In the Amegakure.
Taking advantage of Kizaru's great victory, through coercion and negotiation, Danzo successfully obtained wartime garrison rights and intelligence sharing from Hanzo, as well as some favorable conditions. Satisfied, he signed a reconciliation alliance agreement with Hanzo.
Amegakure was poor in resources and didn't have much money, so there was little point in tying Hanzo back to the village. It could easily trigger internal strife in Amegakure, leading some ninjas to retaliate against Konoha in suicidal fashion.
It was precisely because of this consideration that both Danzo and the Third Hokage, as well as the village's high-ranking officials, unanimously decided to let Hanzo stay in Amegakure to stabilize the situation.
After completing the negotiations, Danzo, who hadn't seen his nephew last time, was already preparing to withdraw his troops back to the village.
Kizaru had consecutively achieved decisive major victories on two battlefields, so Danzo couldn't wait to return to the village and rally support for him.
With this war over, Hiruzen was also nearing old age. In a few more years, it would be time for him to step down.
By then, it would be Kizaru's turn to ascend.
Thinking about this, Danzo felt a little excited.
With Kizaru's lazy and trouble-averse nature, his ascension to Hokage would be akin to his own ascension!
At that time, with Kizaru leading in terms of strength, and himself managing internal affairs and strategy, Konoha would surely prosper even more, and the grand ambition of unifying the ninja world might be realized in his hands.
"Danzo-sama, Hanzo is looking for you for a negotiation," a ANBU ninja walked into the room while Danzo was daydreaming about a bright future, reporting quietly.
Collecting his thoughts, Danzo's gaze sharpened, and he entered work mode.
"Lead the way!" he said aloud, following the ANBU ninja out of the room.
In the spacious reception room, Hanzo, who had just met with the envoy from Sunagakure, sat calmly in his seat, waiting for Danzo to arrive.
If it weren't for the deep memory of his last defeat to Kizaru, Hanzo might have agreed to Sunagakure's cooperation request.
"Join forces with Sunagakure to attack Konoha?"
A hint of mocking smile appeared on Hanzo's face.
Sunagakure seeking death on its own, and trying to drag him along?
Consecutive defeats, especially the crushing defeat to Kizaru, had pushed Hanzo from one extreme to another.
Once ambitious, wanting to lead Amegakure to become the sixth great country.
Now, he only wanted to firmly grasp Amegakure and live comfortably.
It was precisely because of this change in mindset that, upon seeing Sunagakure's envoy, Hanzo immediately made the decision to report Sunagakure's intelligence to Danzo.
Thinking about the Sunagakure jonin who had risked his life to sneak in here for negotiations on behalf of the village, Hanzo's smile became even more mocking.
"Even if it's cooperation with a major nation, you Sunagakure are not worthy. If I were to seek help, I would seek from the strongest, Konoha."
While Hanzo looked down on Sunagakure, the door of the reception room was pushed open, and Danzo, Tsunade, and rest of the Legendary Sannin entered.
Danzo, the Darkness of Shinobi, the Legendary Sannin (a title given by Danzo in praise during the negotiations for Tsunade's trio), and the already departed Golden Flash of Konoha.
Konoha's strong and talented individuals were truly enviable.
"Hanzo, do you have a suitable negotiation with me?" Danzo sat directly opposite Hanzo, with the Legendary Sannin standing behind him, and calmly asked.
"Sunagakure has sent an envoy to see me, wanting to form an alliance with me to attack Konoha," Hanzo said straightforwardly, looking at Danzo.
Unlike the young trio whose expressions changed behind him, Danzo remained very calm, just looking at Hanzo and saying, "Where are they?"
"They have already left."
"It seems you've agreed to Sunagakure," Danzo said, quite satisfied with Hanzo's answer, and smiled slightly.
Among the trio behind him, Orochimaru was the first to understand, looking at Hanzo with interest.
Beside Orochimaru, standing in the middle, Tsunade also seemed pensive, guessing Hanzo's intention.
Jiraiya, usually the most impulsive, was about to speak upon hearing Hanzo's words. However, seeing his companions remaining silent, he also calmed down and quickly understood Hanzo's intention.
"I have agreed with Sunagakure. Tomorrow morning, while you are withdrawing, they plan to ambush you with me," Hanzo continued.
"Very good! Tomorrow, you act according to the plan!" Danzo said contentedly, looking at Hanzo.
