As Tsunade had explained, there had indeed been numerous suspicious elements surrounding the Nine-Tails attack years ago.
However, when the entire village was directing their suspicions toward the Uchiha clan, the actual truth became secondary in importance. The situation was made worse by various individuals with hidden agendas who actively encouraged this misdirection from behind the scenes.
As a result, the genuine clues had been completely overlooked and ignored.
But now that they understood the possible involvement of Uchiha Obito, the investigation process had become significantly more manageable. Even after so many years had passed, substantial amounts of relevant information had been preserved in the village archives.
"After all this time, many of the ninja and civilians who witnessed the mysterious masked figure have died, disappeared, or even relocated away from Konoha to other regions within the Land of Fire," Tsunade explained.
"Kakashi is currently tracking down these individuals to gather more detailed firsthand accounts."
Tsunade shared this intelligence with Naraku without any reservations, and it was clear from her tone that she was becoming increasingly convinced of Uchiha Obito's involvement in the tragic events.
After leaving the Hokage building, Shihouin Naraku found himself deep in thought as he walked.
Based on Kakashi's determined actions, it was evident that he was struggling internally with the possibility of what Uchiha Obito might have done.
The impression that Obito had left with Kakashi during their youth was that of a warm-hearted, genuinely kind person who always sought to help others.
But now, everything seemed to have been turned upside down completely.
Uchiha Obito appeared to have transformed into a calculating conspirator with sinister ulterior motives.
Even though such a dramatic change seemed almost impossible to believe, the facts revealed through careful investigation were gradually swaying Kakashi's convictions.
Kakashi deeply believed that he bore responsibility for Obito's transformation, which explained his unwavering determination to conduct such a thorough and detailed investigation.
Shaking his head to clear these troubling thoughts, Shihouin Naraku decided to set these concerns aside for now. He planned to enjoy a well-deserved rest for the next two days before traveling to the border to await the arrival of Terumi Mei and her diplomatic delegation.
"Clan Leader!" called out one of his kinsmen.
"Brother Naraku!" shouted another with obvious excitement.
"Wow, the clan leader looks so handsome!" exclaimed one of the younger family members.
As Naraku entered the Shihouin family compound, his clansmen's faces immediately lit up with joy upon seeing him, and they offered enthusiastic greetings from all directions. The children happily gathered around him, laughing and playing as they competed for his attention.
Naraku felt genuinely happy to reconnect with everyone. Before his transmigration to this world, he had been an orphan without any family connections. But after arriving in the ninja world, he had gained an entire extended family of loyal clansmen.
This sense of belonging was truly wonderful.
After such a long absence, Naraku was in no hurry to leave and spent considerable time chatting with various family members about their lives and experiences.
"Ah! Elder Chunyuan is coming—everyone run!" one child suddenly cried out in alarm.
"If you don't run fast enough, you'll get punished! Xiaolin, move faster!" another added urgently.
Naraku had been engaged in conversation with his adult clansmen when the group of children who had gathered around him scattered like startled birds upon seeing their apparent nemesis approaching.
Turning around, Naraku discovered that Shihouin Chunyuan had appeared beside him wearing his characteristically stern expression.
"Uncle Chunyuan, you should smile more often," Naraku suggested with amusement. "Look how terrified those little ones are of you."
"Those children have been running wild without proper discipline. I can't afford to show them any leniency," Chunyuan replied gruffly.
Shihouin Chunyuan glanced toward several small heads that were cautiously peeking out from around a distant corner. He immediately fixed them with a fierce glare, causing the entire group of children to disappear completely. Only then did his expression soften somewhat.
Naraku regarded him with genuine admiration. "Thanks to Uncle Chunyuan's excellent management of family affairs, I've been able to focus entirely on improving my own capabilities."
"Your personal development is the highest priority for the entire Shihouin clan!" Chunyuan declared firmly.
For traditionalist ninja like Shihouin Chunyuan, the most sacred responsibility in life was ensuring the continuation and prosperity of their family lineage.
Naraku represented the guarantee that the Shihouin clan would not only survive but thrive in the future, and Shihouin Chunyuan would never permit anyone to interfere with Naraku's growth and advancement.
As they walked together through the compound, they discussed the various changes that had occurred within both the family and the village during Naraku's extended absence.
