"I just started feeling like the Fourth was finally acting like a Hokage, but now he's giving off that ominous vibe again. What exactly is the Fourth preparing this time?"
Inside the Hokage office one afternoon, Homura Mitokado asked Uzumaki Shikou.
Had Haseo's "well-behaved act" only lasted briefly?
Because of his recent actions, the two eldest advisors felt their hopes in him had once again been dashed. He'd shown signs of improvement, only to quickly revert back.
The Fourth Hokage just couldn't keep up a glamorous appearance.
After the Third Hokage stepped down, with the new Hokage taking over, comparatively speaking, these two advisors had become even more senior figures. Thus, they often kept a close eye on the Hokage, nagging, lecturing, or criticizing him.
Of course, such nitpicking was something Lord Haseo definitely wouldn't care about.
"Lord Haseo should be preparing to inspect the front lines. Showing up at various battlefields is also part of a Hokage's duty… Just think about it, Lord Haseo isn't someone who can comfortably command from headquarters.
He's managed to stay put in the village for six months already. He really needs some exercise… If we don't want that person causing bigger problems."
Uzumaki Shikou explained Haseo's recent situation. And to make her words more believable, she quietly criticized Haseo a bit as well.
Homura Mitokado understood Haseo's character well enough to skip past that earlier worry immediately and ask instead, "What about security arrangements? How long will this battlefield inspection last? You must know the Hokage can't stay away from Konoha for too long."
"Security will be handled by Kagenami. As for the choice of Kagenami over Anbu—partly due to Lord Haseo's personal preference, and partly because since Haseo became Hokage, a large portion of the elite Anbu have already been deployed to the front lines as high-level combat forces.
As for the timeframe, Lord Haseo's absence from Konoha will likely last somewhere between a week and a month. After all, our battlefields have now been split into three fronts, each with different situations and facing extremely powerful enemies.
Elder advisor, security arrangements are merely standard protocol. Truth is, a ninja as strong as Lord Haseo hardly ever needs protection. And if things ever reach the extreme point where he actually requires guards... well... what good would ordinary guards do in a situation like that?"
"…"
That question left Homura Mitokado momentarily speechless.
In situations where Haseo himself couldn't handle things, could they really expect Anbu guards to turn the tide?
Such possibility existed, but wasn't very realistic.
Haseo's usual working style and the "bad impression" he gave off made it relatively easy for him to break free from the restrictions of the Hokage role, gaining relatively free mobility… Of course, this was also related to the fact that Haseo's strength had already received widespread recognition.
So ultimately, the Fourth Hokage was simply given clearance… released from his cage.
The plan was still in its final preparation phase. At this time, Haseo and the twelve Uzumaki shinobi he had designated had not yet left Konoha.
It wasn't only the Uzumaki shinobi who needed to make preparations; Haseo himself also needed to prepare. Facing an enemy like this, there was no such thing as being "too cautious." No amount of preparation could be considered excessive.
Haseo returned to the Shikkotsu Forest.
There, he found the forest's most unique inhabitant—Katsuyu. After undoing layer upon layer of seals placed on it, he finally dragged out a stone coffin.
An elderly man emerged from the coffin as Haseo uncovered it. He bore the distinct "patchwork" marks characteristic of the Impure World Reincarnation, his eyes tightly shut.
"Chief Elder, it's been quite a while... but this 'reunion' seems far from pleasant. Allow me to apologize in advance."
Even as he spoke to the dead man, Haseo pulled a kunai from his ninja tool pouch. Attached to the iron ring at the end of this kunai was a specially prepared technique talisman.
After forming a series of hand seals, he thrust the kunai forward. As it touched the other's skin, the kunai—and the technique attached to it—disappeared into the body of the "Impure World Reincarnation" vessel.
The function of the technique wasn't complicated—it was merely a summoning contract technique.
As for the unbroken "Impure World Reincarnation Technique," although originally cast by the Third Hokage—who was now deceased—this didn't mean it was uncontrollable. All institutionalized, systematic elements were strictly regulated. Following the completion of that original plan, definite contingencies had been designed for exactly this kind of situation—the unexpected death of the Third Hokage.
The Hokage was just a disposable puppet, while the Nine-Tails was Konoha's real "family treasure."
If someone's death was something whose consequences extended beyond just themselves—with major ramifications—then planning for posthumous arrangements would certainly not be something worth avoiding.
Additionally, another point deserves mention: all ninjutsu in Konoha—including kinjutsu and secret techniques—were open to the Hokage.
Perhaps that was what made the Hokage position so appealing to Orochimaru.
After completing his actions within the Shikkotsu Forest, Haseo had essentially completed all necessary preparations.
Two days later, Haseo's squad assembled and departed Konoha virtually unnoticed. Well, naturally, the Hokage's whereabouts must be kept secret.
The group headed directly westward through the Land of Fire, clearly rushing straight toward Konoha's western front line. In fact, Haseo seemed less like he was heading out for an inspection of the battlefield and more like he had a personal interest in checking up on Tsunade.
However, upon approaching the border of the Land of Fire, the group abruptly changed course northward, swiftly and decisively entering Rain Country—the central region of the continent, the primary battleground of the First and Second Great Ninja Wars, and a neutral ground during the Third.
Lush, verdant mountains came into view, and soon drizzling rain filled everyone's ears with its soft pattering.
Upon entering the Land of Rain, Haseo's high-speed team finally paused momentarily.
They crouched low beneath the towering trees, hidden by waist-high bushes. There was no way anyone would notice a whole "group" of Konoha ninjas hiding right here.
Even if someone approached this area, considering there were so many Uzumaki shinobi present—including more than one ninja specialized in chakra sensing—how could they possibly worry about being discovered first?
If anyone got discovered, it'd be the enemy getting spotted first... Unless Amegakure had a Byakugan user.
"Lord Haseo, what should we do now? Can you explain our next plan of action?" Ka-jin asked.
"Hmm, the first step is very simple... I wonder if any of you have heard about an organization recently formed within the Land of Rain. Though they claim to be Amegakure ninjas, their members come from various backgrounds outside of Amegakure itself.
That's why Amegakure's Hanzo considers them Rogue Ninja.
They oppose unnecessary killing, advocating only for measured violence, striving to end the chaos within Amegakure and aiming to create a more stable life for both shinobi and civilians...
In short, it's an idealistic group of young people—well-intentioned but perhaps too optimistic. The organization's leader himself is merely a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old ninja.
Hanzo has already launched multiple attacks against them; ironically, each attack only made the group stronger. Some Amegakure ninjas even defected to join them directly.
Our immediate goal is to locate this organization and quickly capture their three top leaders."
"Lord Haseo, which organization are you referring to?"
Obviously, none of them had ever heard of such an organization before.
The Uzumakis completely trusted Haseo, so they didn't question why they needed to target an 'outsider' first before confronting Madara Uchiha.
"The organization in the Land of Rain," Haseo continued, "is called 'Akatsuki.'"
The "Akatsuki" of Nagato and the "Akatsuki" of Yahiko were entirely different entities.
The original Akatsuki and the later Akatsuki stood for completely opposing ideals.
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