017 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

The unrelenting rain made Danzo irritable. Every day in the Land of Wind, he had worried about the lack of water, now, in the Land of Rain, he couldn't stop complaining about the excess. After the war with Sunagakure had ended, Danzo withdrew his forces to regroup in the Land of Rain. Following the Hokage's directive, nearly half the ninja force rotated back to Konoha, including Tsunade and Orochimaru. Only Jiraiya stayed behind, though no one knew where he had wandered off to.

Konoha was in a precarious state—its old strength had waned, and new forces had yet to rise. Sensing an opportunity, Iwagakure launched an assault, swiftly overtaking Kusagakure, one of Konoha's allies, before advancing on the Land of Rain.

Danzo, caught in this predicament, requested reinforcements from Konoha while strategically withdrawing his forces. He collaborated with the local Ame-nin to leverage their familiarity with the terrain, engaging Iwagakure in guerrilla warfare. After dulling Iwa's momentum, Danzo established a defensive stalemate. His plan was simple: exhaust Iwa's resources and launch a large-scale counterattack once reinforcements arrived.

For now, all Danzo could do was wait. Thankfully, he no longer had to worry about the rear lines.

"Report! Here's the latest dispatch," a messenger handed him a sealed document.

Danzo opened it.

It read:

"On the afternoon of the 8th, Kazekage Arashi and the Hokage of Konohagakure formally signed a peace and alliance treaty in the Hokage's office. The agreement includes the following terms…"

Danzo skimmed through the contents, which he already knew by heart.

"On the morning of the 9th, Kazekage Arashi visited Konoha's ninja academy, accompanied by the Hokage and other officials. He attended a ninjutsu class and expressed his admiration for Konoha's educators. He remarked that Konoha's educational system is a model of dedication and excellence, worthy of emulation. As a gesture of goodwill, he brought ten Sunagakure ninja to study teaching methods at the academy. He hoped such exchanges would foster deeper peace and development between the two villages.

To express his respect, the Kazekage personally wrote: 'Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal.' His bold and dynamic calligraphy was met with unanimous praise from those present."

Danzo chuckled, "Quite the poet, isn't he?"

He continued reading.

"On the afternoon of the 9th, the Kazekage visited Konoha's sensory unit…
On the morning of the 10th, he toured the administrative offices…
On the afternoon of the 10th, he inspected the medical division…"

Danzo scowled. "Is this guy trying to tour all of Konoha?" He skipped over the mundane details until something caught his attention.

"On the morning of the 12th, Jonin Akimichi Torifu and Hyuga Hizashi, leading 3,000 elite troops, will depart for the Land of Rain to relieve the current forces…"

"Finally," Danzo exhaled in relief.

...

"You mean the Seven Ninja Swordsmen?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned as he read the report.

"Exactly," Mitokado Homura confirmed. "The intel came in from the Anbu yesterday. Those warmongers wouldn't show up here without an agenda."

"We've just secured peace with Sunagakure and stabilized our western border. Meanwhile, the war in the north rages in the Land of Rain. We can't afford another crisis. Notify the Anbu to enhance the Kazekage's security detail. This diplomatic visit is nearly over, nothing can go wrong now."

"And if something happens on the Kazekage's way back?"

"I've already made arrangements. Summon Tsunade."

...

Gazing at the moonlit Hokage Monument, Arashi couldn't help but sigh.

He still remembered watching Naruto for the first time during the summer of 2007, right after the college entrance exams. He had time to indulge in anything he wanted and had finally turned to the wildly popular anime. That first viewing had hooked him. From college to his career, he had followed the series for a full decade, never skipping a single episode.

When he found himself reincarnated into this world, he dreamed of visiting Konoha. Today, that dream had finally come true.

There was only one regret—it was decades too early. Naruto and Sasuke's legendary era had yet to unfold. But no matter, this world held the secrets of immortality and reincarnation. He would find a way.

In recent days, Arashi had toured the academy, administrative buildings, medical division, and even climbed atop the Hokage Rock to enjoy the view. He'd indulged in a bowl of tonkotsu ramen at a fledgling Ichiraku Ramen. It was… ordinary. The broth lacked the depth of years of seasoning. Still, he had checked it off his list.

As Kazekage, however, his heart belonged to Sunagakure. He would transform it into a shining desert jewel to rival Konoha.

"Rasa, Pakura. We're heading back tomorrow morning. Follow my route—through the Land of Rivers and the Takumi Village, then back to Sunagakure via the Land of Rain. I'll take the opportunity to meet Hanzo of the Salamander. Rasa, go ahead and send a formal diplomatic note. That paranoid old man needs reassurance we're not interested in his soggy little domain. We'll regroup in the Land of Rain."

"Yes," Rasa replied before departing.

"Pakura, aside from the ninja staying behind to study, we're taking only a handful of people back. Organize our return. Oh, and keep an eye on Hidan."

"Understood," Pakura said with a nod.

...

In a cave outside Konoha,

A group of uniquely armed and ominous figures huddled around a fire. Their headbands bore the symbol of Kirigakure.

"Konoha's increased their security. They must have caught wind of us. No matter—he'll leave eventually, and that's when we strike."

A hulking ninja with a green-eyed glare, jagged teeth, and a bandaged sword on his back spoke. This was none other than Fuguki Suikazan, wielder of the Samehada.

"Won't attacking outside Konoha have less of an impact?" asked Jinpachi Munashi, his hair an explosive mess.

"It doesn't matter," Fuguki growled. "This entire region is under Konoha's influence. If something happens to the Kazekage here, Sunagakure will undoubtedly blame Konoha. Ameyuri, scout the Kazekage's route."

"Yes," came the reply from a ninja, vanishing into the shadows.

"The storm of war brews. This is our time, Kirigakure's time, to rise. Our Third Mizukage's caution is stifling. We cannot cower on the islands and waste this opportunity. If we fan the flames between Konoha and Sunagakure, our forces can dominate!"

"Victory!"
"Victory!"
"Victory!"

Their chants echoed through the cave, their shadows on the walls twisting like malevolent specters.