Escape From Konoha

Chapter 160: 156: The Coming Year

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The streets of Amegakure were drenched in a biting cold rain.

The gaze of the commoners and ninjas of Ame turned hostile as they fixed their attention on the lone Suna ninja.

Naturally, these Suna ninjas, who had brought calamity and suffering to their own country, didn't receive any warm reception.

If it weren't for their desire to avoid further escalation, this lone Suna ninja might not have left this place unscathed.

After all, many families in Amegakure had lost their loved ones due to the presence of these Suna ninjas, and they harbored deep grudges against them.

A standoff ensued, and before long, a team arrived from the street up ahead.

The first among them was a figure adorned with a gas mask. Long, light-yellow hair cascaded down, and down, his palms exposed to the air were covered with wounds left by the battle. The signs of age were evident on the skin that was no longer as youthful as it once was.

However, what truly stood out were the eyes, cold and piercing, which locked onto the Suna Jōnin.

Initially, the commoners and ninjas of Amegakure met the gaze of the Suna ninja with defiance, but they soon found themselves trembling, as if they were prey being stalked by a fearsome predator in the forest.

The atmosphere radiated an oppressive force previously unfelt by anyone, overwhelming their senses with ruthless intensity.

The dazed Suna ninja remained in the rain, snapping out of it only when the Amegakure Jōnin who followed the masked figure called out, their face reflecting the rain and a cold sweat of anxiety.

"Suna ninja, Hanzo-sama has a question for you." The Ame nin following Hanzo said.

He was also in a bad mood mood as he addressed the one of the Suna ninjas who had caused considerable harm to the Land of Rain.

The Suna nin finally collected himself, audibly swallowing and pulling a letter from his pouch, prepared to deliver it directly to Hanzo. An Ame Jōnin wa about to step forward and take the letter in place of Hanzo, but Hanzo intervened.

"I will receive it personally."

Meeting rhe Suna's messenger in front of so many people, if he sent his subordinates to accept the letter on his behalf, it would tarnish the title of a demigod he had worked his entire life to uphold.

He had endured countless battles, emerging with his name, and he could not let a matter as insignificant as this undermine his exalted status. This was a position earned through a lifetime of struggle, one he was determined not to tarnish, even in death.

Observing the reverence and respect emanating from the villagers and ninjas around him, Hanzo once again felt the pride associated with his title as a 'Demigod.'

It was only fitting that the people of this village regarded him with such reverence, never looking down upon him. It was an honor he had strived for his entire life, and he was determined to take that honor with him into the grave.

"Hanzo-sama, this letter was jointly sent by the Daimyo of the Land of Wind and the Land of Rain. The message has been delivered, and now I shall take my leave."

The Suna messenger stated with a tremor in his voice. He could barely meet Hanzo's unfathomable eyes, and he made a quickk departure, seemingly fleeing the scene.

This aroused ridicule from the commoners and ninjas of Ame. To them, the ninja of major villages appeared ordinary. In front of the protector of their country, they could only present a less than of embarrassing appearance.

Hanzo, having reassured the people of the village, Hanzo led people entourage back to the top of the tower. He had already skimmed through the letter from the Daimyo of the Land Of Wind and the Land of Rain. Having read its contents, he fell into contemplation within his private chambers.

The contents of the letter were straightforward. The Daimyo were requesting assistance, as their resources were stretched thin. They implored Amegakure to aid Sunagakure in driving the hateful Konoha from the Land of Rain to restore peace to their country.

Hanzo inhaled deeply, clenching his fists as anger flared in his eyes, with a desire to burn everything. However, the thought of the mobilizing Suna army made him hesitate. He wondered whether it was wise to provide any form of assistance to Suna.

Hanzo was keenly aware of Suna's cunning intentions. Initially, Suna had deployed troops in the Land of Rain, intentionally avoiding direct confrontation with the Land of Fire, waiting until Konoha's forces had gathered in the Land of Rain before launching their offensive. Suna's ultimate goal was indeed the Land of Fire, but in the process, they sought to weaken the Land of Rain, a calculated strategy on Suna's part.

