Chapter 39

"Yeah. Sunagakure's movements have been strange. They've sent a large number of people to search the desert and the Land of Rivers for something. Something big must have happened."

"Their conflicts with Konoha are getting worse by the day. The smell of war is getting stronger. Our Uchiha clan's taverns and shops in the Land of Rivers have all been affected. They might go to war any day now."

He turned to Hao and Mikoto, his tone becoming more serious. "You two should be more careful when taking missions lately. Stay away from the Land of Wind, and don't go looking for danger."

Although both of them were already among the more capable Jōnin, Qianyi still could not put his mind at ease.

When war truly came, even Jōnin might not return alive.

Hao and Mikoto exchanged a glance and nodded solemnly. "We'll remember."

Uchiha Yan, who was seated beside them, frowned after hearing this.

"Don't rush off later. I've prepared something for each of you to keep in reserve. Take it out when your life is on the line—it might save you."

He was too young. No matter how strong he was, he could not reveal it to the outside world, much less leave the village. He could only help his family this way.

Mikoto and Hao felt warmth rise in their hearts. "Thank you."

After the meal, Uchiha Yan turned and entered the underground laboratory.

More than ten minutes later, he returned with three scrolls and handed one each to Qianyi, Hao, and Mikoto.

"Just pour chakra into the scroll when you need it, and it'll activate on its own. As for what it does, you'll understand when the time comes."

Those Sealing Scrolls actually contained a considerable amount of Uchiha Yan's chakra.

Once activated, they could summon a Shadow Clone with roughly seventy percent of his chakra reserves.

He had temporarily created that chakra by repeatedly converting spiritual power and Innate Qi.

Each Shadow Clone could unleash Near-Kage Level strength, enough to handle most situations.

Besides, when it came to spiritual power, even with his Near-Kage Level combat strength, he could hold out for a while if he truly clashed head-on with a Kage Level expert.

That was enough time for Mikoto and the others to escape.

"Mm! (Thanks, little brother!)"

Mikoto and Uchiha Hao hurriedly accepted them and thanked him.

Uchiha Senichi, however, looked over his scroll twice and found it rather amusing. Turning to Uchiha Yan, he said, "I get one too? Honestly, with my strength, I don't think I'll need something like this, right?"

After all, he was now a Kage Level expert.

Even among Kage Level experts, he was not weak.

And he was growing stronger every single day.

He was not boasting. If he truly wanted to run, there were not many people in the Ninja World who could stop him.

Before he could finish, Uchiha Meixin glared at her husband and scolded, "You sure have a lot to say! It's our son's heartfelt gesture. If he gives it to you, just take it!"

"What do you mean, what you think? How strong do you think you are now?"

Hearing Uchiha Meixin's lecture, Uchiha Senichi's head immediately began to ache.

He regretted it deeply.

Why did I have to run my mouth?

"Fine, fine, fine! I'll take it!"

He quickly raised both hands in surrender.

Kumogakure, the Raikage's office.

The Third Raikage held the intelligence report in his hand, his brows lifting slightly as he turned to ask the ninja beside him, "Dodai, is this information accurate? The Third Kazekage really disappeared? Sunagakure truly plans to go to war with Konoha?"

Dodai immediately nodded. "It can basically be confirmed. I even suspect that the Third Kazekage has already died for some unknown reason."

"According to the news sent back by our spy embedded in Sunagakure, Konoha probably wasn't behind it."

"This seems more like the work of someone within their own village."

"However, judging from Sunagakure's current movements, they clearly intend to pin the blame on Konoha. They'll likely declare war on Konoha soon to redirect their internal and external conflicts and deny the other villages an opportunity to take advantage."

"We were lucky to get such detailed information this time. That spy has good luck."

"Lord Raikage, perhaps we can make use of this opportunity."

It would be unreasonable not to gain something from such a good opportunity.

After hearing him out, the Third Raikage nodded, narrowing his eyes as he asked in a low voice, "They still haven't found a suitable candidate for the Two-Tails Jinchuriki, have they?"

"Hm?"

Dodai froze for a moment, then immediately understood what the Third Raikage meant and quickly nodded. "That's right, we haven't selected anyone suitable yet. Not just anyone can become a Tailed Beast's Jinchuriki."

The Third Raikage nodded, then changed the subject. "Konoha has an orphan from the Uzumaki family, right? That should be the vessel they prepared for the Nine-Tails."

"Have our informants in Konoha keep a close eye on that girl. Find out when she usually goes out, which routes she takes, and where she lives."

"Once Konoha and Sunagakure start fighting, send an elite squad over and find a way to snatch her back."

Kumogakure had always coveted the unique Kekkei Genkai of the major ninja villages. They had done plenty of things like stealing and plundering.

Dodai was stunned by this, hesitating before he spoke. "Lord Raikage, that Uzumaki girl may already be the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Think about it—Mito Uzumaki hasn't appeared in years."

"Two years ago, Konoha strengthened its security once. The intelligence division speculated that Mito Uzumaki might have transferred the Nine-Tails to that girl at that time, then passed away."

"If that's true, then that girl is the new Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Konoha will definitely have elite Anbu watching her. It probably won't be easy to get her."

Snatching a reserve Jinchuriki and snatching a true Jinchuriki were worlds apart in difficulty.

But the Third Raikage's thinking was completely different. Rather than abandoning the idea, his eyes lit up. "Wouldn't that be even better?"

"If she really is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, bringing her back means we gain another Nine-Tails."

"Konoha would lose its Tailed Beast trump card, and we wouldn't have to fear them anymore."

"When the time comes, all we need to do is stir things up a little. The other three major ninja villages definitely won't miss this chance. They'll besiege Konoha together and carve it up."

"If Mito Uzumaki were still around, I'd have to think twice. That woman truly isn't easy to deal with."

"But if she's gone, then a mere Nine-Tails Jinchuriki who hasn't grown up yet is nothing worth mentioning."

"Besides, didn't you just say Sunagakure is about to go to war with Konoha?"

"Once they start fighting, where will Konoha find the energy to argue with us?"

"And precisely because Konoha is about to fight Sunagakure, there will definitely be gaps in the village's defenses. That's our opportunity."

Though the Third Raikage was built like a mountain of muscle and looked like a brute, those who knew him understood that he was actually an old fox.

When it came to schemes, he was no worse than Ōnoki. Anyone who focused only on his fists was bound to suffer.

After hearing this, Dodai nodded in agreement. "Lord Raikage is right. Then we'll proceed as you say?"

"Mm."

The Third Raikage said gravely, "Oversee this personally. Don't let anything go wrong."

Konoha, inside an Uchiha clan tavern.

In a private room, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru had gathered for a rare drinking session.

"Jiraiya, didn't you always brag to Orochimaru and me about how amazing your student Minato was?"

Holding a cup of sake, Tsunade proudly gulped it down, laughter written across her face. "I think he's just average. Compared to my student Xuan, he isn't worth mentioning."

There was genuine satisfaction in her tone, as though years of pent-up resentment had finally found an outlet.

Jiraiya's brows knitted together at once, and the corners of his mouth drooped. "I heard about him when I returned to the village. His reputation is certainly impressive, but who knows whether he really has any skill?"

He snorted. "No matter how gifted he is, he's still just a three- or four-year-old brat. How powerful could he be? I don't believe it."

His student Minato was the best in the world. How could he lose to some little Uchiha brat? Tsunade had to be doing this on purpose.