Konoha: Uchiha Shisui's Strategist Alliance

In late June of the 52nd year of Konoha, the advance of Kirigakure was interrupted as Konoha's vanguard arrived.

To Konoha's surprise, the Hidden Mist Village's strength was no weaker than in the last great battle, which relieved Konoha and made the people in the Hokage Building even more puzzled by their intentions.

In early July, Konoha's main force arrived at the battlefield under the leadership of Hiashi Hyuga. In order to end the battle as soon as possible, the Jonin team selected many elites, and the Konoha ninja clan was also eager to show their strength in front of the new Hokage in order to gain more trust and benefits. Therefore, they took the initiative to select ninjas from their clan to join the battle.

The two sides fought fiercely for half a month, engaging in intense battles whenever they met, with blood staining the Cloud Wave Strait between the Land of Fire and the Land of Waves.

The ferocity of the battle even startled Zhishui. Although Sima Yi was puzzled after reading the battle report, he still took the initiative to suggest leading men to the eastern front to take command.

However, before Shisui could even agree, the entire ninja world was shocked to discover that Kirigakure had only fought for half a month before running out of steam, and the area that had been seized by Konoha while they were off guard was quickly reclaimed by Konoha.

Within another half month, the Hidden Mist ninjas lost their foothold on the mainland and were forced to retreat to their homeland in the Land of Waves and the Land of Whirlpools.

This scene left all parties speechless, and the Cloud Village and Iwa Village, who had been eager to take advantage of the situation, instantly abandoned their plans to plunder.

"What a bunch of useless trash!"

On an island in the eastern front, Obito cursed under his breath after learning that most of the Hidden Mist Village had withdrawn from the mainland.

Zetsu poked his head out from the reef beneath his feet and asked cheerfully, "It seems like Kirigakure isn't reliable. What should we do? Should we continue?"

"Of course, the five great nations have all suffered heavy losses in the war, which is the best time for Akatsuki to act. We must not give Konoha a chance to recover."

Obito lowered his eyes slightly, a chilling killing intent flashing within them.

"Then it's up to you, but Nagato doesn't seem willing to cooperate."

"Hmph~"

Obito didn't seem to care, and as he waved his robe, his body gradually contorted. "He'll agree."

Leaf.

"Lord Hokage, another battle report has arrived. The morale of Kirigakure is getting lower and lower, and their commander-in-chief seems to be forcing an attack."

However, the Hidden Mist Village's attacks were all very hasty, collapsing almost immediately upon contact, showing no will to fight. Desertion was also beginning to occur within their camps. These ninjas landed on both coastlines, greatly impacting the local population. Should we send people to wipe them out?

Shisui nodded upon hearing this, then shook his head and said, "No rush. These escaped ninjas are secondary; the main concern is the main force of Kirigakure. Are they really that incompetent?"

Suzaku Nara shook his head. He didn't know either. Logically speaking, it shouldn't be like this, but how could he explain those guys?

Who knows, the current Mizukage might just be a child throwing a tantrum.

"Jonin Hiashi sent another letter, also about the Kirigakure war. Kirigakure is currently holed up in a defensive position, and he's unsure about their situation. He asked if we should launch a preemptive strike to wipe out the Kirigakure ninja forces entrenched in the former site of the Land of Whirlpools?"

"We can already give the villagers the results we've achieved. For now, let's focus on maintaining stability and wait for further intelligence before making any further decisions."

Konoha couldn't see through the situation at Kikyoku, so they dared not act rashly.

"Yes, I'll arrange it right away."

"Thanks a lot."

"Everything for Konoha!"

After Suzaku Nara left, Shisui summoned Fumio Kishi, who was in charge of education.

"How are the students graduating this year doing in their ninjutsu studies?"

Each graduating student can receive one ninjutsu technique, and those with outstanding grades can receive two. These are the foundation for the ninja army to use combined ninjutsu in the future. The renewed outbreak of war forced Shisui to take this seriously.

"These students have varying talents and progress at different rates. Although they have instructors after graduation, those instructors cannot teach multiple elemental ninjutsu simultaneously."

Regular ninjas only have one or two inherent attributes. Only a very few ninjas can change their attributes through training. However, those who can do so are almost all Jonin. But Konoha doesn't have that many Jonin. Only a few outstanding geniuses are assigned as Jonin teachers.

Shisui remained silent for a moment, then said, "These people are the future of Konoha. Konoha needs them. How about this, the village will pay for the teaching assignments and hire some Chunin who are proficient in these ninjutsu to teach them, so that all the graduates can study together."

Kishimoto Fumio exclaimed in amazement, "The Hokage is brilliant!"

