Confrontation

After promising Orochimaru that he would continue to increase the budget for the Research Bureau, Kazashiro also received some rewards from him.

That was the White Zetsu detector that Orochimaru developed based on Hashirama Cells.

This detector only alerts the user to the presence of White Zetsu and their approximate location.

For ordinary ninjas, Orochimaru developed a different type of detector.

With the help of the White Zetsu detector, the Internal Affairs Department actually found traces of White Zetsu in various parts of Konoha. Some of them even hid in the sewers, spending their days with excrement.

One has to admire the dedication of these guys.

The renovation of the Barrier Team is also progressing smoothly, and Kazashiro and the advisors are handling the internal affairs very well.

All that's left is external enemies.

Three Jonin teams sent out to investigate the Amegakure have gone missing: the Inuzuka Clan team, which was responsible for investigating Uchiha; the Sarutobi team, which was responsible for investigating the Land of Rice Fields; and the Aburame team, which was responsible for investigating Star Ninja.

These three places require close monitoring by Konoha.

And then there's the Stone Ninja squad that's stationed in Kusagakure...

"The number of requests from the Land of Grass decreased sharply after the Third Shinobi World War. Even though the area was brought under the control of Iwagakure, it didn't significantly affect Konoha's finances."

Utatane Koharu's words implied that she wanted to abandon the Land of Grass.

In her view, even if her side were to send troops to fight against Iwagakure, it would not change the minds of the people of the Land of Grass.

"We can send someone to contact Iwagakure and condemn their actions. If Ōnoki doesn't change his mind, then let him be."

Mitokado Homura finished speaking for Utatane Koharu.

Hiruzen Sarutobi his eyes and remained silent, as if the entire discussion had nothing to do with him.

Danzo's face darkened. He glanced at Kazashiro's expression, and seeing that the other party had no intention of speaking, he retorted to the two of them, "This kind of concession will only encourage Ōnoki's ambition."

"I never said anything about backing down. I just wanted to send someone to make contact with Ōnoki and the others first."

Mitokado Homura was somewhat indignant. "It was supposed to be a meeting," she thought, "What's wrong with me expressing my opinion?"

You Danzo you're so tough, Danzo? If you're really that tough, then go and fight Ōnoki with your sword.

"Daimyo's Mansion seems to have little confidence in us lately."

Just as the two were about to start arguing in the conference room, Kazashiro's voice rang out, stopping their argument in time.

"It's time to show the Daimyo's Mansion the strength of Konoha. What do you advisors think?"

Kazashiro turned his head to look in the direction of Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hiruzen Sarutobi opened his eyes, looked at his disciple with a complicated expression, and slowly nodded.

Just as he had supported Sakumo back then, even if Kazashiro chose a different path than he had anticipated, he would not take any action to hinder the other party's actions.

Hyuga Hiashi and Fugaku Uchiha nodded in agreement.

Danzo's stance is self-evident.

Four of the six advisors have already agreed, so even if Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu are unwilling, they cannot stop Kazashiro's actions.

"In that case, Clan Head Fugaku, please let the Uchiha Clan take the lead."

Three days after the meeting ended.

On the same day that Konoha issued a notice to the Land of Land of Grass, citing the need to protect its citizens residing within the Land of Grass, it dispatched a force of several hundred people across the border into the Land of Land of Grass.

Ōnoki, who had been waiting for news from Konoha for several days without any response, thought that Konoha was going to swallow this loss and was feeling smug that he had gotten a great deal. But he never expected that Konoha would turn around and give him a big surprise.

It should be noted that the force dispatched by Ōnoki numbered only a few dozen people, which was insignificant compared to the force led by Fugaku.

"Haha, interesting. This brat from the Shimura Clan wants to wrestle with this old man?"

Upon receiving the message, Ōnoki laughed heartily, but there was no hint of amusement in his eyes.

"He's still young and doesn't know how to restrain himself; he needs an elder to teach him a lesson."

"Old man, are you planning to go to war with Konoha?"

A deep, resonant voice echoed from the Kitsuchi; he couldn't understand why his father insisted on provoking Konoha at this crucial moment.

It's important to know that Konoha has an ally nearby, and that ally is also very close to the Land of Earth.

"Hmph, I'm not stupid enough to fight Konoha alone. You take your men and wait in the Land of Grass. Some fool will be willing to step forward."

Ōnoki snorted coldly, looking at his son with disappointment and frustration.

The opponent did not inherit his strategies at all, nor did he have the ability to cultivate the Kekkei Tōta; he could only follow orders.

Fortunately, I don't need to worry about my abilities.

"Remember, don't actually clashed with Konoha. Try to maintain a stalemate as much as possible, and be willing to back down if necessary."

Ōnoki's original plan was to take advantage of the Fourth Hokage injury to gain as much benefit as possible, but he wouldn't force it if the conditions didn't allow it.

Just after Fugaku's team entered the Land of Grass, a thousand-strong force led by Kitsuchi also marched into Kusagakure in a grand procession.

The two sides are locked in a standoff on the outskirts of Kusagakure.

Konoha insists that Iwagakure's entry into Kusagakure is a violation of the Third Shinobi World War peace treaty and poses a great threat to Konoha's residents.

The Iwagakure, on the other hand, claimed that the peace treaty did not specifically address the ownership of the Land of Grass, and that their entry into the Kusagakure was at the behest of the Kusagakure, and was for the purpose of protecting the Kusagakure's safety.

The only one who looked completely bewildered was the official sent by the Daimyo's Daimyo's Mansion of the Land of Grass.

Neither side seemed to respect the sovereignty of the Land of Grass, completely disregarding their own interests.

Furthermore, after learning that Iwagakure had a numerical advantage, Kazashiro ordered another 500 reinforcements to be sent into the Land of Grass.

He also instructed Utatane Koharu to inform Sunagakure so that they could fulfill their responsibilities as allies if necessary.

Of course, they sent people over in a grand manner to inform them.

Whether Sunagakure comes or not is beyond Kazashiro's consideration.

These alliance treaties between villages are essentially worthless; whether they are used or not depends entirely on the mood of the signatories.

Unfortunately, Rasa was not in a good mood at that moment.

The reason is that their village's only Tailed Beast Shukaku, was stolen.

He had only hesitated for a few years, not deciding which unlucky Jinchuriki, and as a result, such a huge Tailed Beast disappeared, along with the lives of hundreds of monks from the Temple of Wind.

The Daimyo of the Land of Wind was now truly enraged.

He didn't care whether the Tailed Beast were still around, but he absolutely had to ask about the death of the monk from the Temple of Wind.

After all, he needed these monks to travel to the capital every year for ceremonies, but now that they are all dead, who will come to the capital to chant scriptures?

Could it be you, Rasa?

Soon, a strongly worded letter was delivered to Rasa's desk.

It clearly states that either Sunagakure will send someone to deliver the murderer's head, or Rasa, you must shave your head and come to the capital to chant sutras in person.

Otherwise, Sunagakure's already meager military budget will be cut by another 30%!