I am Konoha's Root

With the transaction complete, Ōnoki finally located the sealed and imprisoned Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi, at the location noted on the slip of paper.

His body was covered in dense layers of sealing jutsu; the ninjas of Sunagakure seemed to have treated Roshi like a lab rat, subjecting him to all manner of experimental seals.

Fortunately, it wasn't a major issue; they were all seals that could be broken with technique, albeit tedious to undo.

After retrieving him, Ōnoki rushed to the border to rendezvous with the troops stationed there before returning to Iwagakure.

Three days later, following a thorough medical examination, Ōnoki was so furious he was jumping with rage. That night, many in Iwagakure heard the sound of objects shattering within the Tsuchikage's office.

For reasons unknown, Roshi had been completely crippled. He could handle daily activities without issue, but the moment he engaged in strenuous activity or attempted to borrow the Tailed Beast's chakra, he would suffer from severe heart pain, arrhythmia, fatigue, and dizziness. In the most severe instance, he even went into shock on the spot.

Iwagakure's top combat asset had been reduced to the level of an ordinary Jonin, a pathetic state. For the rest of his life, he would only have one chance to unleash his full power:

By disregarding his own life and paying the ultimate price, he could enter his Perfect Form state.

Ōnoki had ten thousand reasons to believe that this despicable act was the work of that Red-Hair, yet he had no way to voice his grievances.

Was he supposed to announce to the entire ninja world that the Four-Tails Jinchuriki, Roshi, had been crippled by Rasa, and that Iwagakure had lost an arm?

A Jinchuriki was not a role just anyone could fill; those with the constitution and talent for it were far too rare.

With the current political climate in the ninja world tense and volatile, the Third Shinobi World War could break out at any moment, and every major village was eyeing the others with predatory intent.

Even if they managed to find a suitable candidate for the Jinchuriki and transferred the Four-Tails to a newcomer, there would be a significantly long period of synchronization required.

The situation might not be any better than it was now; at least Roshi could already skillfully borrow the Four-Tails' power, and he would still have one final chance to bloom like fireworks in the future.

The more brilliant the fireworks, the closer they were to extinction.

Swallowing such a bitter pill was not Ōnoki's style. A day later, intelligence regarding Rasa's specific abilities was distributed to every ninja in Iwagakure.

At the same time, new regulations were issued: if a ninja encountered Rasa during a mission, they were permitted to abandon the mission without penalty.

When Iwagakure ninjas were out on missions, if they were likely to have any contact with Sunagakure, they were strictly forbidden from wearing metal forehead protectors, which were to be replaced with wooden ones.

If it weren't for the fact that the combat of low-ranking ninjas relied so heavily on taijutsu and ninja tools, Ōnoki would have wanted to replace all of Iwagakure's gear with wood.

Rumor had it that Ōnoki had even secretly issued a mission: to search for high-density timber...

Public praise as a form of sabotage.

With Iwagakure making such a massive commotion, it was naturally impossible to hide it from the outside world, and news regarding Rasa spread across the ninja world in an instant.

The ninja world was shaken!

Sunagakure had once again produced a top-tier powerhouse—a Kage-level fighter who posed a massive threat not just to low-ranking ninjas, but even to Jonin.

Every major village was discussing what to do if they encountered Rasa and how to counter his ability to manipulate metal.

The answer was that it was nearly impossible. Everyone knew of Ōnoki and the strength of the various Kage; how to target and restrict them had always been a common topic of discussion among rival villages.

True Kage-level powerhouses did not fear being targeted or restricted. They might have weaknesses, but even when restricted, they remained Kage-level powerhouses.

This was the difference between Kage-level and quasi-Kage-level: they did not fear being countered.

Konohagakure.

Danzo, clutching a stack of documents, stormed into the Hokage's office with a grim expression, marched straight to Hiruzen Sarutobi's desk, and slammed the files down in front of him.

He said with a sinister edge, "Hiruzen, Sunagakure has extorted a batch of military supplies from the Land of Earth, and their personnel movements have been very frequent lately.

With the rise of a young Kage-level powerhouse like Rasa within their village, I believe Sunagakure is preparing for war. They have already become a significant threat to us.

We should strike first. We must mobilize our troops immediately and declare war on Sunagakure."

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained calm and composed; this was the third time recently that Danzo had urged him to attack Sunagakure.

He casually flipped through the documents, which contained nothing more than the same old intelligence about Sunagakure's troop movements and reports on Rasa.

Pressing both hands down on the files, Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed and said helplessly, "Danzo, I have told you many times.

This is just normal, routine military preparation. The situation is tense right now, and what Sunagakure is doing, everyone else is doing as well.

You cannot conclude anything from this alone."

Danzo was extremely dissatisfied with Hiruzen Sarutobi's dismissiveness and urged him again, "One must always be on guard.

Hiruzen, have you forgotten that over a decade ago, Sunagakure coveted the fertile lands of the Land of Fire and declared war on us?

The history of the past may well repeat itself. It would be better for us to send our troops out first; at least then we could seize the initiative."

"That is not a reason for us to be the ones to attack the Land of Wind first."

Hiruzen Sarutobi flatly rejected Danzo's suggestion, explaining with earnest patience, "Danzo, I know you have always supported external expansion.

But have you ever considered what benefit it would bring us to take the Land of Wind, or for that matter, the Land of Earth or the Land of Lightning?

The Land of Fire is vast and rich in resources. Everything the other villages have, we have; and things they lack, we also possess.

We have no reason to expand externally; it does not serve the village's interests.

Moreover, the fact that Konohagakure occupies so many resources is a blessing from the heavens. As long as we do not take the initiative to expand, even if the other villages are resentful, it will be difficult for them to unite.

But the moment we take the initiative to strike and conquer any nation, all the other villages will feel threatened and will truly unite to do everything in their power to force us out.

We need peace. We cannot show any attitude of external expansion. As the art of war says, 'Leave an opening for a surrounded enemy.' As long as we do not push the other villages into a corner, they will not jump over the wall."

After saying this, Hiruzen Sarutobi slowly closed his eyes.

This was the reason he preferred a passive approach; Konohagakure could not withstand a full-scale siege from the other ninja villages, so he had to do his utmost to prevent such a possibility from occurring.

Danzo remained silent for a moment, knowing he could not persuade Hiruzen Sarutobi. Settling for the next best thing, he spoke sharply: "Then let us start by assassinating that Rasa."

"His threat to ordinary ninja is simply too great. Once war breaks out, he will be the sharpest blade in Sunagakure."

Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, tossed the document Danzo had brought into the trash can, and retorted: "Ōnoki's threat to ordinary ninja is also quite significant."

"Are we to send people to assassinate him as well? Danzo, this kind of behavior is tantamount to a declaration of war; it will only cause the other ninja villages to unite against us even more."

Nothing is allowed, and nothing is permitted!

"Hiruzen, you will regret your decision sooner or later!" Danzo was furious, flicking his sleeves as he turned and walked into the shadows.

I am the Root that protects Konohagakure; let me bear all the sins and evils.