in the village, Fugaku Uchiha was surprised to find that Tsunade's direct subordinates had completely seized control of the village's power.

Soon, Fugaku Uchiha's first formal contact with Tsunade began.

There were only four people present at the entire meeting: Fugaku Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha, and Tsunade Kakashi.

Furthermore, Shisui Uchiha and Kakashi remained outside the room on guard, and neither of them dared to eavesdrop on what the two powerful figures were saying. They only knew that when the two left, they both seemed to be in good spirits.

This greatly encouraged Shisui Uchiha and Kakashi, making them feel that their efforts had not been in vain.