Naruto: Starting as the Third Hokage with Tears in His Eyes

Chapter 187 Unknown Abnormal Fluctuations

Danzo lowered his voice even further, carrying a chilling, sinister quality.

"A delicious fishhook that they can't refuse and will willingly take the bait."

"What the Cloud Ninja and Mist Ninja want is to become hunters, to capture their prey silently."

"But they don't know."

Danzo Shimura's voice carried a hint of cruel coldness.

"From the moment you step into these waters, the roles of hunter and prey are reversed."

"I guarantee that the so-called vanguard forces of Kirigakure and Kumogakure will feel the warmest welcome from Konoha once they set foot on the shore."

These words, lacking the gentle comfort of Uchiha Kagami, carried a more direct and convincing power.

That was a confidence built on absolute strength and meticulous planning.

Looking at the man before him, at his face as hard as rock, the shock in his heart was beyond words.

He finally understood why the Hokage had sent two commanders with such different personalities.

Lord Uchiha Kagami is like a spring breeze that brings light and hope, soothing hearts and solidifying alliances.

Lord Danzo is a merciless iron blade that protects this light and hope, cutting through all threats.

One bright, one dark; one soft, one hard.

This is Konoha.

Uchiha Kagami spoke at the opportune moment, breaking the silence.

"In short, Ninth Village Chief, rest assured. All you need to do is cooperate with us to set up a barrier and lure us into a trap."

Uzumaki Kyudai let out a long sigh of relief and nodded solemnly once again.

"I'm leaving everything in your care."

After confirming the final plan, the atmosphere in the room finally relaxed completely.

The Ninth Generation Uzumaki seemed to remember something, and a look of confusion appeared on his face.

"Speaking of which, there's another strange thing."

He picked up his teacup and took a small sip.

"Just a few days ago, the wide-area perception barrier we set up on the outermost edge seemed to show a slight abnormal fluctuation."

Uchiha Kagami raised an eyebrow.

"Abnormal fluctuations?"

"Um."

The Ninth Generation Uzumaki tried hard to recall, "According to the clansmen responsible for maintaining the barrier, the feeling... was very peculiar. It was like a small pebble being thrown from an extremely far distance, causing an almost imperceptible ripple on the calm surface of a lake."

"The fluctuation was extremely subtle, appearing and disappearing in an instant. By the time I tried to track and locate it, it had vanished without a trace, as if it had never existed."

He scratched his head and smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

"I then personally inspected the barrier itself and found no signs of damage. In the end, I could only assume it was some kind of rare energy disturbance caused by changes in ocean currents."

After finishing speaking, Ninth Uzumaki looked at the two of them with some uncertainty.

"Looking back now, could it have been a test by the enemy?"

Upon hearing this, Uchiha Kagami fell into thought.

Probing from an extremely distant location?

Is it some kind of long-range reconnaissance ninjutsu from the Hidden Clouds or the Hidden Mist?

Not too possible.

Their fleet is nearby, and Kirigakure's spies have also infiltrated the Land of Whirlpools. Although they have been replaced by Root, the news has never stopped... There's no need to use this method anymore.

Could it be another village? Iwagakure? Sunagakure?

But what is their purpose?

Uchiha Kagami's Sharingan twitched slightly, but he still couldn't figure it out.

"Um..."

He ultimately suppressed his doubts.

Danzo asked directly.

"What is the specific location of the fluctuation? How long does it last? What is its energy intensity?"

The Ninth Generation Uzumaki shook his head, a bitter smile on his face.

"I know nothing. The fluctuation was too weak and too brief to pinpoint. It was like... an illusion."

Danzo frowned.

"Since it cannot be confirmed, let's put it aside for now."

"Compared to this vague feeling, we have a more real and larger enemy to deal with right now."

"Let's focus our attention on the upcoming combined forces of the Cloud Village and the Mist Village."

"……Um."

Uzumaki Kyudai nodded and responded.

"Yes, the ninth village chief."

Uchiha Kagami also softened the sharpness in his eyes and nodded in agreement.

"Danzo is right. Faced with an absolute threat, we must distinguish between primary and secondary issues."

The conversation was drawing to a close.

The Ninth Generation stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.

A cool sea breeze immediately rushed in, dispelling the stuffiness in the room.

He gazed into the distance. Under the moonlight, Wochao Village was tranquil and peaceful, while the distant sea resembled a crouching black beast, deep and mysterious.

"My father, Ashina Uzumaki, said this to me on his deathbed."

The voice of the ninth generation of Uzumaki became somewhat distant.

He said that as long as the whirlpools of the Land of Whirlpools and the leaves of Konoha can still spin and dance together.

"Then, no storm in this world can defeat us."

"Now it seems that my father's last wish has not been in vain."

His voice trembled slightly, a sign of relief after a heavy burden was lifted and boundless anticipation for the future.

Uchiha Kagami walked up to him and patted him on the shoulder.

"Ninth generation village chief".

"We are here to ensure that this belief will continue forever."

"Your father's will has never been extinguished."

Danzo remained seated in the same spot, without moving.

But his usually taut jawline seemed to soften a bit at this moment.

Protect Konoha.

That was his sole purpose for this trip.

The Land of Whirlpools is an integral part of Konoha.

Therefore, protecting this place is protecting Konoha.

The logic is crystal clear.

The night grew deeper and deeper.

On the distant horizon, two fleets silently approached the island.

The ninjas on the ship sharpened their swords, their eyes filled with a thirst for blood and glory.

They are hunters.

The island, with its scattered lights in the night, was, in their eyes, prey about to be divided up.

None of them knew.

On this island, at that perfect landing spot.

A vast net called Despair, woven by Konoha's sharpest roots and most loyal ANBU, has already been cast.

The true hunter has been waiting for a long time.