Inside the Hokage's office,
Minato Namikaze sat across from Danzo.
"Raikage… he really hasn't changed a bit," Minato said, setting down the intel Danzo had delivered.
Kumogakure had held a high-level meeting, during which the Raikage proposed launching an attack on the Land of Fire while Konohagakure was locked in a standoff with Iwagakure.
However, Kumogakure had yet to fully recover from the Third Shinobi War. Many elders in the village were deeply opposed to the Fourth Raikage's aggressive approach, advocating instead for a period of rest and recovery.
With no agreement in sight, the Raikage had personally assembled 2,000 of his loyal shinobi and headed for the border. Root's external intelligence division quickly caught wind of the movement.
The Raikage's hot-headed nature made even Minato shake his head.
"I've fought him before. He's no pushover. Who should we send to handle this?"
"Have Hiashi Hyuga lead the charge. I'll take Root to provide support."
"Good idea," Minato agreed with a nod. The Hyuga clan was the best choice for this mission, and keeping any one group from monopolizing power within the village was important.
Their enemy's forces, including the 1,000 stationed at the border, totaled 3,000. Most were younger shinobi fanatically loyal to the Raikage.
Launching a full-scale invasion of the Land of Fire seemed unlikely—they'd probably just aim to take advantage of the situation, a classic Kumogakure tactic.
Within seven days, Danzo and Hiashi led a small team of elite shinobi to rendezvous with the stationed border forces.
"Danzo-sama, Hiashi-sama..."
The leader of the border squad was a female shinobi, around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old. While female shinobi weren't uncommon, it was rare for someone so young to be in charge of such a critical outpost.
The border was permanently manned by 1,000 shinobi. This woman, named Kamimi Ikawa, had an impressive, curvaceous figure that stood out even among the five jonin who had come to greet them. According to the records, she had been promoted by Jiraiya during the Third Shinobi War.
Danzo observed Kamimi, who knelt before him in her tight-fitting uniform.
"No need for formalities. Brief us on the current situation."
"Yes, Danzo-sama."
The Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning didn't share a direct border. There had been a small country between them, but Kumogakure wiped it out during the Second Shinobi War.
For decades, the region had been a lawless no-man's-land, home to rogue shinobi, refugees, missing-nin, and bounty hunters.
After the Third Shinobi War, the once-bloody battlefield had been reduced to an empty wasteland.
The Raikage had just reached the border camp, and it wouldn't be long before they made their move on Konohagakure's defenses.
"I plan to launch a surprise attack on the Kumogakure camp. How many can you spare for defense?" Danzo asked after gathering the necessary intel.
"We have five jonin and one hundred chunin who fought in the Third Shinobi War." Kamimi placed a fist over her chest, bowing respectfully.
Danzo nodded. He was satisfied with a hundred experienced shinobi. Even though there were likely more chunin stationed here, those with battlefield experience were what mattered most.
"Hiashi, oversee the defense of the camp. I'll take Root to cripple Kumogakure's morale. Any objections?"
"I'll leave it to you, Danzo-sama." Hiashi then turned to another shinobi. "Zensuke, take 100 shinobi and follow Danzo-sama's orders."
Despite his role as commander, Hiashi dared not show any arrogance around Danzo. Danzo was essentially Konoha's second-in-command—an elite shinobi with Kage-level strength and his own faction within the village.
In truth, every village was made up of numerous factions—Danzo's Root, the Uchiha, the Hyuga, and others. It was normal to show respect to the strong, and no one thought otherwise.
...
Three days later, on an empty plain...
A squad of shinobi sprinted across the landscape, moving quickly and efficiently.
"Once we crest that hill, we'll be at Kumogakure's camp," Kamimi informed Danzo.
"Zensuke, lock onto the Raikage the moment you see him," Danzo ordered.
"Yes, sir."
Kamimi hesitated, her expression uneasy. "Isn't this a bit reckless?"
Given their lack of stealth, the Kumogakure forces had likely already spotted them.
"Woman, just lead the way," Pakura, one of Danzo's Root operatives, sneered. Her dislike for Kamimi was apparent, surpassing even her disdain for Nonō Yakushi.
"Pakura." Danzo's tone turned cold. He'd told Pakura countless times before, but she still lacked the discipline expected of Root members.
If it weren't for her loyalty, strength, and usefulness, Danzo would have sent her to the Land of Rivers long ago.
"Yes, sir," Pakura responded respectfully, though she inwardly bristled. However, she didn't dare openly defy Danzo. Her animosity toward Kamimi only deepened—Danzo's reprimand was entirely Kamimi's fault, in her eyes.
Danzo turned his gaze to Kamimi, who was running steadily by his side without the slightest sign of fatigue.
"Stay by Zensuke's side and protect yourself. Leave the Raikage's guards to Pakura and Root."
"Yes, sir," Kamimi replied respectfully. Internally, however, she felt a twinge of frustration. She'd somehow earned someone's hostility and was now being underestimated.
As a civilian-born shinobi, Kamimi had reached the peak of her potential. Managing an outpost was already the highest honor she could achieve.
Yet this invasion by Kumogakure presented an incredible opportunity—a chance to enter Konoha's upper echelon.
Unfortunately, things weren't off to a great start.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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