Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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Of course, it was impossible for Danzō to confront the Raikage directly in the Land of Earth. As the head of the Foundation, he instinctively avoided such perilous situations.

For this mission, Muzan led a group of Konoha shinobi, alongside Kitsuchi from Iwagakure. Meanwhile, Danzō ordered Orochimaru to gather forces from the Land of Wind to launch a pincer attack.

"For the next phase, Hizashi, return to Konoha," Muzan commanded.

Though Danzō had departed, Muzan still held significant authority over the remaining forces.

Hyūga Hizashi, now a vampiric entity, needed to remain isolated. Due to Muzan's connection with Orochimaru, should the latter's treachery and human experiments be exposed, Muzan would be implicated as a co-conspirator.

At this point, all communication with Konoha had been severed. As a member of the Hyūga clan, Hizashi could still serve Muzan by gathering crucial intelligence.

"Do not reveal your vampiric nature when you return," Muzan instructed. "Instead, focus on refining your techniques. I expect your abilities to evolve beyond mere bloodlust."

"As for the Twelve Kizuki, I will explain their purpose to you once the war is over."

Muzan glanced at Hizashi, noting that his appearance remained mostly unchanged. However, Hizashi remarked that his Byakugan had transformed slightly, hinting at new abilities awakening alongside his vampiric nature.

"Understood, Muzan-sama," Hizashi replied. He had fully embraced his new identity. Escaping the curse of the Caged Bird Seal had been his deepest desire, and vampirism offered him the power to defy his fate.

Hizashi yearned to return to Konoha and liberate the Hyūga branch family from oppression. He would no longer be a pawn of the main house, nor would he allow himself to be subjugated again.

Following the plan, Muzan and the Iwagakure forces pressed forward, tensions palpable between them. Kitsuchi, who led them through the Land of Earth, kept his distance from Muzan, as did the other Iwa-nin. They had been enemies not long ago, and the bloodshed on both sides had left deep scars.

The group under Muzan's command could only be considered a vanguard. The true mobilization of forces was orchestrated by the Nara clan's tacticians—something even Danzō couldn't control.

Coordinating shinobi troops was a delicate task, especially when entering enemy territory. If Ōnoki were to betray Konoha, it would spell disaster.

Kitsuchi remained in constant contact with his father, Tsuchikage Ōnoki, receiving updates on the Raikage's movements. He understood that if the Raikage fell in the Land of Earth, Kumogakure would be thrown into chaos—a devastating blow to the Hidden Cloud, especially with their mounting losses on the battlefield.

However, Kitsuchi's thoughts were elsewhere. He knew that Muzan's growing power posed a threat to Iwagakure. Even though they were allies now, future conflict seemed inevitable. Quietly, Kitsuchi devised a plan to eliminate Muzan, though he knew it would have to be carried out by a Kumo shinobi or the Raikage himself.

The silence between the two factions was tense, distrust running deep.

As Konoha's commander on this mission, Muzan kept his distance from the Iwa-nin. His primary concern was the potential losses they would suffer if they clashed with the Raikage, as well as the risk of betrayal from Iwagakure.

"Commander Muzan, there was a minor skirmish within the team," reported one of the Konoha shinobi, nursing a few shallow cuts. He seemed unbothered by his wounds. "I intervened, but the Iwa-nin remain hostile."

Muzan's eyes swept over the group, his gaze sharp. This was no surprise to him; he had anticipated such tensions before the mission began.

"I will speak to Kitsuchi, but if we encounter the Kumo-nin, do not engage unless ordered. Understood?"

The shinobi nodded, fully aware of the implied command: they would not be sacrificed as pawns.

Muzan approached Kitsuchi, who had noticed the commotion but ignored it. He knew wartime grudges didn't disappear overnight, but Muzan's presence made him uneasy.

"Hatake's brat," Kitsuchi muttered under his breath. Muzan's calm, deliberate steps hinted that he wouldn't allow any reckless actions that could jeopardize the mission.

"What do you want?" Kitsuchi asked bluntly.

"I'm here to remind you to keep your Iwa-nin in check," Muzan replied coldly. "If a conflict breaks out between us before we face the Kumo-nin, neither side will benefit."

Muzan's words hung in the air, his unspoken threat clear. His fingers mimicked a throat-slitting gesture, reinforcing his message: he would not hesitate to eliminate any threat, even supposed allies.

Nearby Iwa-nin bristled at the threat. One stepped forward aggressively. "Watch your mouth, boy! This is the Land of Earth, and you're in no position to give orders."

"Calm down," Kitsuchi commanded, stepping in to defuse the situation. Despite his misgivings about the Konoha shinobi, he knew that a breakdown in their alliance would ruin the mission. "I'll keep them in line, but you have to agree to something."

Kitsuchi locked eyes with Muzan. "We're allies for now, which means when we face the Kumo-nin, we fight together. And if any of our shinobi are injured, you will treat them. Regardless of our differences, the wounded must be healed."

Kitsuchi knew of Muzan's talents as a medical-nin and was not too proud to seek his help if it meant saving lives. Besides, he needed Muzan on the frontlines to execute his plan.

"Agreed," Muzan responded, sensing Kitsuchi's ulterior motives but choosing not to confront him. He had his own plans for the upcoming battle. As night fell, Muzan tended to the injured and prepared for the coming conflict.

On the other side, Orochimaru received the same news. After hearing Danzō's words, a cold smile crept across his face. His eyes, sharp and calculating like a serpent's, followed Danzō's retreating figure. He muttered under his breath, "Konoha is truly rotten to its core."

He no longer felt any attachment to the village. The only thing Konoha could still offer him was the resources and materials necessary for his experiments.

"Perhaps when I leave, Muzan will follow," he mused.

For now, though, he needed to follow Danzō's orders. Orochimaru's gaze shifted to Namikaze Minato, who stood nearby. His injuries from the recent battle were already healed after a few days of rest.

Minato was to lead this mission. His speed and jutsu made him well-suited to confront the Third Raikage. Even if he couldn't defeat the Raikage outright, Minato could stall him long enough for the Kumo forces to be eliminated.

Orochimaru wasn't personally invested in the battle. He was content to let others handle it. As he reviewed the map in his hands, he could see the war was nearing its end. Once the Kumo squad was destroyed in the Land of Earth, a brief lull would settle across the nations. After all, it was the Third Raikage who had dragged the world into the Third Great Ninja War.

The instigator had to be eliminated.

Tracking Raikage's movements wasn't difficult. Orochimaru had sent scouts ahead to trail the Kumo forces as they retreated through the Land of Earth. Initially, the scouts were meant to prevent a counterattack, but now they were following the enemy to strike at the right moment.

Muzan had already reached the designated ambush point. According to the map and the Tsuchikage's instructions, this was the route Raikage's forces would take. The plan was not to engage head-on but to use the terrain as an advantage. This was Iwagakure territory, and the Earth Release ninjas were masters of their domain.

Even a warrior as formidable as the Raikage would be vulnerable here.

Konoha forces were tasked with laying explosive tags throughout the area. The terrain was hilly but not overly steep. Should the Kumo forces try to escape quickly, they would be forced to pass through a narrow valley.

That valley was the key target for the ambush.

Explosive tags were also planted halfway up the hills, while Iwa-nin had already secured the high ground. Any jutsu fired upward from below would be at a disadvantage, giving Iwagakure a significant edge.

"According to the plan, this area will soon be a battlefield," said Kitsuchi, son of the Tsuchikage, after positioning his forces. He glanced at Muzan, who stood silently by his side. "Our agreement was that you would treat the wounded as soon as the fighting begins."

"I don't need reminders," Muzan replied coolly.

He had his own reasons for being there. Nightfall would bring him strength, and Muzan had his eyes set on the Third Raikage. While Raikage's immense willpower might shield him from Muzan's influence, his physical body was still a target. Muzan would claim it one way or another.

The Konoha and Iwagakure forces maintained their distance from each other. Any skirmish between them could ruin the entire operation.

Everything was in place. Now, all they had to do was wait for the Raikage to take the bait.

The Kumo forces were as cautious as expected. The Raikage led them carefully through the Land of Earth, aware that the Tsuchikage had likely turned on their prior agreement. Despite the alliance that had allowed them to attack the Land of Wind, betrayal was now inevitable.

The Raikage had been traveling for days. Though physically unscathed, the journey had taken a mental toll on him. His instincts screamed danger as they entered the mountainous terrain.

"Everyone, stay alert!" Raikage ordered, his sharp senses picking up on the impending threat.

His soldiers brandished their weapons, scanning the surrounding hills. Though they saw nothing unusual, they trusted their leader's instincts. In Kumogakure, the strongest ruled, and the Raikage was undoubtedly the strongest.

The mountains ahead looked ordinary, but Raikage wasn't fooled. Changing course would delay them, and time wasn't on their side.

"Curse that Ōnoki. He's betrayed us," Raikage muttered.

With no choice but to continue, Raikage devised a plan. He sent one-third of his troops ahead while he remained behind to guard the rest. If an ambush occurred, the remaining forces could provide support and prevent a complete massacre.

From his vantage point atop the mountain, Muzan watched the scene below. Though he couldn't hear Raikage's orders, he saw the Kumo forces split and advance cautiously.

"Interesting. I thought he was a brute, but it seems he's smarter than that," Muzan observed.

Raikage's cautious advance gave Muzan an opportunity. If they struck too early, survivors would return to Kumogakure and expose Iwa's betrayal. Muzan wanted the Raikage's wrath to fall squarely on Iwagakure, shifting blame away from Konoha.

He glanced at the Konoha forces, who had positioned themselves at the rear. Clearly, they weren't eager to engage first. Kitsuchi appeared impatient, but Muzan leaned in and whispered, "Our Konoha reinforcements should arrive soon. Even if we let part of the force escape, two-thirds will remain. You don't want to take unnecessary risks, fighting Kumo head-on, do you?"

Muzan's words calmed Kitsuchi, who realized Muzan was thinking beyond the immediate battle.

Some strategize for today, but the wise plan for tomorrow.

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