"What? Do you not understand the importance of this intel?" Danzo challenged. "He was in mortal danger before. Now that he's healed, I'm sure Yamaguchi himself would choose this."
Claiming the moral high ground, Danzo spoke with conviction. Even Taiichi couldn't refute him, knowing Yamaguchi—and even Taiichi himself—would likely make that choice for the village.
Seeing everyone silent, Danzo smirked, his stiff face contorting into a gruesome smile. He signaled behind him. A Root ninja appeared and moved toward Yamaguchi.
Just as he passed Taiichi, Taiichi blocked his path.
"Elder Danzo, leave this to me. After all, I am the medical ninja."
"Oh? You'll do it yourself?" Danzo looked at Taiichi with interest. Realizing Taiichi clearly didn't trust him, his face darkened. "Fine. I just want results."
He waved the Root ninja back. The Root agent remained silent throughout.
Taiichi didn't delay. He moved to Yamaguchi's side, genuinely fearing Danzo might tamper with Yamaguchi's mind or leave a backdoor.
Placing his hands on Yamaguchi's Fengchi and Baihui acupoints, Taiichi formed needle-like constructs with Yang Chakra and stimulated the points with a specific technique.
Moments later, Yamaguchi's eyelids fluttered, his eyes moving rapidly beneath them. His body began to tremble violently.
"What's happening? Is something wrong?" Koharu asked Fujita nervously. She seemed to care more about Yamaguchi's well-being than the others.
Fujita observed closely and sighed in relief. "It's fine. He's dreaming. He'll wake up soon."
As she spoke, Yamaguchi's eyes snapped open, and he bolted upright. But the burst of energy faded instantly. Dizzy and weak, he collapsed back onto the bed.
An intense itch and sharp pain radiated from his right side—the newly formed tissue protesting the sudden movement.
Only then did he truly wake up. His unfocused gaze sharpened into a blade, locking onto the nearest person. Seeing it was Taiichi, his gaze softened.
"Taiichi... why are you here?" His voice was weak and raspy. "Find... Hokage-sama. I have... important intel."
"Don't worry. The Hokage and the Advisors are here," Taiichi whispered in his ear. "You can speak freely."
Taiichi stepped aside for the Hokage and left the room with Dr. Fujita. This intel was above his pay grade.
"Hokage-sama..." Yamaguchi's voice was frail but determined. "Sand and Stone... are secretly negotiating an alliance. The date is set for December 10th."
Hiruzen frowned deeply. "Are you certain? Do you know the terms?"
Yamaguchi forced himself to continue. "Mutual defense pact for three years. Open borders for military passage."
He tried to lift his hand, realizing it was empty. Hiruzen placed the scroll Fujita gave him into Yamaguchi's hand. "Looking for this?"
"Yes." Yamaguchi relaxed. With great effort, he undid the seal. "This is... Sand's defense map facing Stone. I got it from an Iwa-nin... that's how I got injured."
Hiruzen scanned the scroll. It looked genuine and easy to verify.
Yamaguchi, exhausted, fell unconscious again.
"Hiruzen, what now?" Danzo asked coldly. "Sand is betraying our alliance?"
"Back to the office. Not here." Hiruzen's eyes were cold. A Wind-Earth alliance could repeat the Second War.
Outside, the Konoha leaders interrogated Yamaguchi while Taiichi and Fujita waited.
"Taiichi, have you considered working at the hospital? With your skills, you could be a department head," Fujita said hopefully. She was thoroughly impressed.
"Director, you're joking. Look at my age. It wouldn't look right," Taiichi said helplessly. "Besides, I want to serve on the battlefield like Tsunade-sensei."
"Well..." Fujita looked at him. Indeed, despite being tall for his age, he was clearly a child. Patients wouldn't trust a child doctor easily.
"Can you help out part-time then?" Fujita tried another angle. "We're short-handed."
"Sure! As long as the Dean and Hokage approve. I need practice anyway," Taiichi agreed readily.
"Great! I'll handle the paperwork!" Fujita said quickly, fearing he'd change his mind.
Just then, the door opened. The leaders walked out.
"Taiichi, Masasuke fainted again. Check on him," Hiruzen ordered, anxiety in his voice. "We'll leave him to you."
"Rest assured, Hokage-sama."
Watching them leave in a hurry, Taiichi guessed the news was bad.
He and the staff entered. As expected, Yamaguchi had just fainted from exhaustion. Taiichi's stimulation was temporary.
Leaving the hospital, Taiichi went home, showered, and collapsed into bed. The surgery had been exhausting, both physically and mentally. Taking control from three other medics required intense focus.
But it confirmed his theory: Cellular Activation could be done solo with enough chakra and skill.
He estimated he needed six times his current chakra (around 120,000) and Lv8 skill to do it alone.
Thinking happy thoughts about future power, Taiichi fell into a deep sleep.
---
Hokage's Office.
The atmosphere was tense.
Hiruzen tapped his desk, puffing on his pipe anxiously. "The Sand-Stone alliance is set. We need a countermeasure."
"Ally with Cloud?" Koharu suggested. "They hate Stone. The Raikage and Ohnoki are enemies."
"Cloud is greedy and growing stronger. Showing weakness might invite them to exploit us or even join the others against us," Homura countered.
"Mist?" Koharu tried again.
"Mist is in internal chaos with their Blood Mist policy. They can't help us," Danzo scoffed. "Distant water won't put out a nearby fire."
"Preemptive strike?" Homura mused. "Attack one side before they ally to disrupt them."
Everyone looked at him in shock. That sounded like something Danzo would say, not the cautious Homura.
"Konoha has never started a war. And the risk is too high. A mistake could accelerate their alliance or unite others against us," Hiruzen dismissed it.
Silence.
Then, Danzo spoke coldly. "Homura is right about one thing. Strike before they ally."
"What do you mean?" Hiruzen's eyes flashed.
"The treaty signing is December 10th. Eight days away. That's our chance," Danzo said sinisterly.
"Assassination!" Koharu gasped. "That's provoking war directly!"
"If it's secret, who will know?" Danzo said calmly. "They might even blame each other."
"Their envoys will be heavily guarded. How can we ensure success?" Homura asked.
Danzo looked at the Sand defense map. "That map shows their weaknesses. We can infiltrate precisely and kill the Sand envoy."
"Besides, why did Yamaguchi get a Sand map from an Iwa-nin?" Danzo smiled knowingly. "Stone has designs on Sand too. This is the perfect chance to frame Stone."
Hiruzen was silent for a long time. Finally, he nodded slowly. "Risky, but effective. Any objections?"
Koharu and Homura exchanged glances and nodded.
Danzo smirked. His methods were always best. "I'll arrange Root to execute it."
"No," Hiruzen interrupted. "Root needs to monitor the borders. Friction is increasing."
Danzo frowned but didn't argue.
"Hiruzen, who will you send?" Koharu asked. This was critical.
"Sakumo Hatake, Minato Namikaze, Hizashi Hyuga, and Taiichi Matsushita. A four-man squad."
"Sakumo, Minato, and Hizashi make sense. But isn't Taiichi too young? He has no experience in this," Homura questioned.
"Sakumo and Minato are the assault. Hizashi is recon. Taiichi is there for his medical ninjutsu. He can save lives in critical moments," Hiruzen explained.
Everyone shut up. They had seen Taiichi's medical prowess today. He was a lifesaver, not a burden.
Koharu and Homura agreed. Danzo lowered his head, silent.
No one noticed his knuckles turning white as he gripped his cane. If not for its durability, it would have shattered.