The Will of Fire and the Wandering Miko

"The game has begun!"

Inside his lodging, Kazama Kaguya watched the flames and black smoke rising from the Hokage Building, as if seeing swords clashing within.

"Kumogakure and Konoha, Hiruzen and Danzo, Main Family and Branch Family. Power, status, survival—everyone desires something. Desire is the source of chaos, and chaos forges the ladder of advancement."

"I really want to improve!"

"Unfortunately, right now, I'm still a weakling."

Kazama Kaguya felt a bit of regret for not participating in such a historic event.

However, the moment he thought about the Byakugan he would soon obtain, his gloom instantly vanished.

"At least, I can still participate in the 'swapping the tanuki for the crown prince' scenario. An audience? Heh heh, Danzo, you pride yourself on controlling everything, but I am the true director hidden behind the scenes."

From beginning to end, Danzo never doubted Kazama Kaguya's identity.

He knew about the secret communication channels, understood Orochimaru's lifelong pursuit, possessed Orochimaru's unique summoning Ninjutsu, and even had a courage that seemed like he would die without regret after being brainwashed.

If he wasn't Orochimaru's man, who was?

Now, the grand play had begun, and it was just waiting for the climax.

Kazama Kaguya stood quietly by the window, observing the commotion in the Hyuga clan.

The night wind blew, and his deep green eyes were profound and mysterious, like a vast swamp entangled with countless water weeds.

The Hyuga clan, known as Konoha's strongest Bloodline family, was one of the founding clans since the village's inception.

Because of the Byakugan's strategic capabilities, the Hyuga held significant influence within the village.

Especially the head of the Main Family, whose every word and action could affect Konoha's strategic layout.

However, the Hyuga clan was very low-key, rarely opposing the Hokage, with their primary goal being the protection of their Bloodline inheritance.

Danzo needed the Hyuga's support, so he needed to grasp their weakness, to hold an important trump card.

And Kazama Kaguya knew that Danzo would do anything for the position of Hokage, which was why he proposed the unbelievable plan of "swapping the tanuki for the crown prince."

If successful, it would be a win-win.

Danzo would gain the Hyuga's support, and Kazama Kaguya would get the Main Family's Byakugan. No one would lose out.

In the Hokage Building, Tenzo used Wood Release to repair the damaged office.

This wouldn't normally require a special report, but while organizing some documents destroyed by Lava Release, he discovered that some important materials had been damaged.

"Third Hokage-sama, Dodai's Lava Release damaged some important documents left by the Fourth Hokage."

"Hmm, documents left by Minato?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned and asked, "Were the damaged ones insights into Fuinjutsu, or the Flying Thunder God Technique? I recall those scrolls were protected by seals."

"Neither. They were some secret records from when the Fourth Hokage went on a mission to Rōran." Tenzo said, presenting a scroll that was more than half burned.

"Rōran? The small country that was destroyed ten years ago?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi, hearing that it wasn't crucial information, waved his hand. "Forget it, let it be damaged. I remember that place is now perpetually shrouded by black sandstorms, with power comparable to an A-rank Ninjutsu. Sunagakure has already declared it a forbidden zone. They even sent people to demand this scroll back then."

After speaking, he thought for a moment and then instructed, "Have the Fuinjutsu squad inscribe seals on all remaining important records to prevent future damage."

"Yes, Third Hokage-sama."

Soon after Tenzo left, Kakashi and Nara Shikaku returned with Konoha's high-ranking officials.

Danzo, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, Hyuga Hiashi, Hizashi Hyuga, Uchiha Fugaku, Uchiha Shisui, and others were all gathered.

Secret delight, dissatisfaction, anger, helplessness—people's stances were never the same, leading to an extremely oppressive atmosphere in the Hokage's office.

Hiruzen Sarutobi continuously smoked his pipe, like a chimney.

Within the dense smoke, topics concerning the direction of the war, the rise and fall of clans, and individual survival unfolded.

Kakashi stood guard outside the door, listening to the political games being played inside. He was reminded once again of his father, who died due to political rumors.

"Last time it was Father, this time it's the head of the Hyuga Main Family. Who will it be next?" Kakashi grew to despise the games played by politicians.

If possible, he would use his Chakra to block his ears right now.

But he was the captain of the Anbu directly under the Third Hokage, so he couldn't slack off even if he wanted to.

"Sigh, I haven't had a vacation in a long time. After the Hyuga clan incident is resolved, I'll ask the Third Hokage-sama for leave."

Kakashi rubbed his temples, his fatigue mixed with anticipation. "Perhaps I can go to the Land of Hot Springs and soak in some hot springs. I remember Lord Jiraiya often gathers material there. It's about time to urge him for the sequel to Icha Icha Paradise. He can't keep the readers hanging like this."

Kakashi continued to guard the closed door of the Hokage's office.

The discussions and debates inside lasted from morning until afternoon.

It wasn't until Kakashi had reread Icha Icha Paradise once through that the argument concluded.

He watched the group emerge from the office, each with a different expression on their face.

Danzo's face was grim, but his stride seemed more forceful, his cane striking the ground with a harsh sound.

