Inside the ANBU base, Sarutobi Shinnosuke was making arrangements.
Seeing Sarutobi Shinnosuke showing his true face without a mask, dressed in advisor robes, Yōkō still felt somewhat unaccustomed to it.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke held the dual positions of ANBU Chief and Foreign Affairs Advisor.
Yōkō, acting as the head of the ANBU, was the sole Vice Chief. When Sarutobi Shinnosuke was not in the ANBU, the ANBU was entirely under Yōkō's command.
Yōkō's authority had increased somewhat.
Leaving the ANBU alongside Sarutobi Shinnosuke were Butterfly and Gibbon.
Butterfly had already married Yellow Dog; her real name was Sarutobi Hōbi.
The fact that these two got married without inviting Yōkō made him a little sad.
Am I not your trusted subordinate?
Even though I've thought about killing you several times, before I actually take action, I am your trusted subordinate.
When it comes to trusted subordinates, it's Judged by actions, not intentions. If we judged by intentions, who could have an absolutely trustworthy subordinate?
You didn't even invite me to the wedding. Are you planning to invite me to the funeral instead?
Gibbon's original name was Sarutobi Enosuke, the most outstanding individual among the Sarutobi clan's younger generation.
Yōkō took an extra look at Sarutobi Enosuke. This man's strength was unknown, but his luck was truly remarkable.
Yōkō had long wanted to deal with him, but had been busy with other matters. Coupled with Sarutobi Enosuke's extreme caution—never leaving the village—Yōkō had found no opportunity.
Now that you're an Advisor Assistant, you'll have to leave the village eventually, right?
Besides Sarutobi Hōbi and Sarutobi Enosuke, there was also an Ino–Shika–Chō Trio and a Hyūga ninja serving as Sarutobi Shinnosuke's advisor assistants.
The Ino–Shika–Chō Trio could both protect Sarutobi Shinnosuke, and the Nara among them, Nara Kyoi, could serve as a strategist, helping Shinnosuke handle miscellaneous tasks and Identify shortcomings and fill gaps.
Nara Kyoi looked at Fox, thinking about what Clan Leader Rokaku had told him late last night.
While working under Advisor Shinnosuke, he must cooperate well with Fox.
Part of the future of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio clans would be entrusted to Fox.
Help Fox secretly, show goodwill to Fox covertly.
As an elite jonin of the Nara clan, Nara Kyoi knew a lot of intelligence. He even knew that Fox had a special relationship with Yamanaka Ruri of the Yamanaka clan.
Yamanaka Ruri was now a core figure within the Yamanaka clan.
As for that Hyūga ninja, it was Hyūga Koe, whom Yōkō had met before.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke said to Yōkō:
"Konoha's foreign affairs environment is very poor. Once the news of Konoha's heavy losses spreads, all the Daimyō will send official inquiries to Konoha.
The four smaller nations are easier to handle. They are weak and wouldn't dare oppose Konoha.
My plan is to start from the Land of Whirlpools, then proceed to the other three smaller nations in order, to make these small nations behave.
Finally, we will address the Land of Fire's issue.
According to Enosuke's intelligence, the Land of Fire's Daimyō is planning to send the First Prince to the Fire Temple for ordination in one month.
The Daimyō wants to cultivate the Fire Temple, introduce its ninja monks, and form a third force to balance Konoha Village and the samurai.
The Daimyō is attempting to have the Fire Temple provide two powerful ninja monks to serve as the Daimyō's Guardian Ninja. This is something Konoha absolutely cannot allow.
Fox, in extraordinary times, I must use extraordinary methods."
Yōkō nodded, indicating he was listening.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke continued, "While visiting the other small nations, we will observe the Land of Fire Daimyō's choices and give him a chance.
If the Daimyō continues to trust Konoha, then all is well.
If the Daimyō insists on cultivating the Fire Temple, then he can't blame us.
When necessary, we must cut the Gordian knot and completely shatter the Daimyō's illusions.
My method is... to assassinate the Fire Temple's head priest, the old monk Kaikyō!"
Yōkō was taken aback. Yellow Dog, you're the Foreign Affairs Advisor now, and you're still using assassination to solve problems?
