I, Uchiha Hikaru, have joined the chat group.

Chapter 404 The First Shot of the Ninja World War

"Huh? Sunagakure has declared war on Konoha, firing the first shot of the Fourth Shinobi World War?"

"Really?"

Hikaru Uchiha looked at Nono U across from him with some surprise.

Nono nodded: "Absolutely true."

"According to the intelligence Kabuto relayed from Sunagakure, shortly after Rasa's attack, Sunagakure held an elders' meeting to discuss the 'Uchiha Madara's attack on Sunagakure.' They unanimously believed that Konoha was involved in the operation. Therefore, they first sent a message demanding an explanation from Konoha, and after this demand was rejected, they decided to declare war openly."

At this point, Nonou paused, "Actually, the decision made by Sunagakure is also related to one person..."

—Ye Cang.

In a way, this can be considered a butterfly effect.

Pakura was an elite Jonin of Sunagakure, renowned and respected for her exceptional Scorch Release techniques during the Third Shinobi World War. Consequently, she was considered by many to be a strong candidate to succeed Rasa as the Fifth Kazekage. It was this very fact that led the then-young Rasa to decide to cooperate with Kirigakure, their enemy, to eliminate her.

On the original timeline, the plan was progressing smoothly.

Yekura was ambushed and killed by the people of Kirigakure. There were no witnesses at the scene, so the people of Sunagakure who received the news only thought it was an accidental mission failure. Apart from a few close friends and students who were sad for a while, not many people went to investigate.

But this time.

Thanks to the information revealed by Uchiha Hikaru and the intervention of Namikaze Minato, Pakura did not die. Instead, most of the Kirigakure ninja who participated in the assassination attempt were killed by Minato. Therefore, feeling betrayed, Kirigakure became furious and exposed their conspiracy with Rasa, causing a huge uproar in Sunagakure.

Many ordinary people, and even members of the ninja community, began to condemn Rasa, and some even directly called for his resignation.

such as:

"Rasa Kazekage may become Shimura Danzo of Sunagakure Village!"

"How can Sunagakure be governed properly if such a power-hungry insect is appointed as Kazekage?!"

Originally, Luo Sha was able to barely keep the situation under control and suppress the public opinion by virtue of his military achievements and reputation accumulated during the three wars, as well as the support of the majority of the elders.

However, when Madara, the avatar of Uchiha Hikaru, appeared in Sunagakure and cleaved the village in two with a single sword strike, leaving him severely injured and bedridden, all the contradictions that had been suppressed on the surface suddenly erupted after a brief period of accumulation.

Even within the elder council, differing opinions emerged. Some suggested taking advantage of Rasa's bedridden state to directly elect the Fifth Kazekage. This left Chiyo and Ebizo, temporarily in charge of maintaining order, in a state of utter chaos.

under these circumstances.

If there isn't an outlet for the Sand Village ninja to vent their resentment, then internal fighting within the village is likely to break out first.

Therefore, this declaration of war is actually a form of self-preservation, a last resort.

"Understood."

"Using external conflicts to divert attention from internal conflicts, blaming everything on Konoha... This is quite common in modern society, a familiar tactic."

Uchiha Hikaru nodded, indicating that he understood.

Although the situation changed in a way that was not quite what she had initially expected, it didn't matter.

Because if Sunagakure really launches an attack on Konoha, then Iwagakure and Kumogakure, those two villages that thrive on chaos, certainly won't stand idly by. When the major ninja villages can't hold back any longer, that's when Madara, Obito, and her side will intervene and stir up trouble.

The only thing to worry about is whether Sunagakure will be defeated too quickly.

After all, these guys were notoriously bad at the game but addicted to it. In the original story, they even collaborated with Orochimaru to launch an attack, only to find themselves unaware that the Kazekage had been killed, with Gaara holding things together entirely. It was only because Konoha was facing a talent shortage at the time, with capable ninja either leaving or simply giving up, that group of invading Sand Village ninja probably wouldn't have survived...

"Well, I guess it'll be about the same this time."

The Sand Village's overall strength was already weaker than Konoha's, and it became even weaker after losing Rasa. Meanwhile, the current Konoha is stronger than the one in the original timeline.

Given this shift in power, it would be a miracle if Sunagakure could win.

The real difference lies in how long they can hold out.

Hikaru Uchiha needs a dedicated person to provide him with real-time intelligence reports so that he doesn't accidentally miss crucial information.

"I'll add a private chat slot for Karin later, and have her handle my communication with the ninja world... If there are any updates, just let her relay them to me, and then I can switch over whenever I want."

Uchiha Hikaru thought to himself.

……

Next.

Uchiha Hikaru stayed in Otogakure for a day or two, where he met with Karin and her daughter, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, as well as Kimimaro and others, and had a few meals together.

This work was compiled and uploaded by [author's name].

These children are slightly older than Naruto and Sasuke, so their appearance and physique have changed quite noticeably. Kimimaro, in particular, looks much taller and has reached the level of an elite Jonin.

As for the bloodline disease of the Corpse Bone Clan...

This problem still exists, but it's not a big issue anymore.

After all, the pirate world has already developed multiple versions of the "Demon Transformation Agent," as well as the newly created "Perfect Active Substance." Even if they get some of the new medicine and give it to Kimimaro, his bloodline disease should be almost cured. If not, another surgery would further stabilize his condition.

Uchiha Hikaru was about to go back and mention it to Orochimaru, asking him to come back and deal with Kimimaro when he had some free time.

It is worth mentioning that.

At this moment, Yekura and Deidara are also in Otogakure.

They were all teammates that Minato Namikaze rescued and took in during his journey through the ninja world. The latter decided that Kirigakure would be the last stop on his journey and went to find Obito alone. Pakura and the others were not allowed to go with him, and because of their status as rogue ninjas or deceased ninjas, they could not return to their ninja villages, so they could only be temporarily placed in Otogakure.

Uchiha Hikaru wasn't very familiar with them.

—Or rather, she was quite familiar with Yecang and the others, but the latter might not know her, since they had never interacted before.

Therefore, she didn't go over and bother them unnecessarily.

After confirming and arranging the matter of "liaison officer Karin".

Uchiha Hikaru left Otogakure and returned to the world of One Piece.

Here.

Minato Namikaze had arrived quite some time earlier than expected.

Meanwhile, Bulma and her father are already making arrangements for Kushina's resurrection surgery.

(End of this chapter)