From Today On, Your Name Is Fool!

"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!" Danzo's hands flew through a series of seals, and he spat out several crossing blades of wind. They spread in a fan, their fierce pressure sweeping through the air and shredding every remaining fragment of rock.

"Danzo! You're sending a brat to kill me? Heh. Aren't you afraid he'll die by my hand?" Jianyan sneered as Hatake Sakumo charged straight at him.

"Looks like the only thing Iwagakure's good at is talking." A mocking smile tugged at Sakumo's lips.

Then he burst forward with the Body Flicker Technique. Blue lightning crackled around the Ninja Blade in his hand as he brought its razor-sharp edge down on Jianyan.

Jianyan's pupils contracted. Rock surged over both his arms, and he raised them with all his strength to block the sudden strike.

"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"

SZZT—!!

Lightning flared. The sharp blade cut through the hardened rock like a hot knife through butter, shattering one of his arms in a single stroke.

Agony tore through Jianyan. He roared and swung his other massive stone fist down at Sakumo's head with crushing force.

Sakumo pivoted aside from the blow, slid forward close to the rock wall, and struck in a flash of steel.

Shnk!

The lightning-wreathed blade pierced Jianyan's chest clean through.

His enormous body went rigid. The rocky shell around him cracked and peeled away.

Jianyan lowered his head and stared in disbelief at the blade protruding from his chest. A strangled rasp escaped his throat before his massive body toppled, striking the ground with a thunderous crash and throwing up a great cloud of dust.

A veteran Iwagakure Jonin had fallen.

Hatake Sakumo drew out his Ninja Blade as the Lightning Release Chakra faded. He wiped a spatter of blood from his cheek, his expression calm.

Danzo saw it from afar and walked over. After glancing down at Jianyan's corpse, he looked toward the remaining Iwagakure soldiers still fighting and called out his orders.

"The Iwagakure commander is dead! Wipe out the remaining enemy forces! Each unit, take a sector, clear the battlefield, and treat the wounded!"

The orders spread across the battlefield.

The Konoha Ninja rallied and pressed their attack. Without their commander, the Iwagakure forces lost heart completely, and their resistance quickly collapsed.

"One more thing. Check the Iwagakure bodies. If any had a Kekkei Genkai, seal them at once and send them back to the village."

"Before we left, Hiruko specifically asked me to bring back samples from Iwagakure shinobi with inherited abilities." Danzo's expression softened slightly as he gave the Sealing Squad shinobi his instructions.

"Yes, Lord Danzo!" The Sealing Squad shinobi accepted the order and led his team across the battlefield.

Thinking of Hiruko, Danzo privately approved. The boy might not have been a top talent in combat ninjutsu, but when it came to research, he ranked among Konoha's best.

Besides, Hiruko was utterly loyal to Kagami.

Danzo had the Research Department's work to thank for the restoration of his arm, too.

Yes... As combat shinobi, we ought to give them what they need.

The smoke over the battlefield slowly thinned, and the sounds of fighting gradually died away.

Groans from the wounded rose and fell alongside calls from those taking stock of supplies.

The Konoha Ninja gathered weapons, searched for survivors, buried the dead, and collected Kunai, scrolls, and whatever ninja tools remained.

Danzo stood with his hands behind his back, gazing over the ravaged battlefield.

He turned to Hatake Sakumo beside him and spoke.

"Sakumo, you took the Iwagakure commander's head. The greatest credit goes to you."

"You truly are one of the finest talents of Konoha's younger generation. Kagami was right to think so highly of you!"

Sakumo nodded slightly, steady-faced. "I only did my duty. As my teacher's student, I should cut down every enemy who comes for him."

A faint smile appeared on Danzo's usually stern face, and he nodded with satisfaction.

"Danzo, it's a good thing you arrived when you did."

Torifu Akimichi approached slowly, supported by Jiraiya.

Danzo turned to Torifu. Without a word, he stepped forward and gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder.

Then he turned and called sharply, "Orochimaru!"

"Here!" Orochimaru stepped forward and answered respectfully.

"The three of you did well this time. You didn't let Hiruzen down."

"But this isn't the time to relax. Go to the Daimyo of the Land of Grass immediately and deliver a message for me."

"Konoha's army traveled a thousand miles to aid the Land of Grass and crushed Iwagakure's invasion. How does he intend to repay that favor?"

"Yes, Lord Danzo. But there's something I don't understand," Orochimaru said, a trace of puzzlement on his face.

"Speak."

"Lord Danzo, won't putting this kind of pressure on them provoke a backlash? Kusagakure is still in the Land of Grass."

"Oh? You mean those Grass Ninja who wagged their tails and groveled before the Iwagakure forces invading their own country?"

"Don't worry. That little village didn't even dare offend Iwagakure. Do you think they'll pick a fight with Konoha?"

"To be safe, take Jiraiya with you. Tsunade will stay and treat the wounded."

"Oh, and I hear this generation's Grass Ninja Leader is called Caomang? Tell him that from today on, his name is Fool. If he objects, I'll pay him a visit myself!"

Danzo waved them off, signaling for the two to leave at once.

