They Even Dared Kill Konoha's Envoys

Inside the Hokage's office, the ember on Sarutobi Hiruzen's pipe flickered in and out, casting light over his ever-changing expression.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu sat on either side, their faces equally grim.

Shimura Danzō stood by the window, his single eye fixed on the distant Uchiha Clan Compound.

His fingers lightly tapped his cane, as though he was preparing to scheme against the Uchiha Clan again.

Mitokado Homura read in a grave voice, "The Ino-Shika-Cho clans have completely sided with the Uchiha Clan. More than 7,000 Konoha shinobi surrounded and wiped out over 3,000 Kirigakure shinobi who invaded the Land of Fire. Now, only a little over 1,000 Kirigakure shinobi have escaped to the Land of Hot Water."

Utatane Koharu snorted in dissatisfaction and slammed her teacup heavily onto the table. "Do they still have the Hokage in their eyes? All they care about now are their own interests!"

From the shadows by the window, Shimura Danzō's cane suddenly struck the floor with a dull thud.

A dangerous glint flashed through his single eye. "The Ino-Shika-Cho are no longer reliable. The Hyuga Clan also seems inclined toward the Uchiha Clan. The war will end soon. When that happens... Sarutobi... are you really going to step down?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly exhaled a cloud of smoke, which twisted into the shape of a fan in the air. "It's too late to talk about that now. The question is... how do we stop them?"

Shimura Danzō turned around, a cold gleam flashing in his eye. "Kirigakure is weak and vulnerable right now. If the Uchiha Clan truly attacks, not only can they reclaim the 40 billion ryō, they may even force Kirigakure to cede territory. By then, Uchiha Fugaku's prestige will completely overshadow that of the Hokage."

"Then we must end the war before they land," Mitokado Homura said in a deep voice.

Utatane Koharu frowned. "But we can't just directly order them to withdraw. Besides, even if we give the order, the Uchiha Clan won't obey."

Shimura Danzō suddenly turned, his eye gleaming in the darkness. "What if Kirigakure surrenders on its own? We still have a 'senior spy' over there."

Sarutobi Hiruzen rubbed his brow. "What do you mean?"

Shimura Danzō said slowly, "Root has spies in Kirigakure. Have them contact Kirigakure's higher-ups and offer terms for peace talks."

Utatane Koharu asked doubtfully, "What terms?"

Shimura Danzō said blandly, "Return part of the plundered wealth, issue a public apology, and promise never to invade the Land of Fire again. As long as Kirigakure is willing to lower its head, we can rightfully declare the war over."

Sarutobi Hiruzen pondered for a moment. "What if Kirigakure refuses?"

Shimura Danzō's voice turned icy. "Then have the spies spread rumors within Kirigakure that Uchiha Fugaku intends to destroy Kirigakure and the Land of Water."

The office fell silent.

In the end, Sarutobi Hiruzen slowly nodded. "Danzo, proceed according to your plan."

Inside Nansha City's meeting room, Uchiha Sanpo slammed the battle report onto the table.

The figures on the parchment stung everyone's eyes: 731 killed, 407 captured, and nearly half the enemy had escaped.

"With three times our numbers surrounding them, don't you all find this result suspicious?"

Uchiha Sanpo's Sharingan slowly spun as he swept his gaze across every clan head present.

Clan Head Kurama's genjutsu barrier quietly unfolded, cutting off all outside surveillance.

Clan Head Kazami abruptly stood up. "Are you saying someone among the higher-ups has been sabotaging us in secret?"

Uchiha Sanpo pulled a confidential letter from his robes. "There's more. Intelligence we just intercepted says that Kirigakure has sent envoys to Konoha."

Clan Head Kurama narrowed his eyes. "Captain Sanfeng, why not speak plainly?"

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Uchiha Sanpo lightly tapped the table, his voice low and dangerous. "We're risking our lives here, while some people—such as the one in the Hokage Building—are probably busy making secret deals with Kirigakure."

Clan Head Kazami's pupils contracted. "You mean... Sarutobi Hiruzen and Danzo deliberately let the Kirigakure shinobi go?"

Uchiha Sanpo sneered. "What else could it be? Kirigakure is weak and vulnerable now. This is the best opportunity to crush them in one stroke. But if the higher-ups suddenly order peace talks, our military achievements and our interests will all vanish like bubbles."

"Ino-Shika-Cho... this is a crucial moment. It's time for you to take a stand as well!"

Everyone in the meeting room turned to look at Ino-Shika-Cho, and the atmosphere fell still.

Nara Shikaku was silent for a moment before finally sighing. "Ino-Shika-Cho... supports the Uchiha Clan."

The war had dragged on for far too long, and Ino-Shika-Cho's losses had not been small either.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's influence was weakening by the day, while the Uchiha Clan had risen powerfully on the battlefield, forcing everyone to reassess their position.

Uchiha Sanpo nodded in satisfaction, then changed the subject. "Then, Shikaku, what route do you recommend for attacking Kirigakure?"

Nara Shikaku's finger traced across the map. "Kirigakure excels at Water Release and naval warfare. Crossing the sea from the Land of Waves or the Land of Hot Water would be too risky. The safest route... is the Land of Whirlpools."

Hyuga Hiashi frowned slightly. "The Land of Whirlpools? That will cost us an extra two days."

Uchiha Sanpo said meaningfully, "It doesn't matter. We lack time, yet we do not lack time. I'm betting Kirigakure will soon send envoys to sue for peace, and Sarutobi Hiruzen... will definitely agree."

Nara Shikaku was undoubtedly a highly intelligent man. He pointed out the key issue. "So, we must break into Kirigakure before the negotiations begin."

Uchiha Sanpo rose to his feet, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "More than that. Send out the order: seal off every route to Konoha. Any Kirigakure envoy is to be killed without mercy."

Three days later, Konoha's shinobi army passed along the coast of the Land of Whirlpools and infiltrated the Land of Water.

Waves crashed against the reefs as Uchiha Sanpo stood at the edge of a cliff, gazing at the Land of Water in the distance, shrouded in Blood Mist.

He said softly, "Clan Head Fugaku, once we break into Kirigakure, Konoha's balance of power... will be completely rewritten."

Uchiha Fugaku's Mangekyō Sharingan slowly spun in the shadows. "How can you be certain?"

Uchiha Sanpo stepped beside him and whispered, "Everything has been arranged. I even dealt with Root's informants."

Just last night, three Kirigakure envoy groups had been intercepted and killed at the border of the Land of Fire. None survived.

Even two Konoha shinobi teams sent to the Land of Water had been dealt with by them!

Uchiha Sanpo's voice was icy and certain. "Without envoys, there can be no peace talks. And we... will become the heroes who end this war."

Uchiha Fugaku was silent for a moment before finally nodding. "Move out."

The waves surged as 4,000 Konoha shinobi poured toward Kirigakure like a black tide.

Meanwhile, far away in Konoha, inside the Hokage's office.

An Anbu suddenly appeared. "Report! Every contact team sent to Kirigakure has gone missing!"

Shimura Danzō said furiously, "Damn it! It must have been the Uchiha Clan! They even dare kill Konoha's envoys now. They truly intend to rebel!"

The pipe in Sarutobi Hiruzen's hand went out soundlessly. He let out a heavy, helpless sigh. "Sigh..."

He looked out the window, as though he could already smell the coming storm.

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