Starting from the roots of Konoha, they were the masterminds behind the scenes.

Chapter 212: The Great Battle Begins!

In the 45th year since Konoha entered the era of the Ninja World, the situation in the ninja world has begun to change rapidly.

The turbulent undercurrents gradually surfaced, and the situation on the eve of the Second Shinobi World War reappeared.

That is a blatant expansion of the military and preparation for war.

The ordinary people of Konoha couldn't sense it yet, but the ninjas could feel that the footsteps of war were drawing ever closer.

7 month.

At Hoshino Shu's behest, all nine members of the Kakashi Gang applied to graduate.

At this time, their average age was 11 years old.

The older ones, Sarutobi Asuma and Uchiha Obito, were already 12 years old.

Kakashi is 11 years old.

Although they had just graduated and become genin, they were destined to be different.

The Jonin leading the team of Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara was Minato Namikaze.

The Jonin leading the team of Might Guy, Ebisu, and Genma Shiranui is Nawaki.

The Jonin leading the team of Sarutobi Asuma, Yuhi Kurenai, and Yamashiro Aoba was Koto Mokumei.

Upon graduation, Hoshino also formally accepted Kakashi and Might Guy as his disciples.

This is a formal disciple, with a closer relationship than that of a regular student.

Of course, although he did not take anyone else as a disciple, Xingxia Xiu was not stingy in passing on his knowledge, but treated everyone equally.

He will teach you if you can learn it.

How much you can learn depends entirely on your individual abilities.

……

With Kakashi and the others graduating, Hoshino Shu suddenly became relatively relaxed and began to pay attention to the changes in the ninja world.

On this day, Hoshino Shigehisa brought gifts to the Uchiha clan.

Today is the full moon anniversary of Itachi Uchiha, the eldest son of Fugaku Uchiha, the new head of the Uchiha clan.

Hoshino Shu was invited by Uchiha Fugaku and is attending a banquet today.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Uchiha Fugaku residence, Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto were already out to greet them.

Although young, Hoshino Shu is incredibly strong and, as the head of Root, his status in Konoha is second only to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

For the Uchiha clan, Hoshino Shuu was someone worth befriending.

Because Xingxia Xiu does not exclude the Uchiha clan.

Currently, six members of the Uchiha clan have entered the Root and Anbu, reaching the core power structure of Konoha.

Of course, under the command of Hoshinobu Hideaki and Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Konoha Security Department was no longer exclusive to the Uchiha clan.

But what is the Security Department?

By entering the Anbu and Root, and relinquishing some of the powers of the Security Department, the entire Uchiha clan felt it was well worth it.

"Sir Xiu!"

"Sir Xiu!"

Hoshino was led inside by Fugaku and his wife, and wherever they went, the Uchiha clan members greeted them respectfully.

Xingxia Xiu responded to each question with a smile, and then went to the VIP seats.

Right next to it was a tatami mat, where Itachi Uchiha, still a cub, was crawling around.

Fugaku Uchiha continued to greet the guests, while Mikoto Uchiha stayed behind to take care of Itachi Uchiha and chatted with Hideaki Hoshino and the others who had already arrived.

Looking at the young Uchiha Mikoto, Hoshino secretly thought that Uchiha Fugaku was dating a young girl.

Mikoto Uchiha and Nawaki were classmates, and she wasn't much older than Kushina Uzumaki.

Although I also ate Kushina Uzumaki, people are just hypocritical.

However, looking at Itachi Uchiha, Hoshino Hide was reminded of Tsunade.

After Madara Uchiha dies, shouldn't Tsunade be given a child?

Previously, Xingxia Xiu didn't want children because having children would give him a huge weakness.

But today, when looking at Uchiha Itachi, Xingxia Xiu suddenly had a different idea.

Perhaps having a child wouldn't be bad?

While Mikoto Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha were lost in thought, a sudden commotion broke out outside.

"Sandaime!"

"The Third Hokage!"

