NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 20: The results of the Mission
Kotetsu lay on his bed in his apartment, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. The recent mission had been a test—he was sure of it. Team Ro had been overkill for the task. They could have completed it a thousand times over, even if it had been their tenth S-rank mission of the day. The Kusagakure shinobi never stood a chance. Each member of Team Ro could have handled the mission alone.
So yes, it was a test. A test to see if he was still loyal to Konoha.
Kotetsu scoffed at the idea. As if he were strong enough to be like Orochimaru. As if he had the ambition of Danzo to even try.
Still, this mission proved just how weak he was. The stare alone Kakashi had given him was enough to make him halt in place. And that was the same Kakashi who could be outmatched by a 13-year-old Itachi when pushed to his limits.
Knowing this, how would he get stronger? How would he react to Kusagakure, knowing that Karin's mother was going to die soon? And what was he going to do about the Uchiha?
It was clear—he needed to act soon. But what options did he have? Resigning from his post? Unlikely. For whatever reason, the higher-ups knew him by name, which meant slipping away unnoticed wouldn't be easy. And now that he thought about it, his job wasn't just some throwaway position. He might not have been the strongest, but long before he arrived, the Hokage had known exactly who he was.
His duty was crucial—the first line of defense against enemy incursions and spies.
Sure, most spies were weak. The mission was practically a suicide run. But if someone with real skill managed to eliminate or ensnare the gate guards in genjutsu, they could come and go from Konoha as they pleased. The village's security would be nothing more than an illusion.
And after proving just how effective the new generation of gate guards had become, Hiruzen would never allow them to simply walk away. Resigning wasn't an option.
That meant he needed a way out—one that wouldn't draw too many eyes.
For one he can start weight training while on gate duty to put the 12 hours to good use. And maybe practice water release.
Sage mode? Its highly unlikely as only Jiraya can boast doing such a thing, with him having no connection to the man and with him having no way to get the man's attention.
Still, I need to get out of the village.
Uchiha Compound
The moon hung high over the Uchiha compound, casting silver light over the quiet rooftops. A gentle breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the surface of the pond where koi stirred lazily beneath the water. Itachi moved like a shadow, his steps soundless against the wooden walkway as he made his way home. To anyone else, it would have seemed as though the night remained undisturbed.
But Fugaku knew better.
Standing near the edge of the pond, hands clasped behind his back, Fugaku turned his head slightly as his son approached. "You're late," he said, his voice calm, but firm.
Itachi halted for a brief moment before continuing forward. "The mission was a success," he answered, his tone neutral, devoid of anything unnecessary.
Fugaku said nothing at first, only nodding as he gazed at his reflection in the water. Itachi took this as permission to leave and resumed his path toward his room. He had nearly disappeared into the shadows when his father's voice stopped him.
"We have a clan meeting tomorrow night."
Itachi paused.
"I want you and Shisui to attend," Fugaku continued, his tone carrying the weight of unspoken expectations.
Silence stretched between them. The air was thick, heavy with something neither of them acknowledged outright.
Itachi said nothing. He didn't nod, nor did he refuse. He simply turned and continued walking, his figure vanishing into the dimly lit hallway.
Fugaku exhaled quietly, his gaze lingering on the rippling surface of the pond. The night resumed its stillness, but the tension remained.
Land of Grass - Kusagakure Council Room
The dimly lit council room of Kusagakure was filled with the low hum of murmurs, the air thick with a mixture of frustration and contemplation. The stone walls seemed to close in on the group as they sat around a long, weathered table. The leader of Kusagakure, an older man with a hardened gaze, banged his fist against the table, his patience wearing thin.
Kusakage Raizen Kurokawa: "How could they fail?! They were supposed to sabotage the roads leading to Konoha, not get caught like amateurs!"
Zosui (ANBU Captain): calmly "We're still investigating, but the team of twenty was compromised. Some reports suggest a tactical error—likely spotted by Konoha scouts. We lost contact with them two days ago. As of now, we consider them lost."
Mui (Jonin Commander): sighing deeply "This mission was crucial. If the takedown of Konoha's infrastructure failed, what will we do next? I know we're trying to outwit the village, but they won't sit idle. This failure doesn't bode well for us, Zosui."
Mujo (Prison Center Head): leaning forward, eyes cold "And what of the prisoners? We can use the captured Konoha shinobi to buy us some time while we regroup. The Land of Fire will be on edge. Their leaders might just make a mistake or two."
