Day by day, time passed.
For Danzo, life had been quite fulfilling recently.
During the day, he immersed himself in the development of new ninjutsu.
To create a satisfactory new Wind Release jutsu, he deliberately reviewed all the Wind Release techniques recorded in Konoha's archives since its founding.
He even negotiated with Sunagakure, offering Konoha's intelligence on Kirigakure and weapon support in exchange for their Wind Release scrolls.
Caught in the midst of war, Sunagakure had no choice but to trade away some non-core ninjutsu in exchange for Konoha's covert assistance.
It could be said that sustaining this war was highly beneficial for Konoha.
Not only could Danzo extract substantial benefits from Sunagakure, but he could also do the same to Kirigakure.
No one understood the art of profiting from war better than him.
With a vast collection of Wind Release techniques as a foundation, Danzo's research progressed rapidly.
At night, his focus shifted to studying industrial and agricultural technologies.
To support this effort, he mobilized Root's resources, gathering as much knowledge as possible from across the ninja world.
Particularly in industrial development.
In truth, the ninja world's industrial sector was not underdeveloped.
Basic infrastructure like electricity and steel forging was well-established.
Even computers had appeared in the original work.
However, due to the overwhelming presence of ninjas, these technological advancements often went unnoticed.
Danzo's goal was to leverage the abilities granted by Shura Path to push industrial technology forward.
He even aimed to integrate chakra with industrial processes, creating a unique industrial system tailored to the ninja world.
Technological progress was also a crucial component of his Revitalize Konoha plan.
Fortunately, subordinates like Aburame Ryoma, Kakashi, and Shisui were highly capable, handling most of Root's affairs efficiently.
Otherwise, Danzo wouldn't have had so much time to research so many different fields.
His young disciple, Shimura Kabuto, was also progressing steadily.
By day, he studied medical ninjutsu under Tsunade.
At night, he engaged in various studies and experiments with Danzo.
Luckily, Kabuto found great interest in these subjects, so he didn't feel overwhelmed.
Compared to his past as an orphan with no support, he now felt completely fulfilled.
Especially since he could spend every day by Lord Danzo side—nothing could be more satisfying.
---
Meanwhile, Konoha's major clans had begun integrating their resources, preparing to officially expand into the markets of the Land of Wind and the Land of Water.
According to Danzo's plan, their first priority was to construct key infrastructure:
Friendship City at the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Wind
Relay Island in the sea
Four ports along the coast of the Land of Water
Only by establishing these foundational structures could further trade and expansion proceed smoothly.
Suddenly, the demand for Earth Release users skyrocketed.
Ninjas proficient in Earth Release became highly sought after within the major clans.
Some clans even offered them an astonishing daily wage of 30,000 ryo.
Additionally, they provided free military ration pills to replenish chakra and even covered accommodations!
This immediately tempted many ninjas.
After all, this was equivalent to the reward for a D-rank mission—for just one day of work.
And it was long-term, with virtually no risk.
It was an insanely good deal.
Danzo even wondered—if this job posting reached other villages, would Iwagakure's ninjas rush to Konoha for employment?
That would be an economic victory, wouldn't it?
In short, the merchant group formed by Konoha's major clans was eagerly preparing for a grand endeavor.
As these noble ninja clans prepared to expand outward, life for the village's civilians also improved significantly.
Months of peace had allowed many people to relax.
For the ordinary citizens, the absence of war was already the best possible news.
For a time, all of Konoha was immersed in a warm atmosphere of tranquility.
But the great war sweeping across the ninja world was far from over.
This current peace was merely temporary—a fragile bubble.
And when the sun sets, even the most beautiful bubble will eventually burst.
Then, a piece of urgent intelligence from the border shattered the calm.
"Lord Danzo, according to our spies in the Land of Lightning, the Raikage appears to be considering forming an alliance with Iwagakure to launch an attack on Konoha."
"Currently, Kumogakure's forces have already moved into the Land of Hot Water and the Land of Frost, potentially posing a threat to the Land of Fire."
Aburame Ryoma delivered this intelligence report to Danzo.
Danzo's expression remained calm, as if unsurprised.
He slowly gazed at the ninja world map before him.
This map displayed all of Konoha's troop deployments.
It also contained compiled intelligence on enemy movements and formations.
A priceless asset!
"So that Raikage is finally making his move?"
Danzo narrowed his sharp eyes slightly, his chiseled face exuding the authority and ruthlessness of Konoha's hawkish leader.