Konoha's education leans more towards elite education, with ordinary students merely filling quotas. Konoha's leadership focuses on geniuses with potential for growth, such as the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, who, after maturing, was able to influence the course of war single-handedly.

This educational approach is low-cost, and if it can produce even one genius, the benefits are enormous.

Shisui couldn't refuse this educational approach for the time being. He would arrange teachers with different abilities for students with different grades. All he could do now was try his best to bring them some teaching staff, raise the bar, and let them learn more ninjutsu so they would have more means of self-defense.

Although the ninja clans were dissatisfied with this, they had already tolerated the distribution of ninjutsu, so this small matter didn't seem unbearable. Moreover, with a major war still raging in the east, they seemed to have no reason to stop Shisui from improving his strength.

In the evening, Zhishui told Sima Yi the latest news about Wuyin, which Sima Yi found very interesting.

After arriving here, he only came into contact with the Cloud Village and the Mist Village. The Cloud Village was very easy to understand, but the Mist Village repeatedly exceeded his expectations.

"You did the right thing. Kirigakure's actions are always unpredictable. They may have a backup plan. Let's stabilize the situation for now and wait for further information before making any further plans."

Shisui nodded, then asked, "Then, what should be done with those Kirigakure ninja who escaped?"

"Hahaha, all they want is a way to survive, why go to such lengths to kill them all?"

"With the morale of the Kirigakure army so low right now, you could try psychological warfare; perhaps you'll achieve something unexpected."

"Winning hearts and minds."

After careful consideration, Shisui suddenly realized and said with delight, "Winning hearts and minds and diminishing the will to fight."

"That's right. However, I estimate that many people in Kirigakure have deep-seated hatred for Konoha. You can write another letter to Donglou to inform him to act together. We can work together, one in the open and one in the shadows, and perhaps we can make them work for us."

"Grandpa, you're a true legend!"

The land of rain.

"The Hidden Mist Village can't hold on anymore. Have the Five Great Nations become so weak? It seems that Madara is not reliable."

Konan also learned the results of the Eastern War of the Land of Fire from the Amegakure ninjas, and the dark eyeshadow brought a shadow to her fair face.

"Young lady, talking badly about others behind their backs is not a good habit."

A deep voice suddenly came from the side, but Xiao Nan was already used to turning around to look. She saw the space beside her distorted, and a guy wearing a white tiger mask walked out from it.

Konan lowered her eyes and cautiously looked at the person in front of her, saying, "According to your plan, Kirigakure should have been holding off Konoha's main force, but it seems that's not the case now."

Obito ignored Konan and instead looked at Pain, saying directly, "Things have changed. Let Amegakure send out their troops."

"What did you say? Do you want us to go to war with Konoha right now? Are you kidding me!"

Konan's expression changed, and she became somewhat agitated. She immediately reprimanded Obito.

"Xiao Nan".

Payne's voice rang out, and Konan paused, then remained silent and went to Payne's side.

Seeing this, Pain continued, "I said that I would only intervene when Konoha was in dire straits, and you have not kept your promise."

Obito chuckled softly, his exposed single eye flashing with a scarlet light.

"I will make Konoha suffer a tough battle, but you need to think carefully, this is our last chance to realize our ideals."

Now that the five great nations have all weakened due to war, this is the best opportunity. However, the Fifth Hokage of Konoha is Uchiha Shisui, my good-for-nothing son. Under his leadership, the decaying Konoha is gradually regaining its vitality.

It probably won't be long before Konoha becomes even stronger than before.

The flames of war will still reach the Land of Rain.

"It doesn't matter. I am God. Whether it's Konoha or anyone else, I will handle it myself," Pain said calmly.

Obito paused, giving him a deep look. "If you make a move, those eyes will attract the covetous eyes of the Five Great Nations. At that time, both you and the Land of Rain will be destroyed. Don't underestimate the people of the Five Great Nations."

Xiao Nan looked at Payne with some worry. What Payne said was right. The reason they dared not make a direct move was because they were worried that revealing themselves too early would attract the siege of the five great powers. Their strength was not enough to fight against the five great powers at the same time.

"The Daimyo of the Land of Fire is at odds with the Hokage, and the nobles in the country are training ninjas. However, Konoha will definitely try its best to suppress them."

By having Amegakure and Kirigakure simultaneously draw Konoha's attention, and keeping Konoha busy and unable to develop, those individuals will have the opportunity to grow stronger. Once Konoha is thrown into chaos, seizing the Tailed Beasts will be a piece of cake.

Think it over carefully; you don't have much time left to hesitate.

Obito's body gradually became ethereal, and his deep voice echoed in the dimly lit area.