Hyogo (Counter-Intelligence Head): narrowing his eyes "It's dangerous. Any move we make will be scrutinized. The failure to hit the roads directly affects our credibility. The Cloud village may back off on the deal if we lose face."
The leader slammed his fist again, his voice a low growl.
Kusakage Raizen Kurokawa: "Forget the credibility for a moment! The mission didn't just fail—it's a sign of something bigger. The Konoha dogs are waking up. We need a backup plan, and quickly. On that note—what's the latest with the Cloud Village deal?"
Logistics Woman: flipping through papers "The recent intel sale to the Cloud village was... profitable. We've seen a sharp increase in income from that transaction. However, I'm afraid it's not enough to cover the ongoing war costs. We still need a larger deal soon, or we'll be struggling to keep up with military supply needs."
Kusakage Raizen Kurokawa: nodding slowly "Money isn't the problem. It's the lack of strategic advantage. We need to make bold moves, not just run a business."
Random Medical Woman: softly speaking up "We've secured a shipment of medical supplies for now, and we're keeping the clinic running with minimal loss. But..." her voice hesitates "...a lot of our field agents are returning injured, and we're already short-handed in personnel for any major operations."
Kusakage Raizen Kurokawa: glancing at her coldly "That's a secondary problem, focus on keeping them alive. We'll deal with the rest when the time comes."
Zosui: calmly "I've sent word to the Kazekage. He's been contacted about purchasing the information we gathered on Konoha's military movements, but I've just received word from my spies." pauses, voice becoming more neutral "He'll decline for now."
Kusakage Raizen Kurokawa: grimaces "The Kazekage is playing cautious. He knows we're in a delicate position. If we lose face with him too, it'll be a disaster. We need to change the perception of our power, now."
Mujo: smirking "We could take matters into our own hands. The information on Konoha's military strategy isn't worthless. If the Kazekage won't bite, we could use it against the Leaf ourselves, shake their confidence."
Hyogo: shaking his head "No, we can't afford to antagonize too many fronts. We're stretched thin as it is."
The leader raised a hand to silence the room, his gaze piercing as he turned to Zosui.
Kusakage Raizen Kurokawa: "What about that Uzumaki woman? The one you've been keeping tabs on."
Zosui: leans back slightly in his chair, expression unreadable "She'll survive for now. She's resilient, but her usefulness is fading. The longer we keep her under surveillance, the more she becomes a liability. She'll be of no use soon."
Kusakage Raizen Kurokawa: nodding dismissively "Don't waste resources on her unless absolutely necessary. We still have her daughter as a substitute, and she'll serve us far better in the long run."
Mujo: eyes narrowing with a cruel smile "Good. If the mother becomes a problem, we can always use her as leverage against the girl."
Kusakage Raizen Kurokawa: nodding approvingly "Exactly. We control the pieces. We move when we need to."
The room fell into an uncomfortable silence, the weight of the decisions ahead settling on their shoulders. The failures were piling up, but there was still time—time to recalibrate, time to strike again. The leader's voice broke the quiet, firm and commanding.
Kusakage Raizen Kurokawa: "This is far from over. We will not let these failures define us. We have a job to do—all of us. There are bigger plans in motion, and we will make sure the Land of Fire doesn't question our involvement. We move forward."
The council members exchanged looks of uncertainty and determination. They had a long road ahead, but there was no turning back now.
Land of Lightning- Raikage's Council Office
The Raikage's office was bathed in the deep glow of the evening sky, the storm clouds outside mirroring the rage brewing within. The tall, imposing figure of the Raikage, clad in his customary armor, stood at the head of the council table, his fists clenched tightly against the surface, his knuckles white with anger.
Raikage: slamming his fist down "Kusagakure failed?!" His voice boomed, full of venom "A bunch of rats that crawl around in the shadows and still can't get the job done? What good are they to us, if they can't even finish a simple mission? Suna's a bunch of cowards, and now Kusa?!"
The room fell into tense silence, the other council members carefully studying the Raikage's expression. His anger was a storm in itself, and no one dared to speak until he did. His voice cracked through the silence like thunder.
Raikage: snarling "I don't care if they've got the golden egg of information to offer. If they can't take out Konoha's roads, then they've lost their usefulness! Send them a message, make it clear—if they don't deliver, I'll cut off all resource flow from the Land of Lightning! The land won't get a damn thing from us if they can't handle one mission!"