It's Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Hoshino stood up, and the ninjas from Nara, Akimichi, and other clans also stood up. Then, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, and Homura Mitokado appeared.

With a quick glance, Xingxia Xiu realized that of the four members of Tobirama Senju's former guard squad, only four remained.

Uchiha Kagami died, and Danzo died too.

Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others also began to age from their prime.

As expected, power will gradually pass to Jiraiya's generation.

……

Sarutobi Hiruzen and his two companions were the last to arrive, and after they were seated, the banquet began.

This kind of banquet is just for socializing, and Hoshino Shizuka didn't find it very interesting. She thought Uchiha Mikoto was prettier.

No, it's Uchiha Itachi.

Everyone ate, drank, exchanged pleasantries, and talked about the Will of Fire. As the banquet was nearing its end, Hoshino Hideki finally stood up and spoke: "Clan Chief Fugaku."

As soon as he opened his mouth, all eyes turned to him.

"I have high hopes for Itachi's potential. Once he graduates from the Ninja Academy, I will formally take him as my apprentice. I wonder if Clan Chief Fugaku would be willing?"

Xingxia Xiulang said in a clear voice.

These words startled both the guests and the visitors, especially Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Hyuga Hiashi of the Hyuga clan.

On the contrary, Hiruzen Sarutobi remained calm, because Hideaki Hoshishita had already discussed it with him.

Fugaku Uchiha and Mikoto Uchiha were also surprised, because Hoshino Shu had not given them any prior notice.

However, Fugaku Uchiha reacted quickly and said, "It is Itachi's honor to be valued by Hide-kun. I thank Hide-kun on Itachi's behalf."

That was the settled matter.

After the banquet ended, guests left in twos and threes.

The leaders of the three clans—Pig, Deer, and Butterfly—came together.

Hiashi Hyuga frowned deeply and went to see his father as soon as he got home.

Meanwhile, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu followed Sarutobi Hiruzen all the way to the Hokage's office.

"Hiruzen, isn't this too dangerous?"

"Now that Hoshino is in charge of Root, it's one thing for him to have previously taught Obito Uchiha, but now he's taking the clan head's son as his student. What does this mean?"

Mitokado Yan looked serious, and even a little excited.

In his view, Hoshino Shu is the only candidate to become the next Hokage.

No one in the village can compete with Xingxia Xiu anymore.

In this case, the political implications of Xingxia Xiu's acceptance of disciples become very strong.

This means that from now on, all disciples of the Starry Sky Academy will be eligible to compete for the Hokage position.

Taking an Uchiha as a disciple, especially one whose temperament is highly uncertain, and who is also the son of the current Uchiha clan leader, Mitokado Homura felt that this would pose a huge hidden danger to the future of Konoha.

Koharu Utatane shared the same thought: "It's not a big problem for the Uchiha to join Root or Anbu, but if they become Hokage, then the Uchiha clan will probably dominate Konoha in the future, and the Hokage may only appear from the Uchiha clan in the future."

"This is too dangerous. The Uchiha clan is completely out of control."

"They are completely unfit to be Hokage!"

People from the Uchiha clan, after awakening the Sharingan, tend to have some degree of mental instability.

Moreover, they had witnessed firsthand how terrifying Madara Uchiha was.

At the same time, he was deeply influenced by his teacher Tobirama Senju and had a prejudice against the Uchiha clan.

Danzo was the most radical, while Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were slightly less radical.

As the Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi had to consider things more thoroughly.

They fear the Uchiha clan, but at the same time, they want to utilize the power of the Uchiha clan.

Therefore, when Hoshino Shu came along, Hiruzen Sarutobi directly approved of the Uchiha clan joining Root and Anbu.

Just like when Hashirama Senju was still alive, Tobirama Senju, while wary of the Uchiha, was far less aggressive than he would later become.

With Hashirama Senju around, the Uchiha clan can't cause any major trouble.