With each conflict, they deliberately restrained themselves from fully attacking Konoha, not wanting to forfeit the opportunity to seize the Land of Rain while also diminishing Konoha's presence in the area. Eventually, they would break through Konoha's defense line and attack the Land of Fire. By that time, the Land of Rain would likely be in ruins due to the excessive oppression from Suna.

Hanzo suspected that the puppet master orchestrating these events behind the scenes was none other than the old puppeteer, Chiyo. Only someone like her would harbor such cunning stratagems to test the limits of his status as demigod.

The price of entering this war was steep, and Amegakure might pay the ultimate price. Furthermore, Hanzo's strength showed signs of decline compared to the last Great Ninja War.

Failure would end not only his demigod title but also the power of Amegakure would fall into others' hands.

A defeated demigod was no longer a demigod.

Thus, Hanzo made a decision he found difficult to face.

"I hope the old woman will be content with this." he muttered.

When it came to matters of war, it was best for the Land of Rain to keep its distance.

....

In the Land of the Rain, the weather begins to turn cold after mid-October, and the fighting spirit of the ninjas gradually decreased.

In this country where rain fell all year-round, winter is exceptionally harsh compared to many other countries.

"We will temporarily stop our attack on Konoha."

At the Jonin meeting in Suna camp, Elder Chiyo made this declaration.

Supplies sent by Hanzo from Amegakure had secretly arrived at Sagakure's camp along with a letter from Hanzo. The letter expressed the hope that Sunagakure would swiftly deal with Konoha's ninja and redirect their focus toward the Land of Fire, rather than continuing to occupy the Land of Rain.

In response, Chiyo opted for a temporary ceasefire. The power of the Land Of Rain had weakened, it had not yet met her expectations.

Additionally, as long as Suna maintained its presence in the Land of Rain, they could utilize protection agreements to secure some supplies from the Land Of Rain, significantly reducing Suna's daily expenses.

Chiyo also conveyed this reasoning in her letter. She cited the dwindling fighting spirit among Suna's ninja, partly due to the cold weather, as the reason for their decision to postpone the defeat of Konoha's ninja until the early spring of the following year, specifically in March.

Hanzo's level of anger was not a matter Chiyo concerned herself with. Her original aim was to weaken the Land Of Rain's power. Regrettably, the battle had not even lasted a year.

By allowing the Land Of Rain to share the supply burden, Suna could keep their losses to a minimum. They would then bide their time until March when they could launch an all-out attack on the Land Of Fire and claim its resources.

Given this favorable situation, Chiyo had no urgency to rush Suna's ninja into a full-scale attack on Konoha.

Hanzo, the leader of Ame, posed a significant threat to Suna. Thus, it was essential to curb the expansion of the Land Of Rain.

"Yes."

The Jonins just obeyed Chiyo's order and they didn't raise any objections.

"Furthermore, we will increase our co-operation with the Land of Demons, ensuring that the Purple Rose Company can continue producing the medicines we require in large quantities. We will launch a general attack on Konoha in early March of next year. If all goes as planned, Suna will have taken control of this area of the Land of Fire by April."

Chiyo indicated the location on the map with her finger.

It marked the border of the Land Of Fire, in close proximity to the Land Of Rain, and identified several resource-rich regions.

"In July, we will expand further, securing several additional resource-rich areas. My calculations suggest that a total of 5,000 ninjas will be needed. Following the New Year, an additional 2,000 reinforcements will join the battlefield from our village."

Unlike Konoha, with its three battlefields, or Iwa's two battlefield, Suna and Kumo had no conflict of interest and were far removed from Kirigakure across the sea. Besides, the Land Of Wind held little strategic value.

