Shimura Danzō!

"Understood!"

Minato Namikaze nodded. Their relationship with the Daimyo Manor truly was not suitable for bringing into the open right now.

Doing so might alert Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others.

Staying hidden might instead yield unexpected results.

But Minato Namikaze soon sensed that something was off.

The information Uchiha Jin had brought was indeed extremely important, but the two of them had a designated means of communication.

Uchiha Jin would not have personally come all this way just for this information.

Minato Namikaze asked as soon as the thought occurred to him, "Jin, you came out this time because you have other business, don't you?"

Uchiha Jin smiled at that. "Nothing really gets past you, does it? That's right. My main purpose in coming out this time is to make a trip to the Land of Rain. I was only passing through the Land of Hot Water, so I came by to see you."

After all, it was wartime. Security throughout the Land of Fire was on high alert, with everyone treating the slightest disturbance as a threat.

To avoid exposing his tracks, Uchiha Jin had entered the Land of Hot Water through the waters near the Land of Waves. He planned to pass through the Land of Rice Paddies, the Land of Iron, the Land of Waterfall, and the Land of Grass before entering the Land of Rain.

It sounded troublesome, but in reality, he was merely making a circuit around the Land of Fire's border and had not gone far out of his way.

Perhaps the people who had originally drawn the borders of the Land of Fire had long considered the possibility of future wars. The Land of Fire did not border any major nation of the Ninja World; instead, it was surrounded by a group of small countries.

That way, any great nation wishing to attack the Land of Fire would first have to conquer the smaller countries along its borders, giving the Land of Fire ample reaction time and room to maneuver.

Konoha could also push the battlefield beyond the Land of Fire's borders, protecting the prosperity and stability of its homeland.

It had to be said that the Land of Fire had embodied the phrase "harming others to benefit oneself" to perfection.

As for what those small countries thought... who cared?

Weakness was original sin.

They could only endure whatever came their way.

Minato Namikaze asked curiously, "Why are you going to the Land of Rain at a time like this?"

"This matter actually has something to do with you too, Minato." Uchiha Jin did not hide it and said directly, "The village's covert operatives informed me that Shimura Danzō has taken Root's shinobi toward the Land of Rain."

"Elder Danzō? And it has something to do with me?" Minato Namikaze looked deeply puzzled. "How come I don't know of anything in the Land of Rain related to me?"

Uchiha Jin reminded him, "Have you forgotten that your teacher Jiraiya took in three junior disciples for you in the Land of Rain?"

Minato Namikaze froze. "You mean Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan?"

Although Minato Namikaze had never met the three of them, he had heard Jiraiya speak of them.

Especially recently, Jiraiya had been writing his first novel with Nagato as the model, and he had bragged about it to Minato Namikaze many times.

Uchiha Jin nodded. "That's right, those three."

In truth, Uchiha Jin had only recalled this part of the story after receiving the information.

To prolong the war between Konoha and Iwagakure, Shimura Danzō had personally gone to the Land of Rain and colluded with Hanzō the Salamander of Amegakure to create chaos on the frontline.

The Akatsuki Organization founded by Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan was dedicated to creating world peace without relying on extreme force. It was highly active in the Land of Rain and had obstructed Shimura Danzō's path.

So Shimura Danzō had persuaded Hanzō the Salamander to set a trap and ambush Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, and the others.

This was also the beginning of Nagato's descent into darkness.

Minato Namikaze frowned and asked, "What happened to the three of them? Why is Elder Danzō looking for them?"

Uchiha Jin shook his head and asked instead, "You've heard of the Akatsuki Organization that has recently risen to prominence in the Land of Rain, haven't you?"

Minato Namikaze nodded and praised them without reservation. "Yes. I've heard it's a neutral organization that advocates peace and calls for people not to use force. They're impressive."

Uchiha Jin said, "That Akatsuki Organization was founded by Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan."

"Really?" Minato Namikaze was startled at first, then said with pride, "As expected of Jiraiya-sensei's disciples. They're all exceptional!"

But Minato Namikaze quickly shot to his feet, asking anxiously, "Wait! Did Danzō go to the Land of Rain to make a move against them?!"

Minato Namikaze knew Shimura Danzō's nature well. Put nicely, he was cold and decisive. Put bluntly, he was sinister, ruthless, despicable, shameless, inhuman, and willing to do anything to achieve his goals!

Once he realized Shimura Danzō might have set his sights on Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan, Minato Namikaze could no longer remain seated.

Though they had never met, they were fellow disciples!

And after learning of Yahiko and the others' actions, Minato Namikaze greatly admired the three of them.

"Don't panic." Uchiha Jin raised a hand, signaling Minato Namikaze to calm down, before continuing, "Danzō's target isn't them. They just happened to be standing in his way."

Minato Namikaze asked in confusion, "What exactly is going on?"

Uchiha Jin explained, "Right now, Konoha and Iwagakure are only having minor skirmishes along the border. Anyone with eyes can see that the war is about to end!"

"According to the intelligence I received, the Third Hokage intends to concede some benefits in order to sign an Armistice Agreement with Iwagakure as soon as possible and end the war!"

"But Danzō does not agree with signing an Armistice Treaty as though they were the defeated nation when they have clearly won. He voiced his opposition to the Third Hokage and the others!"

"The other two members of the council of elders, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu, leaned more toward the Third Hokage's view, so Danzō's objections were ignored!"

"But Danzō isn't someone who would abandon his ideas over just a few words!"

"The intelligence I received is that Danzo intends to head to the Land of Rain battlefield before the Third Hokage's plans are put into action, provoke conflict, and intensify the contradictions between Konoha, Iwagakure, and Amegakure, dragging all three back into a large-scale war!"

"Then the Third Hokage's plans will collapse on their own, and he'll have no choice but to take a hardline stance against Iwagakure!"

"And the Akatsuki Organization founded by Yahiko and the others is currently running all over the battlefield, treating the wounded and urging everyone to cease hostilities. They'll undoubtedly stand in Danzo's way!"

"Given Danzo's nature, it's only natural that he'd make a move against them!"

In fact, Uchiha Jin rather agreed with Danzo's idea this time!

In the Armistice Agreement with Sunagakure, Konoha had already given up many rights it should have rightfully possessed!

And now Iwagakure wanted the same thing!

After seeing what happened with Sunagakure and Iwagakure, Kumogakure and Kirigakure likely would not make any concessions either!

The Third Hokage and the others' blind pursuit of peace would ultimately sacrifice the interests of Konoha Ninja!

After this war, many of the shinobi who had died in the village might not even receive the compensation they deserved!

Konoha was clearly the victor, yet it had to suffer such enormous losses because of this!

This approach was pathetic to the extreme!