Reincarnation Paradise Park

Chapter 1007: Chapter 9: Where Does This Confidence Come From

Konoha, inside the Hokage Office, an elder sat behind the desk. Though he was already 72 years old, his full head of black hair was akin to that of a young man. The single exposed eye squinted—he was clearly a man of deep cunning.

The elder wore a simple black and white kimono with bandages wrapped around his head—this was Danzo, the current acting Hokage of Konoha.

”The Five Shadow Summit, proposed by Hidden Cloud Village and to be held in the Iron Country. Is this to assign blame?”

Brother Danzo had just begun to grasp the situation but immediately deduced the Fourth Raikage’s intent—a difference in cunning and intelligence.

”At such a sensitive time, the other Three Shadows won’t refuse. If I represent Konoha, it will be advantageous when it comes time to vote.”

Brother Danzo began assessing the gains and losses of this Five Shadow Summit. His thought was that Konoha had just been attacked by the Akatsuki Organization. Although they appeared to be victims, in reality, they were beneficiaries. With many nations coveting the Land of Rain, it was better to stabilize the other ninja villages first. After Konoha’s post-war reconstruction was complete and the situation in the Land of Rain settled, Konoha could return to its position as the number one among the Five Great Ninja Villages.

”Opportunity.”

Brother Danzo made the decision to participate in this Five Shadow Summit.

Among all the Hokages, the Second Hokage was most competent—not only did he subdue the Uchiha Clan, but he also went against public opinion and the pressure from the major clans to establish the Ninja Academy and share ninjutsu with civilians. Now, this seems like a foresighted move.

The Third Hokage merely maintained Konoha, while the Fourth Hokage was at best a hero without bringing substantial change to Konoha. This, of course, was related to his early death in battle.

Back then, the Second Hokage’s chosen successor was Danzo, not Hiruzen Sarutobi. However, during the Second Hokage’s test, Danzo hesitated, causing him to lose the opportunity.

A loss is a loss. Danzo went underground and supported the Third Hokage. This was also the main reason the Third allowed Danzo to establish the Root organization. Although Danzo wasn’t great, Hiruzen knew Danzo would not betray Konoha, and that was enough.

Danzo was always patient. When the Fourth Hokage rose to power, Danzo could barely hold back, and his attitude unraveled. At that time, he showed his fangs, but just as he did, the Fourth Hokage sent him back with one Rasengan. Danzo continued to endure; when the Fifth Hokage rose, Danzo’s mentality completely collapsed. Even now, he’s just one step away from the Sixth Hokage position.

Danzo’s rise can be summed up in one sentence: the counterattack of the defeated dog.

...

Like Danzo, the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumī also received the news and agreed to attend this Five Shadow Summit—a chance for her as she had not long ascended to the position.

Similarly, the Fifth Kazekage Gaara also needed this opportunity; although he had been Kazekage for a while, he had only recently won the hearts of people.

Unlike the Mizukage and Kazekage, the Third Tsuchikage Ohnoki was still hesitating. This elderly man, only 1.3 meters tall, had deep cunning. Among the Five Shadows, only his scheming could compare to Danzo. If they clashed in terms of cunning, it might be evenly matched.

Ohnoki rubbed his forehead lightly; he had already guessed that the other four shadows would be present. If Iwagakure were to be the sole absentee, they would definitely be underestimated.

”There’s no helping it, Hei Tu, get ready to depart.”

...

All five shadows had made their decision to attend this Five Shadow Summit.

The Five Shadow Summit was not the first; the first was organized by Senju Hashirama to discuss the distribution of the Tailed Beasts. The other four major ninja villages certainly did not refuse, for back then Konoha had the capability to destroy them.

The title of God of Ninja was not given in vain; Senju Hashirama maintained peace in the Ninja World for a time.

This time, the Five Shadow Summit causes some embarrassment when considering the deeds of the previous shadows. The gathered shadows had mostly lost the tailed beasts within their villages, and the discussion topic was not particularly friendly.

Another layer to the Five Shadow Summit is that the balance among the major ninja villages had been broken, raising the likelihood of war. The shadows gather first to calmly discuss and avoid the breakout of war as much as possible.

The Tailed Beasts are like ’nuclear weapons’; Sunagakure, Hidden Mist Village, Iwagakure, and Hidden Cloud Village resemble nations that have lost their nuclear weapons. Konoha is not much better off, having just been bombarded with power akin to nuclear weapons by Nagato. In such times, war breaking out is not a surprise.

