Danzo Colludes with Hanzō

Tsunade slammed her hand on the desk and said in a loud voice, "The geographical environment of the Land of Rain is special, as it borders the Land of Fire, the Land of Wind, and the Land of Earth at the same time. Once we send people into the Land of Rain and provoke Sunagakure, we will also be stimulating the nerves of the Land of Earth. Will Ōnoki sit back and do nothing when that happens?"

"Regarding this, do you have anything to say, Shikaku?"

The Third Hokage glanced at Shikaku Nara.

Shikaku Nara smiled as he stood up, and said unhurriedly, "Tsunade, if the village sends people into the Land of Rain, it will indeed simultaneously provoke the nerves of Sunagakure, Amegakure, and even Iwagakure, but we also need to consider Iwagakure's enemies."

"In the past two years, Kumogakure has frequently harassed and raided the borders of the Land of Earth. Iwagakure and Kumogakure have broken out in quite a few small-scale conflicts. I think everyone should understand what I mean."

"Even if Iwagakure is eventually dragged into this, the enemy we need to face should still be Sunagakure, not Iwagakure."

Daring to propose such a plan, Shikaku Nara had also considered the existence of Iwagakure. Fortunately, the conflicts and constant friction between Iwagakure and Kumogakure in recent years had not been small, which gave Konoha an opportunity.

However, a plan like this was somewhat risky. It would be fine if Iwagakure did not participate on a large scale, but once Iwagakure sent a large number of shinobi to join the war, Konoha might end up being besieged.

"I hope so."

Since Shikaku Nara had already considered these things, Tsunade, who naturally disliked bothering with such matters, simply chose to remain silent.

This was merely a targeted meeting, not a combat strategy meeting, because Konoha had no intention of going to war with Sunagakure.

At least not yet.

After the meeting ended, the contents of the meeting were delivered directly into the hands of Shimura Danzō.

Shimura Danzō, who was currently pondering how to persuade Hanzō, knew that his opportunity had arrived.

Days passed one by one, and the camp remained the same as usual. The New Year had not brought any changes to the camp.

Jingyi, who was still waiting for the fetal movement of the Tenseigan to end, was unaware that the fuse of the Second Shinobi World War was about to ignite.

In the Naruto anime and manga, the information and background regarding the Second Shinobi World War were not extensively introduced. It was simply briefly stated that the war was caused by the uneven economic development among various countries and villages.

Then, a chaotic, melee-like war erupted just like that.

The Land of Rain directly degenerated into a battlefield. Konoha fought Sunagakure, Iwagakure fought Konoha, and Sunagakure fought Iwagakure in turn. Then, an intolerant Hanzō led Amegakure to declare war on Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure, intensifying the situation of this chaotic melee.

The three major shinobi villages battered each other's brains out while simultaneously fighting Amegakure.

The entire Land of Rain was thrown into utter chaos.

In Amegakure, a few guests with special identities arrived and received an audience with Hanzō.

Inside the spacious office, only Shimura Danzō and Hanzō sat together.

"I wonder what business brings the Hokage Advisor to my Amegakure."

Shimura Danzō had been stripped of all his positions due to offending Mito Uzumaki. Such a matter was, after all, disgraceful, and in Konoha, it was only known to a small internal circle, without being publicized to the outside world.

Therefore, Hanzō did not know that the Shimura Danzō sitting before him was no longer any Hokage Advisor.

"I have come for a transaction—a transaction that is beneficial to both Amegakure and Konoha."

Shimura Danzō said indifferently.

"What transaction?"

Hanzō furrowed his brows. He was not a man to be manipulated at will by others, even if Shimura Danzō's status represented Konoha.

Under his leadership, Amegakure had become much more active than before, covertly and overtly snatching away some interests that belonged to Konoha.

Yet, it could not be considered enmity with Konoha, because these meager interests were not worth the two villages going to extreme measures.

Shimura Danzō said calmly, "Sunagakure has frequently sent people into the Land of Rivers to provoke Konoha, and the village held a meeting for this reason. During the meeting, someone brought up Amegakure, believing that Amegakure's strength has already formed a threat. Therefore, they want to persuade the Hokage to send people into the Land of Rain to draw the attention of Sunagakure and Iwagakure."

"What?"

Hanzō's expression changed drastically, and he stood up angrily, "Whose suggestion was this?"

Was this not placing Amegakure on a roasting fire?

If Konoha sent people into the Land of Rain, Sunagakure would definitely follow suit. Once Sunagakure also stepped in, Iwagakure would not pretend not to see it, and the friction between the three villages could trigger a war at any moment.

By then, the Land of Rain would be reduced to a battlefield for Konoha, Sunagakure, and Iwagakure.

"Whose suggestion it is does not matter. What matters is that in the eyes of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Amegakure already poses a threat."

What on earth was this fellow getting at?

Having experienced the initial panic, Hanzō quickly calmed down. He did not believe that the man would come all the way here to see him without reason and share such important intelligence. There had to be a purpose behind it, and the ambition behind it was likely not small.

Then the question arose.

What could possibly exist in Amegakure, or even the Land of Rain, that was worth this Hokage Advisor coveting?

"Danzo, state your purpose."

Having calmed down, Hanzō sat back down in his chair and poured himself a cup of water.

"Help me kill someone, and I will do my utmost in the village to oppose the proposal of sending people into the Land of Rain."

Shimura Danzō had no mood to play games of suspicion with Hanzō, and bluntly stated his objective.

"Kill someone?"

Hanzō instantly grew vigilant, staring scrutinizingly at Shimura Danzō. "Danzo, you have come from afar and brought intelligence that the village needs. I am grateful to you, but neither the old man nor Amegakure will interfere in Konoha's internal conflicts."

Was the intelligence brought by Shimura Danzō important?

It was important, otherwise Hanzō would not have said words like I am grateful to you.

However, Hanzō would not accept the other party's proposal.

To make Shimura Danzō dangle such bait to lure him, the person Shimura Danzō wanted to kill must certainly not be simple. It might even be some high-ranking figure in Konoha.

Once he did it, it would be equivalent to declaring war on Konoha, and Amegakure could not withstand Konoha's wrath.

"Jingyi Hyuga. This is your target. The other party is merely a medical-nin, and his strength is not particularly strong, but he is highly valued by Lady Mito, so I cannot make a move myself."

"???"

Not a high-ranking Konoha official, just a minor medical-nin, except that he was valued by the big shot Mito Uzumaki?

For a moment, Hanzō was somewhat baffled as to what Shimura Danzō was trying to do.

A medical-nin with weak strength—with Shimura Danzō's strength and methods, he should have been able to easily wipe out the other party. Why would he come and beg him?

Could this be a trap?

Wait, Hyuga? Was the person Shimura Danzō wanted to kill a member of the Hyuga Clan?

"This is the intelligence dossier. I will leave one person behind to await news. Once the deed is done, I will do my utmost to lobby the others to prevent the village from sending people into the Land of Rain."

"Furthermore, this entire matter from beginning to end is solely your own action, Hanzō. It has nothing to do with me, and I will not acknowledge today's transaction."

Leaving Jingyi's dossier behind, Shimura Danzō stood up and walked away.

If the village had not held a meeting targeting Sunagakure, it would have been very difficult for him to persuade Hanzō.

Now, however, things were different. The initiative was in his hands. For the sake of Amegakure and the Land of Rain, Hanzō had no choice but to agree.

"Danzo, the old man hasn't agreed to you yet!"