Land of Rivers Capital.
The Daimyō was poisoned and lay in a coma. The eldest prince was assassinated by Suna-nin using puppet techniques.
The Captain of the Guardian Ninja, Mitokado Koshi, was killed. Even the visiting Konoha Village advisor, Mitokado Homura, was murdered.
The nobles of the Land of Rivers were panicked.
Amid the crisis and chaos, the Chief Treasurer, Koishi Chisa, was naturally pushed forward by the nobles to become the temporary leader.
Chisa received a scroll from her summon, Hakuji. It was a scroll written to her by Fox.
Following Fox's instructions, Chisa formally sent official missives to the Land of Fire and Konoha Village.
The missives were sternly worded, expressing the dissatisfaction and concerns of the Land of Rivers' Daimyō family.
Fox also emphasized that Chisa must contact the Daimyō of the Land of Whirlpools.
The plight of one makes others fear for themselves, giving the Daimyō of the Land of Whirlpools a sense of urgency.
Alarmed by Chisa's missive, the Daimyō of the Land of Whirlpools also sent official letters to the Land of Fire Daimyō and Konoha Village.
Seeing two vassal states so agitated, the Land of Fire Daimyō also sent a formal missive to Konoha Village. This time, even the Land of Fire Daimyō had run out of patience.
When had Konoha Village become so weak?
If any random Rogue Ninja could defeat Konoha's Guardian Ninja, how could Konoha possibly protect the various Daimyō?
Hokage's Office.
The higher-ups were gathered, the atmosphere heavy.
Sitting on the sofa were Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Nara Rokaku, and Yellow Dog.
Several higher-ups passed around and read the three official missives from the Land of Fire, Land of Rivers, and Land of Whirlpools.
Behind the four leaders stood their respective subordinates or assistants.
Standing behind Yellow Dog was Yōkō.
Yōkō glanced at the others.
Behind Danzo stood the masked Otsu, Uchiha Mizukiku. Uchiha Mizukiku had been completely fooled by Danzo and had become his loyal dog.
Utatane Koharu's face was pale; she still hadn't recovered from the tragedy of her daughter and son-in-law's brutal deaths.
Behind Nara Rokaku stood Nara Umeka. Nara Rokaku looked deeply worried.
The fact that even the Daimyō of the Land of Whirlpools had sent a missive proved that he was also beginning to worry about his own safety.
Preparing for rainy days, nobles feared death even more.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio were responsible for guarding the Daimyō of the Land of Whirlpools. Did the Daimyō, after learning of the Rogue Ninja's strength, believe the Ino–Shika–Chō lacked the ability to protect him and the nobles?
Sarutobi Hiruzen continuously blew out thick smoke, saying:
"In the official missive, the Land of Rivers noble Koishi Chisa explained the difficulties they are facing.
The eldest prince was poisoned and killed via puppet technique. The Daimyō's coma increasingly resembles some new type of toxin.
The Konoha Guardian Ninja have an obligation to protect the Daimyō and nobles.
However, the Guardian Ninja Captain, Mitokado Koshi, was killed by Uchiha Madara's subordinate, Tobi.
The nobles of the Land of Rivers are extremely frightened and are demanding Konoha fulfill its obligation to protect them.
The Land of Rivers provides Konoha with a large number of missions and pays mission fees every year. Their request is not excessive.
Hearing of the plight of the Land of Rivers nobles, the Land of Fire Daimyō also sent a formal missive to Konoha.
His Lordship, the Land of Fire Daimyō, is very angry, believing Konoha has not properly fulfilled its protective duties.
Even the Daimyō of the Land of Whirlpools, far away on the peninsula, feels threatened and uneasy.
You all need to think of a solution. We cannot continue like this, or we will lose the missions from both the Land of Grass and the Land of Rivers.
Although the Land of Fire Daimyō has always supported Konoha Village, he might cut missions to force Konoha to pay more attention to the safety of the nobles."
The mood of the several higher-ups was heavy.
Utatane Koharu didn't react; her loss was the greatest.
