Chapter 33: The Aftermath from All Sides, Prelude to War

Danzo undoubtedly wanted to eliminate the rising influence of the Uchiha clan; this was a despicable tactic of using one's enemies to do the dirty work. 

Even though she had clashed deeply with Hanma in various matters and knew his strength, she couldn't help but feel angry. 

Hanzō, a ninja older than even Hiruzen Sarutobi, had long been renowned in the ninja world. 

His ability to negotiate between two great nations and establish a powerful ninja village spoke volumes about his capability. 

"I am the advisor to the Hokage; why should I need to explain my actions to a junior like you? As a ninja, obedience is a duty!" 

Danzo coldly responded to Tsunade's questioning. In his mind, such issues shouldn't be appearing in Konoha. 

The Third Hokage, seeing Tsunade about to lose her temper, stood between her and Danzo, speaking slowly: 

"This matter indeed holds some suspicion. My directive was for him to scout the Rain Village's terrain; I did not ask Uchiha Hanma to engage Hanzō."

Konoha's strange internal struggles started once again. The Third Hokage directly extricated himself from the matter, leaving Danzo to deal with it. 

If it were anyone else questioning him, Danzo wouldn't care, but if it was the Third Hokage, he had to clarify things. 

"Hmph, I only asked him to keep an eye on Hanzō's son and dispatched two Root units to accompany him. With Uchiha Hanma's abilities, would this task be difficult?" 

Tsunade's expression slightly softened. It seemed that Hanma had voluntarily engaged with Hanzō. This troublesome guy had told her about his fight with Hanzō, making her worry for a long time. 

The Third Hokage coughed and said, "Then, let's wait for Hanma to return to the village and ask him what happened." 

The brief quarrel ended just like that. Tsunade was overjoyed by her lover's safety, while Danzo and the Third Hokage each had their own thoughts. 

After all, any ninja who could engage Hanzō and leave unscathed was someone any ninja village would heavily bet on attracting. 

Rain Village. 

In the Rain Village's headquarters, Hanzō, wrapped in bandages and face dark, sat at the main seat, presiding over a high-level meeting. 

Due to Hanma's immense strength, Hanzō had suffered severe internal injuries, and his poison sac was nearly ruptured. 

He realized that his original plan for the Rain Village's expansion was unfeasible now. 

Hanzō had intended to annex the Land of Rivers, a vassal state of the Land of Fire, which had vast plains and a favorable climate. 

As long as he displayed sufficient strength and annexed the Land of Rivers, Konoha would likely only put up a front. He didn't believe Konoha would mobilize their entire army for a vassal state. 

As long as they could withstand Konoha's initial assault, the Rain Village could shake off their current decrepit territory. 

But now, with just one Uchiha Hanma able to contend with him, the original plan naturally fell through. 

Hanzō understood clearly that this person was fully capable of killing him! 

His face grew increasingly sullen, and the high-ranking members present could only bow their heads, awaiting Hanzō's instructions. 

In this small country, Hanzō was a god, and no one could question his authority. 

"Contact the people from the Sand Village. Their current situation is also very dire." 

"As long as they deploy troops, we split the spoils equally, and have a hope of capturing the Land of Rivers, perhaps even gaining some resources." 

"Konoha can't afford failure. Any loss of territory is a desecration of their former Hokage's legacy." 

"As long as we only take the Land of Rivers and their resources without touching their baseline, Hiruzen Sarutobi will compromise."

Hanzō evidently understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's mindset and boundaries thoroughly. 

After over fifty years of involvement in the ninja world and navigating between two great nations, he had his unique understanding of warfare and politics.

Sand Village. 

The Third Kazekage and Chiyo, among others, were studying the secret information sent by the Rain Village's Anbu, discussing the feasibility of the plan. 

After a brief silence, the one hailed as "The Darkness of the Sand," Ebizō, first voiced his opinion. 

Ebizō, Chiyo's brother, was responsible for the Sand Village's espionage and Anbu operations and was a standard hardliner. 

He had long coveted Konoha's wealth. 

Chiyo, looking at her brother, murmured, 

"The key is, we need to estimate Konoha's response. If we lose, can the Daimyo's office give the village enough support." 

Despite Chiyo's failure-like rhetoric, no one in the Sand Village questioned her. Chiyo, dedicated to the village's development, thought things through comprehensively and was its most reliable strategist. 

The Third Kazekage picked up the intelligence report, remaining silent. Attacking Konoha required courage and a solid foundation. 

Ebizō stood up, looking around at the others. 

"The current situation in the Sand Village is a slow death. 85% of our village is desert, and we have to import all our food." 

"Our ninjas and civilians also suffer from the high temperatures in the desert, greatly affecting their work and lives." 

"And Konoha, which occupies vast green lands, controls small countries, and continues to drain them economically!" 

Ebizō slammed his hands on the table, roaring: 

"The Sand Village shouldn't be doomed to suffer while Konoha has bread! We should have a share!" 

"Hanzō is willing to take the lead, so we have no reason to retreat!" 

The high-ranking members of the Sand Village nodded in agreement, having long been empathetic to the village's suffering. 

Since the First Five Kage Summit, the First Kazekage had demanded Konoha's land but was sternly rebuked. 

So, would invading Konoha count as inheriting the First Kazekage's will? 

The Third Kazekage glanced around, speaking in a low voice, "My disciple Rasa has awakened the Magnet Release." 

"And unlike mine, he can extract gold dust from the desert." 

"Therefore, even if we lose, we will have sufficient funds to console our ninjas." 

The Sand Village's high-ranking members looked invigorated. If that was the case, they had a solid basis for the war. 

Even, invading Konoha's main territory to take a big bite out of it wouldn't be impossible. 

Chiyo stood up and added, "My puppet poison techniques, combined with Hanzō's salamander poison, can effectively harm their lower-ranked ninjas." 

"For the Land of Rivers, with Hiruzen Sarutobi's resolve, it's hard for him to engage in an all-out war with us." 

The Third Kazekage made the final decision. 

"Ebizō, inform Hanzō that we agree to the alliance and discuss detailed war preparations with him." 

"Chiyo, according to Hanzō's information, the Blood Wolf of Konoha has grown up, so be prepared." 

"Gentlemen, the revival of the Sand Village depends on this. Prepare for war!" 

"Yes!" 

The members of the Sand Village responded in unison. 

Sometimes, fate is so peculiar. 

What should have been a three-village chaotic Second Shinobi World War had turned into a united front against Konoha. 

The emergence of a genius could bring prosperity to a village's future but could also lead to greater conflicts. 

This is the cruel ninja world; who's to say what's right or wrong?