Uchiha Ren leaned back in his chair, fingers tapping lightly.
A proxy war needed the right piece.
Not too strong.
Not too independent.
And definitely not a future threat.
"…There's only one."
Kusagakure.
A village as unstable as its name suggested.
Fragmented factions.
No unified leadership.
And—most importantly—
One faction already leaned toward Konoha.
Perfect.
He laid out the plan to Nara Shikaku.
Support one faction.
Eliminate the rest.
Turn Kusagakure into a controlled proxy.
Shikaku frowned.
"Kusagakure is too chaotic. It can't stand against Amegakure."
"That chaos is exactly the opportunity."
Ren's voice was calm.
"If they were united like Hanzō's Rain Village, we'd have to think twice."
"But now?"
"We can reshape them."
And their location—
Bordering Konoha, Rain, and Iwagakure—
Was too important to ignore.
Shikaku nodded slowly.
"…Then what's our justification?"
"Direct intervention isn't exactly 'peaceful.'"
Ren smiled.
"When have we ever needed a real reason?"
He leaned forward slightly.
"Kusagakure possesses weapons of mass destruction."
Shikaku blinked.
"…But all major villages have them. The Tailed Beasts—"
"That's the point."
Ren interrupted.
"They get hit because they don't have them."
Silence.
Then—
Understanding.
"…I see."
Dirty?
Yes.
Effective?
Absolutely.
"Some people want dignity—we give it to them."
"Those who don't…"
Ren's tone remained steady.
"…we send them to the Six Paths Sage."
"All for peace."
Shikaku didn't comment.
He simply nodded.
"Understood."
Another sleepless night ahead.
Soon—
The office was quiet again.
Ren relaxed.
Time to slack off—
Knock knock.
The door opened.
A shop owner entered.
"The card shop?"
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Don't tell me… someone actually completed the set?"
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
"Yesterday."
Ren leaned forward slightly.
Interesting.
"That must've cost a fortune…"
"Arrange a meeting this afternoon."
"Understood… but…"
The owner hesitated.
"He wants to bring a child along."
Ren waved his hand casually.
"Fine. First place privilege."
"One extra. No more."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama!"
The owner bowed—
Then turned to leave.
"Wait."
Ren stopped him.
"What's his name?"
"…Ban Zhu."
Silence.
The tea cup froze mid-air.
"…Say that again."
"…Ban Zhu."
Ren's expression changed instantly.
That name—
There was no way—
"…Madara."
Uchiha Madara.
He never left.
He was still in Konoha.
And now—
He was coming.
For him.
"Delay the meeting."
"I'm busy."
The owner blinked—
But didn't question it.
"Understood."
He left quickly.
Ren sat still.
Thinking fast.
Madara stayed.
Delayed the Rinnegan.
Left the cave.
All for this.
"…I'm that interesting, huh."
He exhaled slowly.
At least—
Madara was hiding his identity.
Which meant—
No immediate violence.
If Madara wanted to fight—
He'd already be here with Susanoo.
So this—
Was a conversation.
Negotiation.
Maybe persuasion.
"…That I can handle."
Worst case?
Bow.
Survive.
Outlive him.
Simple.
Ren stood up.
Decision made.
"No Sage training today."
Time to call backup.
Tobirama Senju.
"Old man…"
"…Madara is coming."
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