Chapter 21: Operation Kumogakure: Maximizing Strategic Gains
Konoha. The Hokage Office.
After Danzo Shimura returned under the cover of night, Hiruzen immediately convened an emergency high-level briefing.
Present were Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, Sakumo Hatake, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and Tsunade.
"Report, Counselor," Hiruzen commanded from the head of the round table, his expression grave.
Danzo nodded and addressed the room. "After weeks of deep-cover surveillance and intelligence gathering, we have confirmed the Hokage's hypothesis. The Cloud Village's Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Blue B, is dangerously unstable."
"Village reports from within Kumogakure mention multiple containment breaches. According to a high-value source in a local tavern, this is the third time they've had to swap hosts in a very short period."
"Blue B is the Third Raikage's nephew. Both his father and uncle were previous hosts who lost their lives during tail-beast rampages."
"Our scouts have witnessed Blue B unintentionally leaking Tailed-Beast chakra on several occasions, causing localized panic within their walls."
Koharu narrowed her eyes. "How can we be certain your source was reliable? Could it have been drunken boast or misinformation intended to lure us into a trap?"
"The source has been neutralized and his memories extracted," Danzo replied with a cold huff. "He was a member of the Cloud's Sealing Corps."
"His memory confirmed that Kumogakure's sealing techniques are primitive. They use something called the 'Iron Armor Seal,' which the Raikage has been desperately trying to improve. Blue B is currently being kept on a heavy regimen of sedatives just to keep his psyche from collapsing."
Danzo's tone was sharp, signaling his annoyance with Koharu's questioning. He was the professional in the room when it came to shadows and assassination—doubting his intel was an insult.
Koharu simply nodded. It was her job to be the "Devil's Advocate," ensuring every variable was accounted for before the Hokage committed resources.
"In conclusion," Danzo said, looking at Hiruzen, "a surgical strike on Blue B has a high probability of success. Per your standing orders, I returned to the village to provide this formal briefing before engaging."
Danzo felt a mix of conflicting emotions. On one hand, he was impressed by Hiruzen's analytical leap—the Monkey had deduced the Cloud's internal crisis simply by looking at border friction data. On the other hand, Danzo thought Hiruzen was still being too "bureaucratic."
If it were me, I would have taken the shot and brought the head back as a surprise, Danzo thought. Returning for a meeting is a waste of time.
Hiruzen caught the subtle shadow on Danzo's face and smirked. If Danzo had become a perfectly obedient "yes-man," Hiruzen would have been worried. Decades of rivalry didn't vanish overnight.
"The intelligence is solid. Good work, Danzo," Hiruzen said, giving him the 'Validation' he craved.
"Koharu, you mentioned that Kushina and Minato have shown unusual aptitude for sealing jutsu lately?"
"Yes," Koharu replied. "They are studying concepts that most Jonin struggle to grasp. It likely has to do with the Uzumaki lineage and Minato's natural genius."
After her visit to Kushina's home, Koharu had realized the two teenagers were light-years ahead of the standard curriculum.
"Anbu, bring them in," Hiruzen ordered.
"Hiruzen, they're just children!" Danzo protested.
Hiruzen silenced him with a look. "This operation has three core objectives."
"First: Retaliation. An eye for an eye. We must solidify the village's morale and show our enemies that the Leaf does not bleed without striking back."
"Second: Deniability. We must remain undetected. Leaving evidence of Konoha's involvement would give the other nations a reason to form a coalition against us."
"Third: Strategic Acquisition." Hiruzen leaned forward. "We aren't just going there to kill Blue B. He is the Raikage's kin. I want his body. I want his memories. I want to dissect their sealing failures."
"This is not a frontline skirmish. This is a harvest. We strike once and we take everything of value."
Danzo fell silent. Hiruzen wasn't being "soft"—he was being greedy. He wanted to rob the Cloud Village blind while they were still mourning their Jinchuriki.
Orochimaru let out a raspy chuckle. He loved the way his teacher was thinking. This was the clinical, high-stakes logic he respected.
"Sensei, if we want the body intact, we need the Jinchuriki in a controlled state during the extraction of the Eight-Tails," Orochimaru analyzed. "If we just break the seal, the beast will rampage immediately, and the body will be vaporized."
"We need a two-pronged approach. First, a comprehensive breakdown of the Iron Armor Seal—not a brute-force rupture. Second, the host must be placed in a deep Genjutsu and poisoned to prevent any resistance."
"What about Salamander Poison?" Tsunade suggested. "The village kept samples from the war with Hanzo while we were developing the antidote. I can refine a high-potency paralytic from it within twenty-four hours."
Hiruzen nodded. "Excellent."
"As for the Genjutsu," Hiruzen continued, "normally I'd suggest the Uchiha, but their Sharingan is too distinctive. If even one witness sees a red eye, the secret is out."
"Summon Genzo Kurama."
The Kurama Clan was one of the founding pillars of the Leaf. Their Bloodline Trait allowed them to produce Genjutsu so powerful they could manipulate the five senses and even govern the nervous system of their targets. In the realm of pure illusion, they were the only rivals to the Uchiha.
Jiraiya raised his hand. "Sensei, I can handle the extraction and the exfiltration. My Toad Flatness - Shadow Manipulation Jutsu can hide multiple people for a stealthy escape."
"I want in on this. I owe it to Kushina."
Hiruzen smiled. "Agreed."
"Orochimaru, how is the 'Restoration Pill' project? I've added a lot to your plate lately—are you holding up?"
"The pills are in the final packaging phase. I'm fine, Sensei," Orochimaru smirked. "Serving the village is a reward in itself."
"Besides," Orochimaru added, glancing at Danzo, "it seems even our Assistant is leading from the front these days. I can't afford to fall behind."
Danzo's eyes narrowed.
The dynamic had shifted. Danzo and Orochimaru were no longer partners in crime; they were Competitors for the Fourth Hokage's seat.
Danzo had previously thought about backing Orochimaru and taking the seat later. But now that Hiruzen had promised him a fair shot at the succession, why would he settle for second place?
Work then, brat, Danzo thought. I've been serving this village since before you were born. You think you can out-work the 'Darkness of the Shinobi'?
At that moment, the Anbu arrived with Genzo Kurama, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki.
"Lord Hokage!" the three said in unison.
Hiruzen looked at the mix of veterans and prodigies before him. The team was assembled. It was time to pull the rug out from under the Land of Lightning.