...

Neighboring the Country of Fire, Iron Country.

Iron Country is a neutral nation. Its military force consists not of ninjas but samurai—or rather a group of close combat ninjas adept at using long knives. They could also utilize Chakra, but ninjutsu was not prominent among them.

Strong winds howled, lifting large amounts of snow; the Iron Country was in the midst of winter.

In the snowy terrain, a group sped away at high speed, leaving a trail of footprints before disappearing amidst the flying snow.

This group was Su Xiao and others. The whereabouts of Obito and Bai Jue were unknown, while Deidara sat on a clay bird, flying far ahead. Su Xiao, having Bu Wang and A Mu with him, naturally couldn’t travel with Deidara on the clay bird.

Su Xiao was currently sitting on a snow sled. As for what pulled the sled... it wasn’t Bu Wang; it was A Mu.

The snow sled was initially crafted for Bu Wang; however, Bu Wang was ’unyielding to death.’ In Bu Wang’s view: ”Riding me is fine, but having me pull a sled is too much.”

A Mu had rope tied around its shoulders, pulling the sled. Hot air puffed from its mouth, snow flying about as it ran. From its expression, A Mu seemed quite interested in this sled-pulling task.

Bu Wang ran wildly across the snow; upon entering cold regions, its intelligence unlocked extensively, its thinking exceptionally active.

Su Xiao sat on the sled holding an apple, occasionally biting into it. As for the companions Sasuke, Shinfuru, and others, they could only rely on their legs to keep pace.

Su Xiao casually tossed aside the apple core and took out the map provided by Obito.

This Five Shadow meeting was rather secretive, known only to the higher-ups of the ninja villages or some Jonin. The location was in the Iron Country’s Snow wind Mountain.

Although it was named Snow wind Mountain, it wasn’t for the Five Shadows to meet in the frigid mountain. That would be too disrespectful to the Five Shadows.

Snow wind Mountain was a peak hollowed out at its center. In the center, a tower akin to a military fortress was constructed. The ring-shaped excavated mountain acted as a protective wall around the central tower. From afar, it looked like a mountain, hiding the internal tower unless viewed from the sky.

Su Xiao wouldn’t arrive only after the Five Shadows gathered; he had to arrive early and lie in ambush nearby. Certainly, if he could intercept and assassinate a shadow on the way, that would be ideal.

The possibility of intercepting a shadow was low; even the rash Raikage had discreetly planned his route. Not to mention the other shadows—no intel from Bai Jue on this aspect.

About five hours later, amidst the flying snow and hoarse winds, a high mountain appeared in the distance—Snow wind Mountain.

”We’ve arrived.”

Su Xiao signaled A Mu not to approach too close to Snow wind Mountain; many samurai guarded there.

”What’s the plan for after this?”

Sasuke, having sprinted for several hours was slightly out of breath. Even as a ninja, he couldn’t endure such intense travel. Su Xiao led them with great speed, not caring if they could keep up.

”Bai Jue.”

Su Xiao seemed to be speaking to thin air.

Kaka kaka...

Snow splattered as a large Giant Venus Flytrap emerged from the snow.

”Oh? You discovered me?”

”Stick to the agreed plan and act with Sasuke’s squad.”

Su Xiao had already agreed on the plan with Obito.

”What’s the specific plan?”

Sasuke was still unaware of the details of the plan.

”Plan? There’s no specific plan; improvise freely. By the way, let me tell you something—Danzo is currently the acting Hokage.”

Upon hearing Su Xiao’s words, Er Zhuzi’s gaze immediately turned cold. Danzo was the target he most wanted to kill. Having learned Itachi’s truths, he understood Danzo’s pressure forced Itachi to sacrifice himself. Moreover, Danzo had always coveted his Sharingan; without Itachi’s protection, it would have been taken long ago.

Er Zhuzi moved silently towards Snow wind Mountain, determined to kill Danzo, followed by Bai Jue, Shinfuru, and others.

Bu Wang watched Er Zhuzi gradually fade into the distance, a hint of helplessness on its dog face. It turned to Su Xiao, seemingly asking: ”Master, where does this kid’s confidence come from? A Mu and I could easily beat him half-dead. I’m betting half a buck that without Obito’s intimidation, Danzo would definitely finish him off.”