Therefore, all of Suna's might could be focused on Konoha. This was a golden opportunity for Suna, the result of over five years of meticulous preparation by Suna. During this time, Suna had conducted a myriad of strategic analyses, mapping out contingency plans for handling unforeseen circumstances.

This was the foundation of Chiyo's confidence. Suna did not need quick success and instant benefits. They held the upper hand and simply needed to move cautiously, consuming Konoha's strength. As the battle waged on within the Land Of Fire, Konoha's resistance would gradually weaken. At that point, the resource-rich regions of the Land Of Fire would be ripe for plunder.

Starting from January next year, the arrival of an additional 2,000 ninjas on the front lines, combined with the more than 5,000 Suna ninjas already present, would comprise a force of 7,000 in total. Against Konoha's troops of less than 3,000 with Orochimaru, Chiyo could find no reasonable grounds for Suna's defeat.

The menacing aura emitted by Orochimaru also added to Chiyo's concerns.

Among the ninjas she knew, this snake brat was the most ruthless in battle, unrelenting even in the face of considerable damage. This unwavering tenacity was one of the reasons Suna had to stop their advance thus far.

The other ninjas nodded in agreement. Even with all 7,000 ninjas transferred to the Land of Rain, there would still be thousands of ninjas guarding Sunagakure. This provided a buffer in case of emergencies, allowing ample time to provide support.

In summary, the strategy had stayed true to when the Third Kazekage was in charge. The primary goal was to weaken the Land Of Rain's power and deplete Konoha's numbers, objectives that had been nearly achieved.

By March next year, it would be the Land Of Fire's turn.

During that time, Jiraiya, who took a detour to the Land of Grass, would be surrounded by Iwagakure, inflicting further substantial losses on Konoha. Such a strategy could be deemed perfect.

Naturally, one must also remain watchful of the Third Hokage who sits in Konoha.

Once Orochimaru is defeated, it's possible that the Hokage himself would move to the front lines. To constrain the Third Hokage, it would likely require at least two thousand ninjas.

"Since there are no objections, let's conclude the meeting. Even if victory seems imminent, we cannot afford to drop our guard against Konoha. According to my intelligence, the leader of the Konoha Anbu Black Ops, Shimura Danzo, has been covertly operating within the territory of the Land of Rain. Therefore, instruct the Suna team patrolling the perimeter to exercise utmost vigilance."

"Understood."

All the superiors withheld their comments for a moment.

Indeed, during this juncture, they couldn't grow complacent, lest the enemy finds an opening.

"In addition, our attack on Konoha is scheduled for March next year. I will hold a high-level meeting to identify candidates for the Fourth Kazekage, based on your performance in the upcoming general attack and your overall contributions. Please ensure the candidates are well-prepared."

Within the meeting, a number of jonin, who stood as candidates for the Fourth Kazekage, displayed glimmers of excitement in their eyes, while simultaneously sizing up the other candidates with a degree of caution.

"Finally, I wish to emphasize that private fighting is not allowed, as these may disrupt the carefully orchestrated plan for the general attack in March next year. Any breaches will result in the immediate nullification of your candidacy for the position of Kazekage."

After this stern pronouncement from Chiyo, she departed from the meeting room, followed by her younger brother, Ebizo.

Compared to who would secure the title of the Fourth Kazekage, Chiyo placed a greater emphasis on weakening Konoha and securing advantages for Sunagakure as a whole.

Hence, there was zero tolerance for candidates competing among themselves for the Kazekage position. Any violations would be dealt with severely, and their eligibility to stand as candidates for the position of the Kazekage would be revoked.

....

Kirigakure.

In the village cloaked in dense fog, the scent of blood lingered long after its presence.

Within the office of the Mizukage, Yagura provided a report on his recent activities.

A total of 32 suspected reformist ninjas had been executed, with 17 more subjected to brutal interrogations by the hunter-nin corp.

"Yagura, your personality has grown increasingly irritable as of late." The Third Mizukage said to Yagura.

