Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 611 The Undercurrents of Kirigakure

Three days of leisure passed.

Life on the ship was like a bizarre and fantastical dream for the Hozuki siblings.

Hozuki Shio has completely fallen for him. Her daily routine consists of following behind Sarutobi Hiruzen, asking with her big, bright purple eyes what the menu is for today.

She even began to seriously study "Postpartum Care of Konoha Pigs" and "Sweetness Optimization of Strawberries in the Constant Temperature Barrier," trying to glean the ultimate secrets of Konoha cuisine from these profound classics.

Hozuki Kaigetsu locked himself in his room, clutching the "Three-Year Revitalization and Development Plan for Kirigakure" and studying it over and over again.

Every project depicted there, from the energy matrix of the tidal power station to the aseptic packaging line for seafood using water-based techniques, instilled in him a tremor that ran deep in his soul.

This is no longer ninjutsu; it is a power possessed only by gods.

Hiruzen Sarutobi himself has completely entered vacation mode.

Every day without fail, he would carry a small stool, sit on the deck, and fish. Occasionally, he would instruct the equally idle members of the Anbu on how to play "solitaire under precise chakra manipulation." The loser would have to go to the kitchen to brush sauce onto the grilled meat specially provided by the Akimichi family.

Uchiha Shisui stood quietly behind the Hokage like a perfect sculpture. No matter the wind or the sun, his expression remained unchanged, as if nothing in the world could shake him.

This moment of tranquility was so harmonious, it seemed unlike anything in the perilous ninja world.

Just as Hozuki Shio was pestering Sarutobi Hiruzen, trying to get him to include the cola formula in the Kirigakure revitalization plan, a shadow swept across the sky.

A magnificent ninja eagle, with wingspans exceeding one meter, swooped down with pinpoint accuracy, like a black lightning bolt, and landed steadily on Uchiha Shisui's arm guard.

That was a top-ranking messenger belonging to the Hokage's direct Anbu.

The relaxed atmosphere on the deck froze in that instant.

Hozuki Shio's pleading abruptly stopped.

Haiyue also came out of the cabin, her face solemn.

Even the secret agents who were playing solitaire instantly put away their cards and silently resumed their alert posture.

Shisui skillfully removed an extremely thin metal tube from the leg of the ninja hawk, opened it, and pulled out a strip of paper rolled into a thin stick.

He glanced at it quickly.

The next second, his eyes, which had always been as calm as still water, showed a violent fluctuation for the first time.

He strode over to Hiruzen Sarutobi, leaned forward slightly, and reported in a low voice that only the two of them could hear:

"Lord Hokage, news has come from Kirigakure... The Kaguya clan has made a move."

Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't even turn around. With a slight twitch of his fishing rod, a lively sea fish was flung up and thrashed about on the deck.

"understood."

He responded casually, as if he hadn't heard any urgent military news, but rather that tonight's fish soup was secured.

The leisurely holiday has come to an end.

……

Inside the flagship's cabin conference room, the atmosphere was the complete opposite of the bright sunshine on the deck—cold and somber.

Twenty members of the Dark Guard stood like shadows in various corners of the room, their icy aura causing the air temperature to drop several degrees.

The Hozuki siblings sat upright, looking tense.

Uchiha Shisui stood in front of a huge sea chart and recited the information on the small piece of paper word by word.

"The intelligence came from our deep-sea team in the Land of Water, and it's absolutely reliable."

"The current head of the Kaguya clan, Kaguya Honebami, publicly gathered all the clan's combat-capable ninjas, as well as the village's pro-war radicals, yesterday. He delivered a public speech declaring that Kirigakure does not need a peace that is given to them as charity."

Shisui paused, glancing at Hozuki and his sister.

"He also said... Hozuki Kaigetsu and Hozuki Shio are traitors who betrayed the village and groveled before Konoha. He called on all ninjas loyal to the honor of Kirigakure to gather at the welcoming ceremony for our delegation and give the so-called invaders and traitors a bloody lesson they will never forget in the most primitive and bloody way."

"running dog?"

Hozuki Shio slammed her hand on the table, stood up abruptly, and rage blazed in her purple eyes. "Those idiots whose brains are full of bones! What do they know?!"

