The Dagger Pointing to Kannabi Bridge

The bamboo scroll was primitive and appeared unremarkable, yet the fluctuations contained within it astonished Uchiha Hanazuki, who was still in Sage Mode.

"What is this?"

"The Book of Vermilion Moon. It is the final prophecy regarding Menma from that opposing world."

The Black Nine-Tails sat cross-legged, a flash of memory crossing his eyes as he recounted everything he knew.

"It was when the red moon rose. Menma had obtained the Book of Vermilion Moon and was just about to unify the ninja world..."

"After Menma opened the book, intending to see what the prophecy held for him, a blinding light erupted, and I was pulled into your body."

"This Book of Vermilion Moon seems to have fused with something extraordinary. It is thanks to this book that I was able to drag my sealed half back into my main body."

Upon hearing this, Hanazuki's interest was piqued. He examined the Book of Vermilion Moon in his hands and asked curiously, "Aside from pulling out your other half, what else can it do? Surely it can't also retrieve other things from the world of the Limited Tsukuyomi?"

Unexpectedly, the Black Nine-Tails shook his head repeatedly, his expression helpless.

"I have tried to pull other things out of the Book of Vermilion Moon, but nothing happened. It wasn't until you, brat, were absorbing natural energy in Ryuchi Cave a few days ago that this book showed any change."

"However, I haven't figured out exactly what happened yet, and you came here to give me an ultimatum. How exactly did you find out?"

Hanazuki chuckled and replied as if it were obvious, "Don't be ridiculous. This is my body; of course I know what you've hidden inside. In any case, I'll keep this Book of Vermilion Moon for now and return it once I figure out its purpose."

The moment his fingers touched the book, his intricate Mangekyo stirred slightly, as if there were some connection, making Hanazuki reluctant to return it to the Black Nine-Tails for the time being.

"Tch, do as you please. If you find a way to use the Book of Vermilion Moon, remember to tell me. I have a feeling that you and this bamboo scroll are connected."

As his figure gradually faded and the pale blue Heart Lake returned to silence, the Black Nine-Tails sighed softly and curled back into his den, falling into a deep sleep.

In reality, the primitive bamboo scroll rested in Hanazuki's hand. Lost in thought, he vanished from the border of the Land of Earth.

The story branches here.

Within the Land of Grass, the Rock Hidden army led by the frontline commander Higashi Shito was locked in a life-or-death struggle against Mimura Hazaki's resistance forces.

Outnumbered, the Konoha ninjas could barely hold their ground and were forced to send a distress signal back to Konoha Village.

Inside the Hokage's office, the high-ranking officials of Konoha were gathered. On the map of the lands surrounding the Land of Fire, the numerous marked battlefields caused the usually composed Konoha F4 to furrow their brows.

"After declaring war on the Sand, Cloud, and Mist, has our front line been stretched too thin?" Mitokado Homura scanned the map, spotting the flaw at a glance.

"Furthermore, even with the village's geniuses emerging one after another—Orochimaru, Namikaze Minato, Uchiha Hanazuki, and now Uchiha Shisui, who has begun to make a name for himself..."

"The consumption of ordinary ninjas is still too high. Even if we send the sprouts who haven't finished their academy courses to the battlefield, can we really hold on any longer?"

The wrinkles on her aged face deepened, and Utatane Koharu's anxiety grew more apparent. She looked around the room before continuing.

"The key to victory now is to do as we did at the Battle of Mount Kikyo: gather Konoha's elite ninjas and use them as a sharp blade to strike at the vital points of the Rock Hidden ninjas."

"To use a sharp blade to pierce the enemy's heart—who should we send? Uchiha Hanazuki? He is currently stalling the Third Tsuchikage. Is it still Minato?"

Danzo's expression was grim. Having been steeped in the highest echelons of Konoha power for years, he knew better than his old friend just how difficult the Third Hokage was to deal with.

In truth, the military merit earned by crushing an enemy force on the battlefield was often greater than that of a mere containment mission.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's current arrangement was likely intended to groom a powerful rival to compete with Orochimaru for the position of Hokage.

Uchiha Hanazuki was currently Orochimaru's disciple; any military merit he achieved would, at least in part, be attributed to Orochimaru.

That was why he had deliberately arranged for Hanazuki to deal with the Third Tsuchikage. Since it was just a containment mission, no one would see whether he actually engaged the Third Tsuchikage on the battlefield or not.

When the time came, he could simply seize upon the fact that Orochimaru had not personally taken to the battlefield in the later stages to hold him back, thereby paving the way for Namikaze Minato—who would have accumulated greater merit by turning the tide of the war—to smoothly become the Fourth Hokage.

"No, Minato has tasks on the front lines. Speaking of which, today, Minato's student—the son of the Konoha White Fang—has also officially become a Jonin..."

He left his words unfinished, but the implication was clear, causing Danzo to grit his teeth.

What "sharp blade"? It was clearly an exploitation of Minato's personality, knowing full well he would cover for his students, thereby adding another feather to Minato's cap.

"Then, where should this blade point?"

Danzo's question was pointed. Sarutobi Hiruzen finally tapped the map on the Kannabi Bridge within the Land of Grass, his tone solemn.

"Kannabi Bridge is a vital supply point for the ninjas. If we destroy it and leave a chakra mark, we can completely sever the Rock Hidden's ability to transport supplies."

Once the words were out, the two Hokage advisors admired Sarutobi Hiruzen's seasoned judgment. By blowing up the bridge, even if the enemy used Earth Release, they could detect enemy movements through barriers and sensory techniques.

Ninjas with space-time summoning talents were rare, and compared to standard summoning, the items that could be stored in scrolls were limited.

This method would effectively cut off the enemy's supplies and accelerate the end of the war.

"That won't work. Sending only Minato's students is too much of a stretch. It would be safer to have Uchiha Hanazuki follow up; his abilities are sufficient..."

"No! If Onoki steps onto the battlefield, this war will truly never end. Without a teleportation technique similar to the Flying Thunder God Technique, the Second Tsuchikage's Dust Release is simply unsolvable."

An impeccable reason and long-term political vision; Sarutobi Hiruzen's insight was as sharp as it had been when he discovered Orochimaru.

"It is settled. As for what follows, leave it to the former Minato Team—the soon-to-be-reorganized Team Kakashi. The White Fang's son will not disappoint us."

Danzo left first, though a memory flashed in his eyes: Hatake Kakashi, a young genius whose style was completely different from the White Fang's and who could be called a model ninja.

However, his talent was slightly lower than that of the other emerging geniuses. Why did the geniuses of the Uchiha clan have to keep popping up one after another during wartime?

Sarutobi Hiruzen took one last deep look at Danzo's retreating back before waving his hand.

"Summon the former Minato Team."