XIII - The Drums of War
I lifted the cup to my mouth and inhaled the smell of the tea; wispy with a hint of ginger. Just the way I liked it, and oddly enough, the way Danzo liked it. I sat in the vast yard of the Shimura estate, enjoying the moment I was in. It had been three years since I had woken up.
Already, the impact of my very existence had been felt. The Uchiha weren't ostracized from the village, for starters. Konoha's military force had been increased greatly, or at least ROOT's. Our financial network spanned across the Elemental Nations, centering on the sheer amount of revenue entertainment could bring. Undercutting all our competitors, Foundation Press seized control of the literature market in the Land of Fire and Wave, along with holding a strong share in the minor nations. Combined with the sheer number of manuscripts that I possessed as memories, and extensive work by Foo and a special division of ROOT called GHOST, we were able to rapidly flood the lands with the greatest works of Earth.
GHOST was composed of the failures of my cloning project and composed of an army of clerks, writers, and scientists. These children's chakra coils were too damaged by the intensive process, so were unable to cast most jutsu. However, they could still use it for research purposes and were highly intelligent (some weren't, and those were shifted to the manual labor needed for any organization).
Manga, comics, literature. All adapted for new audiences, and did they strike a chord. Everyone was reading them- the Daimyo of Fire had even requested a complete set for his personal use! I smiled at that- at least I had been able to bring some happiness to this world.
The only other major success from the cloning (Project-VENOM) had been Ryujin, Kaito, and Shiro. They were the clones of the Nidaime, the Yondaime, and Izuna Uchiha respectively. Ryujin had been quite easy to work with; he already seemed to view the Leaf as great since his birth and eagerly devoured any information regarding chakra.
A prodigy and researcher with no equal, but a fearless warrior to cap it all off. His aid had been key in visualizing the development of computers. For those of you that don't know, a computer essentially uses a series of input-outputs to generate a result by executing an algorithm.
By inputting a chakra pulse, and then connecting it through a series of seals that performed the functions of calculation necessary for 2D graphics, an interactable genjutsu was cast. In essence, this was the screen and further input could be connected as well.
Our initial prototype was made of gears and water and took up the size of a large room. Think of Charles Babbage's Difference & Analytical Engine. However, by inscribing the seals onto thin filaments of chakra conductive metal and ordering them together, the 'computer' could be miniaturized to the size of a conventional laptop. The language used to store the 'programs' in the Genjutsu was based on JavaScript, the programming language I had been most familiar with in my past life.
Either way, this JavaScript had allowed us to create our own subtype of Fuin, which had formed the basis of all our scientific progress within GHOST. Having a team of nearly 50 researchers working on multiple projects, along with oversight by myself led to the creation of countless new shinobi tools that had been deployed across ROOT's forces.
Even Kakuzu had been amazed by the sheer potential.
However, this new technological revolution had led to a major increase in our usage of chakra metal, whose trade was heavily monitored by the Hidden Villages. The initial supply I had obtained by ROOT forces assaulting missing-nin and looting them, but the method was hardly sustainable. The Land of Wind, Lightning, and Iron were the major producers of the valuable ore, but the closest one to Konoha was Kumo.
Besides, then we could blame the piracy on Kiri. Much of the metal transported across the Kasumi straight was sent to Kumo's allies on the Eastern Island, which was composed of minor nations who lacked resources or were just too weak to face off against the five great nations.
The Land of the Sky & Snow were the primary buyers of Kumo's chakra metal, due to their close proximity to the Land of Lightning, and also to their reliance on it instead of training shinobi.
At least Snow did, as Sky's shinobi force had been decimated in the 2nd Shinobi War, and the country had become a lawless state headed by a rogue shinobi. Kumo was all too friendly with them in exchange for lumber, and Fuin commissions.
That's right. Sky had created a unique sealing system, making use of chakra metal and some other methods I was not interested in. We already had secured samples of it, and it was woefully inefficient in comparison to the Uzu sealing style.
Somehow, Kumo had made it work, and Sky remained a reliable consumer of chakra metal to forge weapons along with seals. And the Kasumi Straight was the cornerstone of this alliance, guarded by the Land of Sky's airships and frequent patrols.
