022: Consequences and Strategies

The air inside the Tsuchikage's office was heavy. Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage, sat behind his desk, peering over the map of the Elemental Nations spread before him. His calloused fingers traced the borders of the Land of Thunder, the target of his next move. His eyes, narrowed and calculating, flicked up to meet the Earth Daimyo's, who sat across from him, his face devoid of any emotion.

"This war must happen," Onoki said, his voice low, but the authority it carried was unmistakable. "The Land of Thunder is rich in resources, far more valuable than some distant, mist covered island. The Land of Water has its own agenda, but this—" he tapped the map with two fingers 

"is the prize. Not just for Iwagakure, but for the future of our entire land."

The daimyo's brow furrowed in thought, his fingers drumming against the armrest of his chair. "Attacking Kumo directly… that's a bold move, Tsuchikage. Our coffers are not limitless. The daimyo of the Land of Wind grows anxious as well. If we fund this war and it fails—"

"It will not fail," Onoki interrupted, his voice sharp. "Kumogakure acting as a bystander, waiting patiently for the perfect moment to attack. The time to strike is now. We'll send representatives to Sunagakure, pressure them into aligning with us. They cannot afford neutrality. We'll offer them supplies and resources . Something happened in Sunagakure, the village is in a temporary gag order. Offer them more resources and they'll see reason soon enough."

Onoki paused, his gaze hardening. "This isn't just about Kumo. This is about securing Iwa's future. Konoha is weak from internal strife, and if we act now, we can crush our enemies and take control of the continent. The other villages won't stand a chance."

The Earth Daimyo shifted in his seat, still unsure, but he couldn't deny the logic. War was coming, and if they didn't act, Iwagakure could be caught between its enemies. He sighed, nodding reluctantly.

"I'll arrange the funds. His vault will cover the expenses" the daimyo said finally, taking advantage of his cousin misfortune.

 "But if this fails, Tsuchikage—"

"It won't," Onoki said firmly, dismissing any doubt. He stood, signaling the end of the meeting. 

"We will prepare our forces immediately. Send a representative to the Land of Wind, and make sure they understand the stakes."

As the daimyo left the room, Onoki returned his gaze to the map. He knew the risks, but he also knew that fortune favored the bold. The Land of Thunder was a valuable prize, and once the Land of Wind fell in line, they would have the strength to challenge Konoha.

Onoki's lips curled into a smile. His strategy was falling into place.

_ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ 

Meanwhile, in the Land of Thunder, the halls of the Raikage's tower were eerily silent. News of the death of the Raikage's son had spread throughout the village like wildfire, casting a shadow of sorrow over the once vibrant and proud Kumo. A quiet mourning settled over the people, but inside the Raikage's chambers, there was no peace.

A stood before the Raikage, his body tense with grief and confusion. He had never seen his father look so vulnerable, so torn. The Third Raikage, known for his strength and stoicism, was seated at his desk, his head lowered, fists clenched. The news had struck him like a lightning bolt to the heart.

"Your brother," the Raikage raised his head, his eyes burning with a mixture of grief and anger. He growled "Dead. And we don't even know who did it."

A stood silently, unsure of what to say. The clues they had pointed vaguely to the Land of Earth, but there was nothing concrete. Everything was shrouded in uncertainty, and that only fueled the Raikage's rage.

"I failed him," the Raikage muttered, his voice laced with bitterness. "I should have prepared him better. I overprotected him, kept him too sheltered. He needed more experience, more time to grow into the warrior he was meant to be."

A's heart clenched at his father's words. His brother had been young, full of potential, and now… gone. The Raikage's grief was palpable, but beneath it, there was also a strange resolve.

"Perhaps this is a lesson," the Raikage continued, his voice hardening. "You, A, will not suffer the same fate. You will gain the experience you need, even if I have to send you to the frontlines myself. The Land of Earth must pay for what they've done."

A's eyes widened slightly, but he did not argue. He had been groomed for leadership, for strength, and now it was his time to step into the role his father had prepared him for. But the weight of his brother's death hung heavily over him, and he could not shake the feeling that this war would change them all.

"We will send troops to the border," the Raikage said, his voice now firm with resolve. "We must be prepared for anything. If Iwa tries to make a move, we will crush them. And if Konoha is involved… they'll regret it."

A nodded, though his heart felt heavy. The world was teetering on the edge of war, and he knew that there would be no turning back.

_ _ __ __ _ _ _ __ __ __ __ _ _ __ _ 

The sun hung low over the sand swept streets of Sunagakure, casting long shadows over the village. Inside the Kazekage's tower, a quiet chaos brewed. The disappearance of the Kazekage, had left a power vacuum that the elders and council members struggled to fill. Whispers of conspiracy, desertion, and assassination circulated among the clans, but no one dared speak them aloud.

Chiyo sat at the head of the table, her old eyes scanning the faces of the gathered leaders. Beside her was Ebizo, his face etched with worry. The situation was dire, and they both knew it.

"The Kazekage's disappearance has left us in a precarious position," Ebizo began, his voice low but steady. "We cannot afford to let this information spread. If our enemies learn of our leader's absence, we'll be vulnerable to attack."

Chiyo nodded in agreement, though her mind was elsewhere. Sasori, her beloved grandson, had also vanished around the same time. Though no one had dared suggest it, she knew that some in the village suspected him of having a hand in the Kazekage's disappearance. But that was impossible… wasn't it?

"We need a new leader," one of the elders said, his voice firm. "Someone who can unite the village and lead us through this war."

"I suggest Rasa to lead us" said an elder

" I propose Pakurato lead us" said another elder.

The council chambers of Sunagakure were eerily silent, save for the faint sound of desert winds rustling against the stone walls. Chiyo sat at the head of the long table, her aged fingers drumming lightly against its surface as she surveyed the faces of the elders. Her eyes held a weight that mirrored the frustration of the room, but she knew there was little more she could offer.