"Our family's development has proceeded smoothly without any significant problems," Chunyuan reported. "With your reputation and achievements, nothing poses a real threat to us. Besides, having Tsunade-sama's support means that no one dares to cause trouble for us."
Considering the positions that family members now held within the medical department and their involvement in other village departments, Naraku asked with curiosity, "Haven't there been any complaints or resentful comments from other families in the village? After all, our clan members now occupy quite a few desirable positions."
"Hehehe..." Shihouin Chunyuan suddenly let out a knowing chuckle. "Naraku, how do you think the Sarutobi family and the Shimura family became so influential and powerful?"
"Before the Third Hokage assumed his position, the Sarutobi clan was merely a reasonably large ninja family. They weren't as strong or numerous as the Hyuga clan. But what's the situation now?"
"The Sarutobi clan has become the largest family in all of Konoha, and..."
Shihouin Chunyuan's expression grew serious as he continued, "The ordinary Jōnin and Chūnin from the Sarutobi clan represent a substantial portion of Konoha's total ninja population!"
"Although they don't have many elite-level fighters among their ranks, they compensate for this weakness through sheer numbers."
"When you add the Ino-Shika-Chō alliance, which has maintained close ties with them for generations, why do you think the Third Hokage's political position remained so secure for so many years?"
Shihouin Naraku reflected on his inherited memories of various Konoha ninja, and he realized that Chunyuan's observations were absolutely accurate.
Although the Sarutobi clan had few truly outstanding elite ninja besides Asuma, there were indeed Sarutobi family members scattered throughout the ANBU, the Jōnin ranks, and virtually every other department, including the medical division.
Shihouin Chunyuan continued his explanation. "The Shimura clan operates in exactly the same manner. Although they maintain a low profile on the surface, the hidden influence and connections of both families run incredibly deep."
"Therefore, the current rise of the Shihouin clan is actually quite modest in comparison."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..." Naraku clicked his tongue in amazement. Each family had been concealing their true strength and influence quite effectively.
The two men continued their discussion for some time, and after Shihouin Chunyuan had briefed Naraku on all the significant events that had occurred during his absence, the elder departed to attend to his numerous responsibilities. He now handled not only the family's internal affairs but also monitored the medical department on Naraku's behalf, keeping him extremely busy.
Actually, Naraku had repeatedly advised him not to concern himself so heavily with medical department matters, but Shihouin Chunyuan refused to listen to such suggestions. He remained convinced that he was helping Naraku defend against the covetous intentions of various individuals with questionable motives.
After several unsuccessful attempts to change his uncle's mind, Naraku had simply accepted the situation.
Over the following two days, Naraku thoroughly enjoyed his reunion with his girlfriend, Uzuki Yugao.
Yugao continued to serve in the ANBU and was currently responsible for Konoha Village's internal security operations.
Perhaps recognizing that the young couple hadn't seen each other for such an extended period, Tsunade had thoughtfully ensured that no one disturbed their precious time together during these two days.
On the morning of the third day, despite Tsunade's repeated urgings, Naraku reluctantly departed for the border region.
Kirigakure's diplomatic delegation, led by Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei, was scheduled to arrive at the border between the two nations, and Naraku, as their designated escort, needed to be there to receive them properly.
At the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Water, ninja from both nations were conducting the formal handover procedures while Terumi Mei stood nearby wearing her official Mizukage hat and robes.
"Your escort leader still hasn't made an appearance," observed a blue-faced Kirigakure Jōnin with distinctive white eyes, speaking sternly to the Konoha ninja positioned across from him.
The Konoha representative, Hyūga Neji, replied with professional confidence, "The advisor will arrive shortly."
"Ao, please remain patient," Terumi Mei interjected diplomatically. "I have complete faith that Lord Shihouin Naraku will honor his commitments."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama!" Ao responded respectfully.
Following Terumi Mei's instructions, Ao and the Konoha representatives quickly completed the exchange of official documentation and now waited for Shihouin Naraku's arrival.
As Terumi Mei waited, she carefully observed the status and positioning of the Konoha ninja stationed near the border area, and she couldn't help but feel a growing sense of anxiety about Kirigakure's current vulnerable position.
The present state of Kirigakure simply couldn't withstand even the slightest political or military upheaval.
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