But they were not shinobi, and Kumo had never believed in creating a naval force. Not even Kiri, who relied on summons or expansive water jutsus. None of them had invested in the creation of boats, as a simple fire jutsu was enough to obliterate one.
But I had, and Ryujin was all too ready to lead a new generation of pirates. Once we secured the chakra metal, we could push on to create some truly monstruous machines of war.
In regard to ROOT's main force, I was able to bring our numbers up to 290. Recruiting among orphans and subtle encouragement, along with financial promises had been all I needed to create my elite force. They were not meant to fight solo, no they would fight together. Most of the jutsus and tech given to them helped with silent assassination, or large-scale battles.
I was confident in their ability to take on S-class ninja in a battle of 5 against 1.
As for Kaito and Shiro, I had created them to be the 'light' of ROOT. They would increase my power in Konoha proper, while forming important connections for me to use later on. Kaito was already a Jonin, along with Shiro and Shisui, and the trio had become a powerful team.
Kaito was attracting quite some attention due to his similarities with the Yondaime, similarities which I knew would help him climb the ladder.
As for Shiro, he would soon be assigned a unique mission.
My eyes turned towards the image of a red-haired boy, with a sullen glare and pale complexion, and a smirk danced across my face.
The Sharingan could control a Bijuu, could it not?
'Madara' Uchiha turned his eyes to the Bingo Book in his hand. He only had one goal: to enact the Infinite Tsukuyomi, and create a world of true peace.
He had promised Nagato to create an elite group of missing-nin, to enact their shared dream. And the Bingo Book was the perfect shopping list. He had already marked several ones of interest when he came upon a relatively new one, simply titled Kage.
Shadow? How fitting.
He smirked a little at the title and shifted his attention towards the information. Very little was known, except that the ninja apparently knew over a thousand jutsus. He would accept a mission and complete it; only to be reported dead and then finish another job the next day.
It was vexing, and 'Madara' pursed his lips as he thought over it.
Multiple people?
No... multiple people under the same name.
He only recognized it due to shared experience. This meant that Kage was some form of group, which would no doubt hurt his own ambitions. Either way, Kage was not a truly powerful ninja, and 'Madara' could not see any trouble ever coming from him.
He turned the page and saw the image of the Snake Sannin gazing back at him.
Now that's potential.
I focused slowly, the Sharingan in my right eye weaving an illusion over the unsuspecting guards. My cane tapped on the stone floor as I entered the dark room.
There was naught but silence as I studied the sleeping child, and smirked. A touch of my fingers immobilized her, and dropped her in my bag.
"Wh-!" The voice was interrupted by the red glow of the Copy Wheel Eye as the pitiful ninja was dragged into the depts of sleep. Two masked ninjas appeared before me, and I nodded to them.
All of us are wearing chakra-weave armor, which is constantly circulating unaligned chakra, acting as a secondary chakra system. The perfect defense system against attacks that seeks to target the tenketsus. The two ninjas look identical, the same skull musk adorning their face, and black cloaks wrapping them in the shadow.
My hands twirled around my kunai, and the special Flashbang rendered within. It was a powerful ocular genjutsu that conveyed repeated flashes that could knock out anyone if caught in it for too long.
"Have the others been secured?"
"Yes, Lord Danzo."
I chuckled slowly. "The same overconfidence... that shall be their undoing." I continue, "Bring them all to the ROOT base. The Byakugan has been wasted for too long."
The two disappear into the shadows, and I can't keep the grin of my face. The rest of my new ROOT forces have already combed over the entire estate, taking all those we need.
Kakashi would take time to secure the position of Godaime, and I did not have time if I truly wanted to change Konoha before Orochimaru.
Before Obito. Before Pain.
When the tree grows too tall and blocks the sun, what do we do?
We trim it.
Hiruzen grasped his desk as he gazed at the remainder of the clans of Konoha. The Hyuga had disappeared overnight, and the remaining clans' bank accounts had been drained.
All except the Uchiha, who help large swathes of land across the Land of Fire and had suspiciously invested in several new businesses across the past few weeks.
After this meeting, they would have another meeting with the Jonin to figure out a way forward.
