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 the Crimson Moon. It is the final prophecy regarding Menma from that opposing world."

The Black Nine-Tails sat cross-legged, a flicker of memory crossing its eyes as it recounted everything it knew.

"It was when the red moon rose. Menma obtained the Book of the Crimson Moon and was just about to unify the Ninja World..."

"After Menma opened the Book of the Crimson Moon, intending to see what the prophecy regarding him truly was, a blinding light erupted, and this Seat was pulled into your body."

"This Book of the Crimson Moon seems to have merged with something extraordinary. Thanks to this book, this Seat was able to drag my other half back to the main body."

Upon hearing this, Hanazuki's interest was piqued. He examined the Book of the Crimson Moon in his hands and asked curiously, "Besides dragging your other half out, what else can it do? It couldn't possibly pull other things from the world of the Limited Tsukuyomi, could it?"

However, contrary to his expectations, the Black Nine-Tails shook its head repeatedly, looking helpless.

"This Seat has tried to pull other things out of the Book of the Crimson 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."

"But before this Seat could figure out what was happening, you came here to give me an ultimatum. How exactly did you find out?"

Hanazuki chuckled and replied as if it were obvious, "Nonsense. This is my body; of course, I know what you've hidden inside. Regardless, I'll keep this Book of the Crimson Moon for now. I'll return it once I figure out its purpose."

The moment his fingers touched the Book of the Crimson Moon, his intricate Mangekyo pattern stirred slightly, as if there were some connection, making Hanazuki temporarily reluctant to return it to the Black Nine-Tails.

"Tch, do as you please. If you find a way to use the Book of the Crimson Moon, remember to tell this Seat. I have a feeling that you, brat, have some connection to this bamboo scroll."

His figure gradually faded, and the pale blue Heart Lake returned to silence. The Black Nine-Tails let out a faint sigh and curled back into its nest, falling into a deep sleep.

In reality, the primitive bamboo scroll rested in his hand. Hanazuki looked thoughtful as his figure vanished from the border of the Land of Earth.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

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

Outnumbered, the Konoha ninja struggled to 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 Land of Fire and its surroundings, the numerous marked battlefields caused the usually composed Konoha F4 to furrow their brows.

"After declaring war on the Sand, Cloud, and Mist villages, have our front lines been stretched too thin?" Mitokado Homura scanned the map, instantly identifying the flaw.

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

"The consumption of ordinary ninja is still too high. Even if we send those 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 concern grew more evident. She looked around before continuing, "The key to victory now, just like the Battle of Mount Kikyo, is to gather Konoha's elite ninja and act as a sharp blade to sever the Rock Village's vital points."

"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 going to be Minato?"

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

Objectively speaking, the military merit earned by crushing the enemy on the battlefield was often greater than that of mere containment missions.

The reason Sarutobi Hiruzen did this was likely to cultivate a strong rival to compete with Orochimaru for the position of Hokage.

Uchiha Hanazuki was currently Orochimaru's disciple; the merits he earned would, at least in part, be attributed to Orochimaru.

That was why he had deliberately arranged for Uchiha 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 only needed to seize upon the fact that Orochimaru hadn't personally entered the battlefield in the later stages to hold him back, thereby creating a narrative where Namikaze Minato, having achieved greater merit and turned the tide of the war, could naturally step up to become the Fourth Hokage.

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

He didn't finish his sentence, but the implication was clear, causing Danzo to grit his teeth.

What "sharp blade"? It was clearly exploiting Namikaze Minato's personality, knowing he would cover for his students, to add another entry to Minato's record of merit.

"Then, where should this blade be pointed?"

Danzo spoke with intent. Sarutobi Hiruzen finally pointed to the Kannabi Bridge in the Land of Grass, his tone solemn.

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

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

Ninja with space-time summoning talents were rare, and compared to ordinary summoning, the items a scroll could store were limited.

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

"No, it's too much to ask just Minato's students to go. It would be safer to have Uchiha Hanazuki follow up. With his abilities, it would be enough to..."

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

An impeccable reason, a long-term political vision—Sarutobi Hiruzen's insight was as ruthless as when he discovered Orochimaru.

"It is settled. Leave the rest to the former Minato Team, the soon-to-be-reorganized Team Kakashi. The White Fang's son will not disappoint us."

Danzo left first, a flash of memory in his eyes. Hatake Kakashi—a young genius whose style was completely different from the White Fang's, a model ninja.

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

Sarutobi Hiruzen watched Danzo's retreating figure for a long moment before waving his hand.

"Summon the former Minato Team."