Inside the underground base of "Kagenami."
In this most secretive subterranean space in Konoha, a meeting was taking place—one that could be considered the least known of all—"A Secret Conference."
"Everyone, who would've thought we'd still be intact as a group this far along? It really feels like...a 'miracle.' The original thirteen members are still exactly thirteen today. No matter how you look at it, that's definitely worth celebrating.
I believe this 'luck' might be connected to Haseo's naming ability. I gave you all very auspicious code names, which is why you've been so fortunate. There's definitely a causal relationship here."
Back when Lord Haseo first met these thirteen Uzumaki shinobi, they were still living in the Land of Whirlpools. At that time, many among them had actually still been children.
The memories from those days felt vividly fresh, yet now the oldest among them were about the same age as Haseo himself, while even the youngest were already around thirty years old.
Most had already started families and established careers, with a new generation of red-haired kids already old enough to help out with chores and run errands. Compared to others, they were roughly the same age and putting in just as much effort… Not having kids really was starting to feel like a problem.
However, considering the brutal nature of ninja village wars and the high casualty rate among shinobi, for all of them to still be alive by now was certainly something worth celebrating—but strictly speaking, it fell within the category of being "abnormal."
"Lord Haseo, I think it has absolutely nothing to do with the codenames. It's simply because we rarely take on frontline combat assignments," someone bluntly offered a rational analysis free of mysticism, politely pointing out that it wasn't quite right for Haseo to be blowing his own horn like that.
Haseo's naming skills…was that really something worth bragging about? Just like how he still hadn't had any children—even after becoming Hokage—there were many aspects where he clearly underperformed.
Light laughter then echoed within that vast and deepest chamber, just like in the old days, with everyone casually sitting upon the ground...except perhaps for Uzumaki Shikou, who remained expressionless.
"Well, you're all logistics and support personnel anyway—no need to initiate fights or deal massive damage...
Although recent battles on multiple fronts haven't given Konoha a clear advantage, things have generally stabilized. That's precisely why I've called everyone back from their scattered positions across different battlefields.
Since I took office as Hokage, internal affairs within Konoha have also stabilized. After the initial wave of novelty and excitement passed, people eventually return to rationality. Currently, the village's hierarchical structure hasn't changed much compared to during The Third's era...Once I got used to serving as Hokage, I realized that this position really wasn't all that special after all."
What Haseo said wasn't pretense—he truly meant what he said.
After chatting idly about various random topics for a bit, Haseo finally steered the conversation back toward the main point.
"In any case, since all kinds of significant upheavals have now settled down, it's high time we activated the plan we previously formulated—actually, everything that's happened since the outbreak of war—including me becoming Hokage—falls into the categories of 'setbacks' and 'unexpected encounters.'"
From the start, I hadn't even planned to get involved in the war effort. Back then, Third Hokage's orders were simply for me to stay within the village... That plan was meant to begin then… but due to various incidents that occurred midway, it's been postponed until now."
"Lord Haseo, why must we execute this plan at this particular time? I think its danger is still too high… especially considering who our enemy is." Uzumaki Shikou apparently wasn't in favor of this plan; its level of risk was truly excessive.
"The reason… the reason lies on a personal level—I am already at my strongest self right now. I've nearly reached the limits of what a ninja can achieve. And speaking in terms of age, in a few more years I might also face the issue of chakra deterioration," Haseo explained.
But this kind of reasoning was nothing more than an excuse. Based on his physical condition, he basically wouldn't experience sudden or rapid chakra depletion. Even taking another step back and considering normal ninja strength curves, Haseo—now barely forty—still had at least ten more years of peak performance ahead… The real reason was that Haseo absolutely did not want to delay things any further.
The goal was right there. Postponement felt like a chain binding Haseo… Just like weekend homework—it was something some people couldn't relax until it was all done and off their minds.
"Considering the enemy's age as well… no matter how powerful he once was, now he's already aged and weak. As the once-[mightiest warrior] of the Uchiha clan, his current power still pales in comparison to Kumogakure's Third Raikage.
[Plotting to overturn the world]—that was what Lady Mito told me about his intentions just before her passing. Even without detailed explanations, the plans made by such a figure and the potential threat they posed are easy to imagine.
Even I myself have accomplished the 'feat' of single-handedly destroying an entire village. For someone ranked alongside the First Hokage, his capabilities must extend far beyond that… His [overturning of the world] definitely wasn't an exaggeration.
Therefore, it's also a plan that cannot be ignored."
Haseo, as usual, attributed the intelligence source to someone long deceased.
Madara Uchiha, his Rinnegan, his plan—it was indeed the perfect timing to intercept him now… though comparing Madara to the Third Raikage was complete nonsense.
"But Lord Haseo, assuming the enemy is hiding somewhere in the world… no matter how determined our plan is, if we can't locate him, everything will be for naught. Even mobilizing Konoha's full resources couldn't possibly enable us to track across the entire world," someone raised a more practical concern.
"Don't worry. I've already obtained the methods and clues long ago. Otherwise, how could I have confirmed that the target still exists in this world?
I've already made everyone's job clear beforehand… Help me locate and track a specific target, and across a wide area, ensure that this target doesn't use summoning techniques to escape elsewhere."
"Then regarding combat..."
"Combat is my own matter. Once the target is located, everyone must evacuate immediately... don't forget this is a covert mission."
Once he located Madara Uchiha's position, Haseo felt that with the old man's aged arrogance and melodramatic personality, running away with his tail between his legs was unlikely—those who could earn Madara's respect were none other than Hashirama Senju.
Although Haseo had become well-known throughout the entire Ninjutsu World as one of the younger generation of ninja... what was he compared to them?
Still... fighting alone?
This decision caught everyone off guard, and they could only exchange helpless looks. No matter how you looked at it, such a decision seemed inappropriate. Yet by the tone of his voice, there would be no discussion or changing his mind.
Then Haseo turned to Uzumaki Shikou and reminded her, "Shikou, you don't need to participate in this mission... or rather, staying in Konoha is your real task."
"But Lord Haseo, I believe my involvement is necessary, after all—"
"No 'after all.' The village's safety comes first. Don't put cart before horse."
"But—"
"Better safe than sorry—we have to be prepared for anything."
Although Shikou had a more emotional side, Haseo would certainly not let her act on impulse.
Haseo's plan really did seem a bit unreasonable—it was starting to sound like pure stubbornness. If anyone was truly putting cart before horse, it was him.
What he was about to do now wasn't something a Hokage should handle, nor a task for Konoha itself—it was purely personal business... something he wanted to do simply because he wanted to.
After all, settling down and pursuing your path are the big milestones in life. Since Haseo already built a home, it was time to build his legacy.
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