Naruto: Reshaping the Shinobi World with Sasori

Chapter 117 The Treacherous Sand Village (First Update, Happy Lantern Festival!)

"Konoha harbors wolfish ambitions!"

"Konoha is the culprit that harmed the Third Kazekage!"

"The Third Hokage intends to instigate a new war!"

Soon, with the help of Sunagakure's trade network, word spread throughout the outside world via numerous caravans.

Of course, these rumors are not official statements or accusations from Sunagakure, but rather a kind of increasingly outlandish rumor that has been circulating for a long time.

Those who heard it spread it with great seriousness, as if they had witnessed it with their own eyes. Konoha had painstakingly planned for many years and finally found the right opportunity to frame the Third Kazekage.

In the story, the Third Kazekage personally led a small group of people to work on the industries of Sunagakure, but he was caught in an ambush by Konoha. He fought against the Konoha army alone and ultimately sacrificed himself.

The two great powers have long lived in peace. Although some old grudges were formed during the Second Shinobi World War, Sunagakure's economy is booming. The Third Kazekage cares about the village and its people and is well aware of the shadow that war casts on the country. He does not want the suffering to be repeated.

They harbored a peaceful ideal—but unexpectedly, Konoha remained treacherous, constantly seeking to invade Sunagakure and the Land of Wind in order to gain benefits from the war.

To launch a surprise attack when the two villages had clearly been at peace for many years.

Their ugly faces are infuriating.

Furthermore, Konoha was the first to shatter this hard-won sign of peace.

The story was spread so vividly and convincingly that it seemed like the truth.

Although it was somewhat shameful that "one's own shadow was killed by the enemy".

However, it also created an image of Konoha as a wicked and despicable entity, and an aggressor who wanted to seize the territory of the Land of Wind, disregarding the safety of civilians in both countries, and repeatedly trying to provoke war.

Regardless of whether the news is true or false, or how many people believe it, and no matter how shameful Sunagakure is—anyway, it seems that Sunagakure is pulling Konoha down with its bare hands.

The lower classes of the ninja world are the easiest to fool. Once this matter spreads, no matter how public opinion ultimately turns out, Konoha will definitely be unable to clear its name no matter what.

Even more fatally, this news was not from the official Sunagakure village—it was just a rumor.

This makes it difficult for Konoha to launch a counterattack against Sunagakure.

Furthermore, if Konoha were to step forward at this juncture and demand that Sunagakure produce evidence or clear its name, Sunagakure would undoubtedly seize the opportunity to further muddy the waters. At that point, Konoha would be even more unable to defend itself—Sunagakure would likely be waiting for Konoha to rush in, eager to prove its innocence.

Hokage Building.

All the senior executives sat together.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, summoned Danzo, Koharu Utatane, and others.

The current situation is extremely unfavorable for Konoha.

The Sand Village's actions were extremely dirty!

Sarutobi took a few deep drags of his opium, his wrinkles deepening, and remained silent.

Does the Third Generation Kazekage uphold the ideal of peace?

Shouldn't Sunagakure look at what they're saying?

Anyone with even a basic understanding of Sunagakure and the Third Kazekage knows this is a complete fabrication—

However, some small countries or villages are unaware of this, and even less aware of the details of Sunagakure.

Today, Sunagakure's medicinal resources are sold to various regions of the ninja world, and many countries and villages have benefited from this, establishing trade cooperation with Sunagakure and building a certain emotional foundation.

In this way, regardless of whether it's true or not, these countries and villages are naturally inclined to support Sunagakure, while Konoha is portrayed as the villains.

What do you think?

Sarutobi sighed – he wondered who in Sunagakure had come up with this tactic; it was utterly vicious!

How come I never noticed before—those people from Sunagakure are so insidious—

"Sunagakure is willing to spread the news regardless of its own reputation. It seems they've really gone all out, which also means that something has indeed happened to the Third Kazekage."

The old man, Mitokado En, continued, "The problem is—which village could possibly do that? There are probably not many that have that kind of power."

"Iwagakure Village?"

Koharu, upon turning the bed, immediately thought of that old devil, Onoki.

Could it be that Onoki personally took action?

If you have this ability, why didn't you use it during the last Shinobi World War? —Really —

"It shouldn't be. If it really was Iwagakure, they would have made some wartime arrangements in response to Sunagakure's revenge after the incident. Judging from the current situation, the Kazekage's death is very strange; even Sunagakure themselves don't know who the murderer is—"

Sarutobi shook his head. "But right now, we can't explain it either—those people from Sunagakure are clearly desperate and want to find a target to vent their anger on. Because of the hatred we formed with them during the last Shinobi World War, we've become their target."

"Should we send troops to the border immediately? Could Sunagakure be planning to attack us?"

A senior executive felt a chill run down his spine.

"It's possible, but unlikely. Firstly, Sunagakure's pharmaceutical industry has just started operating, and the village is at a critical stage of transformation. They should be well aware of the consequences of starting a major war at this time. Judging from the current situation, it seems more like Sunagakure realized that the rumors about the Kazekage could not be stopped, and deliberately wanted to reverse public opinion in the ninja world and shift the focus."

