Tobi hurriedly ran towards the tree hollow.
"Lord! I'm no match for Hatake Sakumo!"
Uchiha Madara slowly turned his head and saw Tobi, missing half of his body.
Even the White Zetsu inside Tobi was missing half a shoulder and one arm.
For minor injuries, Tobi and White Zetsu could recover on their own. But this injury was different; Hatake Sakumo's White Fang had cut through it, carrying stubborn Lightning Release Chakra.
Uchiha Madara casually waved his hand, clearing the Lightning Release Chakra from Tobi and White Zetsu's wounds.
Tobi and White Zetsu began to heal their injuries, their severed limbs regrowing.
Tobi said: "Lord Madara, Konoha is indeed too strong now. With so many powerful shinobi in Konoha, how will Nagato collect the Tailed Beasts later?"
Uchiha Madara slowly stood up:
"For Nagato's safety, we restricted his area of activity. Being so timid and restricted is not conducive to the Rinnegan's growth.
It's time to chop off a few of Konoha's limbs, to make it easier for Nagato to capture the Nine-Tails."
Madara looked down and asked: "Where is Hatake Sakumo?"
Tobi said: "After severely injuring me, he hurriedly returned to Konoha. He seems to have some ideas about Konoha's Guardian Ninja system and wants to persuade Sarutobi Hiruzen."
Uchiha Madara said: "Good. Then let's go to Konoha. Saves us the trouble of killing people in different places; gathering them makes killing more convenient."
Tobi shouted: "We must make sure Konoha can't recover for decades!"
Uchiha Madara walked out of the tree hollow, into the heavy rain, and disappeared with the Body Flicker Technique.
Hatake Sakumo, wearing his advisor robes, arrived before the Konoha gate.
After several months on his mission, he had finally returned to Konoha Village.
In the Hokage's office, Danzo's expression was grim.
"Hiruzen, Hatake Sakumo wants to reform the Guardian Ninja system? He's proposing some Guardian Ninja Captain rotation system, where each Guardian Ninja Captain can only serve for three years maximum before being replaced." Danzo slammed the table hard:
"Isn't this targeting my Shimura clan?
My Shimura clan and I have endured so many attacks from the rogue ninja organization for the village's sake. Besides Shimura Kōko, who else can I send as Guardian Ninja Captain?
Shimura Kōko has always been the Guardian Ninja Captain; he's more familiar with the Land of Grass, has more advantages. How can we replace him so easily?
What does Hatake Sakumo want to do! What is he really after!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen also found the situation difficult.
The Sarutobi clan wasn't as stretched for personnel as the Shimura clan, but with the Guardian Ninja Captain rotating every three years, he feared that even if the first few terms were Sarutobi shinobi, Hatake Sakumo would later try to insert his own people, gradually turning it into a position anyone could hold. The Sarutobi clan wouldn't be able to monopolize the Guardian Ninja Captain positions in several countries.
The Guardian Ninja Captain for the Daimyō of the Land of Fire was a lucrative post. The Captain could use the convenience of their status and position to assign low-risk, high-reward missions to Sarutobi clan shinobi.
The Daimyō and nobles didn't understand mission difficulty. For certain A-rank missions that seemed dangerous, having a Sarutobi shinobi as squad leader, paired with some secret technique users, could easily complete them.
The Guardian Ninja Captain positions for the Land of Fire and the four minor countries were the most lucrative posts in Konoha, aside from the advisors.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked down at the scroll sent by Hatake Sakumo. Hatake Sakumo's attitude was resolute; he insisted on reforming Konoha's Guardian Ninja system.
For this, he had personally returned to Konoha and was now inside the village.
The Sarutobi clan monopolized the Guardian Ninja for the Land of Fire, Land of Hot Water, and Land of Rivers. The Shimura clan monopolized the Land of Grass Guardian Ninja. The Ino–Shika–Chō trio monopolized the Land of Whirlpools Guardian Ninja.
If Hatake Sakumo's reforms were implemented, it would severely damage the interests of these five great clans.