"Elder Ebisu, I propose decide this in a public combat. We need to show our village the strength of their own ninjas, and we could also benefit by having a strong leader in charge"

"I agree" 

"Agreed"

"I also agree"

"Now, for the next subject for this meeting" said ebisu while signaling another elder

One of the elders, a stout man with a long scar running across his cheek, leaned forward. "We've had proposals from Iwagakure. They're pushing for a united front against Konoha and Kumo. They see us as potential allies in this war."

Chiyo considered the words carefully. Sunagakure had never had an easy relationship with Iwagakure, but the situation was dire. The enemy outside could distract from the fractures within.

"We need to focus on an external enemy," Chiyo said, her voice commanding. "If we continue to battle ourselves, we will only weaken our standing further. I suggest we accept Iwa's proposal. The alliance will unite our people under a common cause."

"But we cant accept without a leader. We should accept after deciding who will be the next kazekage between Pakura and Rasa"

"Agreed" x5

 Chiyo agreed with a feign nonchalance, but deep in her heart, she knew that the village's survival would depend on much more than a political alliance. War was coming, and it would test the resolve of every ninja in Sunagakure.

_ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _

Far across the sea, the village hidden in the mist was a picture of tranquility, though that peace was a fragile ilussion. Beneath the misty shroud, tensions simmered like a boiling cauldron. The Mizukage stood in his office, gazing out over the village. Kirigakure had always been known for its brutality, its strength born of harsh conditions and internal strife. But now, that very brutality threatened to fracture the village from within.

"We need more shinobi on the front lines," said a voice from behind him, the head of Kirigakure's military operations. "If we are to compete with the other villages, we need to send more of our forces ."

The Mizukage turned slightly, his face hidden in the shadows, but his eyes glinted with a strange intensity. "We will send the non clan shinobi first," he said, his voice cold. "They need to prove themselves. The clans… they have their role, but they can afford to wait."

A flicker of unease passed through the military head's face, but he did not dare question him. "Very well, Mizukage-sama. But the non-clans are growing restless. They feel as though they are being targeted."

The Mizukage's lips curled into a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "Let them grow restless. It will make them stronger. And when the time comes, they will have their chance." said the Mizukage, balancing between less carrot and more stick

As the advisor turned to leave, the faintest glimmer of red swirled in the Mizukage's eye just for a moment. Hidden deep within her gaze it flickered like a phantom before vanishing into the mist.

_ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ 

In the heart of Konoha, Danzo stood in the shadows of his dimly lit office, a small smile playing on his lips. His network of spies had once again proven its worth. The news from Iwagakure and Kumo was promising his strategy to sow discord among the villages had worked. Iwa and Kumo were on the brink of conflict, both vying for dominance, while Sunagakure was scrambling to find stability. The Kazekage's death was a happy accident. One that he could capitalize fully if played right

But it wasn't enough.

Danzo strode purposefully to his desk, his mind working through the next steps of his plan. He had already planted the seeds of chaos, but now he needed Konoha to seize the moment. With Kirigakure sending its shinobi to test Konoha's borders, if Konoha struck swiftly and decisively, they could crush Kirigakure's defenses before the village had time to muster its full strength.

He moved quickly through the dark corridors of the Hokage's tower until he reached Hiruzen's office. The Hokage sat at his desk, surrounded by his trusted advisors, discussing strategy for the impending war.

"Hiruzen," Danzo said, his voice calm but insistent. "We have an opportunity. Kirigakure is vulnerable. They're sending their non-clan shinobi to test our defenses, leaving their main forces behind. If we strike now, we can overwhelm their front and destroy the village before they can retaliate."

Hiruzen frowned, his expression troubled. "Danzo, you're suggesting we attack without provocation. Such an act would accelerate a war that could consume all of the Great Nations."

Danzo's eyes narrowed. "War is already here, Hiruzen. We cannot sit idly, while our enemies prepare to strike. A rapid dominance attack on Kirigakure would cripple their forces, allowing us to focus on defending against Iwa and Kumo. It would also position Konoha as the dominant force in the Elemental Nations."

The other advisors murmured in agreement, though their faces showed concern.

Hiruzen shook his head, his tone firm. "Your plan is too drastic, Danzo. We must defend our village, yes, but we cannot resort to such ruthless measures. It would only fuel the fires of hatred and escalate the conflict beyond our control."

Danzo's expression tightened, but he masked his frustration. "Then what do you propose? We cannot simply wait for the enemy to come to us."

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. "We will prepare our forces. Orochimaru will lead the front against Iwagakure, while Jiraiya handles Kumo. The Uchiha will be responsible for defending against the Mist, and I'll send a symbolic force to Sunagakure. We don't yet know of the Kazekage's disappearance, but we must be prepared."

Danzo's lips curled into a thin smile. He knew about the Kazekage's disappearance, and he would use that knowledge to his advantage. With Sunagakure in turmoil, he could act more freely, extorting resources and manipulating the situation to strengthen his position. And there was another piece to his plan, a young Uchiha prodigy who had caught his attention. 

"As you wish, Hiruzen," Danzo said smoothly. "But remember, we cannot afford to show weakness. Our enemies will exploit any hesitation."

Hiruzen nodded, but his expression remained cautious. As the meeting adjourned, Danzo left with faked anger, masking his true feelings.

_ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ 

A/N: I originally wrote another chapter, but I realized that it was too sudden (and to gruesome)to publish without any context. It was hard making political intrigues and I hated everey second of it. Oh well, I wanted to portray Danzo with a little more tactical vision. Sure, the guy was a jackass, but he got results when it mattered, even if it only benefited him