Jiraiya's eyes lit up as he listened. He reached over and tugged at Orochimaru's sleeve.

Then Orochimaru and Jiraiya turned and headed straight for the Capital of the Land of Grass.

"Danzo, aren't we going to press our advantage and take Blackstone Fortress?" Torifu Akimichi asked, perplexed.

"Heh, no need. Lord Hokage has already given his orders. I'll explain when we get back to camp."

Danzo answered evenly, then ordered a messenger ninja, "Tell Iwami, who's stationed outside Blackstone Fortress, to withdraw with all his troops."

"Yes!"

The messenger ninja departed. Danzo turned back to Torifu and said quietly:

"That's enough, Torifu. Don't dwell on it. Finish clearing the battlefield and tally our losses as soon as possible."

"Then it'll be time to report our achievements to Lord Hokage."

Torifu Akimichi nodded and said no more.

On the main road to the Capital of the Land of Grass, the young Orochimaru and Jiraiya pressed onward without stopping.

Restless as ever, Jiraiya looked around the whole way, taking in the local sights and muttering about what Danzo had said.

"Seriously, Orochimaru, Lord Danzo was ruthless. He just went and renamed the Grass Ninja Leader! Fool... Hah! If that gets around, Caomang will never live it down."

"So that's how the older generation does things!"

Orochimaru's narrow eyes passed over the blighted countryside along the road. There was no trace of a smile on his face.

"Heh. The Land of Grass may not have openly helped Iwagakure, but it stood by and let their army pass through. That makes it an accomplice."

"If Konoha's shinobi hadn't fought to stop them, what you see here today would be the Land of Fire tomorrow!"

"Lord Danzo intends to make the Daimyo of the Land of Grass repay the debt. This is diplomacy. One misstep could spark another conflict."

Jiraiya dropped his joking manner and nodded. "I get it. Still, when Iwagakure attacked, the people of Kusagakure hid off to the side and didn't dare lift a finger. We stopped the disaster for them. Asking for something in return is only fair."

Orochimaru paused, then said in a low voice, "The Land of Grass sits between Iwagakure and Konoha. It plays both sides, bending whichever way the wind blows. Handle this badly, and it might turn to Iwagakure next."

"But that's the tragedy of a small country."

They hurried on, and before long the Capital of the Land of Grass came into view.

The city was far from grand. Its walls were old and weathered, the soldiers guarding its gate looked exhausted, and unease showed on the faces of the people passing in and out.

The battle between Iwagakure and Konoha had only just ended, and the Iwagakure army had only recently withdrawn. The whole Capital remained under a pall of tension.

Inside the city, a grim air hung over the streets. Samurai of the Land of Grass patrolled alongside Grass Ninja. Many saw the Konoha attire, looked at the two with wary eyes, and hurried out of their way.

The two went straight to the Daimyo's residence.

At the sight of two Konoha Ninja, the guards stiffened and immediately stepped forward to stop them.

"Who are you? This is the residence of the Daimyo of the Land of Grass. You may not enter without permission."

Orochimaru remained composed and answered with measured courtesy. "We are Konoha Ninja, sent by our village to see your Daimyo. We have important news for him."

The guard hesitated. Unwilling to decide for himself, he hurried inside to report their arrival.

Before long, an attendant emerged from the residence and bowed. "My lords, please follow me. The Daimyo is waiting in the main hall."

They passed through corridor after corridor. In the main hall, the Daimyo of the Land of Grass sat in the seat of honor. He was old, and anxiety showed plainly on his face. Beside him stood a man wearing a Grass Ninja Forehead Protector: Caomang, the Grass Ninja Leader.

Caomang was of average build, with a sullen face. His eyes stayed fixed on the two Konoha youths entering the hall, wary yet unwilling to yield.

The air in the hall was tense. No one wasted time on pleasantries.

Orochimaru stepped forward and gave a slight, proper bow. "Your Excellency, Daimyo of the Land of Grass, Lord Danzo has entrusted us with a message."

"Iwagakure invaded your country in force. War swept across your land, and you nearly fell into their hands. Konoha's army traveled a thousand miles and fought a bloody battle at Broken Cloud Gorge. We broke the main Iwagakure force and killed its commander. That is why the Land of Grass remains yours."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall, then continued evenly, "In return for that aid, Konoha hopes your country will offer appropriate compensation."

The Daimyo leaned forward slightly, his face troubled. "Our country will, of course, remember Konoha's kindness. But we are a small and impoverished nation. We simply cannot provide much in the way of supplies..."

Caomang took a sharp step forward, his brows drawn tight and anger straining beneath his voice. "Konoha may have driven Iwagakure back, but your army entered our territory and fought a war here, causing our country enormous losses. Now you demand compensation too? That's asking too much!"

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and was about to speak.

Orochimaru lifted a hand to stop him, then turned to Caomang. "You're the Grass Ninja Leader?"

"I am. What of it?" Caomang snapped.

"Lord Danzo asked me to pass along a message. From today on, your name is Fool."

"If that displeases you, feel free to say so. Lord Danzo will come in person and discuss it with you face-to-face."