Cloud Hidden Attack

As the sky darkened, Ino waved goodbye to Kurotsuchi, watching her retreating figure heading back to the inn with a smile.

Walking along the riverside bathed in the setting sun, Sakura glanced at the carefree steps of the blonde girl beside her. Ino seemed completely unbothered, which made Sakura hesitate before speaking softly:

"Ino, are you okay?"

Ino looked at Sakura with confusion and replied:

"What could be wrong with me?"

"Didn't we just treat the Tsuchikage's granddaughter from Iwagakure to a meal?"

Sakura carefully examined Ino to make sure she wasn't someone who would be tricked and happily count the coins for the con artist.

"You said it yourself, Iwagakure will be our ally from now on," Ino added, grinning as she patted her belly cheerfully.

"I can't possibly be so petty, can I?"

The sound resembled that of a seal slapping its belly.

"Right, you're not the type of girl who's easily fooled," Sakura said with a soft laugh as she looked at the girl in front of her.

After all, Ino was the heir to a prominent clan. There was no way she would be tricked so easily.

In some ways, she was actually quite rational.

Take Sasuke, for instance—back when he hadn't gone to the Hidden Sound Village, Ino and Sakura would fight over him day and night.

But after Sasuke left for the Hidden Sound Village, to Ino, it was as though he no longer existed in her world.

"????"

"Do I really look like some gullible, silly girl who'd fall for anything in your eyes, Sakura?"

Ino frowned in mock annoyance at her best friend.

"Alright, alright, I was wrong. Can't we just let it go?" Sakura said with an apologetic shrug.

"Ahhh?!"

"So you really do think of me that way!"

"That's too much!"

With that, Ino tackled Sakura onto the grass by the riverside, straddling her and squeezing her friend's face with both hands in mock indignation.

"I said I was wrong, okay~~~" Sakura mumbled through squished cheeks.

"Then tell me, what exactly were you wrong about!"

Sakura: …

Hokage's Office

At the Hokage building, Hiruzen Sarutobi was busy managing affairs and planning the upcoming operations.

The ambush on Konoha by Rasa and Orochimaru—as Homura Mitokado said—was something that could not be swallowed so easily.

This was also the promise he had made to Tobirama Senju.

In truth, Homura's words were orchestrated by Hiruzen himself, and Koharu Utatane's opposition was also arranged to test the waters.

The goal was to see how many in Konoha leaned toward war and how many preferred peace.

The results were satisfactory.

While no one advocated for peace, neither did anyone fully push for war.

As for Danzo Shimura? He was predictable—firmly in the war camp and eager to plunge the world into chaos.

Now that the decision to declare war on the Land of Wind had been made, preparations for supplies needed to begin.

As the saying goes, an army marches on its stomach.

This truth applies no matter the world.

Just as Hiruzen was about to write a letter to the Land of Fire's daimyo to discuss resources, the office door creaked open slowly.

"Hiruzen."

The visitor spoke as though addressing an old friend, not the Hokage.

"Danzo?"

"What is it?" Hiruzen asked, not even looking up.

Danzo glanced at the busy Hokage and silently sat on a couch nearby.

Hiruzen looked up briefly and noticed that Danzo was sitting in the spot Sakura often occupied.

"Move over," Hiruzen said suddenly.

"???"

Danzo stared at him, puzzled.

"Sit on the other side," Hiruzen added, voice flat.

Though he didn't understand, Danzo wasn't about to argue over something so trivial. He shifted to the other end of the couch.

"I didn't expect you to make such a decision," Danzo said, watching Hiruzen resume his writing.

"Hah, what's there to expect?"

"Before acting on anything, you must consider the consequences," Hiruzen replied calmly.

"Since Suna has chosen this path, they must accept the price of angering Konoha."

Danzo's gaze darkened slightly at Hiruzen's words.

"Have you chosen a commander to lead the war against the Land of Wind?" Danzo asked.

"Jiraiya will serve as the commander."

"Shikaku will assist him."

Hiruzen answered without hesitation.

Danzo stared at his old friend, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Hiruzen, I want to go to the frontlines of the Land of Wind," Danzo said.

Hiruzen looked up sharply, his deep gaze meeting Danzo's.

If Danzo went to the frontlines, given his seniority, there was no way Jiraiya could command the operation.

To put it bluntly, the war with Suna was an opportunity for easy military achievements.

Apart from Rasa and Chiyo, Suna had no true powerhouses, especially with Iwagakure supporting Konoha.

Danzo's desire to join the front wasn't about the war; it was about seizing glory.

Hiruzen chose Jiraiya precisely because Jiraiya had no desire for power.

But Danzo?

Even a fool could see his intentions.

This man still coveted the position of Hokage.

"Danzo, we're old," Hiruzen said, putting down his pen.

"It's time we left opportunities to the younger generation."

The truth was, Hiruzen not only wanted to use this war to show the shinobi world that Konoha was still strong, but he also wanted Sakura to participate—to solidify her path to becoming Hokage.

What is most important for someone aspiring to become Hokage?

Mission count?

Mission rank?

Strength?

No—it's military achievements.

Without military glory, it doesn't matter how strong you are or how many missions you've completed.

With enough military achievements, anyone with a functioning brain and decent ability has the qualifications to become Hokage.

This was the path Hiruzen was paving for Sakura.

Danzo was about to respond when a black shadow streaked across the dusky sky, landing like a sharp blade on the office window.

It was a black hawk.

Both Hiruzen and Danzo's expressions changed instantly.

Any intelligence requiring a messenger hawk meant a situation of utmost urgency.

Hiruzen quickly retrieved the paper from the hawk's leg and scanned its contents.

His face darkened as though ink had spilled across it.

The note contained just four words:

The Cloud is attacking!

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