After that incident, Kakashi worried about any accidents happening on the way back, so he hurriedly led the team back to Konoha.
Fortunately, nothing else seemed to occur during the journey, and Sasuke and Sakura arrived safely at Konoha.
The two were sent to the Konoha hospital for treatment and examination.
As for Kakashi, he immediately went to the Hokage's office to truthfully report the events in the Land of River to the Fifth Hokage.
"Hokage-sama, this is the full account of what happened."
Kakashi combined the intelligence from Sasuke and Sakura and recounted the entire sequence of events.
After listening to Kakashi's report, Tsunade sighed and pushed a newly delivered piece of intelligence toward him.
"Take a look at this first, Kakashi."
Kakashi took the intelligence report, but after just a quick glance, his face instantly turned horrified.
"What? The entire village disappeared?!"
"That's right. According to the intelligence from the Anbu, the village, along with the mountain you mentioned, and everything within a 100-kilometer radius, all vanished." Tsunade sighed deeply as she spoke.
"Vanished? What exactly does that mean?" Kakashi was still confused. What did it mean to vanish?
Was it destroyed?
Seeing Kakashi's confusion, Tsunade slowly explained, "No, it wasn't destroyed. It was erased from the world by some kind of power. Just three days ago, after you left, it's as if it never existed—without leaving any trace."
"Completely erased?"
Kakashi's heart trembled slightly, his pupils flickering with unease.
"Let's put this matter aside for now."
Tsunade stood up immediately, placing both hands firmly on the table. She looked at him solemnly.
"Kakashi Hatake, I have to announce something far more important to you."
From Tsunade's face, Kakashi saw an unprecedented seriousness. Instantly, he straightened his back.
"Please, go ahead, Hokage-sama."
"You were the first to witness what happened in Iwagakure, so you should be well aware of the situation, right?"
Tsunade's tone grew heavy as she spoke.
"I have allied with Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Amegakure, and Kirigakure. We plan to head to the Land of Iron to formally discuss forming a Five Nations Allied Army. This coalition will oppose Iwagakure and the Aurora Order. According to the intelligence risked and obtained by the Anbu, Iwagakure is preparing for a large-scale war!"
"Already moving this fast?"
Kakashi's heart shook violently.
Although he had suspected that Iwagakure and the Aurora Order might ignite war soon, he never imagined it would begin preparations just days after the Kazekage's kidnapping.
"Hokage-sama, what exactly happened?" Kakashi's mind raced as a sudden thought struck him.
Kumogakure and Kirigakure bore deep grudges against Konoha. Without extraordinary circumstances, they would never so readily agree to cooperate.
"You are indeed very smart, Kakashi."
Tsunade smiled with satisfaction, nodding. Then she handed him a document.
"Take a look at this. Maybe you will understand the reason."
"Understood, Hokage-sama."
Kakashi felt an inexplicable, strong unease as he flipped through the papers.
The contents inside shook him to his core, shrinking his pupils to tiny pinpoints.
"In the past few days, Iwagakure has joined forces with the Aurora Order to launch a massive hunt for the Tailed Beasts," Tsunade sighed, her tone laden with gravity.
"Besides the One-Tail Jinchūriki me and the Kazekage Gaara, they have successively captured the Two-Tails, Three-Tails, Four-Tails, Five-Tails, Six-Tails, and Seven-Tails."
"Th-This can't be possible!"
Kakashi suppressed the shock in his heart, but his expression was full of disbelief.
"We find it hard to believe as well."
Tsunade rubbed her forehead and said in a low voice, "But according to the intelligence from Kirigakure and Kumogakure, unfortunately, these are facts."
"It seems that Iwagakure has mastered a certain special power, to the extent that Kirigakure and Kumogakure are completely unable to stop them."
She paused for a few seconds, then continued, "That's how things are. Kirigakure and Kumogakure finally believed our warnings and have decided to officially discuss an alliance in the Land of Iron."
"It's simply unbelievable."
Even though it was confirmed, Kakashi was still deeply shocked. "I didn't expect Iwagakure and the Aurora Order to act so fast, and to have captured seven Tailed Beasts. That means only the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails remain, right?"
"That's right."
Tsunade's expression grew serious. "So, in three days, you will go as the Hokage's guard, along with Might Guy and me, to the Land of Iron."
"No problem, Lord Hokage."
Kakashi nodded but was silent for a few seconds before asking, "Lady Tsunade, I want to ask, what do you plan to do about Naruto?"
Seemingly guessing what he wanted to ask, Tsunade was silent for a moment and then said, "Don't worry about that. I will send Jiraiya to find Orochimaru, hoping to negotiate and transfer Naruto to us for protection. That way, it will be better for everyone."
"Lord Jiraiya, huh…"
Hearing that one of the Sannin would go in person, Kakashi felt much relieved. "Thank you very much, Lady Tsunade."
"No need to thank me."
Tsunade smiled and said, "Although on a personal level, I don't really like that kid, from the perspective of the entire shinobi world, Shikaku urged me that we must cooperate with Orochimaru. It's best to entrust Naruto to Jiraiya's protection, to minimize the chance of the Aurora Order and Iwagakure finding him."
"Well…" Kakashi hesitated a bit, unsure if he should say it or not.
"Whatever it is, you can speak freely."
Tsunade sat back down and raised her hand, signaling that he could speak openly.
"Well, Lady Tsunade..."
Finally, Kakashi mustered his courage and said, "You probably know about the relationship between Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke. They were both my students once, so... I was wondering if Sasuke could go with Jiraiya-sama? After all, they happen to be master and apprentice."
"Oh, so that's what you wanted to say."
Tsunade couldn't help but laugh and teased, "I can tell you care a lot about your students."
Kakashi scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "After everything that happened back then, I feel I owe them a lot. If it weren't for me... maybe Naruto wouldn't have left."
"Don't worry. Jiraiya has already addressed this."
Tsunade smiled gently. "Once Sasuke and Sakura have recovered, Jiraiya will form a small team to lead them to the Sound Village and negotiate with Orochimaru."
*******
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