Konoha: Uchiha Shisui's Strategist Alliance

"The Land of Water, the Land of Rain, what do they want to do?"

Having obtained the information, Shisui rubbed his head, completely bewildered. These two unfortunate brothers, instead of staying home to lick their wounds, had actually jumped out to cause trouble again.

Leaving aside the Land of Water, it is one of the Five Great Nations after all. Perhaps the Daimyo of the Land of Water has a brain fart and is going to great lengths to help Kirigakure recover its strength.

However, the Land of Rain was chosen as a battlefield in the Second Shinobi World War, and the entire Land of Rain was destroyed. It hasn't been that long, and it's impossible for it to recover. Yet now it's trying to cause trouble again.

"Our spies only know the result, not the reason."

Nara Suzaku said helplessly, he was also very troubled. He had finally had a period of peace, but now someone was causing trouble again.

Wouldn't it be better for everyone to live a peaceful and stable life?

"Send people to keep a close watch. Also, have the ninja troops stationed on both fronts on high alert. The village should also make preparations in advance. If the situation worsens, we should be ready to reinforce the front line at any time."

"yes!"

"etc!"

Just as Suzaku Nara was about to leave, Shisui's eyes lit up. He suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "Send a letter to the daimyo in my name, saying that enemy ninjas are gathering on the border and that we should seal off the border and prohibit trade to prevent enemy ninjas from infiltrating."

Nara Suzaku opened his eyes slightly, looking at Shisui in surprise. After realizing what was happening, he nodded repeatedly, "Yes!"

Although the events involving the Land of Water and the Land of Rain surprised him, Shisui didn't take them to heart. He didn't think the Mizukage and Hanzo would be so irrational as to fight against Konoha.

Although Konoha's strength has not yet recovered, it is more than enough to deal with these two guys.

However, he still asked Sima Yi for his opinion.

"The incident happened suddenly and it is indeed a bit strange. Logically speaking, the two countries should not act so recklessly. Let's handle it carefully."

As for the Land of Water, Sima Yi had already witnessed their abstract behavior, so it was difficult for him to comment.

However, the actions of the Rain Kingdom were too sudden. For a small country to rashly amass troops on the border was a very serious act of provocation.

If the Land of Wind were such a poor country, it would be understandable; perhaps something was wrong at home, forcing them to come here to beg for resources. However, the Land of Rain has abundant steel resources and is not considered poor, so this behavior is somewhat puzzling.

"Hearing what Grandpa said, something does seem a bit off."

Sima Yi's suspicions made Shisui feel somewhat uneasy. He immediately ordered the secret service to send a message to Suzaku Nara, urging him to speed up his actions and to keep the ninjas stationed on the border on high alert.

However, things always turn out unexpectedly.

In June of the 52nd year of Konoha, the daimyo rejected Shisui's proposal, arguing that hastily closing trade routes would easily cause dissatisfaction among other countries.

Shisui was considering whether to take the opportunity to send more ninjas to rob the rich and help the poor when urgent messages came from both the defense line of the Whirlpool Country and the coast of the Land of Waves.

"Just five days ago, the Kirigakure army launched a simultaneous night attack on the defense lines of the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Waves. Most of the ninja troops left to defend the Land of Waves were killed. Although the defense line of the Land of Whirlpools was held, it also suffered heavy losses. Seven letters requesting reinforcements were sent overnight."

In his office, Shisui, having learned the news, summoned the Jonin from various departments for a discussion.

Danzo and Mitomon Homura knelt on either side of Shisui, listening silently to Nara Suzaku's story.

Everyone who heard the information was dumbfounded. They didn't understand why the Land of Water was doing this.

Less than three years have passed since the war with the Land of Water ended. How much have they recovered?

"That's how it is. Although we don't know why Kirigakure started this war, the situation is just as dangerous as the war against Kumogakure. Once we fall into a disadvantageous position, all the countries that have finally achieved peace will become restless. Therefore, this time we must not only defeat Kirigakure, but also do so quickly and ruthlessly!"

Zhi Shui's expression was serious, his tone heavy, and the faint murderous aura he exuded made everyone pause.

"Please give your orders, Hokage-sama!"

The crowd shouted in unison, "The enemy has come to our doorstep. We have no other opinions to offer but to fight!"

"I have instructed the Jonin squad to select a leader. Jonin who receive the order must depart immediately without delay."

"yes!"

"Furthermore, Hyuga Higashihiko will serve as the temporary commander, leading two thousand ninja troops to reinforce the eastern front. Hyuga Hiashi will serve as the overall commander of the eastern front, with Sarutobi Hirano and Uchiha Kyohei as deputy commanders, each leading five thousand ninja troops to depart on a later date. All other arrangements will be communicated to the Jonin. This battle concerns the future of Konoha; I hope everyone will work together with one heart and one mind to overcome this difficult time!"

