Konoha: Sakura ninja Technique

As the sky gradually darkened, Ino smiled and waved goodbye to Kurotsuchi, who was walking back toward the inn.

Bathed in the golden hue of sunset, the blonde girl strolled leisurely by the riverbank. Sakura glanced at her friend, whose steps were light and cheerful, as if everything was normal. After a brief moment of hesitation, she finally asked:

"Ino, are you really okay?"

Ino looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"It's just dinner with the Tsuchikage's granddaughter from Iwagakure. No big deal."

Sakura studied Ino carefully. She wasn't the kind of person who would be taken advantage of and still thank the other person for it.

"You said it yourself. Iwagakure is going to be our ally soon," Ino continued. "I can't afford to be so petty, can I?"

She giggled and patted her stomach in jest, the sound oddly reminiscent of a seal slapping its belly.

"You're right. Ino's definitely not someone who'd get tricked that easily."

Sakura smiled softly at the girl beside her. After all, Ino came from a prominent clan. There was no way she was some naive little girl who'd be manipulated like a puppet.

In fact, in some ways, Ino was extremely rational. Take the whole Sasuke situation as an example—before he left for the Sound Village, she and Sakura used to fight over him all the time. But once Sasuke was gone, he was as good as dead to her. He vanished from her world just like that.

"???"

"So what you're saying is, in your eyes, I'm some kind of hopeless airhead who'd fall for a trick like that?"

Ino shot Sakura a glare, obviously annoyed.

"Alright, alright! I admit I was wrong, okay?"

Sakura raised her hands in surrender.

"Aaaaah?! You really did think that?! That's so mean!"

With that, Ino suddenly pounced on Sakura, knocking her over onto the grassy edge of the road. She straddled her friend and grabbed her cheeks, puffing them up indignantly.

"I already said I was wrong~~!"

Sakura protested through squished cheeks.

"Then tell me—what exactly were you wrong about?"

Sakura: …

---

Hokage Tower – Hokage's Office

Inside the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi was buried in paperwork, coordinating various matters and planning the next steps.

Rasa and Orochimaru's ambush on Konoha could not be ignored, just as Mitokado Homura had said. It was a blow Konoha would never swallow quietly. Hiruzen had personally given Homura that line to say, and Koharu Utatane had been placed beside him to play the counter role.

The whole purpose was to gauge the sentiments within the village—how many supported war, and how many wanted peace.

Fortunately, the results were satisfactory.

Though no one outright supported war, no one advocated peace either.

As for Danzo—don't even think about it. That man was practically the leader of the pro-war faction, always hoping for chaos and conflict.

Since the decision had already been made to declare war on the Land of Wind, logistical preparations had to be started immediately.

As the saying goes, "Before the troops move, the supplies must arrive."

This principle held true in any world.

Just as Hiruzen was preparing to write a letter to the Daimyō of the Land of Fire to discuss supplies, the office door creaked open.

"…Hiruzen."

The voice was casual—almost disrespectful, as if the speaker didn't recognize the Hokage's authority.

"Danzo?" Hiruzen didn't even look up. "What do you want?"

Shimura Danzo looked at the busy Hiruzen, then silently sat down on one of the sofas in the office.

Hiruzen glanced up. Danzo had taken the very seat Sakura often used.

"Move over."

"…?"

Danzo looked at Hiruzen in confusion.

"Sit somewhere else."

Though Danzo didn't understand why, he didn't argue over such a petty matter and moved to another seat.

"I didn't expect you to make such a decision."

Danzo said, watching Hiruzen resume writing his letter.

"Heh. What's there to expect or not expect?"

"When making decisions, one must always consider the consequences. Since the Sand Village made their choice, they must bear the cost of provoking Konoha."

Danzo's eyes darkened slightly at Hiruzen's response.

"Then, have you decided who will lead the campaign against the Land of Wind?"

"Jiraiya will be the commanding officer," Hiruzen said without hesitation. "Shikaku will act as his advisor."

Danzo's eyes narrowed. The man in front of him seemed more unfamiliar than ever.

"Hiruzen… I want to go to the frontlines of the Wind Country myself."

The words caused Hiruzen to look up, his eyes locking with Danzo's.

If Danzo were to go to the frontlines, given his seniority and experience, there was no way Jiraiya would retain command. And truth be told, a campaign against Sunagakure was an easy opportunity to rack up military merit. Other than Rasa and Chiyo, the Sand Village had few true powerhouses. Not to mention, they had the Hidden Stone's cooperation.

Danzo wasn't just trying to join the war—he wanted to steal the credit.

Hiruzen had chosen Jiraiya precisely because the man had no ambition for power.

But Danzo?

He still dreamed of the Hokage seat, even after all these years.

"Danzo, we're old now."

Hiruzen set down his pen and spoke seriously.

"It's time we gave the younger generation a chance."

In truth, Hiruzen had more than one goal for this war. On the surface, it was to show the rest of the ninja world that Konoha remained strong and unyielding. But deep down, he had an ulterior motive.

He wanted to put Sakura on the battlefield—his final student—and let her earn the most important thing a future Hokage could have: military achievements.

To become Hokage, what mattered most?

Mission count?

Mission rank?

Raw strength?

None of those were as important as military merit.

Without it, no matter how powerful or experienced you were, you would never be recognized as a true leader. But with enough merit—even a decently capable person with a bit of brains could qualify.

And this war would be the golden road Hiruzen would pave for Sakura's future as Hokage.

Danzo opened his mouth to argue, but before he could speak, a dark shadow streaked across the orange evening sky and landed sharply at the office window.

A black hawk.

Both Hiruzen and Danzo instantly changed expressions.

To use a messenger hawk, the contents must be extremely urgent.

Hiruzen quickly retrieved the small scroll tied to the hawk's claw and unfolded it.

His face darkened so much it seemed like ink could drip from it.

There were only four words:

"Cloud Hidden Attack!"

(End of Chapter)

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