NARUTO: SECOND GOD OF SHINOBI

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In the war chamber of Sunagakure, the Third Kazekage stood resolutely behind a large stone table, surrounded by his advisors, Chiyo and Ebizo.

The air was tense, thick with the weight of their decision. The Kazekage's sharp, calculating gaze lingered on the proposal from Iwagakure's Tsuchikage.

Chiyo broke the silence. "Kazekage-sama, the offer from Iwagakure is undeniably tempting... but the cost of ceding northern resources could cripple us after the war."

Ebizo nodded. "However, the outpost's location near the Fire Nation border would give us a staging ground to weaken Konoha, especially with Iwa's backing."

The Kazekage spoke, his voice cold and commanding. "Resources can be regained. Territory and power cannot. We'll accept Onoki's terms."

He looked at Chiyo. "Send word to our war commanders. Begin gathering our forces discreetly. Ensure our elite puppet masters and assassination squads are ready."

Chiyo bowed deeply. "It shall be done."

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Far to the west, in the rain-soaked fortress of Amegakure, Hanzo of the Salamander stood imperiously on the fortress balcony, watching the endless rain pour over his village.

Two emissaries from Iwagakure knelt before him, awaiting his decision.

Hanzo turned slowly, his breathing harsh from the effects of his deadly poison sac. "You ask much from Amegakure... soldiers, and a promise of war... Why should I trust Iwagakure?"

The Iwa emissary bowed deeply. "Great Hanzo, the spoils of Fire nation will be yours after the war, and Iwagakure will also acknowledge Amegakure status. We also guarantee your territory's expansion in the Land of Fire's northern provinces."

Hanzo's sharp eyes narrowed. "If I accept, Amegakure will be thrust into a war between great powers... a war I could lose."

The second emissary spoke urgently. "You are already surrounded by enemies. Konoha will never tolerate your rule. This war is inevitable... better to stand with the victors."

Hanzo considered the words, then finally nodded. "Very well. Tell Onoki that Amegakure will march... but I expect the resources supply from the Rock village."

The emissaries bowed in gratitude before vanishing into the rain-soaked horizon.

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Back in Konoha, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat in his dimly lit office, his mind sharp despite the late hour.

The intercepted reports confirmed his suspection—Sunagakure had allied with Iwagakure, and Amegakure was preparing for war.

The storm was coming, and the Uzumaki village was its first target.

He rang a small brass bell on his desk. Moments later, nine masked ANBU appeared silently in a kneeling formation.

Their masks reflected the elements they represented: Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning, Yin, and Yang, along with the ANBU Vice-Commander and their Commander—Maito Dai.

Hiruzen rose slowly, his commanding presence filling the room. "The news is confirmed. Iwa, Suna, and Amegakure are moving toward war. They intend to wipe out the Uzumaki clan... we will not let that happen."

The ANBU leaders clenched their fists in determination.

"Prepare 800 of our finest ANBU. In three days, we move to reinforce Uzushiogakure. You are authorized for war-time protocols—no mercy for invaders."

Maito Dai, the ANBU Commander, spoke with quiet intensity. "Yes, Hokage-sama. We will be ready."

Hiruzen nodded. "Dismissed."

The ANBU vanished like shadows in the wind, leaving Hiruzen alone in the dimly lit office.

He pulled out a long, weathered scroll, inscribed with complex sealing arrays, and placed his hand on it.

With a burst of chakra, the scroll vanished—reverse-summoned to his true body in Uzushiogakure.

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Far away in the mountainous cliffs of Uzushiogakure, Hiruzen's original body lay lazily against a rocky outcrop, overlooking the sprawling, ocean-bordered village below.

The village's red-roofed buildings gleamed under the morning sun, surrounded by towering cliffs and roaring waterfalls—a paradise hidden from the world.

With a soft poof, the reverse-summoned scroll materialized beside him.

Without looking, Hiruzen extended a hand and lazily unfurled it.

His sharp eyes scanned its contents before casting it aside, letting the wind carry the paper into the valley below.

"It's about time," he muttered with a yawn. "Seven years of waiting... how dull."

He shifted his weight, resting his hands behind his head. In those Seven long years, Hiruzen had done much:

Training His Wife, Rias Uzumaki, He had personally guided Rias, the strongest female Uzumaki ninja, in mastering forbidden sealing techniques known only to the clan's elders.

Though she was unaware of his true identity, she had become a formidable kunoichi under his secret tutelage.

Mastering Seals, Hiruzen had infiltrated Uzushiogakure's ancient archives, absorbing every scrap of knowledge. Even if the village fell, its secrets would endure—within him.

Espionage in Kiri and Kumo, He had spent years blending into various nations, studying their history, learning their cultures, trying their delicacies, etc.

He also studied the recently unearthed seven blades of mist village, which they recently found in an Ancient Ruins.

After his research on them he found that the weapons were made by various advanced seals at the level 5.

He also learnt their forbidden jutsu, after all he had Mayfly technique and mastery over seals to infiltrate any kind of place.

From Kumo's Heavenly Transfer Technique to Kiri's fearsome Water Prison Sealing Formation, which was found in that same ancient ruin where they found their seven blades, every technique was now etched into his mind.

After his visits to various villages, he found that only konoha was extraordinary in their research of forbidden jutsu, while uzumaki was was known for their seals, which were more extraordinary.

Even the second Hokage his teacher cannot compete with uzumaki thousand years heritage, even if he was grandmaster level sealing ninja.

Despite his knowledge and power, Hiruzen had remained hidden, waiting for the coming storm. 

His gaze drifted lazily toward the distant ocean. War is inevitable… and I'll be ready when it arrives.

The breeze cooled his face as he drifted off into a light sleep, his mind already anticipating the clash of nations and the fiery destruction to come.

To Be Continued...

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