"yes!"

Everyone responded quickly, while Danzo, who had been sitting to the side, looked at Shisui with some surprise at his decisiveness.

"Do either of you have anything to add?"

"Since it's unavoidable, then we have no choice but to fight. The Hokage can handle the arrangements."

Mitokado Homura naturally supported it, while Danzo simply nodded slightly without saying anything more.

With the arrangements made, the Hokage Building began issuing war missions, and with the Hokage's permission, the Jonin teams began mobilizing ninjas.

Furthermore, Shisui, citing the impending war, bypassed the daimyo and issued an order to seal off the country's borders.

In just one morning, the atmosphere in Konoha became somewhat oppressive, and the frequent actions of the ninjas made the Konoha villagers, who had been living in war for a long time, realize something.

In the days that followed, every household went out to the streets to buy ingredients, planning to prepare a hearty lunch for family members who might be leaving.

Pedestrians on the street lowered their voices, and some even couldn't bear the torment and burst into tears.

"Why is this happening? We've only been at peace for a short time, why do we have to go to war again? Waaaaah~"

"Can't the Hokage stop the war? Must my child die on the battlefield?"

Dejected words and a sense of war-weariness permeated every corner of Konoha.

This scene made Shisui, who had just left the Hokage Building, feel somewhat uncomfortable. He and Hikaru returned to their clan's territory in silence.

"Grandpa, the villagers don't want to fight, and I don't want to fight either, but this war is unavoidable. The villagers' emotions may affect the front line."

Shisui frowned, her tone somewhat helpless, and felt a pang of pain in her heart as she thought of those people's tears.

"Since ancient times, wars have always required a just cause. However, Konoha is on the defensive this time, so you don't need to do much. Just make sure the villagers understand why they are fighting."

Sima Yi didn't have a good solution either. Ninjas were different from soldiers in his previous life. Their lives did not depend on military pay. Their powerful martial arts allowed them to live well even if they left Konoha.

As for their future prospects, strength is the basic requirement for a ninja's promotion. Moreover, Konoha is just a military town, and a military town with an imperfect system. Even if they make some significant contributions, they cannot be given any promotion.

The only things that can control them are family, feelings, and bonds.

"Why fight?"

Shisui understood Sima Yi's meaning. Then he thought of the Third Hokage and his speech at the school. His eyes lit up, and the next day he led his men to the Ninja Academy.

He suddenly gave a speech about protecting his family, friends, and village, telling all the teachers and students why they wanted to become ninjas and what ninjas had been fighting for all this time.

Aside from the Hokage Building, the Ninja Academy was the place the villagers paid the most attention to, and Shisui's speech quickly spread throughout Konoha.

As for the effect, Shisui couldn't say for sure, but the army's departure was inevitable. Fortunately, Konoha was not short of money for the time being, and all the necessary supplies were quickly raised.

"Lord Hokage."

At the village training ground, Hyuga Higashihiko, protected by several branch family Hyuga ninja, arrived at Shisui's side.

"The eastern front is temporarily in your hands. Make sure to stabilize the situation before the main force arrives."

"yes!"

In addition to Hyuga Haruhiko, Shisui also sent Uchiha Tekka and Nara Chiba as his deputies to assist him.

Shisui looked at the group, a sense of unease creeping over him, and then slowly bowed, saying, "The future of Konoha is in your hands!"

The crowd knelt on one knee and unanimously agreed.

As the army set off, amidst the crowd—whose son, whose father, whose husband—they remained silent, their hearts filled with complex emotions as they once again headed towards the battlefield.

"Grandpa, when will the war end?"

"A warrior's purpose is to stop war. Only war can end war. Let Konoha become strong."

Does war ever end?

Sima Yi was unsure and could not give a definite answer. However, he knew that even if Shisui achieved unification, the war would not end. But he would not tell Shisui these things, at least not by asking. So he could only offer encouragement.

"Make Konoha strong"

People have motivation when they have goals. The momentary setback did not cause Zhishui to sink into despair; he quickly cheered himself up again.

"Grandpa, how's the group's ninjutsu going?"

"The ninjutsu has already been distributed, but I am not clear about the training of the village's ninjas, nor have we conducted any collective drills, so I cannot be sure of the specifics."

Although Konoha is a military town, there are very few professional soldiers who are not on duty outside of the border areas.

Realizing this, Sima Yi suggested, "In order to cope with the wars to come, Konoha's system needs some changes."

