Chapter 62 63 64 Hatake Tatsuya in Naruto (Patreon)

"Kakashi, Obito, Kurenai, and Shizune, you must exercise caution on the battlefield."

After Rin bid farewell to her classmates by waving them goodbye, she followed Tatsuya's lead and left.

Obito's gaze remained fixed on Rin, who was trailing Tatsuya. He observed her closely, his thoughts unspoken.

"Why does Rin only follow him? Can't she go somewhere else? It's puzzling. Could it be that Tatsuya-san has feelings for Rin?"

"That's quite an exaggeration, isn't it? You fool."

Kakashi couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in response. Both Kakashi and Obito were wary of their uncle's antics. A 20-year age difference makes the idea seem impossible.

However, Kakashi suddenly noticed Kurenai's sour expression beside him, causing him to inhale sharply.

It seemed as though the impossible wasn't entirely out of the question.

As Tatsuya and Tsunade's team headed in different directions, White Zetsu stealthily emerged from a corner of the Konoha wall.

Observing Rin and Obito vanishing into the distance as tiny figures, White Zetsu muttered to himself in distress:

"Things aren't going well; I better report back to Madara."

...

...

Several days later, Sarutobi Hiruzen, in the village, received a message.

The Konoha reinforcements, led by Minato and Tsunade, had successfully reached the military camp of the Sand Shinobi stationed in the northern Kingdom of Wind.

Upon arrival, they immediately joined forces with the Sand Shinobi and engaged in battle against the Cloud Shinobi.

However, the outcome was unexpected.

Even the highly anticipated Namikaze Minato, the designated Fourth Hokage, had been defeated by the Third Raikage.

"Should we send more reinforcements, Master Hokage?" inquired Hokage's Chief Aide Nara Shikaku, seeking guidance.

"...No need."

The look of consternation on Sarutobi Hiruzen's face swiftly vanished as he calmly responded:

"We've already extended our benevolence with this level of reinforcement. There's no need to commit excessive combat strength to Sunagakure."

Despite forming an alliance with the Sand Shinobi, Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't ready to aid them fully in this battle.

He would provide some support, but not enough to jeopardize Konoha's interests. If their forces suffered a loss, he intended for Namikaze Minato and his team to withdraw promptly.

Sarutobi Hiruzen didn't care much about the Cloud Shinobi's actions in the Kingdom of Wind, as long as they didn't directly affect Konoha's objectives.

"Cloud Shinobi's target probably isn't the Sand Shinobi," Nara Shikaku thought to himself, sweat forming on his forehead.

Though lacking Tatsuya's extraordinary perspective, Shikaku's keen mind allowed him to perceive that the Cloud Shinobi's assault on the Sungakure was suspicious.

It didn't make sense for the Cloud Shinobis to avoid a clash with the prosperous neighboring Konoha and instead target the weaker and a land entirely full of desert Sungakure.

Recalling the whispered warning he received from Tatsuya the day before--"Don't speak about things you shouldn't"-- Shikaku quelled the urge to voice his suspicions.

He had a vague idea of Tatsuya's intentions, which led him to have a long discussion with his close friends Inoichi and Choza that lasted through the night.

They collectively decided to maintain a neutral stance and avoid entanglement in this affair.

They couldn't afford to offend either Hiruzen, the cunning strategist who could eliminate the Senju clan, or Hatake Tatsuya, who could infiltrate enemy villages and kill their Kage-level Shinobi.

Their strategy was to stay low and avoid making enemies.

...

...

"As expected," Tatsuya muttered to himself upon receiving news of Namikaze Minato's initial defeat. Several days had elapsed since the battle had taken place.

Unlike Sarutobi Hiruzen's well-established intelligence network, Tatsuya had not requested Tsunade to send him updates daily.

Such constant updates weren't necessary, for once he learned of a matter, most of the villagers would likely already be aware of it.

Upon hearing this news, Tatsuya's expression remained impassive, showing no signs of surprise. The title of the Third Hokage as the "strongest" seemed to be an exaggeration at best.

