My Techniques are a bit off

So it's over already? That doesn't match Danzo's style.

Link pondered upon hearing that the civil war in the Land of Rivers had ended.

Peace was rarely a boon for ninja villages. It meant a sharp decline in mission requests. If the central government had surrendered, it wouldn't be long before the rest of the country followed. And with the Daimyō's son as a bargaining chip, the Land of Rivers could quickly stabilize.

But then, why would the surrendered Land of Rivers ninja attempt to assassinate the Daimyō's son? And why do they seem to hate Konoha so much?

Did Danzo lose control of the situation?

"What exactly... happened?"

The Daimyō's son struggled to process the news. The fall of the capital symbolized the collapse of the nation. Even if he returned, it would be meaningless. The harsh truth shattered his resolve. Looking at the familiar yet hostile ninjas, he bitterly asked.

The middle-aged ninja, now calm, explained:

"Everything—the deaths of the Daimyō and the ministers—was orchestrated by Konoha. The Land of Fire seeks to establish a puppet state through the rebels."

"After meeting... him, we decided to surrender. The Land of Fire's evil plans will not succeed."

"If a new nation is established, you, Your Highness, will be used as an excuse for further intervention through alliances. For the sake of the Land of Rivers, please... sacrifice yourself."

The ninja knelt, tears streaming down his face. "We will accompany you in death."

The Daimyō's son froze. As the puzzle came together, his mind cleared. He hadn't foreseen such an outcome. Now cornered by his own words of willingness to die for his country, retreating was no longer an option.

The three samurai, uncertain and conflicted, instinctively formed a protective circle around the prince, their faces betraying a mix of fear and confusion. They understood the political implications but couldn't accept sacrificing their lord, leaving them deeply troubled about their country's future.

"Crack!" x27

With mechanical efficiency, Link's shadows executed all the River ninjas in unison, including their leader. Not one was spared.

He methodically destroyed their heads to prevent any information leaks and turned to the Daimyō's son.

"My mission is to escort you to the capital of the Land of Rivers," he said calmly, his face betraying no emotion.

For Link, killing 20 people was no more significant than squashing ants.

Temari, Kankuro, and Gaara showed no reaction. For them, such acts were part of being a ninja. This was the reality of their world—a brutal life driven by cycles of revenge and self-interest, devoid of clear distinctions between good and evil.

Only someone as idealistic as Naruto could live differently—and even that was thanks to the careful protection of the Third Hokage.

The Daimyō's son looked at the bodies of the "loyal" ninjas, who had just been tearfully pleading for his death. He opened his mouth but said nothing. After a moment of silence, he whispered, "I still wish to... visit the capital."

His expression was complicated. "I want to see the future of this country with my own eyes."

"Jonin Link, please... escort me." He bowed deeply.

Whatever ambitions or hopes he once had, they had been shattered. He could leave the Land of Rivers, but... where would he go?

This land was still his home.

"Alright," Link replied curtly.

As a ninja, his job was simply to complete the mission. The intricate political games between nations and the internal struggles of the Land of Rivers were none of his concern.

His shadows looted the bodies for valuables before piling them together and setting them ablaze. The fire crackled loudly, and the autumn wind carried a chilling bite.

The Daimyō's son sat silently on the ruined carriage, his expression a mix of sorrow and resignation. He sighed as he gazed into the distance. The warped heat from the burning corpses made the broken village ahead shimmer like an illusion.

The samurai calmed the startled horses, and the carriage resumed its creaking journey, rolling over roads stained with dried blood.

Link and his team followed at a measured pace, their prisoner Kabuto in tow.

…

Land of Rivers, Orochimaru's Base

"Click!"

Danzo stood in a hallway marked by dried bloodstains, his expression as still as a mask. He hadn't planned to appear in person.

But too much had spun out of control. His collaborators' ambitions to become the new Daimyō weren't the issue—it was how quickly they had moved.

This speed threatened to upend the delicate balance, cutting short the profitable instability he had engineered. Worse, there were hints of independence.

Danzo could not afford any errors. If he lost the Land of Fire Daimyō's trust, his path to becoming Hokage would be jeopardized again.

The Daimyō was the brain; the ninja village, the limbs. A strong military force ensured national benefits, earning rewards in return.

"So, the Land of Rivers' plans must proceed flawlessly."

Danzo's face darkened. If necessary, he would use force to remind the rebels who their true benefactor was.

"Lord," a Root operative returned from scouting the base. Kneeling on one knee, the agent reported, "A powerful individual infiltrated this base, killed all resistance, burned the corpses with fire-style jutsu, and took the experimental equipment and data."

Danzo frowned. Who could have attacked Orochimaru's base?

Someone capable of single-handedly annihilating its occupants was clearly beyond the Land of Rivers' capabilities.

While he wasn't overly concerned about Orochimaru's losses, the presence of such a powerful unknown entity at this time made him uneasy.

"Wind," he commanded. "Send the captured experimental subjects back to the village. Destroy this base entirely. Everyone else, head for the capital."

Minutes later, the base collapsed in a roaring explosion. Danzo and his operatives swiftly withdrew.

Perched on a distant tree, Orochimaru observed silently. He had arrived earlier and wasn't surprised by the base's destruction.

However, Kabuto's capture made him wary. That was no small loss.

"Was it the Akatsuki... or—"

~~~

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