Land of Rain.
The Hidden Mist Ninja camp.
Hozuki Mangetsu and a group of Hidden Mist Ninjas were still discussing why the Konoha ninjas suddenly left the United Pursuing Ninja Team without a word.
"At least let us know, right?"
"It doesn't matter, Danzo and his men aren't strong anyway..."
"So if only we are left, should we continue to track those traitorous ninjas led by Uchiha Obito? We still don't have detailed information, and before the Konoha guys left, they didn't even give us any detailed intelligence!"
"Forget it."
"It's okay if they leave."
"The Land of Rain is always raining, it's an environment suitable for us to fight. We can slowly investigate the Akatsuki Organization here while questioning Konoha about breaking their promise..."
Just as they were chatting, the sound of fighting suddenly erupted outside. The camp was clearly under attack by enemies!
Hozuki Mangetsu immediately led a group of Hidden Mist Ninjas out, only to see Shimura Danzo standing at the doorway, with Konoha ninjas attacking the camp. All these Konoha ninjas had Sharingan eyes and could even use Wood Release!
Hozuki Mangetsu swiftly drew the Twinsword Hiramekarei from his back, striking down a Konoha ninja, saving his subordinate!
"Shimura Danzo, what the hell is going on?"
Hozuki Mangetsu glared fiercely at Shimura Danzo: "Are the Konoha ninjas attacking us trying to tear up the alliance between Konoha and The Hidden Mist Village?"
"I don't want to do this either..."
Shimura Danzo seemed to sigh, but quickly flashed a contemptuous smile. He looked at Hozuki Mangetsu and said, "However, I'm worried that an internal conflict is about to happen in Konoha, so I had to initiate a war between our two villages..."
Shimura Danzo leaned calmly on his cane, squinting his eyes, and uttered a philosophical statement: "When a greater threat arises within an organization, internal conflicts will disappear. For the peace within Konoha, you must first become the sacrificial lambs..."
"..."
Hozuki Mangetsu was filled with rage, baring his sharp teeth: "You want to start a war, but do you really think Konoha can defeat Mist Ninjas who thrive in the blood mist?"
"Yes."
Shimura Danzo nodded confidently and said, "In fact, just sending the young Akihara Kagura from Konoha would be enough to crush the Land of Water."
"..."
Hozuki Mangetsu gritted his teeth.
This bastard really has a point!
Just Akihara Kagura, the Wood Release Ninja, is enough for The Hidden Mist Village to handle. Now, it seems Konoha has even more Wood Release Ninjas...
The ninjas from The Hidden Mist Village love war, but they don't like losing battles; they like killing, but prefer not to be killed; they love blood, but not when it's their own.
"We should retreat now, Mangetsu."
A Hidden Mist Ninja Squad Leader walked up to Hozuki Mangetsu and quietly requested: "The enemy's attack was too sudden. We must withdraw immediately... If Shimura Danzo wants to start a war, we should first break out and report today's events to the Third Hokage of Konoha, asking them to punish Shimura Danzo."
"Let's go!"
Hozuki Mangetsu could only nod.
This Hidden Mist Ninja Squad Leader was the intellectual advisor sent by the village elders to assist him, worried that he, being a young one, might not handle things thoroughly. Hozuki Mangetsu highly valued their wisdom.
If a war truly broke out between Konoha and The Hidden Mist Village, the current Mist Village would be far from a match for Konoha. As Shimura Danzo said, just Akihara Kagura alone would be enough.
Hozuki Mangetsu led the other Hidden Mist Ninjas to retreat quickly. In such an unclear situation, he dared not rashly split his troops for fear of being surrounded and eliminated by the enemy.
"Full retreat!"
"Everyone, retreat quickly!"
The group of Hidden Mist Ninjas quickly fled the camp!
Shimura Danzo, who had been standing at the doorway, raised his palm and waved it gently: "Pursue them, do not let them escape!"
"Yes, Lord Danzo!"
A group of Double Bloodline Ninjas shouted with fervor!
According to their plan, these Double Bloodline Ninjas, led by White Zetsu in disguise as Shimura Danzo, were driving the Hidden Mist Ninjas to meet with the real Konoha emissary, Mitokado Homura.
On another end.
Mitokado Homura was also moving swiftly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had told him about the gravity of the situation, so Mitokado Homura was worried about Shimura Danzo doing something extreme and was rushing toward the Land of Rain's direction.
To ensure Mitokado Homura's safety and to get information quickly, Sarutobi Hiruzen even dispatched his Hokage Guard Team to protect Mitokado Homura, so that once he ascertained the results of negotiating with Shimura Danzo, he could return to Konoha to report immediately.
In the end.
Mitokado Homura encountered the fleeing Hidden Mist Ninjas. He also saw a group of Double Bloodline Ninjas dressed in Konoha garb pursuing them, and the old man was a bit confused about what was happening.
"What on earth is going on?"
"Lord Mitokado Homura!"
Hozuki Mangetsu, upon seeing Mitokado Homura, couldn't care less which side this guy was on and questioned cautiously: "Is Shimura Danzo trying to start a war between Konoha and The Hidden Mist Village a decision made by all the top officials of Konoha?"
"Of course not!"
Mitokado Homura was taken aback!
What's going on with Shimura Danzo? Conducting unauthorized and illegal experiments without their knowledge, and commanding a formidable private army, yet still wanting to incite a war between two countries?