Konoha is near the Daimyo Capital, so it was the first to receive the secret letter from the Fujiwara clan head.
Inside the Hokage Office, four higher-ups were discussing the matter.
Tsunade sat behind the desk, her fingers tapping lightly on the surface. "The Fujiwara clan head's sincerity is quite evident. What are your thoughts?"
Hiashi slowly shook his head. "Konoha will not participate."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow slightly. "Oh? What's the reason?"
Hiashi said with restraint, "Once Konoha directly intervenes, it will become the target of all. Let Kumogakure and Iwagakure be that blade."
Tsunade pondered for a moment, then asked, "Shun, what do you think?"
Shun's lips curved into a slight smile. "We won't participate in the assassination, but we can demand a batch of supplies from them. Just say that Konoha will withdraw the ninjas stationed at the northern and eastern borders back to Konoha for rest."
Shikaku said worriedly, "Won't Iwagakure and Kumogakure take the opportunity to plunder the border cities?"
Shun replied, "Don't worry. Those nobles offered double the reward, they won't act recklessly."
Tsunade finally nodded. "Alright, then reply to the Fujiwara noble."
...
Kumogakure, Raikage Building.
A slammed his palm on the desk. "What? The Land of Fire Daimyo has assembled a ten-thousand ninja army?"
Dodai handed over a scroll and said, "Yes, that's the latest news. They've already started to exclude Konoha. Konoha has completely given up all mission quotas from the Daimyo Capital."
A said, "Those Konoha good-for-nothings actually retreated so easily."
C leaned lazily against the wall and said, "The most troublesome thing is that the Daimyo of other countries are all waiting to see. If the Land of Fire succeeds..."
Dodai said seriously, "Other Daimyo will follow suit, especially our Land of Lightning's Daimyo."
A's fists clenched, cracking audibly.
Just then, a secretary delivered a gilded secret letter.
A opened the letter and suddenly grinned. "A request from the Land of Fire Noble Alliance? To assassinate the Daimyo's ninja army, and the reward is double the market price? Konoha also withdrew its border ninjas."
Dodai frowned and said, "This wouldn't be a trap, would it?"
A glint flashed in A's eyes as he said, "No, this is an opportunity. Give the order, C's squad departs tonight."
...
At the same time, Iwagakure's Tsuchikage Office.
Ōnoki floated in the air, repeatedly checking the authenticity of the secret letter. "Double the reward, these nobles must be desperate."
Kitsuchi leaned in. "Father, we..."
A glint flickered in Ōnoki's eyes. "Accept. Of course, we accept. Not just for the money, but also to make the Land of Fire Daimyo understand that a ninja village is not so easily replaced."
Kitsuchi asked, "Should we inform Konoha?"
Ōnoki sneered, "Inform? That Shun probably received the news even earlier than us. Give the order to the Explosion Release Unit, act in three days."
...
Konoha, Hokage Office.
Tsunade slapped the noble's secret letter on the table and said, "The nobles' money and supplies have been delivered."
Shun's Sharingan subtly rotated as he said, "Take it. This is their hush money. We will not participate in this matter."
Shikaku suddenly pushed the door open and reported, "Latest news, Kumogakure's C squad has already crossed the border."
Tsunade said, puzzled, "Are they that fast?"
Shun chuckled. "Because Fourth Raikage A is deep in debt, he's more anxious than we imagined."
...
A Kumogakure elite squad silently infiltrated the Land of Fire border.
The Kumogakure Jonin leading the team whispered, "Target confirmed, Daimyo Capital patrol team, twelve people. Remember, disguise yourselves as rogue ninjas."
In the darkness, a flash of lightning flickered and vanished.
The next morning, the Daimyo Capital's patrol team was all found dead, their bodies covered in scorched marks, as if struck by lightning.
On the third day, outside the Daimyo's mansion.
The Iwagakure Explosion Release Unit laid an ambush in the forest, quietly waiting for their prey.
The Iwagakure ninja leading the team made a gesture. "They've arrived, the Daimyo mansion's transport team, escorting grain."
Boom... Boom... Boom...
Amidst violent explosions, the entire transport team was reduced to ashes, leaving only scorched earth and dismembered bodies at the scene.
Three days later, the Iwagakure Explosion Release Unit attacked the Daimyo Capital's armory.
Amidst the soaring flames, Ōnoki floated high in the sky, observing with cold eyes.
The Explosion Release Unit captain asked for instructions, "Tsuchikage-sama! Should we assassinate the Daimyo amidst the chaos?"
Ōnoki thought for a moment, then shook his head. "No, let him live to tell the other Daimyo the consequences of opposing a ninja village."
Seventh Night, Daimyo Capital Core Area
At the Daimyo Capital's ninja army headquarters, several Jonin had their throats slit in their sleep.
...
This turmoil lasted for a full month.
Inside the Daimyo Capital's council hall, the Daimyo's face was ashen, and the teacup in his hand was crushed to pieces.
He roared, "In just one month, over 3,000 ninjas have died. Are you all useless?"
The Tsuchigumo clan head knelt on the ground, cold sweat soaking his back. "Your Excellency, the murderers are extremely cunning, there are no clues for now."
The Daimyo kicked over the table. "Nonsense! Even I know it was Kumogakure and Iwagakure who did it, and you dare to say there are no clues."
Hiruzen stood to the side, silent.
The Daimyo suddenly turned his head and asked, "Hiruzen, where have Konoha's Anbu gone?"
Hiruzen slowly raised his head, his voice calm. "Your Excellency, all of Konoha's ninjas have withdrawn from the Daimyo Capital. This was personally approved by you."
The Daimyo choked, then became furious. "Good! Very good! Give the order! Effective immediately, all of Konoha's subsidies are canceled!"
...
Konoha, Hokage Office.
Natsuki, the head of the finance department, held the official document from the Daimyo amd said, "The Daimyo has canceled the financial subsidy, which is over two billion ryo annually. What should we do?"
Shun said calmly, "It's alright. Didn't I earn over 60 billion ryo for the village before? So, the village's finances won't have major problems for the next ten years."
Tsunade paid no attention to their conversation.
She looked at the latest intelligence and said, "Kumogakure succeeded fifty-seven times, Iwagakure sixty-two times. The Daimyo lost over 3,000 people. It seems our 'praise-kill' plan was very successful."
Shun stood by the window, looking into the distance. "That was just the first half. The second half, it's our turn to participate."
Shikaku showed a meaningful smile. "It's time for those waiting Daimyo to become restless."
Shun said meaningfully, "We will publicly announce: In the Third Great Ninja War, the Land of Fire was attacked by the four great nations. Konoha, for the sake of the country, even sent children aged 8-11 to participate in the war, resulting in 2,247 child casualties, and Konoha was almost wiped out. Konoha originally had 24,163 ninjas, but after the war, only 6,652 remained. Then, the Daimyo was ungrateful, recruited his own ninja army, and cut Konoha's mission quotas, leading to Konoha's withdrawal from the Daimyo Capital."
These public opinions quickly spread throughout the Land of Fire.
The nobles also began to fan the flames, saying that the Daimyo was ungrateful, indulged in pleasure, and repeatedly imposed taxes.
The Land of Fire Daimyo's prestige rapidly plummeted.
***
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