Over these past five days, the news of a power transition in Kumogakure had spread throughout all major nations and ninja villages.
The Fourth Raikage A and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki B had died.
At just fourteen years old, Yugito was about to become the Fifth Raikage.
She would be the first female Raikage in ninja history, as well as the youngest ever, ushering in a new chapter in the Ninja World.
Over these five days, Yugito had been anxiously awaiting action from Kumogakure's upper echelons.
Yet, contrary to her expectations, they remained completely silent, seemingly accepting the deaths of the Fourth Raikage brothers without resistance.
Beneath such a calm surface, countless turbulent waves might have already surged beneath.
To prevent rebellion among the front-line ninjas, Yugito swiftly issued several orders, keeping them stationed while preparing to return to the village, and also expressed her willingness to cease hostilities toward Konoha.
In Konoha, at the Root base...
After scanning the intelligence reports from his subordinates, Danzo Shimura asked, "The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki is dead. What about the Eight-Tails itself?"
A Root ninja shook his head. "We still don't know yet. Kumogakure hasn't announced the cause of death for the A brothers, and information about the Eight-Tails has also been sealed off."
"In that case, Kumogakure's strength must've greatly diminished. The strongest one there now should be the Two-Tails' jinchuriki? Oh... I should refer to her as the Raikage now." Danzo murmured to himself, stroking his chin.
After a long while, Danzo left the dimly lit base of Root with his cane.
As he entered the meeting chamber inside the Hokage Building, he discovered that Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane had already arrived, except for Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Seating himself in his designated spot, a flicker of displeasure passed across Danzo's face.
Damn it! No one even informed me about this meeting!
"Shimura, you're here..."
Hiruzen and the other two glanced at him briefly, their expressions unchanging.
Passing him a cup of green tea, Hiruzen coughed lightly and said indifferently, "At last, the war is finally winding down."
"With the death of the Fourth Raikage, Kumogakure's morale will surely plummet, losing their fighting spirit. This is a perfect moment to make peace..."
"What?!" Danzo interrupted sharply. "You're actually thinking about making peace when we have such a great opportunity? Hiruzen, you've made a mistake..."
Danzo and Hiruzen argued for a bit.
Danzo believed the circumstances surrounding the Fourth Raikage's death were highly suspicious. There must be internal cracks within Kumogakure, making everything unstable like a house of cards, and now was the time to send more agents onto the battlefield.
Once Kumogakure showed any sign of defeat, the other villages wouldn't miss this chance either.
Then, they could all gang up and tear Kumogakure apart.
Hiruzen immediately rejected his idea. "Konoha sits right in the center. How can you guarantee none of the other nations won't attack the Land of Fire when our forces are fully engaged in battle?"
Danzo snorted coldly and suggested another alternative. "If so, then during negotiations, we should demand greater concessions from Kumogakure."
Hiruzen shook his head again. He only wanted peace talks to proceed quickly, unwilling to provoke any unnecessary conflict.
What foolishness! Danzo fumed inwardly.
"Hiruzen, you'll regret this someday."
He stormed out furiously through the door.
Watching his retreating figure, Sarutobi let out a quiet sigh.
Danzo... You mock me for being weak, but in truth you fail to understand the human heart or the mind of a Kage.
If pressured too hard, Kumogakure might start an external war to divert internal conflicts and throw all their strength into battle.
When that happens, Konoha won't last long at all.
Right now though, things are perfect. The newly-appointed Raikage's first move was to show restraint in military affairs—this not only undermines her authority, but also fuels further infighting within their ranks.
Koharu Utatane let out a helpless sigh: "Classic Danzo..."
A few days later, Kumogakure sent an envoy team to Konoha for negotiations.
To prevent Shimura Danzo from causing trouble, Hiruzen Sarutobi even dispatched an Anbu squad to ensure their safety.
In the streets, people enthusiastically discussed the situation, their faces filled with hope for peace.
In every war, it's always the common people who suffer the most—and they're the ones who want peace the most.
Once done with lessons for the day, Hiroki Hyuga made his way home through the bustling streets.
"Sometimes I get this weird idea," he joked half-seriously, "that I'll wake up one day and find out you've already taken over the whole world."
"There will come a day when the world will have only one ruler." Kaguya smiled lightly.
"What about me then?"
"You? Well, that all depends on what you bring to the table."
Hiroki gave an uninterested chuckle. "If that's the case, why don't you just rule openly under your own name?"
Thinking for a moment, Kaguya replied, "Because of that frog."
"A frog? Gamamaru?"
"Precisely. The Gamabunta Clan seems to possess some means of monitoring the ninja world. If we become too conspicuous, they'll soon detect us."
"Oh? So even you have something you fear."
At this, Kaguya let out a displeased huff.
It was after training with Gamamaru that those two brothers, Hayato and Hamura, gained enough power to rival her.
Especially Hayato's [Sage Art]—a native cultivation method unique to this world, which could pose a threat to her.
"So the final plan is still to reclaim chakra? Are you going to extract the Tailed Beast from Yugito as well? Wouldn't she die then?"
"Hmph. Are you feeling sympathy?"
"..."
"When compassion arises in your heart, that's when you're most vulnerable to manipulation—remember this lesson well."
Far away, a grotesque figure with a split-faced appearance and head enclosed by a pitcher-plant-like covering emerged from underground, staring fixedly at the retreating back of Hiroki Hyuga.
Black Zetsu was deep in turmoil internally.
"Why does he also carry my mother's aura..."
After the power shift in Kumogakure, he had visited the village once before. Upon sensing Kaguya's presence from Yugito, he'd been deeply shocked and suspected maybe the seal weakened, allowing part of Kaguya's chakra to escape.
Yet now, here in Konohagakure Village, he detected similar auras emanating from two other individuals—a female Anbu member and the very Hiroki Hyuga he'd just observed.
"What the hell is going on with those three? Hmph. I guess I'll need to watch them a bit longer."
Just as he was lost in thought, Hiroki suddenly whipped his head toward where Black Zetsu stood hidden and cast a sharp glance.
Black Zetsu's expression subtly shifted.
"Have we been discovered? The Hyuga shouldn't have this level of Sensor ability."
"Follow him." He said to White Zetsu.
White Zetsu: "What's up? What are we doing?"
Even as he said that, White Zetsu still followed Black Zetsu's order.
It was already deep into autumn, and the plants in the courtyard had withered and turned yellow. Hiroki Hyuga directed his gaze toward a certain spot.
"Aren't you coming out yet?"
Black Zetsu appeared. "Who are you?"
"I am Kaguya's representative."
Black Zetsu hesitated slightly. "..."
"Don't believe me?" As he spoke, Hiroki's aura changed dramatically.
Black Zetsu's expression froze.
Kaguya's presence became increasingly intense.
"A thousand years have passed, and the only change in this world is that now there are even more who dare to cross the line, just like Hayato and Hamura."
"They dare to lust after powers that were never meant for them."
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