Her chest heaved with anger; clearly, the insult of the word "lackey" paled in comparison to the blasphemy against her culinary beliefs.

Hozuki Kaigetsu shoved his sister back into her seat. His face was equally gloomy, but he was much calmer than his sister.

"Lord Hokage..."

He looked at the composed man in the main seat, feeling incredibly anxious.

This is almost the worst start they could have imagined.

The Kaguya clan was known in Kirigakure for their madness and belligerence. When they raised their voices, the ninjas who already harbored hostility and fear towards Konoha were easily incited.

This was no longer an assassination, but rather an open rebellion and declaration of war.

However, Hiruzen Sarutobi's reaction surprised everyone.

He picked up the barley tea in front of him, gently blew on it to cool it down, took a sip, and then slowly began to speak, as if he were commenting on a bland dish.

"She's even more impatient than I imagined."

This understated comment acted like a reassurance, instantly calming the somewhat flustered Hozuki siblings down.

Yes, why are they panicking? The man in front of them is the one who personally ended the naval battle of the Land of Whirlpools and trampled the Third Raikage and the Third Mizukage underfoot.

Hiruzen Sarutobi put down his teacup and turned his gaze to Kaigetsu Hozuki, a hint of consideration in his eyes.

"Well analyzed."

He first affirmed one of Haiyue's previous judgments, then changed the subject, "So, if you were in this situation, how would you deal with it?"

This is a test on the spot.

Hozuki Kaigetsu's heart skipped a beat.

He knew that the Hokage was assessing his character, seeing if he was truly qualified to shoulder the weighty responsibility of the revitalization plan.

His brain was working at lightning speed.

retreat?

No. If the fleet retreats, even by just one nautical mile, it will be seen as a sign of Konoha's weakness and hesitation.

Those who were still observing from the sidelines would immediately side with the aggressive Kaguya clan.

They will completely lose their voice within Kirigakure.

So... should we force our way in?

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Haiyue's forehead.

He recalled the military strategy books he had seen in the Konoha Library, Nara Shikazuki's languid yet all-knowing expression as he explained strategies, and Shimura Danzo's unwavering, iron-willed demeanor before the planning map.

His gaze gradually shifted from confusion to determination.

"No refunds!"

Haiyue suddenly raised her head, her voice not loud, but resolute.

"We must land as planned. What the Kaguya clan wants is to force Master Yuan and the wavering faction in the village to take sides through a public demonstration of force. If we show any hesitation, we will play right into their hands."

His thinking was clearer than ever before.

"Not only can we not back down, we... we must be even tougher on them! We must use overwhelming force to show everyone who truly decides the future of Kirigakure!"

He was somewhat surprised after saying those words.

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Hiruzen Sarutobi's lips.

Children can be taught.

"But, brother!"

Hozuki Shio grabbed Kaigetsu's arm worriedly, "They outnumber us... this is very disadvantageous for us!"

Uchiha Shisui remained silent, as if he were an outsider.

Only now did he finally speak, his tone as calm as if he were recounting a trivial matter.

"Number of people is meaningless."

He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, his pure black eyes filled with absolute confidence and anticipation.

He didn't need to ask what to do; he just needed to wait for an order.

Hiruzen Sarutobi smiled, a hint of amusement in his smile.

He waved to Zhishui.

"No rush, the real show hasn't even started yet."

He stood up, walked to the sea chart, and gently tapped a small island in the sea outside Kirigakure with his finger.

The voice just fell.

"Tap, tap, tap."

A rhythmic knocking sound came from outside the cabin, and a member of the secret service pushed open the door and knelt on one knee.

"Lord Hokage, a second urgent intelligence report."

Another ninja hawk brought a second secret letter.

Shisui took it and unfolded it. This time, his brows furrowed even more deeply.

"It's a personal letter from Master Yuan, the acting leader of Kirigakure."

"What did the letter say?"

Haiyue asked eagerly.

Shisui turned the letter to the crowd. It contained a line of words written in vigorous strokes, but the characters trembled slightly, revealing a sense of helplessness.

The content is very short.

"King of Konoha, I am seriously ill, and there are turbulent undercurrents in the mist. I hope you will postpone your landing."