Shimura Danzo said: "Originally, making Hatake Sakumo an advisor was to utilize his strength to deal with Uchiha Madara's rogue ninja organization. But look what happened now! Before we see him deal with the rogue ninja, he turns around to attack us first!"
A knock sounded at the door.
Nara Rokaku entered the Hokage's office.
The Ino–Shika–Chō clans were also targets of this reform.
The Ino–Shika–Chō clans had large populations. The position of Guardian Ninja Captain for the Daimyō of the Land of Whirlpools brought them substantial rewards and other resources.
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked: "Rokaku, you are always thorough. Regarding Hatake Sakumo's proposal, what are your thoughts?"
Nara Rokaku wore a worried expression and said:
"Lord Hokage, Lord Danzo, Advisor Sakumo isn't forcing the issue; his proposal is only being discussed among the few of us.
What I fear is that once this proposal spreads, it will cause discordant voices within the village.
The Guardian Ninja Captains, being close to the Daimyō and nobles of various countries, are the first to contact and screen missions. It's impossible for others in the village not to be jealous.
Our clans have contributed the most to the village. Before, other village shinobi might have had thoughts, but didn't dare say much.
The Sarutobi clan was originally the third largest clan when the village was founded. When Lord Sarutobi Sasuke decided to join Konoha, Lord Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara at the time personally welcomed him several kilometers outside the village gates.
Now, after 40 years of development, the Sarutobi clan, both in terms of shinobi numbers and strength, already has the appearance of the largest clan within Konoha Village.
In terms of strength, the Sarutobi clan holding several Daimyō Guardian Ninja Captain positions is well-deserved."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded repeatedly. Nara Rokaku's words were so pleasing to hear.
Nara Rokaku continued: "The sacrifices Lord Danzo has made for the village, which ordinary shinobi don't understand, we are perfectly clear about.
Without Lord Danzo, Konoha would not have been able to withstand the numerous attacks in the darkness, nor the countless pairs of wolf-like eyes staring intently at Konoha in the night."
Danzo nodded repeatedly. He had never had any objections to Nara Rokaku being the Jōnin Commander.
Nara Rokaku said: "As for our Ino–Shika–Chō clans, although we are always mentioned together, we are three separate clans.
The secret techniques of our three clans have contributed greatly to the village. I believe it is not at all excessive for us to hold the Guardian Ninja Captain position in the Land of Whirlpools.
Lord Hokage, Lord Danzo, my meaning is to try to stabilize Advisor Sakumo.
Advisor Sakumo's proposal is best settled early, within small, high-level meetings, within this office.
Once it spreads to the village and ordinary villagers learn of it, unnecessary trouble will arise.
Those with ill intentions, if they hear that someone in the leadership wants to break the current order, chaos is sure to follow.
Konoha Village has never lacked ambitious people.
I have heard the term 'The Five Noble Clans'. Some shinobi might think the current distribution is not fair enough."
Sarutobi Hiruzen said: "Invite Hatake Sakumo to the Hokage's office immediately. He must not contact too many Jōnin.
As Rokaku said, all disputes must be confined to this office. We cannot allow widespread discussion within the village.
Have Yellow Dog monitor Hatake Sakumo's subordinates. Before we persuade Hatake Sakumo, his subordinates cannot return home and cannot speak nonsense.
Investigate who visits Hatake Sakumo at his home and record them all."
Danzo added: "Hatake Sakumo left his post without authorization, returning to the village without orders. Unforgivable.
I will send Root to the Land of Grass, under the guise of rogue ninja and Iwa-nin, to kill a few Land of Grass nobles and pin the blame on Hatake Sakumo.
As the Foreign Affairs Advisor, how can he return to the village at such a critical time?
He should be guarding the areas where rogue ninja frequently appear. This is dereliction of duty!"
Nara Rokaku inwardly clicked his tongue. Advisor Danzo's methods were still so crude... killing a few Land of Grass nobles – brutal, but effective.
Hatake Sakumo entered the Konoha gate with Yamashiro-dera and others.
