Although Tobirama Senju could not leave Kiri Village to return to Konoha and see Uchiha Ju, he could absolutely operate remotely to avenge his great granddaughter.
His gaze sharpened slightly, and he spoke, "Have those people outside the door eavesdropped enough? If you've had your fill of sneaky listening, then get in here." Tobirama Senju placed his hands on the table, raising his voice a few notches as he called out.
The next moment, the door was pushed open. Fuguki Suikazan was the first to enter. He chuckled, "What are your orders, Department Head? This humble one will definitely carry them out."
After the Seven Ninja Swordsmen entered, they all nodded. However, they all hid behind Fuguki Suikazan. Fuguki Suikazan cursed inwardly. It was you all who wanted to eavesdrop, but when discovered, you push me out front to take the blame. I really don't know if I owed you all in a past life.
Despite inwardly raging at the group, on the surface he was all pleasant smiles, looking at Tobirama Senju without averting his eyes. Although Tobirama was the head of the Kiri Department and the current highest leader of Kiri Village, he himself was also considered high ranking.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were also like elders. This was not just because of their swords, but because each of them possessed strength approaching that of Kage level.
No matter how great Tobirama Senju's authority was, he had no grounds to execute them just for eavesdropping. After all, they had been very docile since Kiri Village's surrender, causing no trouble.
Tobirama Senju looked at Fuguki Suikazan, a hint of meaning in his eyes. "Fuguki Suikazan, the Kiri Department now belongs to Konoha. Am I correct?"
Fuguki Suikazan was taken aback. He did not speak but nodded. "That is correct. I wonder what Lord Tobirama means? Please speak clearly."
Tobirama Senju leaned back tactically, looking at the group. "You all heard most of what I said earlier, so I don't need to repeat the reasons. I plan to issue the order directly."
After saying this, Tobirama Senju stood up. He looked at the Seven Ninja Swordsmen and Danzo. "Danzo, heed the order."
Danzo stepped forward and cupped his hands. "Your subordinate is here." This was work time, and in front of outsiders, he naturally could not call him teacher. He had to address by title.
"The envoy from Hot Water Village in the Land of Rivers, Hidan, disregarded all laws and order, wantonly killing within our Konoha. If we do not avenge this, will Konoha not become a subject of ridicule? Today, I order you to lead three thousand Kiri ninja and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to deliver a small punishment to Hot Water Village." Tobirama Senju narrowed his eyes slightly.
Danzo rose after receiving the order, then pondered his teacher's intention. His teacher said a small punishment, but how small, to what extent, he did not specify.
In other words, his teacher was leaving it to his discretion. If he killed too few, his teacher would be dissatisfied. If he killed too many, he would bear the responsibility, but he definitely would not be in mortal danger.
From now on, Danzo was Tobirama Senju's trusted aide. Perhaps Tobirama also saw Danzo as a tool in his hand, but Danzo was willing. Eighty percent of his skills came from Tobirama Senju.
A teacher for a day is a father for life. Tobirama Senju was like a strict father figure in Danzo's heart. Could he refuse a task assigned by his own father?
The expressions of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen varied, but in the end, they all looked toward their leader, Fuguki Suikazan.
Fuguki Suikazan pondered briefly, then knelt on one knee, cupping his hands. "The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Kiri Department are willing to share the Department Head's burdens, to brave fire and water for Konoha, without hesitation."
Tobirama Senju's lips curved upward. He had not misjudged. This core of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Fuguki Suikazan, was a smart person. Now, the entire ninja world belonged to Konoha.
Not to mention that Ryun Uchiha had limitless lifespan, even if he were not immortal, he was only just over thirty. Looking at his strength and physique, people would believe he could live to one hundred.
For at least the next seventy years, the ninja world would live in Konoha's shadow. So, the great cause of reviving the village or continuing to obey Konoha had nothing to do with them anymore.
Rather than defy Konoha and someday be caught by Konoha over a minor fault, it was better to recognize the current situation and be a hero, following orders, doing whatever they were told.
They would live their own lives comfortably and without worry. After Fuguki Suikazan made his decision, the rest of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen quickly followed suit, kneeling on one knee. "We are willing to share the Department Head's burdens, to brave fire and water for Konoha, without hesitation."
"Rise. For this operation, the Department will not take a single portion of the spoils. Take as much as you can carry." Tobirama Senju said calmly. This caused the hearts of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to surge with joy.
Don't be fooled by the seemingly glamorous surface of the shinobi profession. They were poor. The maintenance of their swords, the repeated repairs of ninja tools, the consumption of explosive tags and shuriken, all weighed on each shinobi. Being able to barely cover these expenses with their earnings was already quite good.
Now, Tobirama Senju's words were like a stone causing a thousand ripples. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen were all rubbing their hands in anticipation. But Fuguki Suikazan frowned. He looked at Tobirama Senju.
Tobirama Senju also looked at him with a smile. A cold sweat broke out on Fuguki's back. Vicious. Absolutely vicious.