And now it's the same. With Hoshino Shigehisa here, Hiruzen Sarutobi feels that this is the perfect opportunity to master the power of the Uchiha clan.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu certainly understood Hiruzen Sarutobi's considerations, but Hoshishita Hide's decision to take the Uchiha as his disciple was too dangerous.

If it were someone like their comrade Uchiha Kagami, who inherited the Will of Fire, that would be one thing.

But Fugaku Uchiha is not like Kagami Uchiha, while Itachi Uchiha is his son, who was taught from a young age and could become like Kagami Uchiha in the future.

Mitokado Enoki and Utatane Koharu don't believe it!

Hiruzen Sarutobi, of course, understood the concerns of his two friends, and after sitting down, he reassured them, "Shu has no intention of becoming the Fourth Hokage."

Mitokado Yan and Utatane Koharu were stunned.

"If Star Show doesn't become the fourth generation, who else is more suitable?"

Xiaochun asked subconsciously as she turned to her new room.

Mitomon En frowned: "If Hoshino Hide doesn't become the fourth generation, then the fourth generation will probably be suppressed by him as well. This... is probably not conducive to the stability of the village."

Koharu Utatane suddenly realized something and looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, saying, "Hiruzen, have you decided to make Tsunade the Fourth Hokage?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded: "If Hideaki doesn't become Hokage, Tsunade is the most suitable choice."

Mitokado Yan and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance and fell silent.

If neither Hoshino Shuu nor Tsunade can take the job, then who dares to?

Aren't you afraid of the wooden dummy's fist, which is as big as a sandbag?

"Tsunade is indeed a very suitable candidate."

Koharu Utatane expressed her opinion, and Homura Mitokado nodded in agreement.

However, Koharu Utatane then added, "Even so, it is still a very dangerous thing for Hoshino Hide, who is in charge of Root, to take the Uchiha as his disciple."

If the Uchiha clan manages to severely corrupt the Root and Anbu guilds, that would be a real problem.

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What's more troublesome is that future Hokage relied too heavily on the Uchiha clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi said, "Itachi is too young; he has a long time ahead of him."

"And you must believe in Xiu's abilities."

Before Koharu Utatane could speak again, an ANBU ninja suddenly rose from under the floorboards: "Third Hokage, urgent intelligence from Kusagakure."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was startled, his expression immediately turning serious. After taking the intelligence report and reading it, his brows furrowed. Meeting the gazes of Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, he said, "Iwagakure shows signs of mobilizing troops, and the border forces are being strengthened."

Koharu Utatane scoffed, "Do you want another battle like the one at Kannabi Bridge?"

Mitomon En said, "The attack on the Land of Grass is definitely still a feint; the most crucial country is the Land of Rain."

Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded.

If a major war breaks out, the main battlefield will definitely be the Land of Rain.

Of course, he wasn't worried at all.

Because the Land of Rain is actually still under the control of Konoha.

However, even Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu didn't know this secret.

Besides him, the only other person who truly knows is Xingxiaxiu.

Another person in the know, Danzo, is already dead.

"Prepare for war!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi said to Homura Mitokado and Koharu Komatsu.

……

Meanwhile, Hoshino Hideya also obtained information from Root.

A few days later, Yakushi Nonou sent back information.

Sunagakure has officially entered a state of war preparation, and it's no longer just about expanding its army.

This is the signal of war!

The show "Under the Stars" is also quite direct: a major battle is coming.

He was excited, yet calm.

After much deliberation, he personally went to Sunagakure again and brought back Yakushi Nonou.

Of course, in order not to alert Sunagakure, Hoshino also left behind a clone who transformed into Kaname Nono and continued to infiltrate Sunagakure.

This might be a big surprise for Sunagakure.

……

After bringing Yakushi Nonou back, Hoshishita Hide first took her to see Sarutobi Hiruzen, and then went directly to Tsunade.

"Lady Tsunade, I am Yakushi Nonou!"

Yakushi Nonou has great respect for Tsunade.

