Chapter 30: A Mission from the Shadows
Three days later, Danzo and his Root operatives slipped back into Konoha unseen.
In the Hokage's office within the central tower, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, sat behind his large desk, his eyes scanning the endless stacks of official documents. As he neared the end of his tenure, he had not grown idle; if anything, the workload had increased, a final push to ensure a smooth transition.
The familiar, measured sound of footsteps echoed in the hall outside. Hiruzen recognized the rhythm immediately. His old friend—and frequent rival—had returned.
Sure enough, Danzo's figure appeared in the office doorway, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Why has a peace treaty with Iwagakure not been signed after all this time?" Hiruzen asked, his face stern, not offering a greeting. "Months have passed. What exactly have you been doing in the Land of Rain?"
"Hiruzen, the situation has shifted," Danzo replied, his voice calm, showing no hint of unease. "It is not a matter of unwillingness. There are forces actively working to sabotage the relationship between Konoha and Iwagakure, seeking to provoke continued conflict between us."
"What are you saying?" Hiruzen frowned, taking a slow pull from his pipe. "Is Hanzo interfering with our peace negotiations?"
Danzo did not answer directly. Instead, he posed a question of his own. "Hiruzen, are you aware of a new organization that has emerged in the Land of Rain recently?"
"A new organization?" Hiruzen looked at him, perplexed.
A group springing up in a minor country like the Land of Rain typically wouldn't warrant the Hokage's direct attention. With the war winding down, his focus was pulled in a dozen critical directions. A fledgling group from a war-torn nation wasn't significant enough to cross his desk.
"An organization that advocates for mutual understanding between people," Danzo explained succinctly. "They believe dialogue should replace war, and that true peace can only come after people comprehend one another."
Hiruzen's frown deepened. Why did that philosophy sound so familiar? It echoed the ideals his own student, Jiraiya, often spoke of.
"While perhaps naive, their intentions seem positive," Hiruzen conceded. "Their ideas are admirable. They might even bring some stability to the Rain Country. Is there an issue with this group?"
"That idealism is merely a facade. It appears bright on the surface, but it hides a rotten core," Danzo stated with a cold sneer. "Surely you understand this, Hiruzen. Appearances can be deceiving."
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression turned icy. "What have they done?"
"The organization, called 'Akatsuki,' has been disguising its members as ninja from the great villages," Danzo reported, his eyes hard. "They have been burning villages, killing civilians, and looting across the Land of Rain. Simultaneously, they have been ambushing ninja from all nations. Their goal is clear: to prevent the Five Great Nations from ceasing hostilities."
"What of Hanzo?" Hiruzen demanded, his voice low. "What is he doing? Why has he allowed such an organization to operate within his borders?"
"Hanzo has been defeated," Danzo said flatly.
The statement made Hiruzen start. "Defeated? Is Akatsuki that powerful?"
Danzo narrowed his eyes, his expression grave. "It is true. I witnessed it myself. My Root operatives lost three full squads in the encounter. The losses were severe."
"What is Hanzo's current status?" Hiruzen asked, his mind racing.
"The specifics are unknown. I can confirm he escaped serious injury," Danzo shook his head. After a moment's thought, he added, "But I believe he can hold out for a time. He is, after all, the shinobi once called a demi-god."
Hiruzen fell silent, lost in thought. Danzo pressed his advantage. "The situation in the Land of Rain is now perilous. We must be wary of this 'Akatsuki.' Their ambitions are vast."
"How much intelligence do you have on them?" Hiruzen asked, focusing on Danzo.
"Almost none," Danzo admitted, shaking his head again.
"Almost none?" Hiruzen repeated in annoyance, taking another sharp draw from his pipe.
"Hiruzen," Danzo said, leaning forward slightly. "We cannot simply ignore such a dangerous entity. Even if we cannot eliminate them immediately, we must learn more. Intelligence is paramount. This is where my Root—"
"Your Root has already suffered heavy losses there," Hiruzen interrupted, his tone final. "We need a different approach."
Danzo did not argue. Instead, he smoothly changed the subject. "Hiruzen, have you considered that the Uchiha clan's recent rise has been... remarkably swift?"
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. "What is your point?"
"We have Uchiha Fugaku as clan head. Then there is the prodigy, Uchiha Shisui. Now, Uchiha Akira returns a celebrated war hero. I have also heard that Fugaku's own son, Uchiha Itachi, shows exceptional promise, having been to the battlefield before even entering the Academy." Danzo's voice was laden with meaning. "Does it not seem the Uchiha are flourishing a bit too brightly? In contrast, Konoha's other notable talents are fewer. We have the Yellow Flash, of course, but the Sannin belong to an older generation. Where is our next wave of exceptional shinobi?"
"It is true the Uchiha have produced many geniuses," Hiruzen acknowledged calmly. "But that is a strength for Konoha. Shisui is a descendant of Kagami. He carries the Will of Fire as strongly as any Konoha native. I have observed young Itachi. His mindset is unusually mature and devoted to the village. These are positive signs."
"As for Uchiha Akira..." Hiruzen trailed off, tapping his fingers absently on the desk. "He is different from the others. His thoughts are harder to read..." He did not comment further on Fugaku; they both understood the clan head's often-indecisive nature.
Hiruzen finished with quiet confidence. "But with Minato poised to lead, any potential instability will be managed. He has the strength and the character to guide the village."
"Heh," Danzo let out a derisive chuckle. "Namikaze Minato is notably close to the Uchiha clan. His wife, Uzumaki Kushina, shares a deep friendship with Uchiha Mikoto. You would be wise to caution him about maintaining a certain... distance."
"Minato is aware of his responsibilities. He does not require my reminder on such matters," Hiruzen said, his tone dismissing the concern. "Let us return to the issue at hand. We must decide who to send to the Land of Rain to gather intelligence on this Akatsuki organization."
"Who else but the Uchiha?" Danzo suggested lightly. "Their ninja are exceptionally powerful. They are the most suitable candidates to operate in the current, dangerous climate of the Rain Country."
"The Uchiha..." Hiruzen nodded slowly. "That is one option."
"I recommend recalling Uchiha Shisui from the border immediately," Danzo pressed, his tone now formal. "Have him and Uchiha Akira infiltrate the Rain Country together to investigate Akatsuki."
"No," Hiruzen refused firmly. "Shisui is too young. This mission requires not just power, but seasoned judgment. He lacks the necessary experience. I will not send him." He met Danzo's gaze. "In fact, when Shisui returns, I intend to recruit him directly into my personal Anbu unit. It is time he was more directly immersed in the heart of the village's Will of Fire."
"Then send Uchiha Akira alone," Danzo countered seamlessly. "I have heard he single-handedly defeated one of the Seven Swordsmen. His combat prowess should be more than a match for Hanzo in his current state."
For Danzo, removing a potential variable within the Uchiha clan was a favorable outcome, regardless of the mission's official success.
After a moment of consideration, Sarutobi Hiruzen gave a final, decisive nod. "Very well. Uchiha Akira possesses the requisite strength. He is suited for an intelligence-gathering mission in the Land of Rain."
(End of Chapter)
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