On the other hand, the Third Raikage's claim to being the "strongest" was well-founded, with his unbreakable defense even resisting Minato's famed Rasengan.

Though Minato had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique, his most potent offensive technique was the Big Ball Rasengan.

It wouldn't be easy to breach the Third Raikage's Lightning Style Chakra Mode. In the 4th Ninja war if Minato didn't have Kurama's Chakra he would be as useful as Hiruzen.

"Is the Third Raikage really that formidable? What a pity," Tatsuya mused, a tinge of disappointment in his voice.

He recalled that in the original storyline, Naruto had managed to defeat the Third Raikage, albeit with some luck and assistance.

Furthermore, the Impure World Reincarnation might not have showcased the Third Raikage's true capabilities during his lifetime.

Tatsuya was eager to challenge the Third Raikage's seemingly invincible defense with his sword.

"Master Tatsuya, have some oranges," Rin offered, interrupting his thoughts.

Tatsuya glanced at the orange with its peel still on. "Aren't you going to peel it?"

Rin's eyes widened at the suggestion. Peel it? Did he actually expect her to do that? Suppressing her annoyance, Rin began to peel the orange as elegantly as possible.

Before she could finish, an afterimage appeared beside Tatsuya.

"Tatsuya, there's an urgent matter."

Sakumo's serious expression caught Tatsuya's attention.

"Let's go then," Tatsuya said with a slight smile, as Rin, her half-peeled orange forgotten, trailed closely behind him.

"Is it the A-B Combo?" Tatsuya asked Sakumo as they made their way through the village.

"Yes, A and Killer B are launching a rather aggressive attack, deploying five thousand troops in the vanguard alone," Sakumo confirmed. "Your ability to see through their plans is becoming quite frightening, Tatsuya."

Tatsuya responded with a light chuckle, not offering a direct answer. He wasn't the type to rely solely on intellect, unlike the Nara clan.

His ability to discern the Cloud Shinobi's true target resulted from his understanding of their personalities.

Indeed, character shapes destiny. Tatsuya continued, "Let them witness the true power of the most formidable ninja combination currently alive. But perhaps you won't even be necessary; I might be enough to handle them all."

Sakumo cautioned, "Underestimating the enemy can lead to significant losses."

Tatsuya acknowledged the advice with a nod.

"Tsunade's willingness to proactively engage on the battlefield is undoubtedly commendable. However, it's precisely due to this that her continued dedication to Konoha after that incident raises concerns and appears rather perplexing. What's even more troubling is Hatake Tatsuya's willingness to comply with Konoha's orders and head to the frontlines. You must have sensed the peculiarity, right, Hiruzen?"

Within the administrative building, in the elders' meeting room, Danzo was directing his inquiries at his old friend Hiruzen.

The Cloud Shinobi army, led by the future Fourth Raikage A and the Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails, Killer B, was closing in on Konoha.

Given the circumstances, it seemed reasonable that Konoha had been left with only Sarutobi Hiruzen, a Kage-level ninja, to face this impending threat. This also addressed the very concerns that Danzo was vocalizing.

These uncertainties voiced by Danzo were exactly the concerns that weighed heavily on Hiruzen's mind. After all, Hiruzen wasn't naive.

Mutual forgiveness between two parties, especially when they have had disagreements, might be difficult to achieve. How could such a relationship remain so cooperative and harmonious?

Hatake Tatsuya and Tsunade were two individuals who were unlikely to easily comply with his directives. Yet, they had chosen to step forward voluntarily and join the front lines.

To most, this might seem like a positive development. With two Kage-level fighters, including one renowned as the "Best Medical Shinobi in the World," it could significantly boost Konoha's chances of victory in the upcoming war.

However, this was just the viewpoint of the ninja community. The perspective of the elder council, a group with a deep political understanding, was far more complex.

Their line of thinking was: Why have Tatsuya and Tsunade taken this course of action? What underlying motivations are at play here?

