- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 392
After returning from the Rain Ninja Village, Leo didn’t engage in any extra activities; instead, he hid himself deep within the office cabinet and devoted himself wholeheartedly to training.
With the spirit energy converter set to maximum power, if he persevered for five to six years, he might break through to the Nascent Soul stage.
As for the Fourth Great Ninja War, he essentially left it in Nagato’s hands, as he was more adept at handling such matters.
Unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t offer his help.
There were many strange ninja techniques in the ninja world, and if it were discovered that the true leader behind the Rain Country, orchestrating the Fourth Ninja War, was actually Konoha’s Fifth Hokage, Konoha would face a collective assault from all the villages.
Therefore, all he needed to do was occasionally adjust the battle plan or resolve difficulties that Nagato and the others couldn’t handle.
At the same time, Nagato, who possessed the Rinnegan and Obito’s Mangekyō Sharingan, along with the Absolute Void Virus, as well as Konan, Itachi with the Mangekyō Sharingan and Absolute Void Virus, Deidara, Sasori, Kisame, Zabuza, Haku, and the ten thousand White Zetsu, not to mention the less significant Rain Ninjas.
This lineup could definitely hold its ground against any of the Five Great Ninja Villages individually.
Thus, he trained quietly for a month.
One day in the Hokage’s office, Leo smiled as he looked at the Third Hokage, Danzo, Mito Kaien, and Tōnaka Koizumi.
“What’s so important that all four of you came together?”
“The Fifth Hokage, I’ve received intel that the Rain Ninja Village recently attacked the Grass Ninja Village and the Waterfall Ninja Village, and now all the ninjas from both villages have vanished. The Rain Country is attempting to devour both the Grass and Waterfall Countries,” Danzo said first.
The Third Hokage, Mito Kaien, and Tōnaka Koizumi all turned their gazes toward Leo.
Each of them had their own confidants in the village, so they already knew this critical information even if Leo hadn’t told them. They came to see what Leo, as the Fifth Hokage, was thinking given the seriousness of the situation.
“I know. I’ve already sent a warning to the Rain Country,” Leo nodded.
“Just a warning?” Danzo slammed his cane on the ground twice, clearly dissatisfied with Leo’s response.
As the representative of the hawkish faction, Danzo felt that the continuous occupation of the Grass and Waterfall Countries by the Rain Country posed a significant threat to Konoha.
“Danzo, what do you think we should do? You must understand that the Akatsuki organization is a team formed by Nagato, the Rain Ninja. I believe everyone has experienced their strength firsthand last time.
If Konoha intervenes now, even if we win, it will come at a considerable cost, which would only allow other ninja villages to take advantage,” Leo explained sternly.
“The Fifth Hokage has a point,” Mito Kaien and Tōnaka Koizumi exchanged glances and nodded first.
As the staunchest representatives of the dovish faction, the two most wanted to avoid Konoha becoming embroiled in war again. If it weren’t for Leo’s intervention last time, Konoha would have been annihilated by the Akatsuki’s surprise attack.
So considering Leo’s thoughts, it indeed made sense.
“Then should we just let the grievances from the Akatsuki’s invasion last time go? That would harm Konoha’s prestige in the ninja world,” Danzo countered again.
He definitely wanted to go to war; if the situation continued without conflict, his chances of becoming Hokage would vanish entirely.
“The fact that the Akatsuki belongs to the Rain Country is known only to us. The outside world is unaware, and ultimately, Konoha suffered no casualties while the Akatsuki fled in disgrace, so it doesn’t damage Konoha’s prestige in the ninja world,” Leo waved his hand directly.
Mito Kaien and Tōnaka Koizumi nodded in agreement.
In their view, as long as there was no war, even if Konoha lost some prestige, it was not a big deal.
Years ago, when signing a peace treaty with the Cloud Ninja, they had attempted to steal the newborn Hinata to obtain her Byakugan, only to be counter-killed.
To finalize the peace treaty, Konoha had to sacrifice Neji’s father, Hiashi Hyuga, to appease the Cloud Ninja’s anger. That incident had left Konoha humiliated.
Thus, from the dovish upper echelons’ perspective, as long as peace could be maintained, some reputational loss and sacrifices were acceptable.
“Leo, I agree with your viewpoint, but I’m concerned that the Rain Country’s actions may trigger the Fourth Great Ninja War. At that point, Konoha might find it hard to extricate itself,” the Third Hokage said, revealing a trace of worry.
As a dove himself, the Third Hokage certainly didn’t want Konoha to be dragged into war, especially after just surviving a near-annihilation battle.
However, if the Fourth Great Ninja War were to begin, no one would be able to maintain peace, particularly Konoha as one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, which could not sit idly by while the others fought.
Hearing this, Leo smiled:
“Teacher, while we long for peace, we must not fear war.
When the First Hokage died, other ninja villages believed Konoha no longer had deterrence, leading to the First Great Ninja War.
After that war ended, for twenty years, economic development was imbalanced among the countries, leading to the desire to seize more land and resources, especially in our Fire Country, which occupied the richest land, prompting the Second Great Ninja War.
Ten years after the Second War ended, the Third Wind Shadow disappeared, causing chaos within the Wind Country, and the Lightning Country seized the opportunity, igniting the Third Great Ninja War.
Now it has been nearly fifteen years since the Third Great Ninja War. Even without the Rain Country, how far off could the Fourth Great Ninja War be?”
Upon hearing this, Danzo’s eyes turned, and he began to agree.
“The Fifth Hokage is not wrong on this point. According to intel from my roots, the Hidden Cloud Village is developing rapidly, with a large number of ninjas and considerable strength.
The Rock Village hasn’t been idle either, led by the ambitious Ohnoki, initiating several local wars against small countries for profit.
The Mist Village has ended its previous brutal policies under the new Mizukage, Terumi Mei, but has lost many of its bloodline clans and ninja swords, significantly weakening its overall strength.
As for the Sand Village, there’s no need to mention it; the Fourth Kazekage was killed by Orochimaru, and they also lost many ninjas in the last battle against us.
In this situation, even without the Rain Ninjas, the Cloud and Rock Ninjas won’t be able to hold back for long. The Fourth Great Ninja War is just a matter of time!”
The power struggle among the upper echelons mainly revolved around positions and interests; as long as it aligned with their stance and benefits, nothing was a problem.
Danzo had just expressed dissatisfaction with Leo’s decision, but now he started to support him.
What he most hoped for was for Konoha to enter a state of war, allowing him to create chaos and vie for the Hokage position.
Thus, as long as any viewpoint favored this direction, regardless of who proposed it, he would support it.
(End of this chapter)