Despite his calm and young face, those who knew him well understood he was a ruthless executioner. Yagura held the most terrifying sharp blade. Compared to the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he was more evil. He served as the chief executioner of the reformists.

Some even speculated that it was this seemingly harmless-looking man, Karatachi Yagura, who had set the Blood Mist policy into motion, mercilessly slaughtering his fellow villagers. Nonetheless, Yagura had always held the position of Third Mizukage's right-hand.

The village's hunting squads were also under Mizukage's personal command. It was evident that the Third Mizukage remained wary of Yagura's involvement.

Consequently, many observers adopted a wait-and-see stance regarding Yagura's ascent to the position of the Fourth Mizukage. Those who managed to keep some distance from the Third Mizukage held more extensive leeway to consolidate their influence.

The closer one stood to the Third Mizukage, the more highly valued they were, and correspondingly, they were observed more closely.

"I apologize, Mizukage-sama. The Reformists are causing so much disorder, and suppressing them is the only way to stabilize the situation in the village."

Yagura replied calmly. He was well aware of his increasing irritability in recent times. Of course, this wasn't a result of the Reformists' conflict with the Blood Mist Faction, but rather due to something else.

For the first time in so many years, he had been threatened by mere rogue nins. Though there was a desire to laugh off this situation, upon deeper reflection, the sheer audacity of the act was incredibly disrespectful to his position. Serious consideration of such impertinence could only fuel his irritation.

"How are Fuguki and the others faring?" .

Yagura pondered for a while, and immediately before replying to the question

"Since the death of Kushimaru and Jinpachi, their authority has been completely taken over by those led by Fuguki. While they do answer to Mizukage-sama, I believe vigilance is still warranted."

"I shall handle this matter by myself. As for the wielder of Kiba, has a successor been selected?"

"We haven't made a choice yet. Within the Village, there are very few ninjas proficient in lightning release, and they also need to be perfectly in sync with Kiba. In recent years, there is only Ameyuri Ringo who qualifies."

Following Yagura's report, the Mizukage expressed a sigh of regret. Among the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, Kiba possessed the greatest offensive capability, paired with a speed and long range combat style. Owning Kiba meant victory against more than a hundred Chunin.

"In addition, as for the two swords, Shibuki and Nuibairi, I'm making efforts to establish contact through the black market with Konoha's rebel Hyuga Ayane. However, progress has been a bit slow."

"We must be quick as possible, whether through force or money, to retrieve both of the ninja swords back to the village."

"Understood." Yagura.replied.

He promised to return the two ninja swords to the village without specifying a deadline, though Mizukage understood that this was a complex mission that couldn't be done in a short time, so he didn't set a deadline for Yagura..

Yagura left Mizukage's office and made his way to a long-abandoned water tower.

At the base of the water tower lay an extensive and complex sewer. Occasionally, Yagura would meet his subordinates there.

"Yagura-sama, this is information from the Land of Demons."

Emerging from a wall was a highly skilled user of stealth ninjutsu. Even with sensory abilities, it would be challenging to detect his presence. He had always served as the link between Yagura and the rest of the group.

Yagura received the scroll, and the figure promptly melted back into the wall, disappearing.

Yagura secured the scroll and, as he stepped through the gate of the water tower, he was approached by two people.

Yagura maintained an expressionless visage, seemingly aware that he had been under surveillance for quite some time.

"Yagura, you still like doing things secretly. You might deceive the Third, but you can't hide from my watchful eyes. Do not compete with me for the position of the Fourth Mizukage, or you will die miserably."

One of them openly issued a threat to Yagura. His teeth were jagged, and the scent of blood wafted towards Yagura.

He possessed a sturdy physique, with long orange hair extending down to his waist and a large ninja sword wrapped in bandages on his back. This was the powerful sword, Samehada, one of the Seven Ninja Swords.

The person before him was none other than the current wielder of the sword Samehada, Suikazan Fuguki.

A staunch supporter for the Blood Mist Faction among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.

