Chapter 114: The Targeting of White Fang

After their last conversation, Orochimaru and Kahn rarely met. Their intentions were nearly confirmed, and both sides were ready for deep cooperation. As long as Orochimaru became the Fourth Hokage, the relationship between Kahn and Konoha would ease considerably. Orochimaru would also help Kahn fend off troubles from Konoha, paving the way for him to seize the Daimyo’s position.

Each sought something from the other, each had needs. Orochimaru’s bottom line was simple: as long as matters didn’t cross that line and cooperation was needed, he was open to negotiation.

At present, Orochimaru was not like the man he would become over a decade later—stripped of disciples and the Hokage title, holding only the name of one of the Legendary Sannin while having no ties left in the village. Only after seeing through the essence of life did he choose to develop forbidden jutsu and defect from the village.

Now, Orochimaru had a promising disciple and was a renowned ninja in the shinobi world. He had just commanded the battlefield along the borders of the Land of Grass—a future full of possibilities.

He had no thought of betraying the village; his ideals had only subtly shifted under Kahn’s influence—from mastering every jutsu in the shinobi world to mastering all knowledge itself.

However, holding the rank of Jonin of Konoha and the title of one of the Sannin offered no real help toward his lofty dreams. Thus, the idea of becoming Hokage was greatly amplified in his heart by Kahn.

Kahn could provide more resources, and though their goals aligned, they had some differences. Collaborating with Kahn was far preferable to constantly guarding against the foolish Daimyo of the Land of Fire.

For these reasons, their relationship deepened.

He also confided some information about the White Fang. According to intelligence Orochimaru had extracted from the Iwa shinobi at the frontline, they had known early on that someone intended to launch a surprise attack on the border post and had made preparations in advance.

But the strength of Konoha’s White Fang was overwhelming. Leading two squads, he escaped the pursuit of eight Iwa squads. Though there were no casualties, the Iwa shinobi recognized the White Fang’s identity.

With his silver hair and the chakra-imbued white dagger, Shikamo Hatake could not have concealed his identity by sparing any of the pursuing Iwa ninjas.

Orochimaru knew little about the Sand shinobi’s side, but it was likely similar—perhaps even worse. Otherwise, the Land of Fire’s Daimyo would not have sent an envoy to demand accountability. Given the prevailing atmosphere in the village, no one would believe that no one contributed.

The Daimyo’s envoy soon arrived in Konoha. He likely received instructions before setting out and paid a visit to Kahn upon arrival.

Though his position had little real power, he was at least a court noble—technically higher in status than a mere envoy. Combined with Kahn’s public reputation and his merchant guild, he was considered among the top rising elites within the Land of Fire.

The Daimyo’s envoy relayed the Daimyo’s orders to Kahn, discussed the contents for publication in the newspaper, and then departed.

The next day, the Daimyo’s envoy, Kahn, and a reporter from Konoha’s newspaper went directly to the Hokage’s office.

Upon seeing Kahn, aside from Tsunade’s slight surprise, the others showed calm expressions as if they had long expected Kahn’s arrival.

After all, Kahn was the Land of Fire’s propaganda court noble. Though newly appointed, it was a court rank. No matter how much Danzo disliked Kahn, it would be unthinkable to cause a scene and make a fool of themselves at such a time.

In Konoha, besides the Hokage and the other three top officials, there were several elite shinobi with heavy responsibilities: Orochimaru, recently returned from the battlefield; Tsunade, director of the Konoha hospital; Jonin squad leader Nara Shikaku; and Kato Dan, likely to succeed as Jonin squad leader.

However, the most important figure, Shikamo Hatake, was absent—a baffling omission. Though his absence might have been intended for protection, everyone present was from the Land of Fire. The Daimyo held Shikamo in some esteem; only Kahn was an outsider.

“Third Hokage, by order of the Daimyo, I have come to inquire about your village’s Shikamo Hatake’s actions in the Land of Wind,” the Daimyo’s envoy said. Presenting a scroll to Hiruzen Sarutobi, he asked, “May I ask if this mission was assigned by the Third Hokage?”

Hiruzen frowned slightly. Only he would keep a record scroll after a mission was assigned; outside ninjas would have none of this. Nevertheless, he unrolled the scroll and read its content, feeling troubled by what was written.

The scroll contained accusations: sabotage at the Sand shinobi border post, assassination of the Land of Wind’s finance minister Seisuke and his family, disruption of trade routes... each charge a grave offense damaging diplomatic relations between the two countries. Especially the assassination—that was something Konoha would never do. Leaving such a mission recorded on a scroll only provided evidence for framing.

“This is forged, Your Excellency,” Hiruzen said firmly. “Konoha ninjas never take such scrolls outside after receiving missions. This is a setup.”

“Hmm, though the Daimyo also replied similarly to the envoys of the Land of Wind and Sand, the fact remains that Seisuke’s family was killed. They are holding on to this point... It’s a difficult situation, Third Hokage,” the envoy’s face darkened.

