Go to the Land of Iron
After listening to Xu Fan's reasoning, Sarutobi Hiruzen finally decided to accept his recommendation.
After all, this meeting was far from trivial—it could determine the future relationship between Konohagakure and Kumogakure.
Back during the reign of the Second Hokage, both sides had expressed interest in signing an alliance treaty. However, things ended in disaster. Kumogakure's forces were ambushed after attempting a coup, and Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, died during the mission to ensure his team's escape—choosing to act as the decoy himself.
Even now, that moment remained vivid in Konoha's memory.
That was why a sensory-type ninja was essential for this trip.
After consulting with Ibiki Morino, Sarutobi Hiruzen directly appointed Yamanaka Fu to accompany him to the Land of Iron. Though the assignment came suddenly, Fu had no right to refuse—it was a direct order from the Third Hokage.
Of course, before departing, he secretly passed word of the mission to Danzo Shimura.
"Damn you, Sarutobi…"
Danzo gritted his teeth, his breath heavy. Naturally, he had no idea that Fu had been recommended by Xu Fan himself.
Sarutobi had recently pressured him to step down as a Konoha Council advisor and to stop attending high-level meetings altogether.
"So now… you want to dismantle Root, the organization I built with my own hands."
Danzo narrowed his eyes. He was already trying to decipher Sarutobi's next move.
Just like he had done with Yamato—formerly code-named Tenzo—Sarutobi might be attempting to strip Root of its core operatives. And when Fu returned, Sarutobi could dissolve Root and absorb its forces into the Anbu under his direct command.
Fu, along with Torune of the Aburame clan, had long been the backbone of Root.
Danzo's dissatisfaction with Sarutobi's actions was already boiling over.
"Fu."
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
Fu knelt on one knee before Danzo, awaiting instructions.
While Root was ostensibly founded to serve the Hokage and support Konoha, its members were trained to follow only one person: Danzo. In their eyes, his authority outweighed even the Hokage's.
"I was planning to have the Hyuga clan hand over one of their branch family members. That would've exposed Sarutobi's weakness to the public. I'd let the outrage grow until I could force him to step down as Hokage."
"Then I would resolve the Uchiha issue… and spark a war with Kumogakure."
Danzo paused, then looked at Fu.
"But things have changed. Fu, I have a new task for you."
Meanwhile, Xu Fan had completed his preparations. He was ready to accompany Hiruzen to the Land of Iron, where the meeting with the Fourth Raikage would take place.
"If I remember correctly," Xu Fan murmured, seated calmly on a tatami mat, "the Third Raikage died during the Third Great Ninja War. He fought alone for three days and nights against ten thousand enemies to allow his men to retreat."
"In this timeline, the Raikage must be A—the Fourth."
Xu Fan recalled the manga's details, tracing the timeline in his head.
Following the death of his father, A had succeeded him and ordered his younger brother, Killer Bee, to undergo training in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning. There, Bee would learn to master the Tailed Beast Bomb and gain full control of the Eight-Tails.
"A also forbade Bee from leaving the village. Even if they were invaded, he was to defeat enemies from a distance using Tailed Beast Bombs."
In other words, there was no chance A would bring Bee to the summit in the Land of Iron.
"I wonder what kind of reward I'll get this time…" Xu Fan exhaled slowly, anticipating the next sign-in bonus.
So far, his rewards had followed a strange logic. The Ninja Academy gave him increased proficiency in elemental releases. Ichiraku Ramen improved his cooking skill. Signing in at the Hokage's office had even granted him a unique Wood Release bloodline.
Last time, he had awakened new powers at the Hyuga Clan's compound.
"Maybe this time… it'll be related to the Land of Iron. Or to the Raikage himself," he thought.
Either way, he would welcome it.
Time passed quickly, and soon the day of departure arrived.
Xu Fan joined Sarutobi Hiruzen and Yamanaka Fu at the village gates. As expected, all the luggage had been handed to Fu.
"Hiruzen is getting old, and I'm still growing, so it's only fair," Xu Fan said casually.
Fu gave him a blank stare. "Growing, huh…"
In times of war, someone Xu Fan's age could already be serving as a front-line fighter.
Still, the luggage wasn't anything outrageous—just a few changes of clothes and travel rations—so Fu didn't argue.
"Alright. Let's get going," Hiruzen said calmly, leading the way.
"I didn't expect us to actually walk…" Xu Fan muttered.
He couldn't help remembering how, during Shippuden, whether it was Naruto heading to Sunagakure or chasing Sasuke, people walked everywhere.
Even the Five Kage Summit—held in the very same Land of Iron—saw all the leaders arriving on foot.
He recalled the time Gaara was abducted by Akatsuki. Kankuro had been poisoned, and Temari still traveled with Naruto's group for three days and nights without pause.
Xu Fan sighed. "Is the world map of Naruto just tiny, or are they all just absurdly fit?"
He chuckled to himself, imagining how traveling through modern-day provinces would have been far more taxing.
Still, it was a rare opportunity to enjoy the scenery.
"Xu Fan," Hiruzen suddenly called out.
"Hm?"
"You've probably wondered why I'm not bringing more people."
"Not really," Xu Fan replied flatly. "Didn't have the time."
Hiruzen cleared his throat, clearly thrown off by the blunt answer, but continued explaining.
"The Land of Iron is a special case. Long ago, all shinobi villages agreed not to engage in hostilities there."
"Since the First Great Ninja War, the country has remained neutral. It has no hidden village and no ninja. It's protected solely by samurai."
"They're a unique people—with their own traditions, fighting style, and culture."
Hiruzen looked at Xu Fan with a serious expression.
"That neutrality is precisely why the Raikage agreed to meet there."
"I see," Xu Fan said absentmindedly, glancing back toward the village.
But in his heart, only one thought remained:
> After sunset… Danzo will never see the sun again.