Chapter 96: Danzo’s Conspiracy, Gin’s Gambit

The Uchiha clan's dominance had grown rapidly—not through brute force, but through medicine.

At the center of their pharmaceutical revolution was a mysterious doctor named Kureha, a genius healer whose origins baffled even the Hokage. No one knew where the Uchihas had found her, but her concoctions had completely transformed the clan's medical capabilities.

Both the Third Hokage and Danzo Shimura suspected that she was the true mind behind the clan's cutting-edge healing pills, antidotes, and soldier elixirs.

Once, she ran a small clinic on Dunma Street—a place Danzo had watched closely. But by the time he moved to seize her, she had vanished—taken in by the Uchiha and moved deep into their heavily-guarded district. Since then, she hadn't been seen outside their territory.

Now, with Gin Uchiha on the front lines, Danzo saw the perfect opportunity.

"With all the key players in one place… it's time to start the show."

Shortly after their arrival, Gin and his team received new orders—patrol duty at the front line.

Gin smirked."Patrol? Heh. A perfect place for an ambush. Danzo, you're so predictable."

Just then, a familiar voice called out:

"Gin! Mikoto! Minato, Kushina! You're here too? What kind of mission did Danzo give you?"

It was Tsunade, looking tense as she approached them.

"Patrol squad," Gin replied calmly.

Tsunade's eyes narrowed. She didn't speak, just gestured for them to follow her. Inside her tent, she activated a chakra barrier before continuing in a low voice.

"You're all in danger. A few nights ago, using Haki Observation, I overheard Danzo muttering in his tent. He received a letter from Hiruzen... direct orders to eliminate you."

The air grew still. Even Minato's calm demeanor darkened.

"I knew Danzo was ruthless," Mikoto said, "but this…"

"He's not working alone," Tsunade said grimly. "He's colluded with Hanzo of the Salamander. The trap is already being set. Danzo plans to lure you out during the patrol and ambush you—along with key members of the Uchiha, Uzumaki, and Senju clans stationed here."

Gin's expression remained composed. But his eyes glinted dangerously.

"So the Third is done pretending."

"Sister Tsunade," he said, "have you spoken with the commanders of the three clans? Is everything ready?"

"We were preparing something," she admitted, "but your arrival changes things. Danzo will act faster now. He won't just target you—he'll send the elites from the Sarutobi, Shimura, and other loyalist clans. If you four die, there's no doubt the Uchiha, Uzumaki, and Senju will revolt."

"And he'll blame it all on enemy forces," Kushina added bitterly.

"Exactly," said Tsunade. "But with your strength, Danzo doesn't know he's already lost."

Gin's voice dropped to a whisper."In that case… we turn his plan against him. When Danzo sends his best to kill us, we wipe them all out—Root and loyalist elite alike. Then we blame it on Hanzo."

Minato looked up sharply. "Blame Hanzo?"

Mikoto tilted her head. "That... might actually work."

"Danzo can't trust ordinary Anbu for this mission," Gin continued. "They're elite, yes—but their loyalty has limits. If they realize his orders go against the village's good, they may disobey. No, he'll use Root. Fanatics. And hand-picked loyalists from four clans."

Tsunade nodded. "And that's not all. The intelligence division confirmed it—Hanzo has agreed to cooperate. He wants revenge. The joint forces of our three clans have caused massive damage to Amegakure. This is his chance to strike back."

Gin wasn't surprised."It's smart. If I were Hanzo, I'd suspect a trap—but Danzo's proposal aligns too perfectly with his own goals."

Tsunade's expression was tight."And even if Hanzo thinks it's a setup, he's not afraid. He's 'The Salamander' for a reason. If things go south, he'll just retreat using his toxic mist and leave his enemies dying in his wake."

Gin exhaled slowly."So we'll make sure that same mist kills the right people."

The others looked up.

"What do you mean?" Minato asked.

Gin's eyes gleamed."Sister Tsunade... Hanzo fights using wide-range poison fog, right?"

"Yes," she said. "He and his salamander create a toxic cloud that covers the battlefield. It's how he's killed whole squads."

Gin chuckled darkly."Perfect. Then we'll add our own poison to it."

Mikoto blinked. "You mean... tamper with it?"

"Exactly," Gin said. "With a sample of Hanzo's toxin, I can synthesize a secondary vapor poison—one that blends seamlessly with his mist. The result? Everyone in the target zone dies. Danzo. Root. Sarutobi loyalists. All of them."

"But not us," he added with a smile.

Kushina raised an eyebrow. "Won't that look suspicious?"

"I've already accounted for that," Gin replied. "For two months now, I've been preparing anti-toxin pills. One dose provides complete immunity to every major known poison for 24 hours. We'll be fine. Even Hanzo's toxin won't affect us."

Minato gave a low whistle. "That's... terrifyingly efficient."

Tsunade's expression was unreadable for a moment. Then she nodded.

"I couldn't do it," she admitted. "Not because it's impossible—but because it's not in my nature. I prefer fists to toxins. But you… You've surpassed me. Even Kureha and I can't measure your level anymore."

"Don't worry," Gin said. "We won't kill everyone. We let Hanzo and his elite live. Then we counterattack—openly. The survivors will report the attack, and we'll blame Danzo's death on Hanzo. Not just believable—it's expected."

"And Hanzo?" asked Minato.

"He'll realize what we did," Gin said. "But he'll respect it. He's a warlord, not a fool. If anything, he'll see it as justified retribution."

"And our own people?" Tsunade asked. "Should we give them the antidote in advance?"

"Yes—but only to trusted allies. Let them think it's a new standard-issue detox pill. With the coming battle, no one will question it."

Kushina smirked. "I like this plan."

"It's not just a plan," Gin said, rising. "It's checkmate."