He refrained from openly calling it a false accusation, aware that as a representative of the Daimyo’s house, he must be cautious not to imply the Daimyo’s personal stance.

“Shikamo Hatake was simply too naive!” Danzo suddenly spoke. As the Hokage’s right hand, stating facts was easy for him.

“Knowing the rescue was hopeless, Shikamo still exposed Konoha, allowing the enemy’s frame-up to succeed. Had he returned promptly to the Land of Fire, they could never have pinned this on the Land of Fire!

“At worst, one ninja would have been captured, and through diplomatic means, could have been ransomed back,” Danzo concluded.

His last words were naive. How could a captured ninja be ransomed easily? Years later, Morino Yukihiko was captured by the enemy, and upon returning to Konoha, was horribly tortured.

With tensions rising between the two major shinobi villages, captured ninjas—beyond medical ninjas—would be tortured beyond recognition.

The Daimyo’s envoy, ignorant of such details, found Danzo’s argument convincing and nodded in agreement. “I see. It seems this was indeed a mistake by Konoha’s White Fang... Your Excellency, what do you think?”

“I have no objections. All should proceed according to the Daimyo’s wishes,” Kahn shook his head. Currently, he had no intention of helping Shikamo Hatake. Without irrefutable evidence proving the setup, there was no way to assist him.

“In that case, I hope the Third Hokage will allow me to bring a detailed report back to the Daimyo. Also, the Land of Wind’s Daimyo demands compensation from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, who has agreed. Therefore, Konoha’s upcoming funding will be reduced,” the envoy continued.

“What?” Hiruzen, Danzo, and the other advisors were stunned. Funding cut? Why now?

“Envoy...,” the Daimyo’s envoy said helplessly, “This is unavoidable. The Land of Wind’s Daimyo is furious, and the Daimyo of the Land of Fire must consider much. Otherwise, diplomatic ties between the two will break completely.

“This is the Daimyo’s decision. If the Third Hokage has objections, please take them directly to the capital and discuss with the Daimyo.”

Likely, the merchant nobles would suffer greatly. The Land of Wind is the richest in mineral resources in the shinobi world. Losing trade routes would cause immense pain to the Land of Fire’s aristocracy.

However, cutting funding only added headaches for Konoha. Except for Orochimaru, all the ninjas present frowned upon hearing the cut. War was imminent, and instead of increased funding, it was being reduced...

But explaining this to the envoy was clearly futile. Hiruzen shot a secret glare at Danzo and sighed inwardly. He could only make a trip to the Daimyo’s capital now; otherwise, Konoha wouldn’t even be able to purchase military supplies.

To suppress the pro-Daimyo Shikamo, Konoha faced funding cuts. Had he known this would be the outcome, Hiruzen would have stopped it at the start.

Yet the Daimyo likely knew Shikamo was framed. Why then act against Konoha? Hiruzen took a drag on his pipe, suddenly forming a suspicion. He could not be certain; if true, it would require Danzo’s Root to investigate.

The matter soon concluded. Kahn only spoke one sentence, spending the rest of the time observing those present.

After this incident, Shikamo Hatake’s chances of vying for the Hokage position diminished drastically. Among the remaining contenders, only Tsunade and Kato Dan posed some threat to Orochimaru’s bid.

However, should Orochimaru formally declare his candidacy, Tsunade would likely not compete. Orochimaru was probably next in line after Shizune, and Tsunade had no interest in the Hokage position nor any desire to oppose her brother.

In this light, only Kato Dan remained a competitor. Kahn had considered Namikaze Minato but could not imagine how Minato would compete with Orochimaru.

Just as Kahn planned to discuss this with Orochimaru, he looked up to find a plump, snow-white figure approaching him.

“Hey, it’s been a while. Since when did you become a court noble?” Tsunade suddenly sidled up to Kahn, asking.

“About a few months ago. Have you been so busy you didn’t notice?” Kahn pointed to a newspaper held by a villager on the street. “I founded the Shinobi World Weekly with the Daimyo’s permission. Because of my literary work, he also appointed me as propaganda court noble.”

“I’ve been developing and promoting medical ninjutsu during this time, so... wait, your literary work?” Tsunade suddenly recalled the books Shizune and Kusunoki secretly read. She herself had peeked briefly. Being inexperienced in romance, she nearly wanted to tear the book apart in embarrassment, but recalled it was Shizune’s purchase and carefully returned it to Kusunoki’s drawer.

She hadn’t expected Kahn to write such revealing books—and that the Daimyo liked them too.

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I have over ten books, many with high literary depth.”

Kahn had wanted to mention a few to broaden Tsunade’s horizons but, seeing she lacked any literary sensibility, gave up and asked about other matters.

“Did you come just to confirm this?”

[End of Chapter 114 — Targeting the White Fang]