Tsunade scrutinized Yakushi Nonou for a few moments, then glared at Hoshishita Hide before asking, "Are you staying with Root, or will you come to the medical ward at Konoha Hospital?"

Yakushi Nonou said, "I will listen to Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade was quite satisfied with what she heard, then glanced at Hoshinobu, who seemed lost in thought, and said, "Then come and help me at Konoha Hospital!"

Yakushi Nonou breathed a sigh of relief and quickly nodded, "Yes, Lady Tsunade!"

Hearing this, Hoshino secretly breathed a sigh of relief and was about to speak when Uzumaki Kushina suddenly appeared, in Nine-Tails Chakra Mode: "Hide-sensei, Tsunade-neechan, I sense a malice!"

Upon hearing this, Hoshino and Tsunade exchanged a glance.

Madara Uchiha!

"Where?"

Xingxia Xiu asked.

Kushina Uzumaki said, "He comes from underground. My earth-style techniques aren't good, so I can't pull him out."

Xingxia Xiu immediately recognized it as White Zetsu!

Are they after the Nine-Tails?

Or should we lure him out?

Or perhaps, both?

The idea of ​​a show under the stars kept flashing through his mind.

He felt that he couldn't be careless.

"Tsunade, Kushina, Nonou, go to the Third Hokage immediately!"

Xingxia Xiudao.

Tsunade said, "I'll go with you!"

Kushina Uzumaki quickly added, "I'll go too! I have Nine-Tails Chakra Mode!"

Yakushi Nonou didn't speak; she knew she would be a burden.

Hoshino Hide shook his head: "The target might also be the Nine-Tails, so Tsunade, you have to stay."

"Don't worry, I have space-time ninjutsu and I can leave clones behind, so I can always come back."

It's okay if we can't win; we can retreat.

No one can stop this.

Conversely, if Tsunade and the others were taken hostage, it would be a much bigger problem.

Moreover, Xingxia Xiu had already sensed it.

Minato is on a mission, Jiraiya is still out, Orochimaru is also away, and Sakumo Hatake is also on a mission.

In other words.

The Hidden Leaf Village is currently in a relatively empty state.

"Okay, let's go to the Hokage Building."

Tsunade calmed down until she could no longer leave Hoshino with any worries.

So the three women went to the Hokage Building.

Upon hearing the news from Tsunade and Kushina Uzumaki, Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression immediately turned grave. He promptly ordered, "Shinnosuke, take men and make sure Kushina is protected!"

Sarutobi Shinnosuke appeared in the Hokage's office: "Understood!"

Hiruzen Sarutobi then issued a series of orders, informing Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado to mobilize the forces of the Hyuga and Uchiha clans and begin preparations to evacuate the villagers to the shelter.

He was prepared for a battle to break out in the village!

the other side.

After watching Tsunade and the others leave, Hoshino immediately began a remote communication with Kakashi.

Far away in Daimyo Prefecture, Kakashi, who was strolling through the bustling streets, suddenly stopped.

"Kakashi, what's wrong?"

Nohara Rin, who was walking ahead, noticed something was wrong immediately and turned around to ask.

Minato Namikaze and Obito Uchiha also stopped and turned around.

Kakashi quickly said, "Minato-sensei, it was Hide-sensei who sent a message from the village, telling us to return to the village immediately."

He said, "Mr. Minato, do you know what this is about?"

Minato Namikaze's expression changed upon hearing this: "I understand."

"Set off back to the village immediately!"

As he spoke, he leaped into the air.

Kakashi and Rin Nohara immediately followed, and Obito Uchiha dropped his ice cream with a thud on the ground: "Hey, wait for me!"

Upon catching up with Minato Namikaze and the others, Obito Uchiha immediately asked curiously, "Minato-sensei, why did Hide-sensei tell us to go back?"

Minato Namikaze said, "You'll understand when we get back."

"I'm going to speed things up, you guys keep up!"

He could have used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return to Konoha, but Hoshino Shu had instructed him to do so beforehand, so he didn't.

(End of this chapter)