The next day, news spread throughout Konoha Village that the envoy from the Cloud Village had died unexpectedly during their visit. Whispers and speculation filled the air, with tensions brewing among the villagers.
In the Hokage Building's conference room:
"Bang!" Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed his fist on the table, his gaze sweeping over the village elders seated around him. His voice was cold and demanding:
"Who spread this news? How could something that happened in the dead of night become public knowledge by morning?"
"And 'died unexpectedly'? What kind of accident are we talking about here?"
Hiruzen's piercing eyes landed on the man seated to his left, scrutinizing him with suspicion.
"Hiruzen," the man responded, his tone measured but sharp. "It's likely that the ninja handling the matter last night didn't clean up properly, allowing information to leak. Word must have spread from someone in Cloud Village who escaped."
"I heard it was a young shinobi, fresh out of the academy, who took down the perpetrator last night. A promising talent, but isn't it possible that his inexperience led to this slip-up?"
"Now isn't the time to dwell on how the information got out," he continued. "The real issue is the response from Cloud Village—they won't stay silent for long."
The speaker was Danzo Shimura, his "X"-shaped scar twisting into a grim expression as he spoke.
"What Danzo says makes sense," Mitokado Homura interjected. "After all, Namikaze Minato is still young. Mistakes are bound to happen."
"Our priority now," Homura added, "is preparing for Cloud Village's reaction. I've heard their Raikage has a notoriously short temper. We must act quickly."
Hiruzen fell silent, his frustration palpable. It wasn't the leak itself that angered him—it was inevitable that Cloud Village would learn of their envoy's demise. What bothered him was that the news had reached the villagers before he, the Hokage, could take control of the narrative.
He had intended to use this incident to steer public opinion in Konoha's favor. However, with rumors of an "accidental death" spreading like wildfire, any attempt to release an official statement would now appear as damage control or a cover-up.
"Damn it," Hiruzen muttered under his breath, his mind racing with frustration at the lack of control over the situation.
The meeting shifted away from the topic of the leak, focusing instead on how to handle Cloud Village's inevitable retaliation.
Meanwhile, Uzumaki Raiden remained oblivious to the discussions unfolding in the Hokage Building. He was tucked away in the secret room of Uzumaki Mito's study, diligently studying the intricate sealing techniques she had preserved.
Raiden's daily routine had become rigid. Mornings were spent engrossed in the study of seals, their complexity demanding every ounce of his focus. Afternoons were dedicated to physical training, where Mito herself often sparred with him, seamlessly incorporating sealing techniques into their sessions. Unlike traditional taijutsu training, Raiden's was a unique blend, sharpening both his physical and technical skills.
Evenings found him back in the study, delving into ninjutsu. Despite the occasional temptation to explore the village, the thought of Cloud Village's recent attempt to kidnap Kushina kept him grounded.
"If you want to live a long life, survival comes first," Raiden mused. "As long as I stay in Mito's mansion, no enemy can touch me."
Raiden likened Konoha Village to a novice training ground and Mito's residence to a safe haven. While others might see such security as stifling, Raiden thrived, using it as an opportunity to grow stronger.
"Another few years of focusing on the Yin Seal Chakra," Raiden thought, "and I should master Flying Thunder God. Until then, I'd better stay under the radar. Once you start drawing attention, hatred follows. And with hatred, comes death."
Raiden's thoughts often turned to the future. Mito was growing weaker, and he knew her time was limited. When she passed, Konoha's dynamics would shift. Kushina, as the Nine-Tails' next Jinchuriki, would be under heavy protection, but Raiden doubted he'd receive the same treatment. He was certain he'd eventually be sent to the battlefield.
"As long as I master Flying Thunder God," Raiden reassured himself, "I can survive. No one can catch me if I can teleport."
Raiden flipped through the scrolls, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he mocked Minato, whose exploits had sparked conversations among villagers earlier that day. Still, he couldn't shake the unease in the air.
By the 31st year of Konoha, negotiations between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning had broken down. The Raikage of Cloud Village accused Konoha of murdering their envoy, while the Third Hokage couldn't publicly admit that Cloud's mission had included an attempt to kidnap Kushina. Doing so would reveal that Mito's health was failing—a vulnerability Konoha could ill afford.
Hiruzen resorted to spreading false claims about the Cloud envoy's intentions, but these fabrications were quickly debunked by Cloud's agents. With all avenues for diplomacy exhausted, Cloud Village began mobilizing its forces, preparing for war. Other hidden villages, sensing the tension, also ramped up their military efforts.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen was reviewing documents when a masked Anbu appeared, kneeling before him.
"Lord Hokage, Cloud Village has mobilized. A large force is moving through the Land of Hot Water and will reach our borders in a few days!"
Hiruzen froze, his pen hovering mid-air. He set it down carefully and lit his pipe.
"What? Cloud Village is moving so quickly? Didn't I send a team to initiate peace talks? Have they not arrived yet?"
"Report," the Anbu replied. "The team has lost contact. It's been two hours since we last heard from them. We had agreed to communicate every hour. It's likely they've encountered trouble."
Hiruzen fell silent, digesting the news. He needed time to plan his next move.
In contrast, Danzo Shimura, deep within his underground base, wasted no time.
"Send units 1 through 30 to the border immediately," Danzo commanded. "Ensure Cloud Village's elite troops don't breach the Fire Country's borders. Recruit all available frontier ninjas. The battlefield will be the Land of Hot Water!"
On the world map, the Land of Fire was the central region, with the Land of Hot Water serving as a buffer between it and the Land of Lightning. In times of war, smaller nations often became battlefields. While Hiruzen was still strategizing, Danzo was already moving to consolidate control over Konoha's border forces.
(End of Chapter)
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