After Hatake Sakumo left, the gate guard said to the person beside him: "Since Lord White Fang became the Foreign Affairs Advisor, we haven't heard any news of rogue ninja causing trouble for months!"
"If you want to suck up, why not say it in front of Lord White Fang? Do you expect me to relay your flattery to him?"
"Is this flattery? I'm stating facts!"
Yellow Dog appeared on the road inside the gate.
"Lord Sakumo, Jōnin Yamashiro-dera, please proceed to the Hokage Building. The Hokage is waiting for you."
Yamashiro-dera felt apprehensive. He didn't think now was a good time to propose the Guardian Ninja Captain rotation system, but Sakumo insisted, and he couldn't do anything about it.
It wasn't that he thought the policy was bad, but that the influence of The Five Noble Clans was too great. Acting rashly would not only fail but also consume Sakumo's resources and prestige.
Proposing a policy that fails to be implemented is a failure for a politician.
After arriving at the Hokage Building, Yellow Dog had Yamashiro-dera and the other advisor assistants wait and rest on the second floor, while Hatake Sakumo went up to the third floor and entered the Hokage's office.
Entering the office, Hatake Sakumo saw the other village higher-ups.
The smoking Third Hokage and advisor, the solemn-faced Utatane Koharu, Danzo who glanced at him, and Nara Rokaku who was looking at a scroll, lost in thought.
Hatake Sakumo didn't see Fox and wondered where he was.
Recently, he had seen very little intelligence about Fox carrying out missions. He didn't know if something had happened to Fox.
"Lord Hokage, I have returned."
Hatake Sakumo showed no sign of fear and sat on the sofa next to Nara Rokaku.
Yellow Dog went to stand beside the Third Hokage.
Nara Rokaku coughed and was the first to speak:
"Advisor Sakumo, I recall you once implemented a Jutsu Assessment System on the Land of Rivers battlefield during the Second Shinobi World War.
Any shinobi who met certain mission requirements could be granted precious jutsu by the command.
You also once proposed implementing a Shinobi Position Assessment System.
Advisor Sakumo, you have many ideas.
This time, the Guardian Ninja Captain Rotation System you proposed isn't wrong per se, but like your other proposals, we cannot be too hasty. The timing isn't very appropriate."
Hatake Sakumo said: "Commander Rokaku, when would reform not be considered hasty? What timing would be appropriate?"
Nara Rokaku said: "When granting jutsu, the biggest fear is enemy village spies obtaining them.
If enemy villages know Konoha shinobi's intelligence and target us specifically, it would increase shinobi casualty rates.
The jutsu confidentiality system is the core of each village's jutsu inheritance. Without solving the spy problem, the Jutsu Assessment System cannot be safely promoted.
This Guardian Ninja Captain Rotation System is the same. The village is currently under great pressure.
Whether it's Uchiha Madara's rogue ninja organization or the greedy eyes of other villages, they are all difficult to deal with.
We cannot create internal disorder. Our first priority is to deal with the rogue ninja.
Before resolving the rogue ninja issue, the Guardian Ninja should not be easily changed. Don't you agree?"
After listening, Hatake Sakumo was very disappointed.
The timing issue was superficial. Nara Rokaku didn't address the core problem: why The Five Noble Clans monopolized the Guardian Ninja Captain positions in five countries.
Inside the Hokage's office, a long dispute ensued, lasting late into the night.
—
At the Tsurugetsu Izakaya, Yōkō walked out of the building carrying a bottle of sake.
The full moon was like a silver plate; another full moon night had arrived.
Yōkō frowned, looking towards the village wall.
A sense of foreboding lingered in his heart.
His heartbeat was somewhat fast.
Boom!
A dozens-meter long luminous sword smashed through the Konoha wall!
Susano'o!
A blue Susano'o, without armor, with powerfully built muscles, holding serpentine twin swords.
Uchiha Madara!
Yōkō scanned the area. Four blue Susano'o giants had broken through the Konoha walls from four different directions.
Wood Clone Susano'o...
***
Dive deeper into the story with 50+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!
(End of Chapter)