Fan the Flames of Bloody Mist Village, Bring the Bloodline Limit to Konoha

"Rizen, you still haven't explained how we're supposed to make use of it..." Shimura Danzō asked impatiently.

It was like listening to a storyteller, only for the storyteller to take a sip of tea and deliberately refuse to continue...

What a tease!

"See? You're always so impatient..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi tapped several documents on the table. "You should all take a look as well."

"You two Konoha Committee Members need to get used to participating in village affairs. It's not enough to merely hold the title—you need to truly get involved, pool your wisdom, and offer opinions and ideas."

These were diplomatic statements sent by the Major Hidden Villages.

Their wording was relatively consistent.

They mainly condemned Kumogakure's provocative actions, while heavily praising Hiruzen Sarutobi. Naturally, it was not out of goodwill; they simply hoped to further worsen the relationship between Konoha and Kumogakure.

Hizashi picked them up naturally.

Tenzo was reading them as well, but lingering fear remained in his heart.

In that subtle balance of restraint and pressure, the Hokage had already made it clear that he could do far more than preach the Will of Fire...

Perhaps he did not engage in other tactics simply because he did not wish to—not because he could not.

"I don't know much about the Kaguya Clan."

"I've only heard that they were once called a battle clan alongside the Uchiha Clan?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked. "From these documents, they do seem rather belligerent..."

Hyuga Tenzo steadied himself and replied, "Lord Hokage, they are not throwing up a smokescreen. That is simply the nature of their clan."

"Combat and slaughter seem etched into their bones, though not every one of them is like that..."

"As for being mentioned alongside the Uchiha Clan..." Hyuga Tenzo had to admit that Shimura Danzō's earlier words were perfectly suited here.

Stop riding their coattails!

The Kaguya Clan was indeed formidable in battle, but had they ever produced someone like Uchiha Madara?

"Their temperament may be more brutal. Their overall combat strength is more evenly distributed, but they have relatively fewer true standouts." Hyuga Tenzo provided Hiruzen Sarutobi with the information.

"If that's the case, then I roughly understand." Hiruzen Sarutobi pondered.

They could vaguely be understood as the "Kirigakure version" of the Uchiha, only even less welcome.

Their legal standing was also inferior to that of the Uchiha Clan.

Back then, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama had pacified the chaotic era together and jointly captured the Tailed Beasts. They were also among the largest original stakeholders.

Even if Madara had made mistakes.

During the First Shinobi World War, the Uchiha had paid no small amount of Blood Tax.

There were too many entanglements to explain in a sentence or two. Any casual look through old history would turn up matters concerning the original stakeholders, while Hashirama and Madara's relationship was so absurd it resembled something from a romance novel.

That was also why the relationship between Konoha's upper ranks and the Uchiha was so delicate.

"Then let's add some fuel to the fire..."

"The Kaguya Clan clearly cannot be persuaded, and there is no need to persuade them."

"The Third Mizukage wants the legal justification to launch the 'Bloody Mist Village,' so we'll give it to him and let him properly struggle with Kirigakure's Kekkei Genkai Ninja Clans."

"We also need to provoke him and make the fire in his heart burn even hotter."

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Danzō, write this down. Circulate it to Koharu and Homura for polishing, then release it to the shinobi world."

Shimura Danzō picked up paper and pen.

"Thank the Major Hidden Villages for their support. Emphasize Konoha's regard for peace and its firm resolve to retaliate against provocations."

"Regarding the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki incident they mentioned, Konoha has reason to believe that the Third Raikage's faction is attempting to imitate the precedent of Kinkaku and Ginkaku consuming the flesh and blood of a Tailed Beast, carrying out an unrestrained internal military arms race."

"Point out that Kumogakure's provocation stems from its 'illegitimate rise to power.' They seek to incite public sentiment through war and conceal the fact that they once colluded with the Kinkaku and Ginkaku faction, attacked the Second Raikage, and rose to power afterward."

"Rather than thinking about how to live their own lives properly, they treat their own shinobi as tools. When problems arise, they shamelessly shift them onto other nations. They are a cancer upon the shinobi world."

"Due to Kumogakure's existence, Konoha advocates that the remaining hidden villages make appropriate preparations for war, and hopes that the Major Hidden Villages can inherit the aspirations of their predecessors, govern their villages well, and not attempt to redirect internal conflicts through war."

Shimura Danzō scribbled it all down.

Hyuga Tenzo's eyes lit up.

