Konoha, Uchiha Compound.
The dusk light shines into Tea Room through the paper window, reflecting the tatami into a warm orange color.
Chiyo was sitting in front of the low table, gently stroking the edge of the tea cup with his slender fingers, feeling a little distracted for a moment.
A week has passed since Mikoto opened Mangekyo.
During this time, Chiyo felt it keenly.
Mikoto's personality has also changed slightly since he turned on Mangekyō Sharingan.
Compared to before, he seems to be more clingy and more controlling.
Especially in front of Kushina.
Chiba originally thought that during this period, the relationship with Kushina could be further developed.
But every time it comes to a critical moment.
Mikoto walked out.
There was a complex and heartbreaking expression on that gentle face. Every time I think about it, Chiyo wishes I could love her so much.
Mikoto Since then, he seems to have gained some special attributes.
But fortunately, after a week of lingering, it became a bit normal.
I don't know if it's Chiyo's own illusion.
After opening Mangekyo, Mikoto seems to ask for more.
"Chiyo-niichan, Hyuga Clan Leader is here."
Hearing Mikoto's voice, Chiba nodded.
Got up and walked out.
Looking at the calm-tempered Hyuga Sakon opposite, Chiyo personally took him into the living room.
"Chiyo Clan Leader, you must have heard about the situation at the border."
Hyuga Sakon's voice was low and steady, and his fingers tapped lightly on the table.
"Sand Ninja's provocations are becoming more and more frequent. The patrol team dispatched by our Hyuga Clan has been attacked three times."
Chiyo picked up the teacup, and the heat blurred his face.
He took a sip, and the aroma of tea spread on his tongue.
"Hyuga Clan Leader came to visit in person. It shouldn't just be to report the border war situation, right?"
Hyuga Sakon was silent for a moment, and his white eyes narrowed slightly.
"Third's recent actions, you must have noticed them."
His voice was lowered.
"The losses of ninjas from major families at the border are far more serious than reported."
The tea cup collided with the table, making a crisp sound.
Chiyo raised his eyes, his dark eyes were bottomless.
"So, Hyuga Clan Leader is here to seek cooperation?"
"Uchiha and Hyuga are the backbone of Konoha."
Hyuga Sakon said in a deep voice.
"Nowadays, the situation in Shinobi World is changing. If our two races can join forces, we will definitely be able to defeat Konoha..."
"Hyuga Clan Leader."
Chiyo interrupted him suddenly, with a faint smile on his lips.
Unexpectedly, this Clan Leader from the Hyuga Clan is still thinking about internal fighting at this time.
"You and I both know Third Hokage's methods."
There was silence in the room for a moment.
Hyuga Sakon's face became solemn.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, known as "Ninjutsu Professor".
What makes him even more afraid is Third Hokage's political skills of playing tricks on all parties.
Only Uchiha Clan is independent.
"But the current situation Shinobi World no longer allows us to engage in internal friction."
"The provocation at the border is just the beginning."
Chiyo stood up and walked to the window.
The setting sun stretched his shadow very long.
"Kirigakure, Cloud, Iwagakure... They are all waiting for an opportunity."
Hyuga Sakon followed his gaze and saw the outline of Konoha outside the window looming in the dusk.
"You mean..."
"The war involving the entire Shinobi World is coming."
Chiyo's voice was very soft, but it was like a heavy hammer hitting Hyuga Sakon's heart.
Meanwhile, Sunagakure.
Sunagakure, Kazekage Building Underground Conference Room.
The thick stone door slammed shut behind Pakura, blocking out the scorching desert air.
The dim candlelight danced on the stone wall, reflecting twelve faces with different expressions.
At the end of the long table, Grandma Chiyo's skinny fingers were rubbing an ultimatum from the Gilt Secret Letter, Kumogakure messenger.
"Your hesitation should end here."
Chiyo suddenly slapped the secret letter on the table and stirred up a cloud of dust.
"If we don't declare war on Konoha within three days, Allied Forces of Cloud, Stone Ninja and Kirigakure will set foot on our border!"
The candle flame shook violently, and Pakura saw the corner of Rasa's mouth twitching.
This man was using gold dust to draw a strategic map on the table, and when he heard this, he suddenly folded his fingers.
"Elder Chiyo is too pessimistic."
Pakura untied the cloak and walked over, his face full of determination.
"When did we Sunagakure start begging for mercy from people like them?"
Ten gazes pierced him like Kunai.
An elder sneered and pushed a stack of Scroll across the table.
Where Scroll unfolds, the shocking fiscal deficit is as hideous as a wound.
"Pakura Jonin That's easy to say, so what do you think we should do? Fill the financial hole with the blood of soldiers?"
Pakura's nails scraped on the stone table with a harsh sound.
"The truth behind Third Kazekage's disappearance is unknown, and now the war is playing into the hands of the mastermind behind the scenes!"
A sneer came from the shadows.
Puppet Division An elder slowly raised his head, and the joints of his machine made a soft clicking sound.
"The truth? People from Konoha have frequently appeared at the border recently. Isn't it obvious enough?"
Pakura stood up suddenly when he heard this and slapped the table angrily.
"Didn't we, Sand Ninja, provoke it first?"
The atmosphere became tense for a moment.
"Quiet!"
Grandma Chiyo stood up.
"Nowadays, we, Sunagakure, are suffering from internal and external troubles. If we want to seize chestnuts from the fire and win a glimmer of hope, we may have to transfer all the contradictions in Sunagakure to the outside."
"Master Chiyo, do you want us to transfer the conflict to Konoha?"
Rasa suddenly interrupted the topic, thoughtfully.
"That's the only way."
"Only I, Sunagakure and Land of Wind, can solve the current crisis and get a chance to breathe."
Pakura found that his breathing became heavy.
She looked around, and their faces seemed to be covered with a layer of blood, obviously eager for war.
"You are all blinded by hatred!"
"Starting a war now is tantamount to suicide! Why are Cloud so eager to encourage us? Because they need cannon fodder to consume Konoha!"
Dead silence enveloped the conference room.
Grandma Chiyo moved his fingers slightly, and the puppet silk suddenly wrapped around Pakura's wrist.
"Child, do you know why I can live so long?"
"Because when it's time to bow my head, I never hold on."
Pakura felt a stinging pain.
Not from the wrist, but from behind.
At some point, several Jonins who originally supported her have looked away.
One consultant even took out Declaration of War Scroll and looked at Pakura with a sarcastic expression.
"Pakura, you are our Sunagakure hero!"
"Not the watchdog of Konoha!"
Pakura The chest is rising and falling.
Pointing at the person who just spoke, his whole body trembled.
Wouldn't attacking Konoha intensify the conflict in his own village?
Why don't we seek cooperation?
Other shadow villages don't trust Sunagakure at all, they only trust themselves.
All for the benefit of their own village.
Even if Land of Fire is won by then, the next step must be Land of Wind.
And Konoha is not something that any village can defeat!
This alliance is bound to lose. Why does Sunagakure still charge forward and take the lead in provoking a war?
She knew she couldn't influence the thoughts of these elders, so she sighed.
"Sand Ninja Style's blood only benefits the real enemy!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he slammed the door and left.
Walked out of the conference room and came outside.
The heat of the desert hits us.
"Hey!"
Pakura sighed silently.
Sunagakure Dusk always comes suddenly.
One second the sun was blazing in the sky, and in the next moment it was twilight.
The shadow of Pakura was stretched very long, like a lonely Kunai, thrust diagonally into the desert that was about to burn.