Mid-May, the weather warmed up.
Inside the Hokage Building, Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi frowned as he read the latest report. Beside him, Mitokado Homura said calmly:
"Hiruzen, we all knew this would happen sooner or later."
"The effects of low-cost missions are spreading. Sunagakure and Iwagakure have both noticed. As their own commissions gradually dry up, war is inevitable."
Konoha had more ninja, a better reputation, and relatively low prices, so more people sought their services.
C- and B-Rank Missions were hit hardest. Some merchants from the Land of Wind had even abandoned Sunagakure's ninja. This was all a result of Konoha outcompeting them.
"We may not plunder like Kumogakure, but the result is the same."
"Resentment will inevitably arise in the surrounding countries. For them, war is the best solution."
"Taking the initiative is a good strategy. A peace maintained by passivity isn't true peace."
Utatane Koharu, her eyes narrowed, offered her opinion as well. At this point, severing the enemy's outstretched "arm" clearly wouldn't solve the problem.
"I won't drag Konoha's ninja into a war. That's a policy we established long ago."
"Ōnoki recently hired some people from the black market. Our next step is to warn those accepting the commissions."
"Jiraiya has received reliable intelligence. Iwagakure's Jinchuriki seems to be making a move, so we'll split up this time."
Hiring black-market bounty hunters despite being one of the Five Great Nations made the Tsuchikage look utterly pathetic to Hiruzen Sarutobi. He intended to teach him a lesson and prevent Iwagakure from actually starting a war.
"The Jinchuriki? How far have we gotten with our own Jinchuriki development?"
Danzo, who had been silent in the background, suddenly opened his eyes and asked with a grave expression. Hiruzen Sarutobi still had no definite answer:
"Sending a Jinchuriki into battle is the worst possible choice. Every village's Sealing Jutsu has flaws. If one loses control, it becomes a nightmare for both sides on the battlefield."
Some time had passed since Danzo last asked, and clearly the Jinchuriki development still hadn't met expectations. Dissatisfied, he reminded them:
"It's time the Sealing Jutsu we inherited from the Uzumaki Clan proved its worth."
"If our opponents use Jinchuriki, the village must be prepared too. Hiruzen, a weapon we can control is what we need."
Danzo offered his suggestion impassively. The two advisers looked surprised; their old friend seemed unusually interested in Jinchuriki.
The three men in the room had no idea that Root was secretly training Wood Release ninja. As the test subjects grew, so did Danzo's ambition.
They couldn't compare to the First's Wood Release, but all they needed was the power to suppress a Tailed Beast!
"If this is too difficult for you to handle, you can leave it to Root..."
Facing his silent "old friend," Danzo offered again. Hiruzen Sarutobi naturally refused at once, his voice stern:
"This isn't Root's job!"
Rejected, Danzo was still disappointed. If he could control the power of Wood Release and the Nine-Tails, the Hokage Position might no longer be out of reach.
After their discussion, Hiruzen Sarutobi insisted on strengthening security and again rejected the strategy of taking the initiative.
No one objected. War was unpredictable, and maintaining stability in the village remained Konoha's top priority.
As he left the room, Danzo narrowed his eyes again. The emergence of Wood Release had made him value Orochimaru's talents even more, and he now had new ideas about the power of the Tailed Beasts:
"Root needs a Jinchuriki we can control."
The decisions of the higher-ups had little effect on the Genin. The students who had graduated recently were buried in D-Rank Missions, and even the best teams could only take on C-Rank Missions.
Finally on break, Obito Uchiha was busy helping an old woman again. The elderly woman had been a huge help with their recent D-Rank Missions!
As he said goodbye to her outside the hospital, Obito accepted a candy with a bright smile. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a girl's voice beside him:
"Obito, are you helping the old woman again? We couldn't have finished this week's missions without you!"
Rin Nohara greeted him with a notebook in her arms. Seeing the girl's sweet smile, Obito felt his fatigue vanish at her praise. He beamed and answered loudly:
"Haha, I'm glad I could help you, Rin! It's my turn to look after you now!"
When Rin Nohara offered him a handkerchief, Obito's face immediately flushed. Embarrassed, he wiped himself twice with it, then said softly:
"I'll wash it before I give it back. Thanks, Rin!"
Not minding the handkerchief, Rin Nohara nodded and shared more news:
"Tobitake plans to join the Intelligence Division. Before long, he might not be able to team up with us anymore."
"Shizune told me they'll be changing our Jonin leader. We might get an outstanding one!"
"Thanks to all your hard work, Team 7 has the best record of all the squads!"
Obito didn't know what to make of that odd teammate, but after nearly two months together, he still felt a little sad that the boy was leaving.
"Rin, are you going to leave and join the Medical Corps too? Medical ninja are safer, right?"
"I might really be unable to protect you..."
"What are you talking about, Obito? Didn't you say you were going to become Hokage?"
Rin Nohara stopped and looked at Obito with a serious expression. He realized she seemed angry and immediately stammered in a panic.
"Don't underestimate yourself, Obito. You're really amazing."
"I'll stay on Team 7 and keep watching over you!"
"Rin..."
Encouraged by her, Obito's eyes reddened. Having the girl he loved care about him felt like he had the whole world.
"Let's work hard together! If we become Chunin, maybe we'll get the chance to team up with Kakashi!"
"If we're taking the exam, we have to work twice as hard from now on. The senior ninja say it's really hard to pass on the first try..."
Lost in thoughts of the future, Rin Nohara didn't notice Obito's mouth twitch. To her, Kakashi was still someone she admired.
At the end of May, at four in the morning, Shu Furukawa finished his daily Strength of a Hundred Technique training. His Senjutsu Chakra was steadily accumulating in his forehead.
"Lord Shu, your progress is very fast! Your perception has improved again."
Katsuyu swayed her feelers on his shoulder. Shu Furukawa opened his eyes as he sat cross-legged and instinctively touched his forehead. Then he murmured regretfully:
"If only I could absorb Natural Energy on my own and complete the refinement."
Shu Furukawa was looking forward to [cultivating the Qi Refining stage]. Katsuyu couldn't understand what he meant, so she could only continue to comfort him in her soft voice.
"I might not be able to summon you for the next two months. This joint operation mission seems like a troublesome one!"
"That's all right, Lord Shu."
"..."
By nearly five, Shu Furukawa was fully equipped and had reached the village gates. Kakashi waved to him, and the Hyuga Clan's Chunin boy nodded as well.
Led by the "Ino-Shika-Cho" trio, the three teams gathered. When the time came, Yamanaka Inoichi turned to them and gave his instructions solemnly:
"Besides the 'sweep,' we'll also assist Lord Jiraiya's squad with the infiltration."
"Give it everything you've got. Move out!"
"..."