Her daughter and son-in-law died tragically. The fact that she hadn't exploded was already giving Sarutobi Hiruzen face.
Danzo glanced at the missives a couple of times and did not prepare to speak.
Ever since Sarutobi Hiruzen made him cede the position of Anbu Chief to Yellow Dog, he had completely retreated into the shadows, focusing on nurturing the Root forces.
Now Root had Kō, who mastered Wood Release, and Uchiha Mizukiku. Given time, Root's strength would return to its peak.
Nara Rokaku generally did not offer opinions on Konoha's external affairs.
His main duty was managing Konoha's Jōnin, understanding their thoughts and dynamics, resolving their problems as much as possible, and avoiding the appearance of Rogue Ninja like Sarutobi Kanenosuke.
This time was different. The Land of Whirlpools Daimyō was also involved, forcing Nara Rokaku to find a solution to the trouble.
Seeing that none of the four on the sofa were speaking, Sarutobi Hiruzen's longing for Mitokado Homura reached its peak.
If Mitokado Homura were here, even if it wasn't his business, he would be the first to speak, saying what Sarutobi Hiruzen most wanted to say and mediating conflicts.
Mitokado Homura's death was a huge loss for Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen had no choice but to speak himself:
"Konoha Village's external environment is extremely dire. We face threats not only from the Rogue Ninja Uchiha Madara and his subordinates but also from other hidden villages who are getting restless.
Other villages have all noticed that Konoha is struggling to deal with Uchiha Madara's Rogue Ninja organization.
We must now produce a plan to resolve Konoha's predicament."
Utatane Koharu spoke up:
"Uchiha Madara is in the Land of Rain. Why not organize a force to enter the Land of Rain and kill Uchiha Madara?
I am willing to lead a team to the Land of Rain to hunt down Uchiha Madara and his subordinates!"
No one doubted Utatane Koharu's resolve. However, no one voiced support for her proposal either.
Konoha's losses were mounting. From Guardian Ninja to advisors, each battle proved that Uchiha Madara and his subordinates were strong, very strong.
Yōkō thought to himself, Not to be humble, but half of Uchiha Madara's destructive power lies with me.
In reality, Uchiha Madara had no interest in dealing with Konoha. His goal was singular: to lay the groundwork for the Eye of the Moon Plan.
Danzo said, "If we go to the Land of Rain to hunt Uchiha Madara, a major problem is Hanzo.
We must first send someone to contact Hanzo. Even if we don't ally with him, we must at least secure his agreement to stand aside."
Nara Rokaku continued on this topic: "Hanzo would never agree. Hanzo calls himself the Demigod of the Shinobi World. Sending hundreds or thousands of shinobi into the Land of Rain... Hanzo is very concerned with face; he wouldn't allow it.
Even if Hanzo allowed it, the village urgently needs an External Affairs Advisor now to negotiate with Hanzo, an advisor who can make Hanzo back down.
Konoha needs to quickly send people to negotiate with the various Daimyō, to gain their trust. This also requires an External Affairs Advisor.
My opinion is that we must select a new advisor as soon as possible."
Nara Rokaku said a lot, yet seemed to say nothing.
Selecting an External Affairs Advisor was difficult. If it were easy, it wouldn't have been stalled for so long.
Orochimaru had explicitly refused; he had no interest in being the External Affairs Advisor.
Yellow Dog faced opposition from within the Sarutobi clan. Both Sarutobi Biwako and Sarutobi Hinotama believed Yellow Dog should not take the dangerous role of External Affairs Advisor.
Seeing no response from the others, Nara Rokaku continued, "How about... we listen to the opinions of the Jōnin at the final Jōnin Platoon meeting at the end of the year?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen was stunned, then understood Nara Rokaku's meaning.
Konoha Village could not be without an External Affairs Advisor, but the world outside the village was now fraught with danger, and the External Affairs Advisor was highly susceptible to assassination.
If no one from the Hokage's inner circle could be selected as External Affairs Advisor, should they consider other people from the village?
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed. He truly had no one else to use.