From his memory, the Third Raikage appeared outwardly hot-tempered and reckless.
But in reality, he was shrewd and calculating—no less cunning than Danzo himself, the "Darkness of the Shinobi."
After all, anyone who became a village leader had to be more than just a brute with strong fists.
In the original timeline, this so-called "Strongest Spear" and "Strongest Shield"—the Third Raikage—ultimately fell in battle, exhausted to death while fighting against tens of thousands of Iwagakure ninjas.
This meant that, originally, during the long-drawn-out ninja world war, Iwagakure and Kumogakure should have clashed.
Yet, up until now, Danzo had seen no sign of such a battle breaking out.
At most, there had only been minor skirmishes.
Now, intelligence suggested that the two villages were joining forces against Konoha.
Could this be because of his own actions—leading Konoha to decisively defeat both Sunagakure and Kirigakure?
Had Kumogakure perceived Konoha as too powerful and thus decided to ally with Iwagakure to resist the Land of Fire?
Danzo lightly tapped his finger against the map, his mind racing through countless possibilities.
Among the Four Great Nations, Kumogakure had always been the most ambitious.
They had long sought to replace Konoha as the dominant force.
To that end, they launched relentless offensives, expanded their territory, plundered Kekkei Genkai, and refined their taijutsu techniques.
Their ultimate goal was to elevate Kumogakure's overall strength to surpass Konoha and claim the title of Number One Ninja Village.
This was evident from their previous alliance with Sunagakure in the Battle of Kikyo Mountain.
If they had collaborated with Sunagakure before, then forming an alliance with Iwagakure now was certainly not out of the question.
No matter what, it was a threat that could not be ignored.
Danzo withdrew his hand from the map and spoke slowly:
"It seems our halftime break is over."
"Now, let's see who will emerge victorious in the second half."
His eyes gleamed with a fierce, predatory light.
"Ryoma, you and Kakashi are to set out for the border immediately. Take full control of Konoha's intelligence network. Find out everything about the relationship between Kumogakure and Iwagakure."
Without hesitation, Aburame Ryoma nodded sharply at the command.
"Understood!"
——————
"Kakashi, have you been very busy lately?"
At Kakashi's home, Minato sat upright on the tatami mat, looking at his student's dark circles with a hint of concern.
"You're still young; you need to take care of your health. You should cut down on reading Jiraiya-sama's books."
Minato earnestly advised, feeling a bit guilty inside.
After all, it was he who had initially recommended Jiraiya's works to Kakashi, hoping they would fill the void in his heart.
But he hadn't expected that aside from uplifting adventure stories, Jiraiya's books also contained... other content.
Sigh!
Kakashi was one of the village's most talented young ninjas—what if he became obsessed with such vulgar material? That would be a disaster!
Seeing his teacher's disappointed expression, Kakashi's face immediately darkened. With a helpless sigh, he explained:
"Sensei, my dark circles aren't from reading books."
Hearing this, Minato sighed in relief, but he still asked,
"Then what's the reason?"
Kakashi let out another sigh and replied,
"Missions."
"As for what kind of mission—it's classified."
As a professional ninja, even with his own teacher, Kakashi couldn't disclose mission details.
Minato, being an exceptional ninja himself, understood immediately.
Realizing his mistake, he laughed heartily,
"Ah, I see! Looks like I wronged you."
Just as Minato was about to continue the conversation, a knock sounded at the door.
Although it seemed like an ordinary knock, Kakashi's expression instantly changed.
"Sorry, Sensei. It looks like I won't be able to entertain you tonight."
Upon hearing this, Minato quickly understood.
He patted Kakashi's shoulder with a smile and said,
"Go ahead. Stay safe."
"Mm."
Kakashi nodded before disappearing in an instant.
As Minato looked around the now empty home, he shook his head.
"This kid... his life is far too lonely."
As for the mission Kakashi mentioned, Minato could easily make an educated guess.
After all, as the newly appointed Jonin Commander, he was familiar with the records of all regular ninja assignments.
And Kakashi had no recent mission records.
That meant he was no longer part of the standard ninja corps.
That left only two possibilities—
The Anbu, or something even deeper—the Root.
Between the two, Minato, who knew his student well, leaned toward the latter.
After all, regular Anbu work shouldn't have left Kakashi this exhausted.
And that knock at the door just now?
It was likely a coded Root signal.
__
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