Naruto: I Roamed the Ninja World as a Woman

Chapter 254 Kaleidoscope of Imminent War

It's spring again.

Several months had passed since Ayane Amamiya returned from Ryuchi Cave.

The Land of Rivers was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, and the people were filled with joy as they prepared to welcome the first New Year under the rule of "Acting Daimyo" Ayane Amamiya.

As the saying goes, a new year brings new beginnings, and this is exactly what it means.

Throughout the year, the River Kingdom experienced rapid development.

Not only did they undertake major infrastructure projects internally, such as digging canals and dredging roads, and suppressing bandits, but they also established several new departments, including a ninja school and a ninja hospital.

Externally, it allied with Sunagakure and Kirigakure, and frequently traded with major merchants within the Land of Fire, becoming a highly sought-after commercial center in the ninja world. Even merchants from the distant Land of Lightning came to trade with it.

The reason why the situation is so good.

It's not that Ayane Amamiya's policies were particularly brilliant, or that her systems were particularly advanced—

Simply through her absolute individual military strength, she brought unprecedented peace to this small country beneath her feet.

What kind of demons and monsters are these?

What kind of demons and monsters?

Anyone with ulterior motives was suppressed by Ayane Amamiya and her ninja forces, leaving them speechless and cowering in fear.

This peace may seem insignificant.

However, in the overall ninja world where everyone is trying to outdo each other in terms of being bad, it stands out somewhat.

of course.

Even so, Ayane Amamiya was still not entirely satisfied with the status quo.

"When do you think we can achieve what Konoha has?"

The girl stood by the office window, looking down at the bustling crowds on the street below, and sighed, "I still remember how lively it was when I first went to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Exams."

That was the first time she had ever seen more than 80 percent of the ninja world's power in a single village.

to be frank.

Even if some Kage in the future were to imitate Hashirama Senju and hold a Five Kage Summit, it might not generate this kind of exaggerated buzz.

"All nations come to pay homage—"

Mei Terumi stretched lazily against her, her chest trembling slightly with the movement, and said softly, "We're probably still a long way from reaching that kind of scene!"

She pulled a bag of raisins from her pocket, took Ayane Amamiya's hand, and poured half of them into her mouth, continuing, "By the way, speaking of Konoha, I heard their election for the Fourth Hokage is almost over—"

The Hokage election is just as important in the ninja world as the presidential election in the United States in the past.

All parties, regardless of size, are paying close attention.

According to the normal procedure, after the candidates complete the election, there is a public announcement period for the next Hokage, followed by a series of preparations before taking office.

This process takes about three months.

Ayane Amamiya understood the refined meaning behind the music.

After hearing only the beginning, I quickly realized what Mei Terumi was going to say next.

The girl nodded slightly: "In that case, let's proceed as planned. With the Fourth Hokage taking office after the New Year, we should act swiftly and take over the Land of Rivers in one fell swoop!"

When she traveled to Ryuchi-dong by sea last time, she had already taken the opportunity to check out the port conditions of the River Country.

Although the harbor looks a bit old and dilapidated—

However, its foundation is quite good, and it has excellent potential for further development.

Moreover, once this seaport is captured, the River Kingdom and the Rain Kingdom behind it will no longer be landlocked countries surrounded by enemies, but will have their own channels to the outside world.

At the same time, her plan for a three-kingdom alliance of wind, water, and rain will truly become feasible.

therefore.

Whether from an economic or strategic perspective, Ayane Amamiya is determined to acquire the port of the River Country.

"But this makes the pressure we have to bear even heavier."

Mei Terumi expressed her concerns: "The Land of Rain, the Land of Rivers, and the Land of Streams—these three places are connected, and Konoha's entire southern border will be adjacent to ours. The pressure we will face will probably be even greater than that of Sunagakure."

There was actually a hidden worry in her heart that she didn't mention.

That's the Sand Village behind it.

If the Sand Village were to betray them, or even show the slightest sign of disloyalty, then the Land of Rivers would face a pincer attack from two countries, a situation that would instantly plummet from heaven to hell.

However, considering the close relationship between Amamiya Shion and Hakura, this problem is not difficult to solve.

All we need to do is quickly push Yekura forward and help her become the Fourth Kazekage!

As for the fastest way to rise to the top —

Naturally, they would try to cause the death of the Third Kazekage, who was in power, and then try to pin the blame for the Kazekage's death on Konoha!

At that time, the two countries will not only be extremely close, but will even have a common enemy, making their alliance unbreakable.

But let's ask ourselves honestly.

This method is far too insidious.

Mei Terumi hesitated for a long time, but only opened her mouth and ultimately did not say anything.