"If the current situation of the war persists, Tsunade's continuous accomplishments in the second and third Great Ninja Wars will undoubtedly make her the natural successor to the title of Fourth Hokage. Furthermore, considering her lineage as the granddaughter of the First Hokage, her claim would be nearly irrefutable," Utatane Koharu's gaze turned icy.

"Didn't Tsunade explicitly state her disinterest in the Hokage position?" Mitokado Homura inquired through gritted teeth. However, his tone carried more of a self-reassuring sentiment than a genuine question.

The expressions of the other three elders present underwent a sudden change.

Recalling their actions during the latter stages of the Second Ninja War against the Senju clan, it wasn't hard to imagine the potential consequences if Tsunade indeed ascended to a higher rank.

"Let's not forget, there's Hatake Tatsuya by her side," Utatane Koharu's voice turned even colder. "He has caused quite a few disturbances, hasn't he?"

"What if the old man isn't around anymore?" Sarutobi Hiruzen's demeanor was somber.

Despite being well into his fifties, he had sensed a significant decline in his combat capabilities over the past two years. Yet, he continued to hold the title of Hokage.

As long as he remained alive, would those brats dare to act recklessly?

"He dared to take your son's life; do you think he wouldn't dare to do more?" Shimura Danzo scoffed with a sneer.

Indeed, in high-ranking circles, it had become an accepted belief that Tatsuya was responsible for the death of Sarutobi Shinnosuke. This conclusion was reached due to the many doubts surrounding the incident and its uncanny timing. While evidence was lacking, Tatsuya's strength deterred them from precipitous actions.

Nonetheless, the consensus remained that Tatsuya was responsible for Shinnosuke's death.

"If he can eliminate one of your own, can't he eliminate more?" Danzo further goaded, emphasizing the irony.

Tatsuya's purpose was quite evident—gaining recognition and solidifying his and Tsunade's positions in the village. But Danzo cautioned against offering him such an opportunity.

If Tsunade had already tasted success on the battlefield, and with Sarutobi Hiruzen seated in the Hokage's chair, she would be reluctant to seize the position overtly. After all, the granddaughter of the First Hokage had an image to uphold.

Yet, if an opportunity arose to eliminate potential problems permanently, it would be ideal.

...

...

"As all of you are aware, A, the son of the Third Raikage, along with Killer B, the Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails, are leading a vanguard of 5,000 Cloud Shinobi. They are swiftly approaching the northern border of the Fire Country," Sarutobi Hiruzen addressed the room from his main seat.

The large conference room was abuzz with tension and anticipation.

"Clearly, the Third Raikage's earlier invasion of the Sungakure was nothing more than a diversion. Their true objective is our Nation of Fire."

"If only we had detected this earlier, we wouldn't be in this predicament," Nawaki said, his frustration palpable.

Though only a Chunin, Nawaki, the head of the Senju clan, contributed his thoughts to the conversation. Yet, he sensed Tatsuya's intentions and chose to refrain from speaking too much.

Despite that, Nawaki's presence next to Tatsuya was enough to convey his sentiment.

"Daimyo's orders have been received. We must mobilize our forces immediately for defense," Utatane Koharu shifted gears and took out a list, her tone more decisive. "Send a contingent of 5,000 ninjas to engage the enemy at the frontlines. The commander-in-chief will be Shimura Danzo and the deputy commander-in-chief will be—"

"Spurt!"

Tatsuya, in the act of sipping tea, nearly choked upon hearing the announcement. His reaction instantly captured everyone's attention.

"Excuse me," Tatsuya managed, suppressing his smile. His mirth, however, proved uncontrollable as his amusement danced across his features.

Meanwhile, Nawaki, standing beside him, seemed to articulate Tatsuya's amusement first through a subtle play.

"Is Danzo really suited for the role of commander-in-chief?" Nawaki questioned casually.

"What do you mean?" Danzo retorted, his expression cold.

The tone of his response was loaded with indignation. He had believed that Nawaki, a mere Chunin, and grandson of Tobirama, was hardly in a position to challenge his authority.