He had heard that Kaikyō, through arduous training in the Fire Temple's ninja arts, also possessed Kage-level strength.
The Fire Temple's ninja arts combine chakra with Buddhist scriptures, featuring a unique training method. Even the First Hokage had gone to the Fire Temple to Seek knowledge.
The First Hokage's Top Transformation: Buddha, True Several Thousand Hands, and Wood Human Technique all originated from the Fire Temple.
"Enosuke will keep a close watch on the Daimyō's attitude," Sarutobi Shinnosuke said:
"Let's go. We'll head to the Land of Whirlpools first."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke, with his five assistants, and Yōkō, with the Hippo Squad, left Konoha Village for the Land of Whirlpools.
The news of Konoha's attack spread quickly throughout the shinobi world.
In the Tsuchikage's office in Iwagakure, Ōnoki looked up in surprise after reading the intelligence scroll, staring disbelievingly at Kitsuchi.
Kitsuchi said, "There's no intelligence deception. Our spies reported it earliest, but I've verified it through other channels. Konoha was indeed severely damaged by their rogue ninja, Uchiha Madara.
Konoha's White Fang, Utatane Koharu, Akimichi Torifu – three powerful individuals lost at once, along with hundreds of ninja and villagers dead."
Ōnoki said, "It's not that I don't trust our spies, but... I just can't believe Konoha's White Fang is dead.
With his level of Body Flicker Technique proficiency, even Uchiha Madara shouldn't have found it so easy to kill him.
Indeed, the best way to deal with a speed-type shinobi is to create a battlefield from which he cannot escape.
I suspect Konoha's White Fang died for Konoha; he had no choice but to die.
Sending an assassin to fight on the front lines... only a major village like Konoha, with its vast resources, can be so wasteful.
If it were me, I would never have let Konoha's White Fang face Uchiha Madara on the front lines.
I have seen Uchiha Madara's Susano'o before. It is a truly absolute defense Dōjutsu."
Kitsuchi looked on with anticipation and asked, "Can we use this opportunity to provoke a Shinobi World War? Konoha was originally strong, but now it looks incredibly weak."
Ōnoki's face showed no schadenfreude at Konoha's misfortune:
"Konoha fears Uchiha Madara, but are we not afraid of Uchiha Madara too?
You haven't seen Uchiha Madara, so you don't understand his terror.
That man..."
Ōnoki swallowed hard, then said, "We uphold the Will of Stone. The stronger the enemy, the more resolute we become.
However, Uchiha Madara is a bit too strong.
Right now, Konoha Village must be holding its breath, waiting to strike hard at the first enemy to make a move.
Let's not rush to provoke border conflicts. The Lightning Release brutes in Kumogakure will be more impatient than us.
Let them make the first move. We'll watch from the shadows.
Feign contact with Kumogakure, say our two villages can jointly attack Konoha, and let Kumogakure test the waters first.
Have Foreign Affairs Advisor Tsuchihara go to Kumogakure."
Upon receiving the Tsuchikage's order, Tsuchihara promptly left Iwagakure with his assistants.
When he entered Kumogakure, he found his task surprisingly easy.
He didn't even need to persuade Kumogakure; the village was already very restless, filled with the atmosphere of war.
The training grounds were packed, the mountain peaks housing the training areas were bustling with noise and activity, and some people were giving impassioned speeches.
In the valleys, carts of war supplies were being transported.
Large-scale preparations for war simply couldn't be hidden.
The only uncertainty now was the scale of the war Kumogakure was preparing for.
Upon entering the Raikage's office, Tsuchihara was received by the Third Raikage.
They agreed to simultaneously attack the small nations under Konoha's protection, to Take advantage of Konoha's weakness and deliver a fatal blow.
Tsuchihara enthusiastically agreed with the Third Raikage, but inwardly remained very calm.
A sick tiger is still a tiger. Who knew how much strength Konoha still possessed?
Tsuchihara readily agreed that Iwagakure would dispatch forces to invade the Land of Grass and hunt down Konoha ninja on missions there.
