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**The Village Hidden in Sand, Wind Country**
"Kazekage-sama, we intercepted a piece of information through ANBU. I need you to take a look."
Though Yashamaru was addressing his brother-in-law, he still spoke with the utmost respect.
"Where's the information from?"
Rasa took the scroll but didn't immediately examine it. Instead, he inquired about the source.
"It's from the Kiri Ninja and pertains to Konoha."
ANBU had intercepted intelligence about the Kiri Ninja, whose poor attempts at subterfuge made it clear the information was deliberately leaked.
"It also involves the Three-Tails."
Yashamaru emphasized this key detail, knowing it would grab Rasa's attention.
"A tailed beast!"
Rasa felt a wave of dizziness. The village's current jinchūriki, Bunpuku's health, was deteriorating daily, and they were considering alternatives, though the candidates were less than ideal.
"What is this?"
Rasa dove into the scroll's contents, deep in thought.
"Yashamaru, how far has our cooperation with Konoha progressed?"
He closed the scroll and rubbed his temples, recognizing the importance of this intelligence.
"The materials from Konoha are almost all received, save for the last and largest batch. Konoha insists we fulfill our commitments first."
"Fulfill our promise? That depends on Konoha's stance."
Muttering to himself, Rasa pondered the information. The Kiri Ninjas had "accidentally" leaked that they lost the Three-Tails and Konoha had a new jinchūriki, Nohara Rin. If Konoha truly had another jinchūriki, Sand Village would remain perpetually overshadowed by Konoha in the future.
This development gave Rasa an excuse to seize the remaining supplies without fulfilling their end of the bargain.
"Notify the Council of Elders that we have urgent business to discuss. Also, draft an inquiry document for the Konoha ninja handling the supplies."
If Konoha didn't provide a satisfactory answer, Rasa had no intention of confronting Kirigakure on their behalf. If they wanted to hoard the Three-Tails, he wouldn't hesitate to break his promise.
Since Toshiro's last correspondence, the collaboration between Konoha and Sand has begun. Konoha supplied scarce resources to Sand, who used them to wage war against Kirigakure. Both villages conducted this cooperation discreetly.
Despite some reluctance, Sand realized they couldn't survive without this arrangement. Konoha, on the other hand, feared they were training an ally who might eventually turn against them. Hence, the supply transfer was slow, contingent on Sand's actions against the Kiri Ninjas.
But Nohara Rin's status as the Three-Tails jinchūriki stirred unrest in Sand.
"Also, pass this information to Iwa Ninja Village!"
Before heading to the conference room, Rasa reminded Yashamaru. Sharing this intel with Iwa Ninja aligned with the Mist Ninja's intentions.
The Third Tsuchikage didn't disappoint. Upon receiving the information, he sent a protest letter to Konoha, questioning if they still honored the tailed beast balance established by the First Hokage. The information was also shared with Kumogakure, who was at war with Iwa Ninja.
---
"The Sand Ninja Village's hesitation at this time suggests they plan to deny the agreement. Hiruzen, I warned you that these wolves are unreliable, but you didn't listen. Now look!"
In the Hokage Building conference room, Shimura Danzo raged at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his movements exaggerated and his tone furious.
"Danzo, the supplies we handed over to the Sand Ninja aren't substantial. Majority of the supplies won't be delivered until they engage in war with the Kirigakure completely."
The Third Hokage knocked his pipe on the table, looking helplessly at his old friend.
"They are still enemies."
Danzo ignored the Third Hokage's explanation. Despite the limited supplies provided to Suna, he believed they shouldn't be given to the impoverished Sand Ninja Village. Why invest so heavily in helping them when his own 'Root' was underfunded, especially with their collaboration with Orochimaru?
"And Iwagakure, bringing up the peace agreement now. Old Onoki took such a huge advantage and has the nerve to threaten us with voiding the agreement without considering whether Kumogakure agrees!"
At that moment, conflicts between Iwagakure and Kumogakure were escalating. Iwa wouldn't easily sever ties with Konoha now.
"Enough! Danzo, this isn't the time to dwell on that. We need to decide what to do with Nohara Rin and the Three-Tails inside her!"
Koharu and Homura cut in, stopping Danzo's rant. As news of Konoha's possession of the Three-Tails spread, other great nations turned their attention to Konoha, awaiting their response.
The biggest problem was Nohara Rin. After days of examination, they confirmed the seal on her body couldn't be removed. The village faced immense pressure, feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"I apologize for the trouble I've caused."
Namikaze Minato, attending the meeting, stood and bowed deeply to the Konoha officials.
"If I had arrived sooner, things wouldn't be like this!"
"Minato, it's not your fault!"