Although he belonged to the same faction as Yagura, the two held numerous differences. Yagura surpassed him in terms of reputation and strength, with Yagura being a formidable jonin, if not stronger than him.

According to his investigations, Yagura had also secretly trained a mysterious force, the purpose of which remained unknown.

But, it wasn't too challenging to deduce that this force had been meticulously assembled over a long period of time in preparation for the position of thr Fourth Mizukage.

"Absorbing the forces of Kushimaru and Jinpachi has evidently swelled your ego, hasn't it? Fuguki, do not forget, I defeated you in the past."

Yagura sighed softly, then raised his gaze, gazing into Fuguki with his emotionless purple eyes.

The enormous sword, Samehada, was sent hurtling toward Yagura.

Faced with this unusual attack, Yagura remained unwavering. He intercepted the large sword with a hooked staff from his back, remaining firmly in place.

"Indulging in past victories. If this is the excuse for your eventual failure, Yagura, you have my permission to say these words."

Fuguk said with a bloodthirsty laughter. His sharp teeth appeared to be stained with blood, casting a menacing and savage impression.

"Boring."

"Who is the boring one? Unlike you, who operates in secrecy and shadows, I display my influence and power, as someone honorable. If you pledge your allegiance to me now, after I ascend as the Fourth Mizukage, I can assure you the position of Anbu Minister. What do you say? This position is enough with your abilities."

Fuguki also extended an invitation to Yagura, displaying a sincere expression.

As a prominent representative of the Blood Mist Faction, Yagura was undoubtedly someone who understood his ambitions.

Although Yagura had defeated him in the past, for the position of the Fourth Mizukage, he could set aside past conflicts, as long as Yagura would work for him.

In this way, beside the Third Mizukage, he would have an inside source for gathering information about the village. Coupled with the support of other high-ranking officials, the competition for the Fourth Mizukage's title would serve as an excellent stage for him to emerge victorious.

This prospect thrilled and delighted him.

"I'll entertain the dream when I wake up."

Yagura left this statement behind as he continued past Fuguki.

"Yagura! You will regret rejecting my offer today. I know everything about you, while you know nothing about my power!"

Fuguki angrily shouted from behind.

Regrettably, Yagura's steps continued resolutely away from him.

"Hmm, you're as predictable as ever."

Observing Yagura's retreating back, he didn't offer an apology or retract his threats. The expression on Fuguki's face was exceedingly dark.

He assumed that with his alluring propositions, he could persuade Yagura, only to have them fall on deaf ears. His understanding of flattery appeared to be sorely lacking.

Having absorbed much of the Blood Mist Faction's power, he already had the background required to become the Fourth Mizukage. He could only put an end to this when the Third Mizukage stepped down.

The title of the Five Kage was tantalizingly within reach. He couldn't understand why Yagura was being so stubborn. Whatever secret power he'd accumulated didn't appear to pose a real threat to him.

He who held the overall picture would be the Fourth Mizukage in the future.

"Let's go, Kisame. In the future, he will kneel and beg me for mercy."

Fuguki departed, calling a ninja named Kisame who followed him.

"Yes, Fuguki-sama."

The youth name Kisama was only about twelve or thirteen years old, with a face resembling a shark, he followed Fuguki with due respect.

....

"Shiraishi-sama, the Dragon Vein has successfully been nurtured."

In the Land of Demons, Katsuyu expelled a diamond-shaped crystal, no larger than a palm, from her mouth and placed it in front of Shiraishi.

"Sorry, Shiraishi-sama, it seems I may have stained your table." Katsuyu spoke softly.

"No, i don't care about such matters." replied Shiraishi.

Katsuyu's saliva might appear unpleasant, but it possesses medicinal properties. When applied to human wounds, it accelerates the healing process.

After washing the crystal, Shiraishi held it in his hand and examined it closely.

After several months of transformation, the original half Dragon Vein crystal now resembled a complete crystal. A lavender glow emanated from it, making it appear more translucent and beautiful.