Unlike the eager Kumogakure and the cautiously probing Iwagakure, Sunagakure remained unmoved upon learning that Konoha had been severely damaged by Uchiha Madara.
Remembering Fox's strength, the Third Kazekage believed Sunagakure should not be the one to provoke the Third Shinobi World War. It was better to wait and see.
In Kirigakure, Elder Genji received the intelligence and asked the young man with a baby face beside him.
"Yagura, what do you think we should do to seize this opportunity?"
Yagura, the future of Kirigakure that Genji was vigorously cultivating, said:
"Elder Genji, I believe we should use the Land of Waves as a springboard. Dispatch ninja from clans like the Hōzuki, Kaguya, and Yotsuki to attack Land of Fire merchant ships and test Konoha's response capabilities."
Genji nodded repeatedly. Yagura was already thinking like a Mizukage.
This was the best opportunity, better than any encountered in the first two Shinobi World Wars.
"Then you shall command this operation. Let's test how much strength Konoha has left."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke's group entered the capital of the Land of Whirlpools. The Captain of the Guardian Ninja, Yamanaka Kari, arranged meetings between the Konoha delegation and the Land of Whirlpools' Daimyō and nobles.
The Daimyō looked at the young Sarutobi Shinnosuke, feeling some nostalgia for Mitokado Homura.
Mitokado Homura had a pleasant countenance and a gentle demeanor. This new Foreign Affairs Advisor looked somewhat sinister, with a thin face, sunken cheeks, and prominent cheekbones – he looked very much like the Third Hokage.
Especially given his identity as the ANBU Chief of Konoha.
Behind Sarutobi Shinnosuke, besides his assistants, were several ANBU members.
With Danzo being a hard act to follow, Konoha's ANBU Chief was synonymous with ferocity and cruelty.
After the destruction of Uzushiogakure, he had met Shimura Danzo. Danzo's assertiveness at that time had filled the Daimyō with fear.
There was no room for negotiation; the Land of Whirlpools became a vassal state of the Land of Fire, placed under Konoha's protection.
The Daimyō said, "I was deeply saddened to hear that Konoha Village was attacked by a rogue ninja.
Advisor Shinnosuke, both our Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Waves rely primarily on maritime trade, leading to many conflicts of interest.
The Land of Waves is protected by Kirigakure. I fear they might Take advantage of the situation and plunder us.
I have no other demands. I only hope the Land of Waves won't go too far, and that the Land of Whirlpools can maintain its current share of maritime shipping."
Sarutobi Shinnosuke said, "I understand your concerns, Your Excellency. After leaving the Land of Whirlpools, I will proceed to the mouth of the Nakano River, to Tōga Port.
While staying at Tōga Port, I will make arrangements targeting the Kiri-nin and the Land of Waves."
The Land of Whirlpools Daimyō nodded. He didn't yet know this new advisor's capabilities; they remained to be seen.
Konoha had 2 garrison battalions near Tōga Port and 5 garrison battalions along the Land of Whirlpools' coastline.
These ninja should be sufficient to handle a local conflict.
After leaving the Land of Whirlpools capital, Yōkō summoned Hippo:
"Hippo, it seems the Land of Whirlpools Daimyō doesn't quite trust Advisor Shinnosuke..."
"That Daimyō seems a bit ungrateful, if you ask me. Fox-sama, should we..."
Hippo produced a kunai and drew it across his own neck, suggesting they teach the Daimyō a lesson.
Yōkō quickly refused, "What are you thinking? Who could you assassinate to make the Land of Whirlpools Daimyō change his mind?
Of course we can't kill anyone. What I mean is, we in the ANBU should secretly Build momentum for Advisor Shinnosuke."
"Oh, I see. Spread rumors, say that Advisor Shinnosuke is incredibly powerful. How about... we say he's the next Professor of Ninjutsu?"
Yōkō nodded repeatedly, "Go handle it, Hippo. We must share our superior's burdens."
Watching Hippo leave, a flicker passed through Yōkō's eyes.
Building momentum for Sarutobi Shinnosuke... you other hidden villages better take notice. If another Professor of Ninjutsu emerges, aren't you afraid?
***
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(End of Chapter)