Sarutobi squinted, exhaling a puff of smoke. "The problem now is that public opinion has already 'defined' our village—Sunagakure can simply sit back and watch the two sides fight. During the last Shinobi World War, our village, along with several other villages besides Sunagakure, left behind considerable hidden dangers—now, we've become the culprits, giving the other villages a legitimate reason to attack us, even if they know the news from Sunagakure is false—but that doesn't stop those few from triggering a new Shinobi World War."

"If that's the case, then the Sand Village, which seems to be all bravado right now, is actually the least likely to attack us—their village has disappeared, and their fighting strength has been greatly reduced. If a fight breaks out now, they'll be asking for trouble."

Koharu Utatane considered the current situation in Sunagakure and felt that Sarutobi was right.

What Konoha should be wary of is not Sunagakure, but rather the movements of the other villages.

"Isn't it simple?"

Danzo let out a cold laugh.

"Sunagakure wants to protect itself, and their pharmaceutical industry is incredibly profitable—who wouldn't want such resources? The death of the Third Kazekage precisely shows that someone has their eyes on their cake and eat it too, so—Sunagakure is clearly panicking."

"They want to divert the trouble eastward, and there is no better place to shift the war than Konoha—once the war starts, they can make a fortune from the war by virtue of the special value of their medicines. That is their real intention."

"6

""

Danzo's way of thinking and perspective made the Konoha leaders realize something, but their expressions became even more serious.

Sunagakure has executed a brilliant move, killing two birds with one stone!

"Are they so sure that they can trigger the Third Shinobi World War just by relying on public opinion?" Mitokado Homura frowned.

"I dare not speak for others—the last time Kumogakure was defeated by us, the Raikage has been unconvinced ever since. As long as public opinion is raised to a certain degree, given the Raikage's personality, he will definitely step in! He has always believed that Kumogakure is the number one ninja village, with military strength superior to our Konoha, and has always tried to prove this point—now that there is such a good opportunity, with the backing of the greater good, he will not miss it."

Danzo calmly said, "Don't forget, some of the pillars of our village during the Second Shinobi World War—some of them are no longer here."

The three legendary Sannin of Konoha, Jiraiya and Tsunade, were not in the village.

Back then, the White Fang of Konoha, who dealt a heavy blow to the Hidden Cloud Village and was the one the Raikage feared most, also passed away.

Now, on the surface, only Orochimaru remains.

Even if Jiraiya were found, the village's fighting strength would not be comparable to its peak during the Second Shinobi World War.

Sarutobi remained silent, lost in thought.

There's no way around it; Konoha naturally possesses a constitution that attracts hatred.

The fact that Kumogakure dared to intervene shows that they were certain that once they made their move and fired the first shot, the other villages would also take advantage of Konoha's misfortune.

At that time, no one can expect anything good.

"War—it's inevitable now, what are you still hesitating for?"

Suddenly, Danzo looked directly at his old friend Sarutobi and said, "You are a Kage—don't hold back anymore. Rather than letting others attack your home, take the initiative."

"Furthermore—what you should be concerned about right now isn't this impending war, but rather—finding a way to acquire Sunagakure's assets; their medicines—that's what's most valuable right now!"

"Since they've already thrown dirty water, let's just play along—"

Danzo's eyes were somewhat gloomy.

"You know how much damage the last Shinobi World War caused to the village."

"Do you know what it means to deliberately provoke a war that engulfs the entire ninja world?"

Sarutobi closed his eyes and shook his head.

If war breaks out, the village's newly recovered vitality and the newly emerging generation will likely face death once again.

Moreover, Konoha will definitely be besieged again, and the pressure will be far greater than that of other villages.

As the Kage, Sarutobi had to consider this carefully—he was still shaken by the last Shinobi World War.

Moreover, in Sarutobi's view, the idea of ​​seizing resources from other villages was a bit too outdated.

"You and I have both lived this long—the numerous worries and distractions in your mind are not Shadow's fault, but rather foolishness that will eventually become a laughing stock—"

"Survival is earned through strength—don't you understand? In the ninja world—there's no such thing as peace—"

Upon seeing Sarutobi's reaction, Danzo, who knew his old friend all too well, immediately understood what the former was thinking and couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark.

These words made Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression turn somewhat unpleasant.

Only Danzo would dare to say that about him.

The relationship between the two is somewhat complicated.

After saying that, Danzo slowly stood up.

The Hokage is, after all, Sarutobi. If Sarutobi doesn't agree to his proposal, then it's doomed.

"If that person were here—"

Before leaving, Danzo intentionally left behind a message.

This silenced everyone at the table.

Clearly, the adult he was referring to was the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.

These men were all old friends who had fought side by side on the battlefield, and they understood even better what Danzo's words were implying.

The fact that the Second Hokage chose Hiruzen Sarutobi, not Danzo, to succeed him—a fact Danzo could never forgive.