Danzo's defeat in the war ensured that even after Hiruzen Sarutobi resigned and the Hokage position became vacant, Danzo still had no chance of becoming Hokage. Helpless, he turned to grooming Orochimaru, hoping to challenge Hiruzen's choice of successor.
In the end, he still lost.
This, and other conclusions drawn from the original timeline, confirmed one undeniable fact: Danzo gained nothing from the Second Great Ninja War—instead, he ended up covered in disgrace.
Just from the way Danzo dismissed Sunagakure during the recent meeting, Senju Yukika could already sense what was going to happen. He could foresee the lesson that Chiyo of the Sand would soon deliver.
What Danzo believed to be a golden opportunity to rack up military merit would turn out to be a deathtrap.
Especially now, when Chiyo had just lost both her son and daughter-in-law—her wrath would ensure that the counterattack was ferocious.
So the very first clash, following the current stalemate, would undoubtedly end in Konoha's defeat.
Yukika had been pondering how he might isolate the Senju clan and himself from this inevitable loss. He never expected Danzo to unwittingly assist him.
And as for the idea that staying behind would prevent the Senju from gaining merit?
Not at all.
Being out of Danzo's line of sight only made things more convenient.
In fact, Yukika had already formulated a follow-up plan. If it went smoothly, not only would the Senju remain unaffected—they might even earn the sincere gratitude of nearly every clan in Konoha, save for the Sarutobi and Shimura.
"Tell the clan to be on standby. Be ready to assist the main force when they're defeated."
Breaking his thoughts, Yukika gave the order directly.
"Defeated… main force?" Tsunade was bewildered, unable to grasp what he meant.
See? Even Tsunade thought Sunagakure was an easy target.
Yukika simply waved it off without explanation—he only needed her to be prepared.
Danzo's failure was inevitable.
And what Yukika wanted… was to let Danzo feel what it meant to have your comrades die right next to you.
This was only a small part of the interest the Senju clan intended to reclaim from Konoha.
...
In the western region of the Land of Rain, beneath an unremarkable low mountain, a mighty procession of Sunagakure shinobi advanced steadily.
Atop the mountain stood Chiyo, supreme commander of Sunagakure's forces for this campaign. She raised her head to the dark, brooding sky.
Such weather was typical in the Land of Rain—she had long grown used to the dreary view.
"Sister." Ebizō, the deputy commander, approached step by step. He looked as though he wanted to drape a raincoat over his sister's shoulders, but paused and ultimately didn't.
He knew just how deeply his sister was affected by the death of her son.
Especially upon their return to Sunagakure, where she had gone nearly mad—plundering the puppet master clan's resources and gathering strength to form a new military unit with the renewed support of the Kazekage.
This war was personal. This war was vengeance.
"In the rain… I can cry freely," Chiyo murmured, her bloodshot eyes gazing into the downpour as it washed over her face.
She suddenly turned to face her brother. "What is Konoha doing?"
Sunagakure had made no effort to conceal its approach—they wanted Konoha to know they were coming, and they were coming in force.
But if anyone believed Chiyo's rage had clouded her judgment, they were sorely mistaken.
Grief makes you grow. But revenge teaches patience.
Chiyo was icy calm now.
"Danzo fell for it. He's leading a massive force straight into our path for a head-on clash," Ebizō reported, his expression turning grim.
"They're finished!" he sneered.
Chiyo took a deep breath. "Notify the Tsuchikage..."
"Begin the operation!"