"Grandpa, please speak."

Shisui immediately perked up and listened attentively.

Sima Yi immediately began by discussing the military system of the pre-Qin period, then went on to explain the military system of the Han Dynasty, clarifying the concept of a full-time army, proposing a merit-based military system, and then providing further explanations in light of the situation of the army under the command of the daimyo.

Zhi Shui had heard fragments of related stories in other tales, but had never heard Sima Yi explain them in detail. Now, hearing his detailed account, he couldn't help but nod repeatedly.

"However, the strength of a ninja is crucial, so these things are not entirely applicable to ninjas and need to be modified."

After saying that, Sima Yi added a reminder to prevent Zhi Shui from copying it exactly.

Zhi Shui naturally understood and nodded repeatedly, saying, "I understand, Grandpa. I will consider it carefully."

Just as Konoha dispatched a large army to resist Kirigakure, Yan Shifan, who was far away in Kyoto, also received the news.

bang~

"These beasts have ruined me!"

Yan Shifan swept everything off the table, leaving Izayoi completely bewildered by his sudden action.

"Elder, it's just Kirigakure, nothing serious. Why are you so angry?"

Yan Shifan sighed. How could he not be angry when it concerned his points?

If the situation worsens, Sima Yi will definitely lead his troops away from Konoha. Without a strategist by Shisui's side, Sima Yi will surely suggest that Shisui summon another one. Wouldn't all the points used to strengthen him this year be wasted?

"No, absolutely not, we need to speed things up."

Yan Shifan muttered to himself, ignoring Izayoi's bewildered gaze. Then he looked at Izayoi and asked, "What's the matter with those ninjas?"

Yan Shifan's purpose in establishing the gambling arena was not only to make money, but also to recruit more ninjas for his own use.

"They all agreed, but some of them had questionable identities. I used illusion magic to interrogate them and then disposed of them."

"It's alright. I've infiltrated almost the entire Daimyo's residence. It's just a pity that there are too many guard ninja around the Daimyo. Even the young master of the Sarutobi clan has come. What is the Third Hokage trying to do?"

"Should we lure them out, and then..." Izayoi didn't have a good impression of the Third Hokage, and by extension, she didn't like the Sarutobi clan either. She would never hold back when she started fighting.

"Well, since he was able to come, he must have had Shisui's permission. He's the only one left in the third generation, so let's not provoke him."

The last time they took action was for military power, but taking action against Sarutobi Asuma would be of no benefit and might even displease Shisui, so it's not worth it.

"So, what's next?"

"Hehe, since time waits for no one, we can only face it head-on. Give the orders to the people of Dongshan Road and Xishan Road to prepare."

Furthermore, spread rumors throughout the city that the daimyo is immoral and a false daimyo, while Nishiyama Morikawa is highly respected and a descendant of the gods, and should be the true daimyo.

Izayoi scratched her head, not understanding what Yan Shifan wanted to do, but quickly agreed.

At the same time, the daimyo also learned of Shisui's border blockade.

However, he was not angry. In fact, it was not him who benefited from the border trade, but the nobles. Shisui's actions would only make the nobles hate Konoha even more. Once the ninjas in various places had achieved some success, they would be able to counterbalance Konoha for him.

As for the war with the Land of Water, that was not within his consideration. It was a war between two ninja villages, and neither the Daimyo of the Land of Water nor he would be affected.

"My lord, something terrible has happened! Lady Haruka has fallen and is feeling unwell. She's been calling out for you and hopes you'll come see her immediately!"

While he was thinking, a maid suddenly shouted loudly outside. The previously serious-looking Daimyo's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. He quickly stood up and said with a look of concern, "Oh dear, what's going on? You can't even protect one person! If anything happens to Haruka, you'll be in big trouble!"

The nobleman hurriedly left, leaving several complaining nobles looking at each other in bewilderment.

"this"

"What do we do now? Without a Daimyo, can the Hokage still rescind his orders?"

"What else can we do? You have a few ninjas, are you really going to openly go against the Hokage? Let's deal with the Daimyo's matter first."

"Oh, that Mrs. Haruka is really something."

"Be careful what you say!"

The group was helpless. This Lady Yaoxiang was presented by a minor nobleman in the capital. She had a unique fragrance that was pure and elegant. The fragrance could be smelled from more than ten steps away. As soon as she entered the Daming Mansion, she was favored by the Daming. As a result, the minor nobleman was also given important positions by the Daming and often visited the Daming Mansion.

Even the Lady of the Great Ming Dynasty couldn't do anything to her, so the group dared not say anything more. After exchanging a few words, they hurriedly left. (End of Chapter)