Advisors Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had dejected faces, full of worry.

Clan heads Hyuga Hiashi and Hizashi Hyuga were pale-faced, their fists clenched, carrying suppressed anger and disappointment.

Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Shisui walked one after another, a bitter smile on their lips, heads bowed, lost in thought.

After the group had left, Kakashi entered the smoke-filled Hokage's office. Just as he was about to collect the overflowing ashtray and water cup, he heard Hiruzen Sarutobi's tired, aged voice.

"Kakashi, with Kumogakure acting like this, do you think we should go to war?"

Kakashi stiffened, then relaxed. He calmly replied, "Hokage-sama, I am just a humble guard."

He quickly tidied up the trash, wanting to leave as soon as possible, but paused and added:

"But if needed, I can be on the front lines of the battlefield. At the very least, the civilians of Konoha will be protected before I die."

"Yes, isn't that the original purpose of building the village?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed, the last trace of hesitation vanishing from his eyes, his tone firming:

"Without sacrifice, how can there be protection?"

"Where the leaves dance, fire shall also burn eternally! This is the Will of Fire!"

On the other side, Kazama Kaguya had no interest in the Will of Fire or anything like it.

He was currently saying goodbye to Kimimaro.

"Kimimaro, live well here. I'll come back for you."

At the Konoha Orphanage, Kazama Kaguya bowed gratefully to a gentle woman with black-rimmed glasses, radiating maternal warmth and intellectual beauty.

"Lady Nonō, I'll entrust my younger brother to your care for a while."

As he spoke, he handed over a sealed scroll. "This contains some supplies. I hope it can help the orphanage get a few new clothes."

This was the money he had prepared for his defection, and now he was donating it all to the Konoha Orphanage.

After tonight, another chaotic battle would ensue.

With only three minutes after obtaining the Byakugan, Kazama Kaguya could unleash his power for a short burst, but he had no advantage bringing Kimimaro along.

The best place Kazama Kaguya could think of to settle Kimimaro was the Konoha Orphanage.

This was where Konoha took in war orphans. After the Third Great Ninja War, there were many orphans, and a 7-year-old Kimimaro would blend in without any issues.

Of course, the most important factor was that the director of the orphanage was Yakushi Nonō.

She was skilled in medical Ninjutsu, known as the Wandering Miko. Although she came from the Root Organization, her kindness had never wavered. She was a gentle woman radiating maternal warmth, capable of giving Kimimaro a different kind of mother's love he had never experienced.

For Kimimaro, who had been locked away in a dungeon since childhood, this could greatly alleviate his inner emptiness.

Even if Kazama Kaguya failed, he wouldn't have to worry too much.

In any case, Kimimaro's fate wouldn't be any worse than it was originally.

Inside the orphanage, Yakushi Nonō looked at the scroll in surprise and said gently, "Thank you, Kaguya-kun. Please rest assured, I will take good care of Kimimaro."

She accepted the scroll without hesitation, showing no shyness.

Everyone in the orphanage was a growing child, eating a lot and moving a lot. The consumption of food and clothing was not small.

Furthermore, Danzo's threats over the past two years had cut off most of the funding, leaving the orphanage struggling to operate, making aid truly necessary.

She carefully put away the scroll, then looked at the scrawny boy before her, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Kaguya-kun, my medical Ninjutsu is still quite good. Don't you really need my help?"

With a healer's compassion, this was the third time she had proactively offered to heal Kazama Kaguya.

"Thank you, Lady Nonō. I know about my condition, so I won't trouble you."

Kazama Kaguya once again refused the woman whose eyes were full of tenderness.

The overload from All-Killing Ash Bones caused damage to his body at a genetic level.

Although the woman before him possessed excellent medical Ninjutsu, it was useless against Kazama Kaguya, and could even expose some of his secrets if he wasn't careful.

However, he had come here not only to settle Kimimaro but also with other intentions.

He wanted to train his own medical ninja.

The Kaguya Clan, with their Shikotsumyaku, naturally possessed Yang-attribute Chakra, which was precisely the foundation for learning medical Ninjutsu.

Seeing that Yakushi Nonō was indeed as gentle as the rumors said, Kazama Kaguya seized the goodwill brought by the donation and pressed on:

"Lady Nonō, if it's possible, I hope you can teach Kimimaro medical Ninjutsu. That way, even if he gets injured in the future, I won't have to worry so much."

As he spoke, Kazama Kaguya patted Kimimaro's head, encouraging him. "Kimimaro, follow Lady Nonō's teachings well, and help the other children in the orphanage. You have talent, and I believe Lady Nonō isn't one to hoard knowledge. You'll definitely be able to learn it. Keep it up!"

Upon hearing this, Kimimaro instantly burst into tears.

"Lord Kazama, sob sob... Don't worry, I'll study hard!"

"That's good."

Kazama Kaguya wiped away his tears and smiled, then bowed one last time. "Then I'll trouble you, Lady Nonō."

At this point, exactly one year had passed since Yakushi Kabuto left the orphanage to work as a spy in Iwagakure.

The tragedy of matricide had not yet occurred.