Though every sentence appeared to be aimed at Kumogakure, they were actually stabbing straight into Kirigakure's heart...

The Third Raikage had risen to power illegitimately?

That was not actually the case, but in a war of words, saying anything was normal.

Besides, Kumogakure did indeed have shinobi who had died because of the Eight-Tails. At the very least, it could stir up some suspicion.

Conspiracy theories did not require a complete chain of logic—only a suitable angle of entry.

But the issue was that the Third Mizukage truly had risen to power "illegitimately."

The old Mizukage faction of the Hozuki Clan was deeply entrenched.

Although Hozuki Gengetsu was not a qualified Mizukage, he possessed traits that perfectly suited Kirigakure's tastes.

Strong enough, battle-hungry enough, and straightforward enough...

He had countless supporters.

How a loser like him had returned to the position of Mizukage was unknown.

But as long as they emphasized the stigmatizing label of "illegitimately gaining his position," Kirigakure's internal opposition would naturally make a move, and the Third Mizukage, already on the verge of madness, would naturally grow even angrier.

Conversely, Hiruzen Sarutobi had also put forth the claim of "supporting war preparations," giving the Third Mizukage the outside voice he wanted, in hopes that the policies of the "Bloody Mist Village" would become even more fervent...

Shimura Danzō chuckled. "The Third Mizukage is inheriting Hozuki Gengetsu's will?"

Even he felt like laughing when he imagined the complicated expression the Third Mizukage would have upon seeing this response.

This was yet another blade handed to Kirigakure's opposition.

"Tenzo, when I previously said that you had made some minor mistakes, you did not refute it. That means you did."

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a hand, signaling that he need not rush to explain. "Let bygones be bygones, but do not make the same mistakes again."

"Maintain communication with the Kaguya Clan. Find out more about the reactions of Kirigakure's other bloodline ninja clans. If the Third Mizukage drives them to a dead end..."

"Then it would not be impossible for us to carry out humanitarian aid based on the Will of Fire."

"This is an important mission! If you complete it well, I will personally commend you!"

Hyuga Tenzo's heart rose, then settled again.

He quickly understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's thinking.

Who would not covet bloodline ninja clans?

Did Kumogakure not raid and plunder everywhere simply to give its village a few more Kekkei Genkai?

If they could use the Third Mizukage's hand to produce a group of Kirigakure ninja who sincerely wished to flee Kirigakure and accept the Will of Fire, it would indeed greatly benefit Konoha.

"Lord Hokage, from now on, Hizashi and I will jointly open and copy all correspondence."

Hyuga Tenzo said gravely, "I will devote my full strength to completing your assignment for the village!"

Giving him such an important task meant that the past had truly passed, and everyone would move forward together.

At that moment, Shimura Danzō suddenly felt that something was off.

He gave Hiruzen Sarutobi a meaningful glance and lightly coughed.

This claim of illegitimately gaining one's position... somehow seemed like it could be applied to Hiruzen as well?

This was confidence that his position could no longer be shaken, but was he not still inviting trouble...?

"What is it, Danzō?" Hiruzen Sarutobi turned and met his gaze.

The old brothers looked at each other for several seconds, and the unspoken riddle was solved.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled faintly.

He took out the necklace hanging from his chest. "Lady Mito gave it to me. Lord Hashirama gave it to her back then. Thanks to her kindness, I was fortunate enough to receive it."

Shimura Danzō froze, then said stiffly, "It looks good—looks good!"

No, when had this happened? Hiruzen had actually gained such recognition from Lady Mito...

Who would dare say that Hiruzen Sarutobi had illegitimately gained his position after he had reconciled with Mito Uzumaki?

Go tell the Dowager herself, then!

Shimura Danzō sank into silent despair, but soon perked up again.

He needed to find an opportunity to visit the old lady too...

If nothing else, he could help tend the fields, carry some water, and try to get closer to her...

A few days later, at the Ninja Academy.

There was an oddly tranquil look in Kakashi's eyes as he held the Sword Technique Notes his father had given him and read them seriously.

Asuma, Shisui, and the others who were fairly close to him could not help but curiously gather around.

Where had that genius Little Cool Guy who always looked so impatient gone?

Had he not said that he planned to graduate early?

He had clearly been preparing to say goodbye at graduation not long ago...

New Year's bonus chapter, second update! There will be another update around noon, though it may be a little late.

Wishing all readers a happy New Year, good fortune in all things, and good health!

And while I'm at it, please send some votes my way~

or2!!!