In a very short time, Danzo had already figured out how to use this plan to severely weaken Sunagakure's forces.
"Jiraiya, use your telepathy to transmit information to the village, inform Hiruzen that Sunagakure is preparing to attack us!" Danzo directly instructed Jiraiya in front of Hanzo, without any concealment.
"Alright!"
"Let Hiruzen arrange ninja forces to support Amegakure," Danzo was more cautious about Sunagakure's strength than fighting with Amegakure. "Let him send Kizaru."
"Okay!" Jiraiya responded again.
Was the Golden Flash of Konoha returning to the battlefield?
Hearing Danzo's instructions, Hanzo suddenly felt a bit excited. He wanted to see how Sunagakure's ninjas would fare against the Golden Flash.
"What a skillful kid!" Eating the beef just grilled by the Wandering Miko, Kizaru praised with a smile.
Following Kizaru to the barbecue shop, in return for Kizaru's invitation to eat barbecue, Nono insisted on being responsible for grilling the meat herself.
Faced with the girl's insistence, Kizaru didn't say much and agreed with a smile.
In the private room of the barbecue shop, Nono seriously grilled beef and pork, while Kusuna helped beside her.
As for Minato, he sat beside Kakuzu and Kizaru, pouring sake for the two.
According to the village's rules, only adults over twenty years old were allowed to drink alcohol.
However, Kizaru, with his mature appearance, sturdy build, and generous demeanor, successfully persuaded the barbecue shop to overlook his age.
"Hey, Brother, are you staying in the village tonight?" Kizaru, who had already settled the bill with Kakuzu, asked with a grin.
"I'm leaving after dinner!" With the money in hand, Kakuzu's mind was at ease. He didn't want to waste time earning money; he was ready to continue with his missions.
"You're really a hardworking man, Brother!" Hearing Kakuzu's reply, Kizaru chuckled.
"After all, money is the only thing worth trusting in this world." After drinking some sake, Kakuzu spoke sincerely, a rare occurrence.
Different people in the room had different reactions to this answer.
"Kakuzu-san, the village and companions are also worthy of trust." Minato, who dreamed of becoming a Hokage, looked at Kakuzu seriously.
Kakuzu's words, unlike Minato's, made Nono and Kushina, sitting across from them, look pensive.
"I... I think trust should be mutual. I give my sincerity, and I will definitely receive sincerity in return." Nono, who grew up in an orphanage, recalled her interactions with her orphanage companions and spoke softly.
Beside Nono, Kushina remained silent. She hadn't found someone she could fully trust yet.
"The village? Sincerity? Haha!" Remembering his experience of being betrayed by his village, Kakuzu sneered, "What a naive little brat!"
"Kakuzu-san must have been hurt by someone he trusted a lot!" Watching Kakuzu speak, Nono guessed in her mind.
"Oh ho ho! Trust, huh?" Raising his cup, Kizaru chuckled and said, after finishing the sake in his cup, "Whether it's money, the village, or companions, everyone has their own story. Don't impose your thoughts on others. Living comfortably is the best!"
"This guy is really unique, isn't he? Is he really just ten years old?" After hearing Kizaru's words, Kakuzu looked at him with some appreciation.
It should be comfortable to do bounty missions with someone like Kizaru!
This absurd thought suddenly arose in Kakuzu's mind, making him unable to help but laugh.
Raising his cup with a smile, Kakuzu was about to have a drink with Kizaru when he sensed a powerful ninja approaching from outside the private room.
Looking towards the door while setting down his cup, Kakuzu put on a serious expression.
Sensing the presence of a ninja outside the room, Kizaru, who was also aware, smiled and looked towards the door.
The door of the private room was pushed open, and Sakumo stood at the entrance wearing an ANBU mask.
"Kizaru, the Hokage wants to see you."
"What a coincidence!" Exclaiming, Kizaru stood up.
"Minato, take care of everyone here. We'll settle the bill after dinner."
After instructing Minato, Kizaru looked at Kakuzu again. "Brother, I guess this is goodbye for now."
Nodding, Kakuzu didn't say anything.
After bidding farewell to Kakuzu, Kizaru smiled and waved to Nono and Kushina again before leaving the private room.
Closing the door behind him, Kizaru left the barbecue shop with Sakumo.