Moreover, Shiraishi sensed a powerful chakra within it.... no..... it was Senjutsu Chakra.

If this were merely for chakra storage, it wouldn't have taken so long. Manufacturing Senjutsu Chakra and storing it is a more challenging task, which is why Katsuyu's preparations had taken this long period.

Regardless, there was no rush for Shiraishi; he didn't need to engage in combat personally at this moment. Obtaining this item a few months later wouldn't significantly affect his plans.

"Thank you for your hard work, Katsuyu."

"You're welcome, Shiraishi-sama."

With this crystal, Shiraishi no longer needed to be concerned about a shortage of chakra in the future. He could use large chakra consumption ninjutsu as much as he desired.

After all the chakra stored here was almost comparable to that of a Tailed Beast. In times of insufficient energy, he could accumulate natural energy and chakra, merge them into senjutsu chakra, and store it in the crystal. He could then retrieve and use it as needed.

In Shiraishi's view, this function was somewhat similar of the Uzumaki Clan's Yin Sealing Jutsu.

Both served to store chakra gathered over time and use it when required. There was no need to fret over running low on chakra.

However, in terms of convenience, the Dragon Vein proved superior, with larger reserves.

"It has been nice to be able to assist you, Shiraishi-sama."

"It has been a great help."

With this item, Shiraishi could also transfer chakra to Ruri and Ayane during battles, giving him more confidence when he might confront Uchiha Madara.

Speaking of Madara, he had recently become more discreet in his actions.

According to intelligence from the frontlines, some of the White Zetsu's hidden abilities had grown more challenging, indicating significant enhancements.

Madara recognized that he would ultimately be defeated without White Zetsu's surveillance, so he needed to strengthen certain aspects of the White Zetsu's abilities to gather information from the outside world.

"What is Shiraishi-sama's next course of action?"

"I plan to eliminate the White Zetsu by Uchiha Obito's side. I want to see how Uchiha Madara will respond."

"When?"

"I'm planning to do it next year. Our movements are attracting more attention; the longer we delay, the greater the risk of our location being discovered. Currently, I don't want to reveal my whereabouts to those in Konoha."

"You do need to be cautious. Tsunade-sama has inquired about your whereabouts on multiple occasions."

"Tsunade-sensei is too serious; perhaps it's a common trait among women." Shiraishi chuckled.

"Yes, Tsunade-sama is greatly concerned that Shiraishi-sama may seek vengeance against Konoha in the future."

"Revenge on Konoha? If one day I were to attack Konoha, it wouldn't be driven by vengeance. It would only signify that the era dominated by ninjas has come to an end." Shiraishi said confidently.

Revenge against Konoha was out of the question. Shiraishi held no grudge against Konoha. Even in the event of war, it would solely be due to the advent of a new era and the necessity to put an end to the Ninja Villages, with Konoha at the forefront.

Moreover, he couldn't think of any other reason that would lead him to attack Konoha.

In the face of the larger narrative, personal grudges and hatred were inconsequential.

Regardless of the circumstances, Shiraishi refrained from letting hatred influence his actions.

"By the way, the New Year is just two months away. This year's festival must be celebrated properly. After all, it represents a fresh beginning. We should also monitor the city's development. Action is the only measure of truth."

"Is the New Year festival significant in the Land of Demons? There might be various entertaining activities."

Katsuyu spoke cheerfully.

"Entertaining?"

"Yes, the Land of Demons is heavily influenced by Miko culture. I recall that the annual festival includes the priestesses dancing and other such activities."

Hearing this, Shiraishi nodded in agreement.

Indeed, the Land of Demons, deeply immersed in the priestess culture, held New Year festivals that differed significantly from other countries.

The culture of Miko held a unique place in the Land of Demons. It was like the way the people of Konoha believed in the the Will of Fire.

The Miko dancing... sounded like a good form of entertainment. it was certainly something to look forward to

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I'm going to try TLing a novel next instead of fanfiction.