"Hokage-sama! You have to understand, all of our clan's fortunes are gone!" Inoichi looked towards him, and Hiruzen could feel the frustration radiating of him.
And Hiruzen was damn tired of it. The Hyuga had disappeared, and they cared about some stupid clan inheritance? "Do you not have your own finances?"
At the young man's nod, Hiruzen said, "Then shut your mouth. If there are orphans within your clan, Konoha shall deal with them."
"But-"
Slamming his fist into the desk, Hiruzen thundered, "Damm your clan secrets! You do not have any blood limits, so what is the point, Inoichi!"
Spit flew from his mouth, and a strange quiet descended on the room. "The Hyuga are missing. Their compound was infiltrated, and all of their members were defeated. This after the Kumo incident!"
"At the same time, all of your central Ryo accounts were cancelled due to robberies from Konoha's central banks, and your bank accounts alone!"
The leaders turned their heads down in shame, while Danzo emerged from the shadows. Hiruzen sighed, perhaps he had learned something? Compared to this incompetence and constant arguing, at least his old friend delivered results.
"ROOT has discovered the perpetrator of these crimes." The Elder's tone was dead serious, and Hiruzen drew back his breath. "It was Orochimaru, working together with a man who called himself 'Madara Uchiha'."
No one responded, and Hiruzen buried his head in his hands. He had witnessed the sheer power of the 'Ghost of the Uchiha' and if he was working (how was he alive even? But Minato had mentioned his name while dying, hadn't he?) with his old student...
He always had a fascination with blood limits, didn't he?
"How do you know this?" The silence was broken by Fugaku, who appeared quite pale.
Danzo raised his hand, before speaking. "Neji Hyuga was the only survivor."
At this, the volume of the room rose to a crescendo once more, and the Shinobi no Yami spoke once more.
"My men were able to rescue him from the clutches of the snake, and it appears as Orochimaru left him behind as some kind of cruel joke." His hand parted, and Hiruzen could see the boy. His black hair was unkempt, and he looked in a perpetual state of shock. By his side was a ROOT agent, wearing the Fox mask.
"Speak, child."
The boy nodded his head slowly, his mouth wobbled as he spoke. "That snake- he killed all of them! He killed them, father & mother &-"
Danzo nodded before the boy broke out crying again, and the Fox ANBU disappeared, back to the hospital.
"There was no blood at the estate." Hiruzen pointed out.
"We all know the power of Genjutsu, and if he had the assistance of Madara Uchiha, the same man who released the Kyuubi..."
The grim truth was laid bare, and the old Kage wished that Minato was here instead of him. "The power of the Hyuga will be turned against us."
Danzo slammed his cane onto the ground. "It is clear what we should do. Konoha must militarize! We must go to war against this scum!"
Hiruzen pondered it, but Shikaku interrupted him. "And where and who would we fight, Lord Shimura?"
A gleam shown in his old friend's eyes as he spoke. "He has founded a ninja village in the Land of Rice. His crimes against the Leaf are numerous, and it is time to punish him."
Hiruzen wanted to say no. To try to have peace, to find another solution. But he thought of all the violence wrought by the Kyuubi. If his wayward pupil was involved in that as well...
There was only one choice. "Danzo, I give you full authority in this operation. Find and kill Orochimaru, and recover the Hyuga clan. The full might of the Village Hidden in the Leaves is at your disposal."
Danzo smiled as he nodded his head, and Hiruzen gazed at the quiet within the rest of the room. "To the rest of you, divert all your orphans to Konoha's general system if you cannot take care of them. If any of you object to this way forward, you are free to challenge me." He turned away, and sighed. He would have to call Jiraiya as well, if they were dealing with Orochimaru.
No one responded, for what could they do against a God?
But there is something that everyone could see- the shadow of this almighty warrior. For in this moment, he stood in the light, triumphant.
The Wolf would slay the Snake and ascend to the title of Fire Shadow.
The concessions to the Uchiha, their shared plans.
His blind eye to Jin's meeting with Tenzo.
Kaito and Shiro's rise through the ranks.
And most importantly, the war machine he had constructed.
Through this next battle, the next generation of Legends would emerge.
And at their head would be the Darkness of the Shinobi.
Everything hidden in the shadows finally returned to the light.