Chapter 59

The truth is, the conflict is far from over.

If it was truly Hanzo's fault, why did he provoke the conflict? Once escalation begins, war can erupt at any moment. When that happens, the first to suffer is the Land of Rain, inevitably becoming a battlefield for the great powers. Is Hanzo prepared to shatter everything and risk it all?

Unable to make sense of it, Shinki shook his head and said, "Akimichi Tofu is right. Whether it's the Sand Village deliberately escalating provocations or someone maneuvering the conflict into chaos, war is the inevitable outcome. The village needs to be prepared."

"But you shouldn't go to the front lines," Shinki added, turning to Tsunade.

"Why not?" Tsunade asked, puzzled.

Shinki's expression turned serious. "From the village's perspective, yes, you should be on the front lines. But from our perspective, you must stay in the village."

"As tensions rise, it's likely that Shimura Danzo will be reactivated. Having you stay in the village is a countermeasure against that. It's better if he remains in prison."

As conflict heats up and war looms, the Third Hokage, given his nature, would likely release Danzo from prison. Such a man, cunning and ambitious, could create more problems if allowed to move freely. The damage he could inflict might be subtle, but deeply disruptive.

Thanks to an incident involving Kushina, Danzo's warning to Shinki led to the displeasure of Uzumaki Mito. Consequently, Danzo lost his position as the Hokage's assistant—a seemingly powerless yet influential role. His bitterness only deepened when Hanzo of the Salamander was persuaded to attempt an assassination, showing how deeply Danzo resented Shinki.

Moreover, Uzumaki Mito's maneuver of elevating Akimichi Tofu and splitting the Hokage's support had left Danzo enraged. If he were to be released, his retaliation would be inevitable.

"What about the front line?" Tsunade asked. She understood Shinki's concerns and knew how formidable Danzo was. In the past, her grandmother's presence had kept him in check. Now, without Uzumaki Mito, unless the Third Hokage took decisive action, Danzo would be a significant threat.

"If someone has to go, it'll be me," Shinki declared.

After weighing the risks, Shinki decided he would go to the front lines so Tsunade could stay in the village. His presence there would impact her reputation only minimally, and she didn't need that validation anyway. The title of the "Legendary Sannin" was more a curse than an honor for her, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru.

If Hanzo had genuinely been defeated by the trio, their fame would have been legitimate. But the truth was that although the Rain Village fell, Hanzo triumphed over their combined efforts and mockingly dubbed them the "Three Legendary Ninjas." It was an insult more than anything else.

Shinki smirked, "Maybe this war is an opportunity for me. I need to strive harder, contribute more, and earn recognition so people won't think of me, Hyuga Shinki, as just a 'phoenix man' who rose by clinging to powerful women."

"Phoenix man? What's that supposed to mean?" Tsunade asked.

"It means someone who gains fame by depending on women."

"Uh..." Tsunade was taken aback for a moment before her expression shifted to amusement. "Pfft... Hahaha, sorry, I couldn't help it. It's just so accurate. Hahaha, I can't stop laughing!"

Tsunade's laughter was uncontrollable, and it wasn't her fault. Shinki's career path supported the perception—first Tsunade, who valued and mentored him, then Kushina, who liked to spend time with him, and finally, Uzumaki Mito, who regarded him favorably.

With those three women—each significant in their own right—it was no wonder Shinki was seen that way. He didn't mind being called a freeloader, but being judged as dependent on them was something else.

Having Tsunade in the village was more beneficial, so Shinki accepted the role of going to the battlefield in her stead. Yet, he had no intention of fighting as recklessly as she did.

As a medical ninja, his priority was to support the injured, not rush headlong into danger. Still, battles couldn't be avoided, but only if necessary. Otherwise, it was more practical to remain in camp, healing and supporting.

Meanwhile, the Sand Village held its own meeting about the conflict's escalation in the Land of Rain. Unlike Konoha's more cautious atmosphere, the Sand Village's gathering was tense and determined.

The Third Kazekage, known as the strongest Kazekage, was ambitious and eager to propel the village beyond its limits. However, the Wind Country's poverty, limited population, and scarce resources created a vicious cycle. With no resources or sufficient manpower, development stagnated.

The solution? War. By taking resources from other nations, the Sand Village could fund its progress and perhaps seize fertile lands to sustain its growth. And in the eyes of the Sand Village, the Land of Fire was a rich prize.

"Heh, the so-called demigod," the Third Kazekage sneered, tossing the reports onto the table. While Konoha was busy speculating, the Sand Village had already made up its mind: Hanzo was the culprit.

Hanzo had played a dangerous game, but his tactics had unwittingly aided the Sand Village. The Third Kazekage had long sought an excuse to tip the scales and now had the perfect one to present to the Daimyo.

With escalation underway, and Sand Village not being the instigator, the Daimyo would have no reason to oppose. Whether Hanzo or Konoha was behind it didn't matter. Sending this to the Daimyo would shut down any dissenting voices.

After that, with the Daimyo's backing...

The Third Kazekage's eyes glistened as he glanced at the map of the Land of Fire. Its vast resources promised prosperity. With those, Sand Village's development would flourish, breaking the limits and growing stronger with each passing day.

"Chiyo, deliver a message to the Daimyo's mansion," the Third Kazekage commanded.

Chiyo nodded. "I won't let you down, Lord Kazekage."

She understood his intent: to portray Konoha as the aggressor, escalating the conflict and preparing for war. The aim was to provoke the Daimyo's fear and outrage, ensuring his support.

With that support, the Sand Village could finally take control of its destiny.

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