When Kizaru and Sakumo arrived at the meeting room of the Hokage's mansion, Sarutobi Hiruzen and his two advisers were already seated.
"Kizaru, Sunagakure is preparing to declare war on us, and Danzo hopes you'll return to the frontline in Amegakure." Seeing Kizaru enter, Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't waste any time and spoke directly.
"Eeh? Sunagakure? That's terrifying!" Exclaiming, Kizaru walked over to Hiruzen and pulled out a chair from the corner, sitting down with his legs crossed.
"It's urgent. You and Sakumo will leave tonight and head to Amegakure to support Danzo and his team." Hiruzen said with a serious expression.
"Understood." When it came to serious matters, Kizaru was very reliable and straightforward.
"Sunagakure may deploy a tailed beast, so take Two-Tails with you." Hiruzen, who had been developing jinchūriki weapons since the Second Hokage's time, reminded.
"A tailed beast?" Thinking of the adorable but foolish Matatabi, Kizaru suddenly felt that having another pet wouldn't be bad at all. "That's good, it'll be nice to have another companion for Two-Tails."
Seeing Kizaru's carefree attitude, Hiruzen became worried that Kizaru might really bring back Sunagakure's tailed beast, so he quickly said, "Kizaru, don't casually bring the tailed beast back to the village. It will provoke hostility from other villages."
"What a pity!"
"Well, hurry up and leave!"
Not wanting to be provoked by Kizaru again, Hiruzen began to usher him out.
"Well then, goodbye, Sensei!" Saying this, Kizaru stood up, and together with Sakumo, left the meeting room.
As they hurried along, when the two arrived at Amegakure, it was already early morning.
Danzo, who knew that Sunagakure was preparing to attack him, had increased the alertness of his forces.
Therefore, when Kizaru and Sakumo arrived at Amegakure, the Konoha ninja on guard duty immediately noticed them.
After a brief check and exchange, confirming the identities of the two, the ninja, who had received orders from Danzo, immediately led them to Danzo's residence.
At this time, Danzo had not yet rested and had been waiting for the arrival of the two.
"Welcome!" As they entered the room, Kizaru greeted Danzo casually. "Long time no see, Uncle!"
Seeing Kizaru's casual demeanor, compared to the serious-looking Sakumo, Danzo felt a familiar headache returning.
"Has Hiruzen already informed you of the information?" Danzo asked, looking at Sakumo.
"Sunagakure is preparing to declare war on us." Sakumo replied promptly.
Nodding, seeing that the two hadn't fully understood the entire situation yet, Danzo spoke seriously, "Sunagakure sent an envoy to negotiate an alliance with Hanzō, preparing to ambush us tomorrow morning when we withdraw.
Hanzō informed us of this, and they're ready to ambush Sunagakure alongside us.
When we withdraw tomorrow, you don't need to follow the main force.
Just lurk behind the team and don't reveal your whereabouts until Sunagakure strikes."
This time, Danzo was preparing to deal a heavy blow to Sunagakure, so he specifically called upon Kizaru and Sakumo, the top combat powers of the village.
After a successful battle, Sunagakure will be severely beaten or even crippled! This is Danzo's strategic purpose.
"After Sunagakure takes action, you go around behind them and surround them from behind, trying not to let anyone escape."
Two people surrounding an army!
Danzo has full confidence in Kizaru and Sakumo, especially Kizaru!
"How terrifying! Uncle!" After hearing Danzo's arrangement, Kizaru complained with a smile.
"I have confidence in you!" Danzo said firmly as he looked at the two of them.
"I promise to complete the mission!" Sakumo asked equally firmly.
After saying that, the two of them looked at Kizaru, who was sitting on a chair and playing with his cat, in tacit understanding.
Facing the gazes of the two people, Kizaru raised his head and said with a smile: "I heard that the Third Kazekage is called the strongest Kazekage, he must be as strong as a monster!"
Seeing Kizaru describing the enemy as a monster, Danzo knew he was on the right track, smiled with satisfaction, and said aloud: "I'm looking forward to chatting with the Kazekage in Konoha."
"That's really too much to ask! Uncle!" Seeing that Danzo was also pretending, Kizaru joked with a smile.
"Hahaha!" In front of his nephew, Danzo put down his usual airs and laughed happily.
Sakumo, the only one standing in the room, felt a little out of place when he looked at his uncle and nephew sitting on his left and right.