Arrival at Yoshino Town

Outside Yoshino Town.

"Lord Danzo."

A green blur flashed before Danzo.

Recognizing the newcomer, Danzo asked, "A Kai, how are things?"

Might Guy seemed far more reliable than he had in the village as he answered solemnly, "The entirety of Yoshino Town has been secured. No information will leak out."

"The accommodations and food have also been prepared."

Danzo nodded and addressed the group behind him. "Everyone, go into town and rest. After today, life will get rough."

"Don't draw attention or cause trouble once you enter town. We're only staying for one night."

After giving a few instructions, Danzo took the lead into the small town.

Faced with the massive ninja force, the residents of Yoshino Town were somewhat panicked. They hid in their homes one after another, peering cautiously through their windows.

Might Guy pointed at a trembling old man standing in the street. "This is the Town Chief."

"Hello, hello."

Danzo approached the Town Chief amiably and held out his hand. Ignoring the frightened expression on the Town Chief's face, he took his hand and shook it. "I'm truly sorry for causing you trouble this time."

The fear on the Town Chief's face turned strange. He had never seen a ninja treat civilians with such politeness and friendliness.

Though there was no clearly defined class system, status throughout the ninja world was obvious enough.

Aside from ordinary people such as the Fire Country Daimyo and other influential figures who considered themselves nobles, ninjas unquestionably held the highest status.

Samurai, who possessed strength and were not low in status themselves, ranked second.

Civilians, who possessed neither status nor strength, ranked last.

Any ninja, even the weakest Genin from any ninja village, would be respectfully addressed as "Lord Ninja" upon arriving in such a small village or town.

"We'll only stay here for one night. After we leave tomorrow, someone will seal off this place for roughly a day. I ask that the Town Chief help calm the residents. Once we return victorious, there will naturally be compensation for your losses." Danzo noticed the confusion on his face but did not care much about it.

If something could be settled peacefully, he did not want to put on a cold face and threaten people.

"Understood, understood."

The Town Chief agreed at once, feeling much more at ease.

At least the young man before him seemed easy to talk to, unlike the ninjas from past wars. Still, he looked somewhat familiar.

The Town Chief did not recognize Danzo, but Danzo recognized him.

As a town not far from the border between the two countries, Yoshino Town had served as a Konoha garrison more than once.

More than ten years ago, this man had already been the Town Chief. Danzo's original body had once led a team to garrison here, and the middle-aged Danzo back then had certainly not treated this man kindly.

After arranging the accommodations, Danzo looked exhausted and told Might Guy to wake him that night. He found a room, lay down, and immediately fell into a deep sleep.

Danzo had truly been unable to rest well during the past few days of travel.

On the physical attributes panel, his body was only at C+ level, which was indeed rather low compared to his other attributes.

Because of the journey, Danzo had nearly spent the ten Skill Points he had painstakingly saved on Endurance Amplification. But to avoid any unexpected changes in the coming conflict, he held back.

Earning these people's recognition and respect was not as easy as imagined. Skill Points were hard to come by.

By the time he woke, the sky had already darkened, and the following main force had also arrived at Yoshino Town.

Several key figures had arrived as well. Once Danzo, the commander-in-chief, woke up, they could begin the prewar meeting.

"My apologies. I was truly a little exhausted."

After sleeping, Danzo felt much more refreshed. By the time he arrived at the conference room, everyone else was already present.

"It's no matter. Lord Danzo has more matters to consider and bears greater pressure. We understand," the head of a small clan said, skillfully offering flattery.

The others looked at Danzo without complaint.

After all, seniority was there. It was understandable for an old man to need more rest.

These people did not yet know that Danzo's body had returned to youth along with its physical functions.

Since they were being so considerate, Danzo was happy to accept it. He nodded, took the main seat, and said to Yume Ryoma beside him, "Ryoma, report to everyone on Kumogakure's situation first."

Yume Ryoma nodded and began reporting on the information Root had gathered about Kumogakure during this period.

"The matter of the Land of Lightning delegation has likely been exposed. Kumogakure's forces assembled at the border appear to be increasing."

"However, based on information from Kumogakure spies, we have already confirmed the location of their main force."

Ryoma spread a map across the table. It showed the Land of Fire, the Land of Lightning, and the various large and small towns, villages, and place names surrounding them.

"This place is called Si Ming Mountain." Ryoma pointed to an area of the Land of Lightning close to the Land of Fire. "Kumogakure's main force is gathered here. Around Si Ming Mountain are many other small mountains and villages, with quite a few ninjas hidden among them."

With the enemy's precise location, things became much easier.

After all, they were currently hidden in the dark. Kumogakure most likely still did not know that they had arrived at the border.

"Has it been confirmed who is leading Kumogakure's side?" Fugaku asked.

"According to intelligence, both the Jinchuriki and the Fourth Raikage are still inside Kumogakure," Ryoma said. "We speculate that Kumogakure's commander this time is likely Lava Release Dodai, who experienced the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars."

"At present, he is the only person in Kumogakure besides the Fourth Raikage qualified to command."

"Dodai?" Danzo nodded. He had seen this man in the original body's memories.

Dodai had participated in the Second and Third Shinobi World Wars and had been the Third Raikage's capable assistant. He was indeed one of the few people in Kumogakure currently qualified to command a war.

Though that was what Danzo thought, his face was filled with disdain. "Just a rigid old fellow. Nothing to fear."

Hearing Danzo call someone else an old fellow, several people present found it rather amusing.

This was not merely to boost morale. Danzo was also stating a fact.

Kirigakure's ninjas had already gathered at the border, and the Land of Lightning Daimyo had replied to him, revealing an unusually clear desire for peace.

However, Danzo had tossed the matter back to the Land of Lightning Daimyo and told him to negotiate with Kumogakure himself.

Before long, the Raikage would likely have Kumogakure withdraw its forces and propose peace.

How well Danzo fought this battle was only meant to determine how much benefit he could secure when the Land of Lightning sought peace afterward.

At the very least, it could not be less than the supplies the Land of Fire had promised the Land of Water.

Of course, this time was also mainly to harvest a wave of Skill Points and, incidentally, bring himself from behind the scenes into the open.