She made up her mind.

If one day in the future the Land of Rivers becomes truly in dire straits, I will have no choice but to overstep my bounds and secretly gather manpower to ensure the Third Kazekage dies peacefully.

After all, considering Ayane Amamiya's current status.

She can only be virtuous; she must never touch upon these sordid matters.

so----

Let yourself become the deepest root and the coldest darkness in the River Country!

Terumi Mei's thoughts were in turmoil.

The girl's mind was filled with all sorts of thoughts, which even led to the creation of various strange little skits.

The thought of not being understood by others in the future, yet still silently making sacrifices in secret, is heartbreaking.

She almost burst into tears, nearly moving herself to tears.

Ayane Amamiya was speechless at the sight.

How come you got distracted while we were talking?

The girl glanced at her secretary, who was lost in thought, and then tugged at her ear: "Wake up! Wake up! What are you thinking about? Why are you so engrossed?"

Is she thinking about some handsome guy?!

Mei Terumi, instinctively following the role she played in her own mental "drama," scoffed, "Hmph! Ayane, you'll regret this!"

'

She realized her mistake as soon as she finished speaking, quickly covered her mouth, and her slightly flushed face showed some embarrassment.

Oops!

He got too into the role.

Ayane Amamiya looked completely bewildered: "???"

She shook her head helplessly, not continuing to try to guess the girl's thoughts. Instead, she pulled over the ninja world map, pointed to the terrain on it, and analyzed, "What you said earlier makes some sense, but there's no need to worry too much."

"Because I believe we will definitely be in control of the border defense in the next few years."

Mei Terumi blinked upon hearing this: "Why?"

The girl smiled confidently and explained, "Do you remember last year, in the first half of the year, Onoki conquered the entire Land of Grass in just one month?"

Terumi Mei nodded.

At the time, she thought that Iwagakure and Konoha were about to go to war again.

Unexpectedly, after Onoki conquered the Land of Grass, he remained unmoved, and Konoha did not react much.

"The Land of Grass is a vassal state of Konoha."

"Although he lives up to his name and often wavers between major powers like a reed in the wind, at least in name, the Land of Grass is an ally of Konoha."

Ayane Amamiya asked meaningfully, "Our allies have been invaded by Iwagakure, but Konoha hasn't taken any action. Why do you think that is?"

Before Terumi Mei could answer.

The girl gave the answer directly: "Because this is an experience pack."

"This is a large reputation pool that Hiruzen Sarutobi left in advance for the Fourth Hokage, Jiraiya."

Ayane Amamiya glanced at the Land of Grass symbol on the map and said confidently, "Jiraiya has a quirky personality and doesn't have a family background as illustrious as Tsunade's. At the beginning of his reign as the Fourth Hokage, his prestige was insufficient, and he would inevitably struggle to gain the support of the people in Konoha—"

Mei Terumi continued, murmuring, "And the quickest way to gain a ninja's approval is nothing more than a great victory!"

She suddenly realized, and clapped her hands: "So, once Jiraiya takes over, Konoha will most likely launch a military campaign and attack Iwagakure!"

"That's right!"

"That's why I insisted on timing my invasion of Sichuan precisely when Jiraiya rose to power—"

Ayane Amamiya nodded, her index finger tracing from the Land of Grass to the Land of Rivers, and said in a deep voice, "Konoha doesn't have the ability to fight on two fronts. As long as we take the Land of Rivers quickly enough, even if they react, they won't be able to do anything about it!"

Terumi Mei pondered for a long time.

She was completely convinced by Ayane Amamiya's logic, and only one question remained in her mind: "If it's to establish Jiraiya's authority, why doesn't Konoha come to us? After all, the incident with Sarutobi Shinnosuke hasn't been that long ago—"

"Because the Land of Rivers was ceded by the Fire Daimyo. It is unreasonable for Miya to raise an army to attack it; it is tantamount to disobeying the Daimyo's orders."

Ayane Amamiya smiled and said, "So, given Hiruzen Sarutobi's reputation for protecting his image, he would never allow his disciple to do something so unjustified."

"As for the second one—"

The girl smiled again, a hint of undisguised arrogance in her eyes: "The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, may have been famous for decades, but I'm not weak either! Especially since Jiraiya witnessed my full power back in Rouran—"

She glanced at the distant mountains, her tone both magnanimous and domineering: "Therefore, as long as Konoha cannot find a way to deal with me—"

"Therefore, I dare not set foot even half a step across Mount Kikyo, this forbidden zone!"

Ayane Amamiya's prediction was correct.

Although the year-end is approaching, the work within Konoha is getting busier and busier, and various departments are indeed carrying out pre-war preparations for the "recapture of the Land of Grass".