Mujiro (Council Member): hesitant, but speaking up "Lord Raikage, the Kusa and Suna alliances have been beneficial to us in the long term. Their information networks, although unreliable at times, still provide value..."
Raikage: cutting him off "Value?! What use is value if they can't act on it? Kusa wants to play games, and Suna is no better. We're not a charity for their failures. I'll remind them of their place."
The Raikage's gaze hardened, and he turned to his closest advisor, Darui, who had been silently taking in the conversation.
Raikage: "Darui, get my orders in motion. We will not allow Kusa or anyone else to forget who runs the show here. Make sure they know—resources, support, and everything in between come at a price. We hold the power, and I'll remind them of that."
Darui: nodding "Yes, Raikage-sama. I'll send a team to Kusa's leadership immediately with that message. They'll get it loud and clear."
Raikage: his anger simmering "Good. Now, let's focus. Konoha is growing weaker by the day, and I'm not going to sit back and let them fall on their own. Kumogakure will kick them off their pedestal like the old men and women they are. We need more. More power, more leverage."
Council Member 1: tentatively "We've already increased pressure on the Land of Fire by positioning troops along their borders and increasing intel operations…"
Raikage: scowling "I know that, but it's not enough. They're too damn secure. We need to make a real, immediate impact—something they'll feel. Any suggestions?"
Ryo: thinking for a moment "The Land of Fire has been struggling with internal unrest recently, especially after the Third Great War. We could attempt a covert attack on one of their key infrastructure points, something they wouldn't expect—maybe their trade routes through the northern regions. Their supply lines are the lifeblood of their economy. We disrupt that, and it could cripple them."
Raikage: nodding sharply "I like it. They rely on their trade too much. A hit on their northern routes would send a message and force them to spread themselves thinner, dealing with attacks on multiple fronts. What else?"
Council Member 2: leaning forward "What if we mobilize our best mercenaries to hit key diplomatic envoys from Konoha, take down high-ranking figures who are crucial to their internal dealings? Their political strength is as fragile as their shinobi forces right now. We can make them doubt their own security."
Raikage: grinning darkly "I want to see Konoha scrambling. I want them to wonder when the next knife will be in their back. Let's get moving on these plans. We're not waiting for anyone else to make the first move."
The room hummed with a new energy, the council members already discussing details and logistics. The Raikage's anger had propelled them forward, and the plan to weaken Konoha—and anyone else standing in their way—was set into motion.
Raikage: turning back to Ryo "Get the orders out. We'll make them remember what happens when you fail us. And Konoha will feel the weight of our might."
The Raikage's expression darkened, the room's mood aligning with his intent. Kusagakure had failed, but now, the Land of Lightning was going to make sure Konoha paid the price for being too comfortable.
Suna's Council Hall
The council room in Sunagakure was quiet, save for the sound of the wind blowing through the cracks of the stone walls, a constant reminder of the desert that surrounded the village. The Fourth Kazekage sat at the head of the long table, his expression calm, almost detached, as the reports from Kusagakure's failure to disrupt Konoha's trade routes were laid out before him.
His fingers drummed lightly on the edge of the table, his mind calculating.
Kazekage: with a dismissive wave "I don't see the point in getting involved with Kusagakure's failures. The Raikage believes weakening Konoha's economy through Kusa will have some grand effect on the balance of power, but let's be honest—the merchants, the traders, they'll still go to the Land of Fire for their contracts. We can't expect that to change."
He looked around the table at his council members, their faces filled with curiosity but none daring to challenge his words. His tone grew more resolute as he continued, the indifference in his voice palpable.
Kazekage: "As for the Raikage's plan, I'm not buying it. Konoha's economy won't falter because of Kusa's failure. Even if the Cloud shuts down their trade routes, it's not like they're starving for resources. And what happens if Kusagakure faces Konoha's wrath for this? We won't be caught in their mess, and frankly, I don't care if they're punished for their incompetence."
The council members exchanged glances. No one spoke up, knowing the Kazekage's stance on interference. After a moment, the Kazekage leaned forward, his eyes narrowing in thought.
