"The northern front is yours. Any issues?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi’s face was grim, all traces of his usual gentle demeanor gone—replaced by the unmistakable authority and steel of a true leader.
Danzo bowed slightly, his usual arrogance vanished, replaced by a rare, almost servile humility.
"I intend to activate our contingency plan: assassinate Akatsuki’s leader, Yahiko. Once Akatsuki is left headless, we’ll launch a full-scale assault. With chaos in their ranks and our army pressing in, resistance should be minimal."
Danzo replied steadily.
"Hm." Hiruzen nodded.
"Who will you send for the assassination?"
"This mission is too important to risk failure. I’ll assign Sakumo Hatake himself."
Hiruzen thought for a moment, then turned to the White Fang. "Sakumo, any objections?"
Sakumo Hatake stepped forward. "None, Lord Hokage."
"Don’t underestimate this. Prepare thoroughly—one strike, no mistakes."
Hiruzen’s tone softened for his trusted subordinate. Entrusting this to the seasoned Sakumo Hatake put him at ease.
Turning back, Hiruzen continued instructing Danzo. "Ten thousand against two thousand—I have no doubt we’ll win. But don’t get greedy for quick results. Amegakure isn’t the real target. Once you take it, consolidate your hold, wipe out the remnants of Akatsuki, and develop the industries along the Shule River. We need a solid logistics base for the northern army. Remember the lesson from the Second Shinobi War’s Sunagakure campaign—never repeat the same mistake. Is that clear?"
Hiruzen’s words were a deliberate jab at Danzo’s old wound—his defeat at Moon Lake during the Second Great War, a stain that dulled even his triumph over the Second Kazekage. No one dared mention it in front of Danzo, but Hiruzen brought it up openly—a pointed warning.
"How will you handle logistics for the advance on Moon Lake New District?"
Hiruzen’s doubt in Danzo’s command was obvious.
"I’ve leased five hundred first-generation sand ships from the Fire Eight Pillars Trading Company. Once modified, they’ll serve as armed merchant vessels. Along the march to Moon Lake New District, I’ll establish more than ten fortified supply stations, each heavily garrisoned. I’ll also organize a rapid-response patrol force to reinforce any point under attack. This should secure our supply lines as much as possible."
Danzo still remembered the last time—how Jinghang had shredded Konoha’s logistics, leaving over ten thousand ninja stranded in the desert without food or water. Many became casualties without ever seeing battle, their spirits broken by Jinghang’s tactics.
This time, as soon as he learned he’d command the northern front, he obsessed over logistics. He’d spent a fortune leasing a batch of Sunagakure’s retired sand ships and meticulously crafted a new support strategy.
He had no choice: the failure of the economic war was ultimately his responsibility. If he couldn’t defeat Sunagakure, Konoha’s crushing debt would bury them all. In this, he and Hiruzen shared the same goal—so he was throwing everything into this campaign.
"Hm." Hiruzen said no more, stepping slowly to the map.
"Homura Mitokado has already gone to Iwagakure. There’s a good chance we’ll get reinforcements from that front. But I never trust our fate to others. The key is our own strength. As long as our eastern and northern armies advance as planned, victory will be ours.
Sunagakure has grown strong in recent years—not to be underestimated. We must advance steadily, step by step. No reckless moves—Jinghang is just waiting for us to slip up. As for logistics, don’t worry. I’ve secured fifteen billion ryō in military funds from the Fire Daimyo, and another fifteen billion in loans from the Fire Eight Pillars Trading Company. I’ve also had Koharu Utatane inventory our stores of ninja tools, food, and medicine—enough for three years of war. So logistics are covered. In this long campaign, our watchword is stability. Is that clear?"
A chorus of Konoha ninja nodded in unison.
"Good. Go prepare. I wish you all success."
Hiruzen waved them off.
"Even if I could move mountains and fill the sea, I still couldn’t recover the losses from the iron ore fiasco."
Aotu Tailuo stared up at the ceiling, helpless.
Yahiko looked equally defeated. Amegakure was on the brink of collapse; he didn’t even know how to face the thousands of workers demanding food and clothing.
Yahiko slumped on Aotu Tailuo’s sofa, utterly spent.
"We need to prepare for war."
Aotu Tailuo said suddenly, as if the idea had dropped from the sky.
"What?! Prepare for war?!"
Yahiko shot upright, startled.
"Yes. Prepare for war."
Aotu Tailuo said firmly.
"It’s not about attacking—it’s about defending ourselves."
"Who would attack us?"
"Odds are, it’ll be Konoha."
Yahiko asked, incredulous.
"This iron ore disaster didn’t just hit us. According to intel from my spies, Konoha’s losses are even greater—close to ten billion."
Yahiko wasn’t slow—he instantly caught Aotu Tailuo’s meaning.
"Konoha has always had its eye on us. Last time, Danzo Shimura came and left humiliated. But this isn’t just about saving face. Konoha lost a fortune and is drowning in debt. If they don’t start a war to shift blame and distract their people, they’ll go bankrupt. Don’t believe me? Look at this."
Aotu Tailuo handed over a slip of paper, which Yahiko snatched up.
"What?! Konoha’s secretly mobilizing ninja to inventory their stockpiles!"
"Exactly. That’s a clear sign they’re preparing for war. And if they attack, we’ll be the first target."
Yahiko thought for a moment, then gave a bitter smile. "Do we stand any chance against Konoha?"
"Honestly? Not a chance."
Aotu Tailuo replied without hesitation.
"But if Konoha thinks wiping us out will be easy—they’re in for a nasty surprise!"
The story isn’t over...
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