Nara Rokaku added, "Whoever the newly appointed External Affairs Advisor is, they must patrol between the capitals of the various minor nations to ensure the safety of the Daimyō and Guardian Ninja."
His implied meaning was that the External Affairs Advisor should be sent out to handle the dangerous patrols and deal with the Rogue Ninja.
Yōkō thought, Pulling in the Land of Whirlpools Daimyō was indeed useful.
Only by threatening the Ino–Shika–Chō's purse strings could they be forced to compromise.
Nara Rokaku suggested considering people from the village. What was there to consider? Among the idle powerful shinobi in the Jōnin Platoon, Hatake Sakumo was the most proactive.
Given an opportunity, Hatake Sakumo would definitely strive for it.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Danzo. Danzo did not object.
Danzo also didn't want to face Uchiha Madara directly. He said, "Uchiha Madara won't live for many more years."
His implication was that they could wait for Uchiha Madara to die and just endure this crisis.
Sarutobi Hiruzen thought it over left and right; he truly had no suitable candidates left.
Akimichi Torifu, Orochimaru, Yellow Dog—none were possible.
Finally, Sarutobi Hiruzen said with great difficulty:
"Rokaku, prepare for the final Jōnin Platoon meeting before the New Year. Include the recommendation for the External Affairs Advisor on the agenda."
Leaving the Hokage's office, Yōkō followed Yellow Dog to the basement.
"Lord Yellow Dog, does Lady Biwako still not permit you to become the External Affairs Advisor?"
Yellow Dog wanted to rub his temples but found he was wearing a mask.
He thought he could take off the mask and show his face as Sarutobi Shinnosuke, but he hadn't succeeded.
"Yes, Mother doesn't allow it. She sought out the clan elders, uncles, and others to jointly persuade the Hokage to veto my idea," Yellow Dog said.
"Senju Nawaki's death and Mitokado Koshi's death have made them very nervous, overly nervous."
"Lady Biwako means well for you. There's no helping it."
Returning to the Anbu base, Yōkō summoned the ninken, Pak.
Pak looked around and said, "Fox, you're getting bolder, summoning me right inside the Anbu base."
Yōkō said, "I'm the Anbu Vice-Chief. I have that much confidence. Don't worry, no one is monitoring this place."
"Is there something you need to tell Sakumo?"
Yōkō said, "Pak, tell Lord Sakumo to please study the intelligence on the Land of Fire's four vassal states carefully.
In a few days, the Jōnin Platoon meeting will be held. Lord Sakumo has a chance to become Konoha's External Affairs Advisor.
Orochimaru is out, Yellow Dog faces opposition from his clan... the competitive pressure is minimal."
Mitokado Homura's death was a major event; Pak had heard Sakumo and the others discussing it.
Pak's face wrinkles were filled with seriousness. "I understand. I'll inform Sakumo right away."
Upon hearing the news brought by Pak, Hatake Sakumo immediately sprang into action.
Gekkō Sō searched for intelligence on the four vassal states for Hatake Sakumo, including the Daimyō families, major officials, key nobles, financial revenue, major expenditures, number of samurai, etc.
Yamashiro-dera sounded out other Jōnin on Hatake Sakumo's behalf.
Hatake Sakumo's team was quickly mobilized.
A few days later, the Jōnin Platoon meeting convened.
The Jōnin noticed one familiar face missing from the podium.
Nara Rokaku gave some annual summaries about Konoha Village, all useless filler talk.
The final agenda item was the key to this Jōnin Platoon meeting.
Nara Rokaku said:
"The respected Advisor Mitokado Homura, disciple of the Second Hokage, who worked tirelessly on Konoha's external affairs for over a decade, sacrificed his life in the Land of Rivers.
Tomorrow, the funeral for Advisor Mitokado Homura will be held. All Jōnin without missions should attend the advisor's funeral.
Konoha Village cannot be without an External Affairs Advisor. We now proceed to the final agenda item.
The Jōnin Platoon will nominate candidates for the position of External Affairs Advisor, for the Hokage's reference and selection."
***
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(End of Chapter)