Kazekage: "However… we can't be seen as involved, not with Konoha. If they catch wind of us being a part of this, they'll pull their trade agreements with us, cut our resources in half. There's still too much that we rely on from the Land of Fire, and I won't risk it. We'll sever communication for now, and let Kusa and the Raikage figure out their own mess."
He sighed, leaning back in his chair, his eyes scanning the room.
Kazekage: "As for what we can do, let's focus on our own strategy. The Land of Fire has been distracted by the pressure from the Cloud and the small border conflicts with Kusagakure. This is a chance for us to act quietly, find weak points, and prepare for opportunities. We'll continue to grow our presence in the regions where Konoha's influence is starting to fade. If they're distracted, we can strike when they least expect it, cutting them off from the south without them realizing it until it's too late."
He paused, looking over at the council members, his gaze sharp as ever.
Kazekage: "And if the situation escalates, we'll have to prepare a plan for more direct involvement. But for now, we remain neutral—unless Konoha starts making moves that threaten our independence. If that happens, we will be ready. No one pushes Sunagakure around."
The room fell silent. No one needed to say anything else. The Kazekage's will was clear. They would watch, wait, and ensure that any confrontation would be on their terms, not because of others' failures or blunders.
The Kazekage looked out the window for a moment, his mind already turning to the next strategic move. The desert wind howled, but in the heart of Sunagakure, things were still.
Land of Fire - In a spiral room with Hieroglyphics
Deep in the heart of the Land of Fire, The Quiet Puppeteer works in the broad daylight. far from the bustling streets and the watchful eyes of Konoha's shinobi, Shinnō stood in the shadows of a dimly lit room. The flickering of a single candle cast long, unsettling shadows on the walls. His piercing gaze was fixed on a map of the shinobi world, tracing the paths of movement across the regions—Kusagakure, the Land of Thunder, Sunagakure, and Takigakure. His fingers moved slowly across the countries, each motion deliberate, each decision calculated.
He smiled, a cold, calculating smile, one that revealed the depths of his patience and cunning. The pieces were moving exactly as he wanted, and soon, Konoha would find itself in the grip of something far more dangerous than any of them could comprehend.
Shinnō: whispering to himself "Kusa, the Cloud, the Sand... Takigakure... all of them playing into my hands. They think they have power, but they are only pawns in my game. I can control them all—direct their actions without them even realizing it. And when the time is right, the land of fire will burn."
Behind him, the faint, ghostly glow of the Zero Tails flickered in the air, its malevolent presence a silent reminder of the power that lay within Shinnō's grasp. The eerie eyes of the Zero Tails—black with the power of destruction—watched him with a hunger for revenge, a hunger he shared.
Shinnō knew the true power of patience. Unlike others who sought immediate conquest, he understood that the best way to bring down a giant was not with force, but with subtlety. The eyes of his enemies—Konoha, in particular—couldn't pierce the layers of his manipulations. Every step they took, every move they made, was anticipated long before they even thought it.
Shinnō: his voice low and filled with venom "I've waited so long. So many years in the shadows, watching, learning, pulling the strings when no one else could see them. But soon, they'll realize the cost of their arrogance. Konoha will fall, and when it does, there will be no one left to stop me."
He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath, as the Zero Tails' energy swirled around him, its eyes glowing brighter with each passing moment. The creature was bound to him, an extension of his will, and he had learned to use its power for his own purposes. It was not just a weapon—it was a symbol of his vengeance, a vengeance that had been years in the making.
Shinnō: smirking "It doesn't matter what they think they control. The Cloud believes it can intimidate me, Kusagakure thinks it can use me, the Sand plays at diplomacy, and Takigakure hides behind their mercenaries. None of them know the true game I've been playing. The moment they try to move against me... it'll be too late."
His hand clenched into a fist, the veins in his arms standing out as he felt the Zero Tails' presence surge within him.
Shinnō: vowing "I'll tear them all down. Every last one of them, until nothing remains but their ashes. And when Konoha crumbles, when their walls fall and their shinobi bleed, only I will remain. The final victory will be mine. The puppeteer will rise, and the world will bow."
His eyes glinted with cruel satisfaction, the faintest trace of a smile curling his lips as the Zero Tails' eyes glowed brighter, aligning with his own dark vision for the future. Everything was falling into place, and Shinnō knew that the Land of Fire, in its naivety, was already doomed.
From the shadows, he would move—calm, patient, and ruthless—until the day Konoha's downfall was inevitable, and nothing could save them from his grasp.