There are very few secrets among those at the top.

Moreover, this is a major event like war mobilization.

Leaving aside the Chunin and Jonin at various levels of Konoha, the major ninja clans within the village clearly expressed their desire to fight.

Without him.

Everyone's thoughts are pretty much the same; they're all eyeing the advisory positions that will be available after the new Hokage takes office!

In this situation.

Even Jiraiya, a staunch, war-weary, and pacifist, was forced to come to the office to discuss the matter with Hiruzen Sarutobi.

After just a few days of this kind of work, Jiraiya was exhausted, both physically and mentally.

That afternoon.

He couldn't stand all the complicated procedures, so he made up an excuse to ask the old man for leave and slipped out of the office.

Where are you going?

Jiraiya hesitated for a moment, then gave up on searching for Orochimaru and Tsunade, as well as his favorite izakaya and women's hot spring, and turned to go to the public cemetery.

The New Year is almost here.

It's time to send New Year's greetings to my disciple, Namikaze Minato.

As the next Hokage, Jiraiya will likely have a lot more social engagements this year, and he probably won't be able to find the time for New Year's Day.

Jiraiya first went to the flower shop and bought a bouquet of flowers.

He had already memorized the route to the Watergate Tombstone; he could walk there even with his eyes closed.

But before they could get close, they heard soft voices coming from in front of the stone tablet.

"Anyone else?"

Jiraiya was startled, and he tiptoed over to peek.

The person lying there was dressed in a black kimono, tall, and his back view looked somewhat familiar.

Jiraiya pondered for a moment, then suddenly became somewhat surprised.

It was Uchiha Fugaku!

How did they end up here?

Fugaku laid a bouquet of flowers on Minato Namikaze's tombstone and whispered, "Minato-kun, I've come to see you."

He brushed away a few patches of snow from the monument, sat cross-legged in front of it, and spoke in a somber voice.

"I haven't visited you since I returned from that mission to the Land of Water. I hope you won't blame me."

"The reason I arrived so late is because I've been pondering a question in my mind."

"Those are members of the Uchiha clan. Can they really gain Muramori's trust?"

"I remember telling you before that the Hokage, along with several advisors, all have a deep affection for the Uchiha clan—"

Fugaku went on and on, recounting a long list of the unfair treatment the Uchiha had suffered.

His tone was completely flat, neither angry nor frustrated, and it was precisely this numb tone that made Jiraiya, who was eavesdropping, fall silent.

He had already heard about it.

The Uchiha clan was not well-received in the village.

But I never expected the situation to be so serious.

Then Fugaku continued, "Fortunately, Minato-kun, your master, Jiraiya-sama, is about to become the Fourth Hokage."

, 7

"The relationship between the Uchiha and Muramori has finally taken a turn for the better."

"I've always remembered what you told me: every ninja in Muramori is like a brother; though there may be disagreements, blood is thicker than water—"

"I believe that as long as Muramori and his clansmen show each other sincerity, then one day, everyone will understand each other."

Jiraiya listened quietly, while sighing inwardly: Minato was actually more suitable to be Hokage than I was.

But by then it was too late to say anything.

He glanced once more at Fugaku Uchiha sitting in front of the tombstone, then turned and left.

Jiraiya silently made up his mind.

Peace between the Uchiha and Muramori —

I, as his master, will fulfill and complete the promise that Shisen failed to keep!

But Jiraiya didn't know that.

Shortly after he left, Uchiha Setsuna, the eldest elder of the Uchiha clan, emerged from the shadows.

He patted Fugaku on the shoulder and said with satisfaction, "You performed very well, Fugaku! Your emotions were spot on. Now, Jiraiya should agree to our clan's application to fight!"

Fugaku Uchiha forced a smile.

What he just said wasn't an act; it was his true feeling!

The ninja lowered his head and covered his right eye.

Beneath his palm, an eight-pointed star pattern gathered in his three-tomoe Sharingan, but then quickly dissipated.

Fugaku Uchiha never told anyone this.

He barely escaped death from Ayane Amamiya's clutches back then.

However, upon returning to Konoha, he was relentlessly pressured by Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, who accused him of treason and betraying the village, and at one point even threatened to imprison him.

In his moment of despair, he finally awakened the supreme eye technique in the legend of the Uchiha clan.

Kaleidoscope Sharingan!

Unfortunately, Fugaku Uchiha only had one Mangekyou Sharingan.

The other eye was already dull and useless because of the time Izanagi was activated.

Although a new three-tomoe Sharingan has been transplanted, because it's not from the same source, the Root Wrinkle cannot evolve into the Mangekyou Sharingan.

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