33. Danzo Stands Firm and Tall!
Things rarely go as planned.
Just as Danzo finished his analysis of the situation, reality slapped him hard in the face.
Aburame Ryoma suddenly appeared in the hospital room, bringing urgent news.
"Mitokado Homura's Konoha forces have suffered a crushing defeat on the Water Country battlefield and are on the brink of annihilation. The Hokage has ordered Jōnin Minato Namikaze to provide immediate support!"
Danzo nearly blacked out upon hearing the report.
He knew Mitokado hadn't been on the battlefield for years and was utterly inept at commanding troops...
But he hadn't expected him incompetence to be this catastrophic!
Those were Konoha's ninjas, its future, and they had been slaughtered on the battlefield because of him!
In a fit of rage, Danzo smashed the railing beside his bed, startling everyone present.
"Elder Danzo, please calm yourself! Since it's the Hokage's command, I'll head to the Land of Water immediately!"
Minato, acting as the proverbial firefighter, prepared to move without hesitation.
However, just as he was about to leave, Danzo raised a hand to stop him.
"Wait."
Danzo's gaze grew distant and thoughtful, as though deep in contemplation.
Out of respect for Danzo, Minato held his ground, waiting silently.
After a while, Danzo seemed to come to a decision. He turned sharply to Minato and asked, "How long would it take for you to bring me to the Water Country battlefield using your Flying Thunder God technique?"
"This…"
Shikai started to voice his objection but was cut off by Minato, who answered decisively, "Half a day!"
Minato elaborated further, "I set up several Flying Thunder God markers along the way here, but transporting someone else via space-time transfer consumes a significant amount of chakra."
Such was the absurd power of the Flying Thunder God technique—its mobility was unparalleled.
While other reinforcements were still trudging toward their destination, Minato could already leap between battlefields with ease.
Danzo recalled that, in the original timeline, after Orochimaru resurrected the four Hokage, Minato and Tobirama used the Flying Thunder God technique to transport the group across half the Shinobi world map and straight to the Fourth Great Ninja War battlefield.
It was this remarkable mobility that had earned Minato the legendary title of Yellow Flash during this war, ultimately propelling him to the Fourth Hokage position.
Now, even without the Nine-Tails chakra enhancing him, Minato could still manage the transfers in stages. The timing would work out!
"You don't need to worry about chakra," Danzo reassured Minato firmly before extending his hand to the side.
Understanding his intent, Shisui immediately handed him a map of the Shinobi world, seemingly pulled out of nowhere.
Their seamless coordination left Aburame Ryoma, who had come to deliver the report, dumbfounded.
He's doing all my work! Damn it… I came first!
Danzo glanced at Shisui with approval. This kid's sharp.
He then stepped off the bed and spread the map across it.
"My original plan was for Mitokado to hold off Kirigakure while Konoha reinforced the troops. Then, under my and Minato's command, we'd launch a blitzkrieg against Sunagakure, decisively ending this front..."
Hearing Danzo's words, everyone, including Minato, nodded silently.
After losing Kumogakure's support, Sunagakure's strength had significantly diminished.
As long as Danzo held the main front and Minato severed their supply lines, Konoha's chances of victory were high.
After defeating Sunagakure, they could then redirect their forces to support the Water Country battlefield.
"But now the situation has deteriorated!"
Danzo's tone grew graver, likely recalling Mitokado's blunders.
"Konoha's forces have already suffered a collapse on the Water Country battlefield. Reinforcements must be prioritized for that front. However, with Minato deployed there, Sunagakure will undoubtedly seize the opportunity to invade the Land of Fire again."
"At that point, Konoha will be forced into a two-front war, caught in a pincer attack!"
To provide a clearer understanding of the current situation, Danzo drew a large red X over the southern coastal region of the Land of Fire.
To the west, he added a long arrow pointing directly at Kikyo Mountain.
This made it evident that the offensives from Kirigakure and Sunagakure resembled two fists—one blocking Konoha's attacks and the other aiming straight at its core.
The stark visual representation caused everyone present to grow more solemn.
Seeing that the atmosphere was appropriately tense, Danzo slapped the map heavily and declared in a commanding tone:
"Konoha can no longer passively defend itself. If we do, we'll fall into the endless trap of multi-front warfare."
"Fight! We must fight!"
"We need to take the initiative!"
"A single decisive punch now will prevent a hundred blows later!"
Danzo threw a fist into the air, exuding an overwhelming aura that seemed to sweep through the entire room.
He pressed his finger firmly onto the southern coastline of the Land of Fire.
"We'll strike Kirigakure hard and force them into negotiations, then join forces to crush Sunagakure!"
Finally revealing his plan, Danzo's eyes burned with fierce determination and battle fervor. He was like a beast, a god of war.
Everyone was stunned by his commanding presence. Eventually, it was Minato who broke the silence, his voice dry as he asked:
"Elder Danzo, why target Kirigakure first?"
Logically, Sunagakure—having just suffered defeat—would seem the likelier candidate for an example-setting strike.
Danzo, however, shook his head and directed his gaze toward the vast ocean south of the Land of Fire.
Minato immediately understood Danzo's intention.
"Elder Danzo plans to destroy Kirigakure's ships, cutting off their logistics and forcing a swift conclusion to the battle?"
"Exactly. The Wind Country's vast territory allows them to avoid direct conflict and drag the war out if we go all-in against them," Danzo said with a heavy nod, his calm demeanor concealing a ruthless determination.
"Kirigakure is different. Once we destroy their escape routes—their ships—we'll have the opportunity to end the battle quickly and redirect their aggression toward Sunagakure."
"And what about the Sunagakure front?"
Minato posed the critical question.
If both Danzo and he left for the Kirigakure battlefield, the remaining Konoha forces would be no match for a fierce Sunagakure offensive.
Danzo responded with full confidence:
"The one leading the reinforcements for Rasa is that old woman Chiyo."
"I know her well. She's naturally suspicious and will likely spend time probing our defenses rather than launching an immediate assault."
"But what if…"
Minato still had reservations, but Danzo brusquely cut him off.
"If that happens, then let that old monkey Sarutobi Hiruzen take the field!"
Danzo declared with a tone of finality.
Perhaps only Danzo dared to call the current Hokage "that old monkey."
"That won't work! The Hokage must ensure the village's safety. He can't just go to the battlefield!"
Shikai couldn't sit still any longer and stood to voice his objection.
But he was met with a glare from Danzo that could kill.
"As Hokage, it's his destiny to die on the battlefield!"
"Tobirama-sensei fought on the front lines. Other villages' Kage fight on the front lines. Why shouldn't Sarutobi Hiruzen do the same?"
"If he dies, then the younger generation in the village will naturally step up and take his place!"
"And if that's not enough, I'll die first!"
Danzo's impassioned words left both Minato and Shikai speechless.
They knew he was right.
At this stage of the war, nearly every village's Kage had made an appearance on the battlefield. Only Konoha's Hokage remained in the village…
Unlike the silent Minato and Shikai, Shisui and Ryoma exchanged glances, both seeing the admiration and reverence for Danzo in each other's eyes.
If Danzo's strategy was bold, his resolve was unyielding.
Together, it made him the very embodiment of being both "tall and firm."
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