Xiao Nan frowned and whispered, "This person isn't that kind-hearted, we..."

"Konan, Madara is right. Whatever his purpose is, this is an opportunity."

".I see."

Konan sighed, but she would support whatever decision Nagato made.

"Have you found Orochimaru's hiding place?"

"Found it, it's in Tianzhiguo."

"We need to expand the organization's strength before we take action. I'll go there myself. We can't let him escape this time."

They had been watching Orochimaru since he fled Konoha, but he didn't seem interested in them and actually shed his skin and escaped. Sasori even went to look for him and is currently in Kyoto, where he seems to have found a more suitable candidate.

"I'll go with you."

"No need, you stay here and watch over the village."

Payne said in a low voice, then slowly walked away.

The ninja battles in Kyoto do not affect the daimyo, and naturally they do not affect Kyoto, where the daimyo resides.

However, Kyoto is not as peaceful as it used to be. Nobles from both sides of the coast have sent many people to loiter in front of the Daimyo's residence every day, hoping to meet the Daimyo and denounce the Hokage's shameless behavior.

It turns out that after the war between Konoha and Kirigakure began, Shisui took the opportunity to cut off the maritime business of the coastal nobles. Yan Shifan did not hesitate and immediately found several nobles to take over these interests.

The other nobles initially thought they were just a few greedy individuals who could be dealt with easily, but they were surprised to find that the assassins they sent repeatedly lost contact with them, and even when they joined forces, they could not shake the hidden power.

In the Land of Fire, besides the Daimyo, only the Hokage possesses such power.

After they realized what was happening, they immediately sent people to the capital to meet the daimyo, but they did not expect that the daimyo was so obsessed with Lady Yaoxiang that he did not see them even once for a whole month. It was truly hateful!

"Everyone, we have news. Master Bufeng has taken the money, and we'll have the results today."

Inside the inn, the group of people who had been waiting patiently finally got their chance, and all of them showed joy on their faces.

As expected of Kazuma's subordinate, Fuka was only doing what he was paid to do, and that very afternoon the group was summoned by the daimyo.

As soon as they entered the main hall, they saw the daimyo looking haggard with dark circles under his eyes. They were all taken aback and quickly bowed. Only after receiving the daimyo's permission did they tell him what had happened.

However, they also knew the importance of the Hokage, so they spoke very tactfully, saying that perhaps the Hokage had obtained permission from the Daimyo, but they were not aware of it. If there was a misunderstanding, they hoped the Daimyo could forgive them.

Although Daimyo has been indulging in women lately, he's not out of his mind and knows what he wants.

"I did not order the coastline to be sealed off. Perhaps someone is impersonating the Hokage and acting on their own. You don't need to worry about it. I will explain things to the Hokage."

"Yes, thank you, Your Excellency!"

The group was overjoyed and thanked them repeatedly.

After the group left, the Daimyo composed himself. He knew that this was an order given by the Hokage without his consent, but it didn't matter. After all, the money had nothing to do with him, and the deeper the conflict between the two sides, the better.

"My lord, we have found out about Tokugawa Hayate of the Nishiyama Road. He was just a minor nobleman, but he has recently become wealthy and has been secretly raising a lot of ninjas. He also often claims to be..."

While they were pondering, a ninja suddenly appeared below the stage to report.

"What is it?"

"You are a descendant of God, the true master of this land, yet you are accused of stealing the country."

A cold glint flashed in the daimyo's eyes. He waved his fan, and the man understood and immediately withdrew.

Before the founding of Konoha, the Land of Fire was not just one country, nor was it just one daimyo from their lineage. However, they were lucky enough to join forces with the Senju first, so now only the Land of Fire remains.

He had heard of many people with similar ideas about restoring their country, and having experience with this, he naturally wouldn't hesitate to take action.

"Hehehe, what a bunch of fools. I'd better go keep my Xiangxiang company~"

Upon hearing the mention of Haruka, the Daimyo's expression immediately changed, and he could no longer contain himself and ordered someone to take him to the palace where Lady Haruka resided.

The ninjas secretly guarding the area had already sensed something was wrong, but since this was the daimyo's private matter, and even the daimyo's wife couldn't interfere, they naturally couldn't meddle either.

As for the nobles and ministers, their thoughts were even more complicated. Apart from those who had a stake in the matter, who would care about the life or death of the daimyo?

Meanwhile, outside Kyoto, the changes in the daimyo did not escape Yan Shifan's notice.

"The time is almost right. Shisui has just sent reinforcements. After subduing those Hidden Mist Villagers, send them to the Western Mountain Path. It's time for the Land of Fire to carry out a major purge." (End of Chapter)