Chapter 104

The mere mention of the word "war" still instilled fear in others. They never imagined that it would be Hitoshi who would propose such a notion.

"When do you think the war will break out?" Shamon asked with a grim expression, turning his head towards Hitoshi.

"Could it happen at any time?" Hitoshi's eyes began to flicker with intensity.

"Why? The other Great Hidden Villages have just provided Konoha with a large supply of resources. It wouldn't adhere to the rules if war broke out now," Shamon questioned, perplexed.

"What are rules? Rules are created by people. People can change the rules at any time," Hitoshi responded with certainty.

"You're right, but why would they do that?"

"Simply because their power has grown too vast after their negotiations with the Biju. They need an outlet," Hitoshi's eyes flickered with flashes of realization. In the dark realm, he had witnessed the negotiations between the individuals of the three Great Hidden Villages and the Biju. The Biju supplied vast amounts of chakra to the Shinobi in the Hidden Villages. And in the midst of it all, conspiracies were brewing in the Shinobi World.

"Where do you think the conflict will arise first?" Ebizo asked with a hushed voice.

"Takigakure and Amegakure," Hitoshi calmly replied.

"Takigakure and Amegakure?" Ebizo whispered, deep in thought. As the administrator of Sunagakure, he was responsible for the village's information system. As he connected the recent information he had received, everything began to make sense.

"Hanzo has realized that he can't dominate the Five Great Hidden Villages. He's seeking a breakthrough. He wants the Seven-Tails," Ebizo's eyes lit up with understanding.

"Almost there. Hatake Sakumo and Bunpuku have already exposed too much. Hanzo isn't a fool. Previously, the Five Great Hidden Villages had concealed their actions from him and operated independently," Hitoshi explained with a smile.

He even thought to himself. The Five Great Countries and Hidden Villages had long seen the gathering storm clouds. The countries of Taki and Uki, along with the three Hidden Villages, had the most potential to become the sixth country and Hidden Villages. No one wanted an extra seat at the table. If they could cut it off, they would.

Naturally, during a major event, they wouldn't want to involve them or play with them.

"In his current state, Hanzo is nothing but a clown. He won't be able to keep up for long. I fear he will be the first casualty," Chiyo sneered.

Amegakure's limited natural resources couldn't sustain Hanzo's research. Chiyo herself knew how many resources were required to study the breakthrough to Kage Level. She understood that Hanzo simply couldn't keep up. With each jump, he was inviting his own demise.

"Almost there. The time is ripe; it just needs an excuse. Besides, even a small slice of the cake from Amegakure is worth it," Hitoshi commented casually. He wasn't a saint who cared about the lives and deaths of others. If he had the ability, he would take care of it; if not, he would let it be. Hitoshi didn't believe he had the ability to take care of Amegakure.

"Hehe, yeah, Hanzo, that stubborn guy. He used to play tricks on us," Shamon's eyes flashed with a fierce expression. He held a deep grudge against Hanzo.

"Yasuke, how is our army?" Hitoshi turned to Yasuke, who stood nearby.

"We have five thousand Shinobi special forces, five thousand special forces, one thousand researchers, two thousand science and technology troops, and two thousand Medic Corps," Yasuke replied expressionlessly. He was becoming more and more like a soldier, embodying discipline. The unpredictable shadow of the Shinobi was gradually diminishing.

"Very good. In this war, we may encounter other Sage users," Hitoshi's eyes sparkled with excitement.

Sage Mode, in simple terms, was natural chakra. Hitoshi didn't believe that other Hidden Villages wouldn't find a way to obtain research materials on natural chakra. As long as the materials were available, there was nothing they couldn't study.

"I understand. I won't disappoint," Yasuke's eyes gleamed with excitement. Finally, he would face formidable opponents on an even playing field. He didn't know how strong he had become. Since Hitoshi had taught him to merge natural chakra with his own chakra and use chakra to strengthen his body, he hadn't engaged in a real fight in a long time.

Ignoring Yasuke's enthusiasm, Hitoshi turned his attention to Bunpuku, who sat across from him. "Bunpuku, you should also be prepared. Your strength is formidable, and I don't need you to do anything that compromises your beliefs."

Hitoshi considered himself a tolerant person. He didn't force Bunpuku, the monk, to partake in massacres. He assigned Bunpuku to a deputy role, overseeing strategy and logistics and issuing orders that wouldn't involve mass killings.

"Life as a Sunagakure shinobi means life as a ghost of Sunagakure. Born here, if you have the ability, you need to pay back those who support you," Bunpuku said, folding his hands together with an unemotional expression. He exuded a sense of calmness and peace.

"Very well," Hitoshi nodded in approval. His subordinates displayed excellent ideological awareness and were deserving of support. Hitoshi believed that Bunpuku was born in Sunagakure for a reason, as he possessed enlightenment. If it were Konoha, Bunpuku would undoubtedly be high-quality cannon fodder, much like that Uchiha Itachi fellow who was manipulated and ultimately killed.

"Lady Chiyo, please prepare the necessary medicines for treatment. Ebizo-sama, the logistics are in your hands. Shamon-sama, give it your all in scientific research. We need a little more effort," Hitoshi instructed Chiyo and the others.

"Understood, don't worry," the three of them replied with a smile. The tense atmosphere of war didn't affect their spirits. Having experienced numerous battles, their hearts had grown resilient.

After everyone left, Hitoshi entered the dark realm, carefully reviewing the recent developments in the Shinobi World. The dark matter recorded everything, and Hitoshi was the only person in the Shinobi World who could access this realm, giving him a significant advantage.

Various scenes flashed before his eyes, including Sarutobi Hiruzen delivering a speech at the Shinobi Academy. The young students, their heads held high with expressions of dedication to Konoha.

Hitoshi couldn't help but think, Sarutobi Hiruzen, you old fossil. You should've been an MLM lecturer with your eloquence. Your words and Naruto's Mouth-Style are almost equally deceiving. They both inspire people and give strength to Konoha. Just like Uzumaki Nagato, who claimed to be dead but ultimately dedicated his life to Konoha. It was a remarkable power to possess when someone who was believed to have destroyed Konoha was thought to be deceased.