Konoha was not short of money. Konoha had no interest in this money. But once the ninja of Kiri Village failed to withstand the of their conscience, committing mass slaughter and plundering wealth.
Even if they said it was ordered by the Konoha Department Head, people in the ninja world probably would not believe it. Watching his brothers and sisters all looking delighted, Fuguki Suikazan felt a chill run down his spine.
In other words, this operation was entirely their own doing, having nothing to do with Konoha. Just as Fuguki was about to speak, Tobirama Senju stretched lazily. "Everyone, off you go. I await your triumphant return."
With that, he gave the dismissal, cutting off Fuguki Suikazan's question. Fuguki Suikazan's face turned ashen. In the end, he could only helplessly stand up and go out.
The other Seven Ninja Swordsmen followed closely behind, walking out together. Danzo went to supervise them in assembling the troops. He was the overall commander of the operation, but he also understood the meaning behind his teacher's earlier words.
He could not take a single bit of the wealth, but he could allow the Kiri ninja to plunder freely. This way, if this matter later became known and was exposed to the ninja world, he could say the Kiri ninja were unruly and difficult to control, having nothing to do with him.
Even if people in the ninja world didn't believe it, they couldn't say anything.
Indeed, Tobirama Senju was no good guy either. Fuguki Suikazan transmitted his voice to his brothers and sisters, "Once we deploy, we will only supervise the battle. Do not take action. Do not take any wealth. Understood?"
"Why not?" Jinin Akebino complained. His explosive blade, Kabutowari, required very high maintenance costs and needed to be pre stocked with explosive tags.
In every battle, he spent the most money. Ninety percent of his earnings from a mission went into maintaining Kabutowari. The remaining ten percent allowed him to barely make ends meet.
"This money isn't that easy to take." Ringo Ameyuri said calmly. Although she didn't fully understand, she knew that Tobirama Senju allowing them to freely burn, kill, and plunder was not a normal order.
Juzo Biwa didn't really care. His two swords had been taken by Ryun Uchiha and Uchiha Izuna successively. Now he used standard long swords. If one broke, he just replaced it. It wasn't expensive.
At this moment, Juzo Biwa had instead become the richest among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. He had no objection to Fuguki Suikazan's words. But the other sword bearers frowned.
Seeing this, Fuguki Suikazan's heart sank. He sighed. "If you still recognize me as your leader, then do not touch the wealth, and try to act as little as possible."
"But leader, what about the Kiri Village ninja over there..." The usually quiet Jinin Akebino spoke up to ask. Fuguki Suikazan's footsteps halted. This movement attracted Danzo's attention.
Danzo narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at Fuguki Suikazan. Fuguki Suikazan smiled and continued walking forward. Then he continued transmitting his voice. "In this era, we can hardly protect ourselves. Don't worry about others. Let them carry out Tobirama Senju's orders."
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen fell silent, then followed their leader Fuguki Suikazan's advice. So they all remained silent, following him to assemble the Kiri ninja.
Due to having Tobirama Senju's written order and seal, as well as Danzo, Tobirama's direct disciple present, even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen did not dare to delay. In less than an hour, they had assembled three thousand ninja.
If Ryun Uchiha were here and saw the leader of this three thousand strong force, he would smile and say, "Well, if it isn't an old acquaintance."
The leading ninja was none other than Ao, who had stolen the Hyūga's Byakugan back then, and then had it plucked back out by Ryun Uchiha. What an unlucky fellow.
Who would have thought that gold would shine eventually. Even without the Byakugan bloodline, relying on his brains and talent, he had now become the leader of this three thousand strong force.
Fuguki Suikazan was also taken aback upon seeing Ao. He couldn't help but feel a bit dazed. At first, he had admired this ninja who dared to steal Konoha's Byakugan and even dared to attack him.
Back then, he was still relatively young and brash, full of youthful spirit. But now, the innocence of those days was gone from his face, replaced by the steadiness and depth gained through weathering hardships.
Ao led the Kiri ninja force to a stop in front of Danzo. He ignored his old acquaintances Fuguki Suikazan and the Kiri Village Seven Ninja Swordsmen, directly cupping his hands to Danzo.
"Sir. The three thousand ninja of the Kiri Department are assembled and ready to carry out the annihilation mission at any time." Before coming, Tobirama Senju had already sent someone to notify Ao. However, the message Ao received was to annihilate all combat capable forces of Hot Water Village. All spoils of war belong entirely to Kiri Village.
From a spirited youth to a steady, experienced young man, Ao was no longer a reckless young man一心 wanting to charge into battle for Kiri Village. Instead, he held a grudge against Kiri Village.
Back then, Yagura had said he would him, not because of his Byakugan. Yet after his Byakugan was taken, not only did the promised status and power vanish, he was even forbidden from practicing the Coral Palm.
They watched him twenty four hours a day. If they found him practicing Coral Palm, he would be killed on the spot for the crime of betraying the village. He lived cautiously, obediently, which allowed him to survive until now.