The Third Hokage reassured his favored candidate. The AB combination were causing mayhem on the battlefield before Minato and his team intervened.
"Yes, Minato! This incident wasn't your doing. Don't blame yourself."
Even Koharu, who is usually stern, smiled and comforted him.
Among those present, Danzo seemed the least fond of Minato, his eyes narrowed and dark.
'This might be an opportunity!' Danzo thought, evaluating Minato. His reputation had soared after defeating the AB combination of Kumo Ninja and achieving success against Iwagakure. Minato had killed 40 to 50 Iwa Ninja Jonin in one battle, leading to a peace agreement with Konoha. His popularity made him the obvious choice for Hokage, especially with Sarutobi's support.
"No matter what, I hope Rin's safety can be guaranteed."
Minato continued to plead, knowing the gravity of the situation involving the balance of power among the major ninja villages. His request was solely for Rin's safety.
The Third Hokage considered handing over the Three-Tails to settle the issue and possibly use the situation to sign an armistice with Kirigakure. But this would endanger Rin's safety. How to transfer the Three-Tails safely? If Kirigakure broke their promise and used the Three-Tails in battle again, Konoha would suffer.
If these issues weren't resolved properly, all the major ninja villages would attack Konoha as a single force, irrespective of previous peace agreements.
"Minato, don't worry, I will handle it…"
"The Three-Tails must not be handed over to Kirigakure!"
Before the Third Hokage could finish, Danzo interrupted, making the Hokage frown but not respond further.
"We should keep the Three-Tails in the village. It's an extra trump card!"
While it seemed impossible to retain the Three-Tails, Danzo wanted to try, hoping Konoha could withstand the pressure. This way, they would have the Nine-Tails as a deterrent and possibly use the Three-Tails jinchūriki to create problems for their enemies.
"Absolutely not!"
As soon as Danzo finished speaking, the Third Hokage rejected his suggestion.
"The balance of the tailed beasts is a rule set by the First Hokage and cannot be broken!"
To strengthen his argument, the Third Hokage continued, "Moreover, the puppet seal installed by the Kirigakure on Rin's body is very sophisticated, and we cannot circumvent it!"
The Third Hokage and others believed the puppet seal in Nohara Rin's body was a means for the Kiri ninjas to control her, without considering other possibilities.
"Hmph… Since Rin's jinchuriki seal is unreliable, let's find another jinchuriki."
To Danzo, Nohara Rin was just a Chunin and insignificant compared to the Three-Tails. He saw abandoning her as a solution, especially since she was a disciple of Namikaze Minato, whom he was struggling to control. Changing the Jinchuriki would solve multiple problems.
"This…"
Even the Third Hokage and the elders began to consider Danzo's opinion. The prospect of having the Three-Tails in their possession was tempting, but the circumstances didn't allow for it. Danzo's bluntness was a stark contrast to their need to maintain appearances.
Boom!
A loud noise interrupted the meeting, and the door to the conference room burst open, causing the room to tremble.
"Uzumaki Kushina, who let you in!"
Seeing her at the door, Danzo began to scold her before the Third Hokage could speak, his tone rude.
"Wait until you become Hokage before you talk to me like that!"
Kushina, who had broken in, didn't bother addressing the gloomy old man who had caused her much trouble during her childhood. His bad tone earned him a single dismissive response, leaving his face red with anger.
"Uzumaki Kushina, what are you saying? Are you still a Konoha ninja or not?"
Danzo's face turned livid. He had no effective way to deal with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, whose strength far exceeded that of his subordinates. He had wanted to train her as an excellent weapon for Konoha, but Mito Uzumaki had protected her, insisting she attend the Ninja Academy. After Mito's passing, the Third Hokage continued to take care of her, and now, she and her boyfriend were challenging his authority.
"I heard someone wanted to abandon Rin, and I disagree!"
Kushina declared her stance as she entered the conference room, followed by a pale and sad-looking Rin. Kushina's keen perception had allowed her to hear everything that transpired in the room, and Danzo's suggestion had ignited her fiery temper. She couldn't stand by while Rin's fate was being decided.
"What would happen to Rin if the Three-Tails were taken from her? She wouldn't survive without it."
"These are not matters for a Jonin like you to have a voice in!!"
"Shut up!!!"
Kushina, unable to bear Danzo's continued ranting, roared in anger. The Nine-Tails' chakra within her surged, creating a strong pressure that blew Danzo backward until he hit the back of his chair. Everyone present felt the overwhelming force of her chakra, and even the glass on the doors and windows cracked under the pressure.
"Kushina! No one wants to abandon Rin. Please, calm down."
The Third Hokage, one of the few who could withstand her chakra, spoke soothingly, adjusting his blown hat. He also smiled kindly at Rin, hoping to reassure her.
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