"No, no. I simply believe that while Master Danzo excels at strategies and cunning, the battlefield may require a different set of skills," Nawaki's grin held a distinct twist.

"What nonsense! I was part of the First Ninja War—"

"In the First Ninja War, weren't you primarily following in the footsteps of my grandfather Tobirama? And as for the Second Ninja War, you hardly engaged in direct combat, did you?" Nawaki's series of rhetorical questions left Danzo grasping for a defense.

In the First War, their presence was secondary, while Tobirama shouldered the primary responsibility. The Second War had seen Konoha deploy a formidable force that rendered the likes of Danzo's participation unnecessary.

As the patriarchs of the Hyuga, Nara, and Yamanaka clans exchanged glances, they realized the truth in Nawaki's remarks. They had noticed that the four members of the elder council were not exactly renowned for their frontline battlefield contributions.

"Alright, Nawaki, that's enough," Tatsuya intervened, halting Nawaki's volley of statements.

The sudden interruption from Tatsuya caught the elder council members off guard. Was this kid attempting to advocate for himself?

"But perhaps it would be wiser for Master Danzo to remain in a support role in the rear. Your presence might be rather conspicuous on the frontline," Tatsuya's attempt to suppress his smile wasn't entirely successful.

Nonetheless, Nawaki had already given voice to the thoughts that echoed within Tatsuya's own mind.

"But Master Danzo should consider remaining in the rear; your presence might prove rather...distracting on the battlefield."

Tatsuya's remark nearly caused the group of four, including Sarutobi Hiruzen, to choke on their own saliva.

They had anticipated that Tatsuya might have turned against them and were surprised that he seemingly sided with their arguments. However, when he spoke, it was as if he was following a recipe that he knew by heart.

Tatsuya pondered for a moment. In truth, many people often said that the elders had never taken part in the entire duration of the Ninja World Wars, which was somewhat misleading.

At the very least, according to the original storyline, when Yahiko died, wasn't that the reason Nagato and Konan took the paths they did?

Although the elders might not have seen much action directly, wasn't there still their share? But no matter how unexpected the situation was, Danzo's appointment as the commander was still intact.

The elders had truly outdone themselves, hadn't they?

"Master Hokage, we also believe that Master Danzo... well, he might not be the best choice, right?"

After a lengthy pause, Shikaku couldn't help but raise his hand in objection.

After all, they were headed for a battlefield.

Choosing an inadequate leader could potentially drain the three forces' energy and result in a loss. Hadn't the Senju clan suffered a major setback in the penultimate year of the Second Ninja War due to Danzo's leadership?

They were wary of making the same mistake as the Senju clan.

Danzo's expression turned darker than a pot's bottom. He had not expected these heads of prominent ninja clans to openly challenge him in this manner, one after the other.

Mentally, he began jotting down names in his little black book, noting down his grievances for future reference.

"This decision was reached after a thorough examination by our council of elders," Mitokado Homura stated, attempting to pacify the growing tension.

"Rest assured that everything we do is grounded in the best interests of Konoha."

Of course, one couldn't dismiss the idea that Danzo's appointment as commander-in-chief was an attempt to curtail Tatsuya's potential successes on the battlefield. However, the elders would never openly admit that they were trying to suppress him by placing Danzo in charge.

"In that case, why hasn't Hokage-sama himself go to the battlefield? In terms of strength, you should be more powerful. Otherwise, why did Grandpa Tobirama pick you instead of Danzo? Why?"

Nawaki was at it again, provocatively adding fuel to the fire.

In an instant, Danzo's eyes widened as if they were about to combust. The resentment in his eyes was palpable, and his gaze bore into Sarutobi Hiruzen with an intensity that radiated hatred.

Back then, his momentary hesitation had led to Tobirama choosing Hiruzen over him.

The pain still seared him.

...

