That Danzo Shimura could grow Root to its current size was due in part to Hiruzen Sarutobi's hesitation and softness toward outsiders. Many who joined Root had lost family in war and carried deep hatred toward other villages. The ninja wearing black sunglasses, with a purple mark on the right side of his face and hailing from the Aburame Clan, was one of the Hawk Faction as well.
"Ryoma."
Danzo Shimura spoke his name, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "I will place you into this escort team. I still have people at the border, and I will temporarily give you command." He paused, eyes narrowing. "If Kumogakure accepts this so called explanation, then fine. But if they keep pushing, add fuel to the fire."
Since Kumogakure had pressed again and again, Hiruzen should not blame him for steering village opinion. Konoha was weaker than before, but that did not mean Kumogakure had the right to stand over its head. Did they really think Tobirama Senju's Forbidden Technique existed only for display?
"Yes, Danzo-sama!"
Aburame Ryoma kept his head lowered, unable to hide the excitement on his face.
Thunder roared.
On a towering, cloud-wrapped peak in the Land of Lightning, Kumogakure was awakened by the sound of thunder carried on the path of a white serpent across the sky. Violent winds howled as dark clouds rolled together, forming a massive vortex above the village. It looked as if some huge beast were struggling within, flashes of white lightning lighting up the office of the Raikage.
Wearing only a white cloak that revealed his powerful build, Fourth Raikage sat behind his desk. Beside him stood Mabui, with green eyes, silver hair, and brown skin, holding a stack of documents. He scanned the scroll and let out a mocking laugh.
"So that old man Hiruzen Sarutobi really swallowed it?" Fourth Raikage said in a deep, rough voice. "The older he gets, the more useless he becomes. If he had pushed back hard, I might have respected him."
He turned to Mabui but did not see the reaction he expected. Instead, she frowned, clearly thinking. Seeing this, Fourth Raikage grew serious. "Is there another problem?"
They had failed to start a war, but at least half their goals should have been met. They obtained a member of the Hyuga Clan Main Family, drove a wedge between the Hokage and the clans, and tested Konoha's outward strength and inner weakness.
"Raikage-sama, it just feels too smooth," Mabui said, her brows drawn together. "Earlier, the daimyo's attitude was vague. I worry that Konoha might have seized on some mistake, which is why Hiruzen Sarutobi decided so quickly."
The ultimatum from the Land of Lightning daimyo had been delivered only to the Land of Fire daimyo, then passed on to Hiruzen Sarutobi as the Hokage. Because of this, Fourth Raikage and Mabui did not know that the Land of Lightning daimyo had misunderstood their demand. To her, it simply looked like Konoha had given in far too fast.
Even though the Third Hokage had been firm internally since returning to power, he should not have been able to suppress opposition so quickly. That was the head of the Hyuga Clan Main Family, and the Hyuga Clan would not yield easily. From the start, she believed open war was more likely than Konoha handing over Hiashi Hyuga.
"So you think there is a trap?" Fourth Raikage asked, his voice calmer now.
"Yes," Mabui nodded. "I suggest sending someone to ask the daimyo directly. If something went wrong, it likely happened there."
Fourth Raikage frowned. Even with his usual toughness, he had to treat the daimyo as an equal and disliked getting entangled. He also knew that the daimyo did not truly want war with the Land of Fire, especially since the end of the Third Shinobi World War was still recent and recovery was needed.
If there was a mistake, it was hard to tell whether it was deliberate or not. Still, as Konoha's longtime rival, Fourth Raikage understood them well. If they did not strike while Konoha was weak, its talent and deep foundation might one day produce someone who could reverse everything.
Unlike the victorious Konoha ninja or the civilians caught in the crossfire, hatred within Kumogakure had only grown stronger due to heavy losses. Thinking this through, Fourth Raikage made his decision.
"Mabui, go to the daimyo's residence yourself," he said steadily. "Have Troy lead a squad of ANBU to make contact with Konoha. If Hiruzen Sarutobi intends to play tricks, act immediately."
"Yes, Raikage-sama."
Hearing the name Troy, Mabui answered and felt her unease ease. As long as Konoha did not deploy ninja on the level of the Sannin, she believed no one would gain an advantage over him. Troy was a Kumogakure Jonin and possessed the Kekkei Genkai of Magnet Release.
pata…pata...
Cold rain in late autumn covered the whole forest. Dark green treetops layered into a canopy, and mist drifted between the branches, pressing down on the woods with a heavy feel. Water dripped steadily from leaves and bark, soaking everything beneath.
Several black figures flickered between trunks and branches. Rain ran along the folds of their dark rain cloaks, drawing winding lines across the waterproof fabric. Their movements were quick and silent despite the storm.
Wearing the same black rain cloak, Yunchuan Hyuga stayed near the middle of the formation. He used his peripheral vision to carefully observe the others in this escort team. His gaze moved from one figure to the next without drawing attention.
There were fifteen people in total. Twelve of them were from ANBU, divided into three squads of four ANBU each. This alone showed how seriously the village treated this mission.
Under normal circumstances, ANBU rarely left the village on assignments. As the personal guards of the Third Hokage, their deployment usually meant something important was at stake. Sending three full squads was already a strong statement.
As for the remaining three, one was Yunchuan Hyuga himself, who was also half a protected target. The other two were Konoha jonin. One was a jonin of the Akimichi Clan, and the other was a jonin of the Aburame Clan.
Everyone else wore masks of different shapes. A cold and disciplined presence radiated from their bodies. Even standing still, they gave off a sense of readiness.
It could be said that this escort team had very strong combat power. Under normal circumstances, there should have been no safety issues at all. An ambush from the outside would be hard to pull off.
However, that did not mean there was no danger. "Threats do not always come from outside."
Yunchuan Hyuga's eyes passed over the Aburame Clan jonin. He clearly sensed a familiar, chilling presence on that person. It was the kind of feeling he had encountered before.
A ninja from "Root." Danzo Shimura had not given up after all, but that was fine. Their goals happened to align.
"Stop."
Yunchuan Hyuga spoke suddenly. The others halted at once, almost by reflex, and several pairs of eyes turned toward him. The rain masked the sound, but his voice carried clearly.
"At the two o'clock direction, one kilometer away, thirteen ninjas are gathered. Their Chakra signatures are chaotic. They should be rogue ninjas."
As he spoke, Yunchuan Hyuga took off his Goggles and wiped them. The skin beneath his eyelids had turned pale from prolonged moisture. His expression remained calm.
"Detour," the Akimichi Clan jonin said, his voice distorted by the rain.