Ōnoki Sends Envoys, Intent on Uniting with Kumogakure!

Meanwhile, Hyuga Shin and Uchiha Miya continued their sparring in the small grove.

The match had reached its climax.

"Honestly, that mysterious person is quite ruthless."

"They didn't dare to go after Hiruzen Sarutobi, the strongest of the Sarutobi clan, and instead chose to kill old people..."

"It's so strange."

"The Sarutobi clan doesn't even have a Kekkei Genkai. The most valuable things should be their inherited Fire Release, their vast knowledge system, and their Summoning Beasts, the Enma clan."

"Why kill a bunch of old folks?"

"Shin, I have a feeling things aren't as simple as they seem," Uchiha Miya said with a grave expression, speaking eloquently.

Hyuga Shin nodded slightly. "I feel the same way, but we just don't have enough clues right now. Shall we go grab something to eat?"

"Sure."

And at this time.

Inside Hyuga Shin's body, Su Nuo was immersed in studying the Scroll of Seals. His mastery of Fuinjutsu grew rapidly, and he even created a large number of Yin Release sealing techniques.

With the current tight security, it wasn't advisable to go out.

Su Nuo had only two things to do every night: first, to unravel the sealing techniques within the Scroll of Seals, and second, to apply Yin Release sealing techniques to the "Scroll of Seals" itself.

During the day, he studied sealing techniques.

And 28 hours after obtaining the Scroll of Seals.

Su Nuo had already acquired his first Forbidden Jutsu – the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu.

But after that, Su Nuo continued to analyze it until he had learned all the Forbidden Jutsu within.

And this process would be very fast, because once the first one was cracked, the subsequent ones would be even easier to decipher.

Meanwhile.

Hiruzen Sarutobi had become extremely anxious, issuing the highest-level Hokage order, demanding that all ninja participate in the investigation!

In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was smoking furiously.

"Hiruzen... by now, the enemy has likely already left the village with the Scroll of Seals. Searching within the village is no longer meaningful," Utatane Koharu said, trying to console him.

"We need to issue a worldwide arrest warrant and offer a reward for anyone who provides clues," Mitokado Homura stated.

"I will cooperate with the investigation. You can use all the Root forces outside freely," even Danzō said.

Danzō was not in a good mood. Although this was a major failure during Hiruzen Sarutobi's tenure, the enemy was clearly incredibly vicious.

They killed Sarutobi clan elders and stole the Scroll of Seals.

If they dared to kill members of the Sarutobi clan, what about the Shimura clan?

And the Forbidden Jutsu in the Scroll of Seals were created by their teacher, Senju Tobirama. They were all incredibly cunning.

Shimura Danzō sighed deeply.

Uncharacteristically, he didn't attack Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Because he understood Hiruzen Sarutobi very well.

Danzō didn't even need to attack; within Konohagakure, both the civilians and the ninja were already deeply dissatisfied with Hiruzen Sarutobi...

To mitigate the fallout, Hiruzen Sarutobi would likely have to go to war!

And after the war, he would then abdicate the position of Hokage to a War Hero who rose to prominence during the conflict!

Danzō's eyes flickered.

He quickly thought of Namikaze Minato, who had recently been shining brightly on the front lines, having killed an unknown number of Cloud Village ninja.

So... if I want to become the next Hokage, my competitor will be Namikaze Minato.

Danzō mused...

Over here.

Although the Third Raikage, A, gloated over Konoha's chaotic situation, the existence of Namikaze Minato was like a mountain blocking his path, making him furious.

His dark skin was practically turning red.

He summoned his elite ninja subordinates to discuss countermeasures.

"Namikaze Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique is too overpowered. Too many ninja have already died by his hand. Does anyone have a suitable solution?"

Raikage A's gaze swept over everyone, his expression stern.

One ninja spoke up, "Lord Raikage, we could try setting traps on the battlefield. Perhaps that could restrict Namikaze Minato's movements."

Raikage A pondered for a moment, shaking his head. "Namikaze Minato's sensory abilities are extremely strong; ordinary traps would hardly fool him."

Another person spoke up, "Or, we could form up and advance, moving little by little. When we make camp at night, we'll use a spatial sealing jutsu to set up a barrier. That way, we can push forward steadily, right?"

"That would be too slow..." the other ninjas grumbled.

"Are there any better ideas?"

"This..."

The Third Raikage fell into thought.

Just as the Cloud Village ninjas were racking their brains on how to deal with the Golden Reaper, Namikaze Minato, a ninja rushed into the conference room and whispered a few words into the Third Raikage's ear.

Raikage A's expression instantly turned so dark it could drip water. He slammed his hand on the table, which let out a pained groan under the strain.

"Someone is provoking us on the Cloud Village border and has already killed several of our patrol ninjas!"

"Damn it!"

Everyone exchanged glances.

Raikage A paced back and forth, his heart burning with rage. Already overwhelmed by Minato, now with trouble brewing on the border, he felt as if he were sinking into a vast mire.

No... war itself was a mire.

"It seems this is deliberate, intended to split our forces. No matter who it is, we can't let them succeed!" Raikage A said through gritted teeth. "Dispatch an elite squad to the border to deal with those provocateurs. It must be a swift victory! The rest of you, continue discussing strategies to counter Minato."

However.

By the time the Cloud Village ninjas arrived, the provocateurs had already vanished.

And in another location, the provocateurs appeared.

Just as the Third Raikage A thought this was a trick by Konoha—

The Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.

Sent an envoy.

"The Tsuchikage?"

Raikage A narrowed his eyes.

The envoy delivered the message—

Let bygones be bygones.

Let's all unite against Konoha!

Upon receiving news of the internal strife in Konoha, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, did not hesitate. He immediately deployed troops to harass the Land of Lightning's border.

And he timed it perfectly to go and negotiate with the Third Raikage A.

He would console the Raikage and mention his deceased son, then broker an alliance against Konoha.

"Hmph..."

"That foolish brute is finally paying the price."

Ōnoki sneered.

In the early stages of the war, the Third Kazekage died, leaving the Sand Village leaderless.

The world only knew that Cloud Village was the first to launch a large-scale invasion of the Land of Wind, but not that Stone Village was the first to make a move.

They simply knew when to stop.

Under Ōnoki's command, Stone Village struck first, then stoked Cloud Village's ambition.

As expected, Cloud Village launched a full-scale assault.

Then, Sand Village was exhausted from dealing with two nations, while Stone Village, having reaped sufficient benefits, withdrew.

At that time, Ōnoki had wanted to ally with Cloud Village.

Ōnoki judged that Konoha was the strongest power in the current landscape.

Both Stone Village and Cloud Village were challengers.

To change this order, they should unite.

He never expected that the Third Raikage A was an idiot. After Cloud Village had launched a massive invasion of the Land of Wind and gained significant benefits, the Third Raikage A simultaneously launched invasions against Konoha in the Land of Fire and Stone Ninja in the Land of Earth!