021 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

"Hey, Danzo, what happened to you? Why are you so skinny?"

Arashi stared at the haggard figure in front of him with a mixture of shock and disbelief. It hadn't been that long since they last met, yet Danzo's face was pale, with deep bags under his eyes, a sickly bluish tint around his eye sockets, and his cheeks sunken. He looked like he had lost a significant amount of weight.

"Sigh… it's a long story," Danzo said, his lifeless eyes staring out at the raindrops hitting the window.

Ever since the war with Iwagakure had reached a stalemate, the situation had spiraled downward for Konoha. After the exhausting battle at Lake Tsuki against Sunagakure, Konoha's forces were barely holding their ground in the urban guerrilla skirmishes around Amegakure. Reinforcements were supposed to help turn the tide, but by the time Konoha's reinforcements arrived, Iwagakure's backup had already joined the fray.

Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, cunningly feigned retreat to lure Konoha's forces into a massive ambush set around the city outskirts. Akimichi Torifu led his troops straight into the trap. Surrounded by Ōnoki and his elite disciples—Konoha's forces were mercilessly crushed as the enemy used Earth Release techniques to gradually tighten the encirclement.

Ōnoki himself unleashed his Dust Release, obliterating entire squads with ease. Chidō's clay explosives caused chaos and destruction, leaving Konoha's forces scattered. In a desperate bid to save his comrades, Akimichi Torifu consumed the family's secret Pepper Pill, using Butterfly Mode to carve a bloody path out of the encirclement. However, the technique's severe side effects left him near death.

Konoha lost 3,000 troops in that battle, leaving only 6,000 weary soldiers. Meanwhile, Iwagakure's forces surged to over 12,000, their morale soaring as they closed in on Amegakure.

"Bang!" Arashi slammed his hand on the table, startling Danzo and Hanzo of the Salamander.

"It's just Ōnoki! Let's take him down! Bullying you like this, Danzo? Unacceptable!"

"Are you saying Sunagakure will assist us?" Danzo's eyes lit up. He had great respect for Arashi's strength and strategic acumen.

"Of course! We're allies, and our personal relationship is rock-solid. Don't worry—I'll even draft an official diplomatic statement condemning Ōnoki on behalf of the Kazekage!"

Danzo and Hanzo exchanged exasperated glances.

"Hehe, sorry, Danzo. I'm actually here on a diplomatic mission and didn't bring many people with me. Even if I issue a mobilization order now, it'll take at least 20 days for reinforcements to arrive."

"By then, we'll all be dust under Ōnoki's Dust Release," Hanzo grumbled.

"Can you hold out for ten days?"

"Huh?!" Danzo straightened up at those words.

"Gather fifty Earth Release specialists and fifty Lightning Release experts. I'll help you turn this around."

"Understood! I'll have them assembled within thirty minutes!" Danzo's spirits seemed to recover as he regained his usual decisiveness.

"Oh, by the way, I brought Tsunade with me. She can check on Akimichi Torifu. Here's the plan…"

...

"Madara-sama? Madara-sama?"

Inside a dark cave, a white, spiral-faced figure hung upside down like a spider, calling out to the elderly man in front of him.

"Is he dead?" The spiral face leaned closer, attempting to check for signs of life.

"Get half an inch closer, and I'll… cough… kill you," the old man rasped, opening his eyes. His sharp, murderous glare sent the spiral-faced figure recoiling in fear.

"Madara-sama, you're alive! You scared me!" The white figure exaggeratedly patted his chest.

"Idiot," Madara muttered under his breath.

"Where's Black Zetsu?"

"Here," a shadowy figure emerged, merging seamlessly with the spiral-faced man until they became a half-black, half-white humanoid. The white side poked at the black side playfully, earning irritated swats.

"What's the situation outside?"

"Konoha has allied with Sunagakure. Kirigakure's assassination attempt on the Kazekage failed, and Iwagakure crushed Konoha in Ame."

"What about Kumogakure?"

"They're gathering forces but haven't acted yet."

"Good. Let's make sure they do. If chaos is coming, let it be absolute," Madara said, retreating into the shadows.

"As you wish, Madara-sama," Black Zetsu replied before disappearing.

...

In the small country of Kuma, nestled between the Land of Earth and the Land of Lightning, Arashi stood in a makeshift camp, briefing 100 Konoha Jonin.

"You'll change into Iwagakure uniforms, cross the Guna River, and pass Koning Bridge. Once you enter the Land of Lightning…" Arashi pointed to a spot on the map.

"There's a Kumogakure outpost here with about twenty shinobi. Along this route, you'll encounter more outposts. Your mission isn't to destroy them but to create as much chaos as possible. Understood?"

"Yes!" the lead Jonin replied crisply.

"Remember, only use Earth Release techniques. Do not speak a single word during the mission. Can you do that?"

"Yes!"

"Good. Regardless of success or failure, regroup here in four days. Stay safe. Good luck!" Arashi offered his hand, and the lead Jonin hesitated before shaking it firmly.

"Alright, let's move out. Stay close!" Arashi turned to his fifty Sunagakure Jonin.

"Yes, sir!"

Donning his mask, Arashi activated his Lightning Release Armor and disappeared in a flash.

...

At an Iwagakure outpost near the border…

The post had been reduced to ashes, with only charred ruins and lingering smoke remaining. Arashi frowned deeply, his gaze darkened by confusion.

"All fifteen Iwagakure shinobi here were killed by Lightning Release techniques, sir," a subordinate reported.

"This is the third outpost hit, correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Who could it be?" Arashi muttered. This era predates the Akatsuki… who else would want to incite a war between the Lands of Earth and Lightning? A sudden thought struck him. Could it be him?

"Retreat immediately!" Arashi ordered decisively.

"Well, well, causing quite a stir in Iwagakure, aren't we? But do you really think you can just leave like that?"

A clear voice echoed across the cliffs, and a lithe figure floated down gracefully from above.

"Allow me to introduce myself: I'm Kazama Yuu. Now, who might you be?"

Arashi looked up to see a tall woman with shoulder-length hair, an oval face, and sharp brows. She wore a yellow mask and toyed with a kunai, her figure bobbing slightly as she skillfully manipulated her Super Lightweight Rock Technique. All around, shadows of Iwagakure shinobi emerged, numbering over a hundred.

Damn it, Arashi cursed internally. Caught in a trap.

"Stay close to me!" he commanded, activating his Lightning Release Armor.

"Oh, a Kumogakure elite, huh? Impressive," Yuu remarked, her eyes glinting with intrigue. She made a quick hand sign.

"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"