Chapter 86: The Worries of Two Kage
"Mangetsu, do you think what Hoshigaki Kisame and Ringo Ameyuri said is all true?" Taking advantage of no one else being in the tent, Yagura couldn't help but ask this question he'd wanted to ask before but couldn't due to too many people present.
Regarding this—
Mangetsu Hozuki understood very well.
Because when he'd heard Kisame and Ameyuri's account, he'd also couldn't help feeling it was absurd and ridiculous. So many formidable jonin acting together, yet defeated by Hyuga Ritsu alone. Moreover, not a collapse after holding out for some time, but beaten into rout from the very beginning, a collapse with almost no ability to fight back.
But afterward, thinking carefully again, this matter seemed like a common occurrence.
Konoha seemed to regularly produce these monstrous powerhouses. Looking back, there were the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara—such peerless fierce men they'd beaten the shinobi world into forced peace. Only after they died did the First Shinobi World War erupt.
Later there was Konoha's White Fang, who killed ninja from various villages until they trembled with fear and fled at the sight. More recently was Konoha's Yellow Flash, who with his own power made Rock ninja often abandon missions and flee without fighting upon encountering him.
And now, not satisfied with producing a Shisui of the Body Flicker, they'd produced this White Yaksha who'd killed their Mist ninja so badly they had to hastily plan retreat.
"Mizukage-sama, both Hoshigaki Kisame and Ringo Ameyuri have good relationships with me. I have some understanding of them. Neither is the type to deliberately exaggerate enemy strength to cover their own defeat. This White Yaksha probably truly has the capabilities of White Fang and Yellow Flash!"
Mangetsu Hozuki spoke sincerely.
Hearing this, Yagura frowned tightly and sighed heavily, unable to help cursing: "Konoha really stepped in dog shit luck. How do they have so many geniuses? How come our village doesn't have such good fortune?"
Though Mangetsu Hozuki felt these words were somewhat harsh, he couldn't deny them.
Previously fighting Uchiha Shisui, he'd been at a disadvantage—truly inferior to his opponent.
After cursing, having vented some of his irritable emotions, after pondering several seconds Yagura issued orders again, saying: "Mangetsu, pass down the order. Organize the wounded in camp, genin, and chunin who've mastered medical ninjutsu and other skills to evacuate by boat now."
"Eh?"
Mangetsu Hozuki froze. He boldly advised: "Mizukage-sama, doing this will truly cause morale to plummet!"
Yagura didn't mind Mangetsu Hozuki's question. As the newly appointed Mizukage, he didn't like old-timers like Kirishima Shinya and Suikazan Fuguki who habitually relied on their seniority to disrespect him, though their ages might not necessarily be that old.
He preferred interacting with young prodigies like Mangetsu Hozuki and intentionally cultivated them as his confidants, thus showing them more tolerance and preferential treatment.
Like when Kisame and Ameyuri returned in defeat—looking at their young age and considerable strength, he'd only scolded them a few sentences without strict punishment.
He looked at Mangetsu Hozuki and explained: "There's already not much morale left, is there? If I were a Konoha ninja, I definitely wouldn't pass up this opportunity to launch a counterattack. Who knows when Konoha ninja will come attacking? Them staying serves no purpose—they'll only be burdens. