Naruto: Tenseigan Eye

The tension within Konoha was palpable. The Cloud Village, narrowly holding the line against the Rock Village, had received word from Konoha that the village was mobilizing its forces. Relieved, the Third Raikage could now focus on the real threat—the Rock Village.

Though Cloud's skirmishes with the Mist Village continued, the battles were limited in scope, largely due to the logistical challenges of naval warfare. The Third Raikage was satisfied with this stalemate, as it allowed him to divert more attention to the land front against Onoki's forces.

Internal Crisis Deepens

While preparations for war progressed, the scandal surrounding the Third Hokage's misappropriation of funds cast a long shadow over Konoha. The damage to his reputation was immense, and whispers of his wrongdoing continued to spread, even as ninja forces began mobilizing to the Land of Grass.

The villagers, while reluctantly supportive of the war effort, demanded answers. Many called for transparency regarding the embezzled funds, but the Third Hokage couldn't afford to disclose the extent of his misdeeds. The amount was staggering, having been funneled to elevate the Sarutobi and Shimura clans to rival the Uchiha and Hyuga.

The Battlefield of the Land of Grass

Under Sand Village's proposal, the Land of Grass was chosen as the staging ground for the three-way conflict between Konoha, Sand Village, and the Rock Village. The choice was strategic: the Land of Grass had been subjugated repeatedly by its larger neighbors, making it an ideal battleground with minimal resistance.

Mitokado Homura, appointed as commander-in-chief, led Konoha's forces toward the Land of Grass to coordinate with the Sand Village's troops.

Back in Konoha, however, the Hokage's office was embroiled in damage control.

A Frustrating Investigation

"Shinki, has there been any progress with the ANBU?" the Third Hokage asked, his voice strained. Exhaustion was etched into his face.

Shinki leaned back in his chair, his tone measured. "Some progress. What about the Hokage Guard and the Police Department?"

Utatane Koharu forced a smile that barely concealed her anxiety. "No progress. The clues have all gone cold."

Despite their combined efforts, the investigation had hit a dead end. The culprits had clearly anticipated being tracked, leaving no traceable leads.

The Hokage Guard and Police Department struggled to piece together any evidence. Intelligence collection took time—time the Third Hokage didn't have.

"Who's responsible?" Tsunade asked, cutting through the tension.

Shinki hesitated, his gaze shifting between Tsunade's curious expression and the Hokage's grim determination.

"Let's stop here," he said finally, his voice calm but resolute.

A Shocking Suggestion

"Stop here?"

The room fell silent.

Koharu's expression darkened, disbelief flashing in her eyes. "We can't just stop here! The villagers demand answers!"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, her thoughts racing. Shinki's words carried weight, suggesting that further digging might do more harm than good. But why?

"Do you think the villagers truly want answers about the accounts?" Shinki asked, his voice low. "Or are they being stirred up by those who know they can't afford to let the truth surface?"

Koharu's lips tightened. It wasn't just about satisfying the villagers—there was a greater threat lurking behind the scenes.

A Realization

Tsunade's mind churned. The Third Hokage had previously speculated that the scandal was orchestrated by someone with insider knowledge, someone close to Konoha's leadership. The details of the financial discrepancies weren't easy to uncover, even for external enemies.

Her gaze snapped to Shinki, her voice steady but tinged with suspicion. "Are you saying this might involve the Daimyo's court?"

Shinki didn't respond directly, but his silence spoke volumes.

If the Daimyo's court was involved, pressing the investigation further could jeopardize more than just the Hokage's position—it could destabilize Konoha's relationship with the Fire Daimyo.

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[Naruto: Maelstrom Of the Uzumaki]