Pingbai picked up a cheap apprentice and got connected with the Hyuga clan. Sometimes I couldn't help but wonder if I stepped on something lucky this morning, or if it was just pure, natural good fortune, so much so that things kept going my way.
However, the two sides had only just begun to establish cooperation, and couldn't fully trust each other yet. Next, the North Koreans would need to continue showing strong capabilities, gain greater prestige, and build confidence in the Hyuga clan so that the Hyuga would continue to support the North Korean clan's cause and its many lost names.
After returning home, Chao Yanqian made a simple assessment of the resources available to him.
As a disciple of Tsunade, Chao Yanqian held influence over Konoha Hospital; he wielded the Mangekyō Sharingan and had established a connection with the Uchiha clan; additionally, he had built a cooperative relationship with Shimura Danzo on the basis of researching Hashirama Senju's cells; now, he had also secured the support of the Hyuga clan.
Unknowingly, Chao Yanqian had already gathered considerable resources within Konoha. If he could fully control these forces, they would be enough to rival the authority of the Third Hokage and even gradually undermine his political influence.
After all, Chao Yanqian's prestige among the civilian ninja was only slightly inferior to that of the Third Hokage.
However, this would be difficult to achieve. Whether it was the Uchiha clan or the Hyuga clan, in the end, their alliance was based purely on mutual interests. Shimura Danzo was merely using the North Korean clan, and was likely already calculating how to eliminate them when the time came.
As for Chao Yanqian's current advantages they lay in his connection to the Hokage lineage, his formidable strength, and his prestige, which was not inferior to that of the Legendary Sannin. These were the very reasons why the Hyuga clan supported him.
But Chao Yanqian's greatest asset was his knowledge of the world of Naruto. Whether it was intelligence on the abilities of various ninja clans or the unfolding of future events, these were vital pieces of information. If used wisely, they could definitely be converted into significant advantages.
Whether it was his cooperation with Shimura Danzo or Uchiha Chizuru, this intelligence was central. Even becoming Tsunade's apprentice and following Orochimaru had been strategic decisions based on insider knowledge.
Now that he had access to all these resources, Chao Yanqian had to plan carefully in order to reap even greater benefits.
The next day, Chao Yanqian was studying sealing techniques in his office when he heard the cry of an eagle outside the window. He turned to see a gray eagle circling over Konoha, crying out repeatedly.
"Jōnin assembly?" Chao Yanqian guessed secretly. At this moment, the Third Hokage must have summoned the Jōnin, clearly because something had gone wrong.
At this time, Konoha had just experienced the Nine-Tails' attack, and the most likely scenario was that another hidden village was taking action against the weakened Konoha.
Thinking this, he opened the window and leapt out, heading toward Hokage Tower.
Upon entering the meeting room, he saw that nearly all the Jōnin still in the village had already arrived. He found a place to sit and waited quietly for the meeting to begin.
Before long, the Third Hokage, along with Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Shimura Danzo, arrived together. With Konoha's four most powerful figures gathered, it was clear something serious had occurred. The ninjas in the room wore solemn expressions, each speculating in silence.
"We've just received word that Kumogakure has deployed a large number of ninja to the border of the Land of Fire. Some have even entered our territory. They want to take advantage of Konoha's vulnerability after the Nine-Tails' invasion to spark war," the Third Hokage announced directly after sitting down. "This meeting is to discuss how Konoha will respond."
A potential war with Kumogakure was clearly not what Konoha desired especially after only a few short years of peace. Many ninjas already felt a deep fatigue toward war.
However, the safety of Konoha and the Land of Fire was at stake. Even if they didn't wish to fight, if Kumogakure made a move, Konoha would have no choice but to respond.
"This move from Kumogakure is just to test our reaction," said Konoha's strategist, Nara Shikaku. "Konoha has just sealed the Nine-Tails and is still rebuilding. If we show weakness now, other hidden villages will surely take this chance to strike us as well."
"Well said!" Shimura Danzo agreed immediately. "Since the founding of the village, Konoha has never been weak. If Kumogakure is testing our strength, we must not disappoint them lest they believe Konoha fears them. I suggest we immediately deploy troops to drive out Kumogakure's ninjas and make it clear we will not tolerate provocation."
Danzo, of course, had little to lose. A war would cost the Hokage's ANBU and many civilian ninjas, not his Root operatives, which he could withhold. Konoha's wars were always a test of the Hokage's leadership, while Danzo only needed to handle threats in the shadows.
Naturally, if the Third Hokage allowed Danzo to lead the military response, Danzo would leap at the chance. War brought prestige and resources. As long as Konoha won, it would be a profitable venture.
But the Third Hokage would never let Danzo operate openly. Even among the Jōnin, many believed Danzo was merely an elder without real power.
"Shikaku is right. If we show no reaction to Kumogakure's provocation, it will surely embolden the other villages," said the Third Hokage, ignoring Danzo's suggestion. "However, to prevent further escalation, we should fortify the border defensively and avoid direct conflict unless absolutely necessary. Konoha needs time to recover, and peace must be preserved if possible."
"Hiruzen, you're too naive," Danzo scoffed. "Do you think Kumogakure won't strike if we don't provoke them? War is inevitable. It's better to act first than to be caught off guard."
"We must try to avoid war while it hasn't yet begun," Hiruzen replied calmly. "Resolving this with minimal bloodshed is still possible."
Truthfully, Chao Yanqian agreed more with Danzo. Kumogakure clearly intended to test Konoha's strength and might strike at any moment. Preemptive action might be the better path.
But the Third Hokage's concerns were for the lives of Konoha's ninja. War meant inevitable casualties, and no one wanted to see Konoha suffer further loss.
Both Hiruzen and Danzo loved Konoha, but Hiruzen also loved the people within it that was the crucial difference. It's why he always held greater authority than Danzo.
Did the Third Hokage want to retaliate against Kumogakure? Of course. No one liked being pushed around.
But he wouldn't say so outright.
The border defenses he established wouldn't prevent conflict with Kumogakure. Even if Konoha avoided provoking them, the enemy would provoke Konoha.
War was coming.
Still, with those defenses in place, Konoha would be able to hold the line and Hiruzen would be remembered as a peace-seeking leader without sacrificing the village's honor. Compared to Danzo's direct approach, Hiruzen's method was far more refined.
If the Third Hokage was a shrewd statesman, then Danzo was merely a warlord. The difference between them was vast.
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