Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand

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The constant rain drumming against the rooftops was beginning to irritate Danzo Shimura. In the Land of Wind, he had spent every day worrying about water shortages. Now, in the Land of Rain, he found himself grumbling about the endless downpour.

Following the end of the war with the Sand Village, Danzo had withdrawn his forces back to the Land of Rain for a much-needed rest. Per the Hokage's orders, nearly half of the stationed ninjas were rotated back to Konoha, including Tsunade and Orochimaru, leaving only Jiraiya behind—though no one seemed to know where he had wandered off to.

Konoha was now in a precarious position: its old strength had been exhausted, and its new strength had yet to take shape. It was during this vulnerable period that Iwagakure (the Hidden Stone Village) launched a sudden and ferocious attack. With lightning speed, they overran Konoha's ally, the Land of Grass, and then advanced into the Land of Rain.

Danzo, caught off guard, had to act quickly. On one hand, he urgently requested reinforcements from Konoha. On the other, he decisively pulled his forces back, relying on guerrilla tactics in the urban landscape with the help of Amegakure (Hidden Rain Village) ninjas who knew the terrain well. After wearing down Iwagakure's initial momentum, Danzo managed to establish a stalemate. His plan was to continue depleting the enemy's strength until reinforcements arrived, at which point he would launch a large-scale counteroffensive.

For now, all he could do was wait patiently. At least he didn't have to worry about his rear flank anymore.

"Report! Here's the latest dispatch," a subordinate announced as he handed Danzo a scroll.

Danzo took the scroll and began to read.

The headline read: On the 8th, Kazekage Jinghang and Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi officially signed a peace and alliance treaty in the Hokage's Hall.

Danzo flipped to the next page. He already knew the details of the treaty better than anyone.

On the morning of the 9th, Kazekage Jinghang, accompanied by the Hokage and other officials, visited Konoha's Ninja Academy. He even attended a lively ninjutsu class as an observer. Afterward, the Kazekage expressed his admiration for the dedication and professionalism of the academy's staff. He remarked that Konoha's comprehensive education system was something to be studied and emulated. To commemorate the visit, he brought ten Sand Village ninjas to study at the academy, hoping such exchanges would further promote peace and development between the two villages. As a gesture of respect, the Kazekage personally wrote the phrase: "Where the leaves dance, the fire burns eternal." His bold and majestic calligraphy was met with unanimous praise from those present.

"This guy sure knows how to play with words," Danzo muttered with a smirk before continuing.

On the afternoon of the 9th, the Kazekage visited Konoha's Sensory Division…

On the morning of the 10th, the Kazekage visited Konoha's Administrative Department…

On the afternoon of the 10th, the Kazekage visited Konoha's Medical Division…

"Is he planning to tour the entire village?" Danzo scoffed, skipping over the mundane reports. Finally, one piece of news caught his attention.

On the morning of the 12th, Konoha Jonin Choza Akimichi and Jonin Hiashi Hyuga will lead a force of 3,000 elite ninjas to the Land of Rain for a troop rotation…

"Finally," Danzo sighed in relief. This was the news he had been waiting for.

Meanwhile, in the Hokage's Office…

"You're saying the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist?"

Hiruzen Sarutobi's brow furrowed deeply as he read the report in his hands.

"Yes," confirmed Homura Mitokado, standing beside him. "This intelligence came from the Anbu yesterday. Those warmongers wouldn't show up here without a reason."

"After all the effort we've put into securing an alliance with the Sand Village and stabilizing our western border, we can't afford to let another crisis erupt. The war in the Land of Rain is already stretching us thin. Notify the Anbu to increase the Kazekage's security detail. His visit is nearing its end—we can't let anything happen now."

"But what if something happens to him on his way back?"

"I've already made arrangements for that. Summon Tsunade."

Back at the Hokage Rock…

"Ten years of ice, yet my blood still burns hot," Jinghang murmured, gazing at the crescent moon that illuminated the Hokage Rock.

He couldn't help but reminisce. The first time he watched Naruto was during the summer of 2007, right after his college entrance exams. With plenty of free time, he had indulged in all sorts of hobbies before finally deciding to check out the wildly popular anime. Little did he know, he'd become completely hooked. From his university days to his working life, he had followed the series for a full decade, never missing a single episode—even the filler arcs.

Since arriving in this world, Jinghang had always dreamed of visiting Konoha. Today, that dream had finally come true. The only downside was that he had arrived decades too early, missing the fiery era of Naruto and Sasuke. But that was fine. After all, the world of Naruto was full of techniques for longevity and resurrection. He could figure something out eventually.

Over the past few days, he had toured the Ninja Academy, the Administrative Building, the Medical Division, and even climbed the Hokage Rock to sit atop Hashirama Senju's head, enjoying a bird's-eye view of the entire village. He had even visited the young Teuchi's Ichiraku Ramen shop for a bowl of tonkotsu ramen. To be honest, it was just an average bowl of ramen—the broth hadn't had enough years to develop its signature depth of flavor.

Still, no matter how wonderful this place was, it wasn't home. As the Kazekage, his duty was to the Sand Village. Don't worry, though. Even if my homeland isn't as beautiful as Konoha, I'll turn it into a desert pearl that rivals this village.

"Rasa, Pakura," Jinghang called out. "Tomorrow morning, we'll head back. Take a different route this time—through the Land of Fields, then the Land of Craftsmen, and finally back through the Land of Rain. I want to meet Hanzo the Salamander along the way. Rasa, leave now and send a formal diplomatic notice ahead of us. That old fox is far too paranoid. Let's not give him any reason to think we're interested in his soggy little territory. We'll rendezvous in the Land of Rain."

"Understood," Rasa replied before swiftly departing.

"Pakura, aside from the ninjas staying behind to study, we shouldn't have many people returning with us. Make the necessary arrangements for the journey. Oh, and keep an eye on that kid Hidan."

"Yes," Pakura acknowledged.

In a Cave Outside Konoha…

Around a flickering fire, a group of uniquely dressed ninjas were deep in discussion. Their headbands bore the insignia of Kirigakure (the Hidden Mist Village), not Konoha.

"Konoha has increased their security. They must have caught wind of our arrival. No matter. He'll have to leave the village eventually. When he does, we'll have our chance," said a hulking, broad-shouldered ninja with sharp teeth and a face full of scars. He carried a massive, bandage-wrapped sword on his back. If Jinghang were here, he would immediately recognize him as Kisame Hoshigaki, the wielder of the Samehada sword and one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

"Will it work if we don't strike inside Konoha?" asked another ninja with an afro and a mask. This was Jinin Akebino, the wielder of the Kabutowari sword.

"It doesn't matter. This entire area is under Konoha's sphere of influence. If something happens to the Kazekage here, the Sand Village will undoubtedly blame Konoha. Kuriarare Kushimaru, go find out the Kazekage's return route."

"Understood," a ninja with a hooked nose replied in a low, gruff voice before disappearing into the shadows.

"The flames of war are rising. This is the perfect time for us Mist ninjas to make a name for ourselves. The Third Mizukage is too cautious. This is our chance to expand Kirigakure's influence. If we can reignite the conflict between Konoha and the Sand Village, the pro-war faction in our village will gain the upper hand. Together, we'll make both Konoha and the Sand Village bow before us!"

"Long live Kirigakure!"

"Long live Kirigakure!"

"Long live Kirigakure!"

Their shadows danced wildly on the cave walls, their forms resembling vengeful spirits.