Inside the Hokage's Office, most of Konoha's powerful and influential ninja had gathered. Among them were Danzo, the Konoha Councilors, and the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya and Orochimaru. The heads of several clans, including Fugaku Uchiha and Hiashi Hyuga, were also present.
Of course, many of Konoha's other Jonin were not in attendance.
This was not a general mobilization of Konoha by Hiruzen Sarutobi, but rather a briefing for the village's leadership to explain the current crisis. The general mobilization of the entire village would follow afterward.
Minato Namikaze and Tianyuan stood to one side. Among this group, these two were still lacking in terms of political authority, despite their immense individual strength.
Watching the ninja arrive, Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded with satisfaction and said solemnly, "I have something to discuss with everyone today. This matter concerns the very safety of Konoha."
His words caused the ninja to listen intently. After all, Hiruzen Sarutobi was not the type to make such jokes.
"The Ninja World has not been particularly peaceful lately. I believe most of you are aware of this," Hiruzen said.
Everyone nodded. While things hadn't turned particularly violent yet, the movements of the various Hidden Villages were indeed increasing. Konoha had been forced to respond in kind; otherwise, they risked letting their own ninja come to harm.
"The Hidden Sand Village is at the forefront of these movements, and they are our neighboring nation," Hiruzen continued. "Therefore, two days ago, I dispatched Minato, a Jonin, and Tianyuan, a Chunin, to enter the Land of Wind and conduct an investigation."
The people present turned their gazes to the side, looking toward where Minato and Tianyuan stood.
None of the Konoha Jonin found it strange that Hiruzen had dispatched these two. They were not from some other Hidden Village; they knew exactly who Minato and Tianyuan were.
Minato went without saying. As one of the top ninja among Konoha's Jonin, his reputation was well-known. As for Tianyuan, his display of overwhelming power during the Chunin Exams months ago had ensured that most of the village remembered this young genius. He was a figure considered even more talented than Kakashi.
"The results of the investigation are in," Hiruzen continued. "Sunagakure has dispatched ninja toward the Land of Fire, heading for Konoha. It is possible that the Sand's vanguard has already reached our borders."
"Hiruzen, are you saying Sunagakure intends to attack Konoha?" Danzo asked, his brow furrowed. "Do they intend to trigger a Great Ninja War?"
"Yes. In my estimation, it won't just be Sunagakure. It's likely other Hidden Villages will participate as well," Hiruzen replied.
The faces of the other ninja changed slightly. If that were the case, Konoha would have to defend against attacks from at least two Hidden Villages.
The strength of the Five Great Nations' Hidden Villages was roughly comparable. Even if Konoha held a slight advantage, it was unrealistic to think they could take on all four other villages at once. While it was unlikely that all four would attack simultaneously, Konoha was still in extreme danger.
"I have a question, Hiruzen," Danzo interjected, raising a core issue. "Very little time has passed since that secret investigation mission was assigned. It shouldn't have been enough for Minato and Tianyuan to travel back and forth between the two nations."
Danzo believed that since Hiruzen was announcing this here, the information must be confirmed, but he wanted to know the reason behind the speed.
Based on Minato's known abilities, he shouldn't have been able to achieve this. Could it be Tianyuan? This was the person Danzo had been lusting after ever since the Chunin Exams. Danzo had constantly schemed to bring Tianyuan under his control, but because of Hiruzen's opposition and Orochimaru's refusal to agree, he had been forced to keep those thoughts to himself.
Naturally, Danzo had no favorable feelings toward Tianyuan.
"I imagine many of you share Danzo's curiosity," Hiruzen said, scanning the room. "The answer is the Flying Thunder God Technique."
"The Flying Thunder God Technique? Minato?" the ninja reacted quickly.
They certainly knew what the Flying Thunder God Technique was. It was a space-time ninjutsu created by the Second Hokage. No one else had been able to learn it until Minato Namikaze appeared. However, the Minato they knew shouldn't have been able to bridge such a distance so quickly. Had his mastery of the technique grown that much stronger?
Seeing the expressions of shock on the faces of the ninja, Hiruzen let out a small smile. "I suspect everyone assumes it was Minato who performed the Flying Thunder God Technique?"
Everyone froze. Was that not the case? After all, no one else had ever mastered the Second Hokage's jutsu.
"Sarutobi-sensei... could it be Tianyuan?" Jiraiya spoke up. He remembered how badly Tianyuan had demoralized him when learning the Rasengan. If it wasn't Minato, the only other possibility was Tianyuan.
"Tianyuan." The crowd's eyes turned toward the boy with strange, intense looks.
Was this the true extent of Konoha's genius? This was beyond mere talent.
"Yes, Jiraiya. You've guessed correctly. It was Tianyuan who used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return from Sunagakure to Konoha," Hiruzen said, nodding with a smile.
The room collectively sucked in a breath of cold air. It was actually true.
At nine years old, he possessed the strength of a Jonin, mastery of the Flying Thunder God Technique, and incredible Taijutsu. No matter how you looked at it, he already possessed the capabilities of an elite Jonin.
"The Flying Thunder God Technique," Danzo said, narrowing his eyes. "Tianyuan, would you mind giving us a demonstration here?"
"Danzo, what are you implying? I would not lie to you about this," Hiruzen frowned. Did Danzo not believe him?
"It's true, Danzo-sama. I can also testify to it," Minato added.
"No, I am merely curious. After all, Tianyuan is the pride of Konoha," Danzo said, shaking his head with a smile.
"Danzo-sama, since you want to see it, I don't mind," Tianyuan said, pulling out a kunai. "I just hope you won't mind the aftermath, Danzo-sama."
"Of course," Danzo said slowly.
The moment he finished speaking, the kunai in Tianyuan's hand turned into a streak of light, whistling straight toward Danzo.
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