This kid has an uncanny knack for opening old wounds, doesn't he? Danzo sent him a look dripping with malice. Following his internal tirade, Sarutobi Hiruzen coughed and intervened, "As representatives of our village, it's important not to leave unless absolutely necessary. It's a matter of Konoha's security."

Baloney! Wasn't the Third Raikage also the leader of the Kumo?

Wasn't he the first to lead the charge on the battlefield?

Nawaki practically wanted to jump up in frustration, exclaiming, "I've never encountered someone so shameless!"

Yet, Tatsuya was quicker on the draw, gently pulling Nawaki a step backward.

"There's a lot that doesn't need to be said," Tatsuya calmly interjected. He understood that Nawaki's antics were futile. If they despised each other so vehemently, they could always settle their differences through actions.

"Let's continue with the list."

After several interruptions, Utatane Koharu finally had the chance to speak again:

"Deputy Commander Nara Shikaku, Captain Hyuga Hiashi of Unit 1, Unit 2..."

One by one, Utatane Koharu announced the names of those appointed.

Tatsuya's name didn't receive any specific military role, but he wasn't particularly concerned. He wasn't particularly skilled in commanding, and being included in the deployed personnel was sufficient recognition.

However, what shocked everyone was that Hatake Sakumo, "Konoha's White Fang," was not on the list.

"Hokage-sama, why isn't Master Sakumo included?" Shikaku questioned after a considerable pause.

"At present, we don't know how Kirigakure and Iwagakure will act. We cannot commit all our high-ranking combat forces against Cloud Shinobi Village all at once," Sarutobi Hiruzen replied truthfully.

However, this wasn't the whole truth. The other half of the reason was to separate Tatsuya and Hatake Sakumo. To minimize the threat.

"Can you think of a way to eliminate the old coot while he's away at war?"

"While this kid is separated from the Sakumo, is there a chance to dispose of him?"

In this moment, both Tatsuya and Danzo harbored strikingly similar thoughts.

They both wished to exploit this opportunity to leave Konoha, each aiming to eliminate the other.

After all, during the chaos of war, should they manage to eliminate their adversary, it would be simple enough to shift the blame onto Cloud Shinobi.

Besides, Tatsuya had successfully done this once before with Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

As for Danzo, who knew how many times he had employed this tactic?

...

...

The Cloud Shinobi army, led by A and Killer B, edged ever closer to the northern borders of the Country of Fire.

Time was not on their side.

In the span of a single day and night, Konoha had managed to mobilize 5,000 troops for defense. There was no time to spare, and the forces set out immediately.

"Master Tatsuya, be wary of Shimura Danzo; my parents were..." Nawaki whispered, accompanying Tatsuya as he departed. He discreetly gestured towards the forefront of the troops where Danzo, dressed in standard Konoha Shinobi attire, was located.

"The old schemer is truly a master of manipulation and treachery. It's fascinating to see how some old bachelors can rank in the top five."

Tatsuya couldn't help but spare a glance at Danzo, responding to Nawaki.

Even with the perspective of a god, Tatsuya believed that, in the Hokage world, the elders could give Danzo a run for his money in the art of manipulation. Within this group, perhaps only Obito Blacken, Uchiha Madara, and Black Zetsu were more adept.

In the next breath, Tatsuya turned with a faint smile.

"Yet, he consistently overestimates himself."

In the original storyline, Danzo perpetually believed himself to be the chosen one destined to usher in change within the ninja world. Little did he know that he was nothing more than a pawn in a grander scheme.

"Are you considering killing him?" Sakumo inquired in a hushed tone, seizing an opportune moment when the others weren't paying attention.

He already knew of Tatsuya's involvement in Sarutobi Shinnosuke's death.

Moreover, he saw the striking similarities in Tatsuya's departure to the northern front alongside Danzo. It was hard for Sakumo to imagine that history wouldn't repeat itself.

"The old coot likely harbors the same idea; it all comes down to who seizes the chance first."

Tatsuya was under no illusion. The elders' sudden decision to march to the battlefield was undoubtedly tinged with ulterior motives. He recognized that this was his opportunity as well.