Meeting Third Hokage

Seeing Kazuya, the Third Hokage was relieved. He walked over, patted Kazuya on the shoulder, and said, "Kazuya, I still remember your bravery when you fought against the Nine-Tails. That kind of determination that is not afraid of death embodies the true Will of Fire!"

"Where leaves dance, fire burns endlessly," he added, his expression turning a bit somber.

On the night of the Nine-Tails attack, among the 28 Anbu ninjas who fought alongside him, only Kazuya had survived. He had been seriously injured and had been bedridden in the hospital until recently.

"Yes!" Kazuya responded with a sympathetic expression, though internally, he was full of complaints. Will of Fire? Really? Why wasn't the Third Hokage leading the charge while the Fourth Hokage was busy sealing the Nine-Tails? In other villages, the Kage would be right in the thick of things, but here... well, let the fire burn.

Kazuya, a transmigrated person from Earth, wasn't convinced by such rhetoric. "Talk is cheap," he thought. "Give me some of that golden light instead!"

"As expected of someone I value!" the Third Hokage said, feeling reassured by Kazuya's seemingly excited expression. He took out a scroll from his sleeve. "Kazuya, this is a Hokage appointment document. From today onwards, you will be the captain of Anbu's second team. Take office as soon as possible. I believe that in this new position, you will play a greater role!"

A promotion? Captain of an Anbu branch? Kazuya was surprised. Anbu sub-captains commanded four sub-teams and were considered powerful figures even in Konoha Village. In the original plot, the peerless genius Itachi Uchiha was promoted to this position only on the eve of the Uchiha clan's massacre.

Upon reflection, Kazuya realized the promotion was likely due to his predecessor's fearless performance during the Nine-Tails attack. Of the 28 Anbu ninjas, only one survived, making him a senior with absolute loyalty and the purest Will of Fire. This made him a prime candidate for promotion in the eyes of the Third Hokage.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama!" Kazuya said respectfully, accepting the credit due to his predecessor.

"Come on!" The Third Hokage's smile became more benevolent, clearly admiring this loyal subordinate who had sacrificed so much.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

"Shikaku, come in!" the Third Hokage called.

"Yes, Hokage-sama," came the reply. The door opened, and a ninja obvious scars on his face walked in.

Shikaku Nara! Calm, high IQ, master of Shadow Mimicry, the man who once deflected a Tailed Beast Bomb. Kazuya recognized him instantly. Shikaku greeted Kazuya warmly. Kazuya had gained quite a reputation in the Jonin circle, known for his strength, seniority, and loyalty. Many were optimistic about his future.

"Hokage-sama, about the matter of Kumogakure..." Shikaku began, hesitating.

"Say it," the Third Hokage said, waving his hand. "It happens that Kazuya is here. Let him listen and see if there is anything noteworthy."

"Understood," Shikaku nodded, quickly understanding that this was a signal that the Hokage wanted Kazuya involved in high-level affairs. This didn't bother Shikaku. Kazuya was well-liked in the Jonin circle, and many had a good impression of him, making him a valuable political resource.

Shikaku briefly described the information he had gathered. The movements of Kumogakure were as expected. Their delegation, led by a ninja, was heading to Konoha, progressing normally and sincerely according to the planned route.

The Third Hokage breathed a sigh of relief. Konoha had suffered greatly in the war, and the long-awaited peace was a huge weight off his shoulders.

"Kazuya, what do you think?" the Third Hokage asked, looking into Kazuya's eyes with an encouraging expression.

"Um..." Kazuya paused, knowing this was a test of his strategic thinking. If he gave an incompetent answer, his advancement might stop at the Anbu branch captain. He pondered for a moment before speaking, "I think the signing ceremony of this peace agreement may not be peaceful."

Certainly not peaceful! If Kazuya remembered correctly, Hizashi Hyuga died after this signing ceremony in the original plot. Hinata was almost kidnapped by Kumogakure!

"Tell me more," the Third Hokage said, clearly interested.

The war hawks in Kumogakure would definitely cause trouble, and the Third Hokage had already made preemptive arrangements in the village. However, he believed that as the defeated side, Kumogakure wouldn't go too far.

Nara Shikaku shared a similar view.

Kazuya organized his thoughts and said, "Based on previous information, when Kumogakure fought Iwagakure in the Third War, Kumogakure captured a large area of Iwagakure's land. To hold this territory, even the Third Raikage left Kumogakure to manage it personally. The big and small affairs of Kumogakure were essentially handled by the ninja."

"That's one village, two power centers," he continued. "Then, in Year 47, the Third Raikage was killed in action, and it wasn't until the end of Year 50 that the Fourth Raikage officially took office."

Kazuya paused before concluding, "I think it took so long for the Fourth Raikage to take over because factional conflicts at the top of Kumogakure may have become very acute."

Shikaku's face darkened. "Kazuya, do you mean..."

"Exactly!" Kazuya nodded. "The Fourth Raikage isn't a benevolent leader. He wants to use Konoha's hand to eliminate his political opponents and consolidate power in Kumogakure."

The Third Hokage's expression changed drastically.

Kazuya continued, "If I were the Fourth Raikage, I would give the ninja a mission that's extremely difficult to complete and would completely offend Konoha, leading to their death in the Land of Fire!"

"The mission you're referring to..." the Third Hokage's brows furrowed tightly.

Kazuya explained, "Jinchūriki, Sharingan, Byakugan—any of these could be the target. Kumogakure has coveted these for a long time. If the mission succeeds, it's a win. If it fails, the death of the ninja would complete the centralization of power. It's a win-win!"

"A truly clever move by the Fourth Raikage," Kazuya concluded.

The atmosphere in the Hokage's office instantly became tense.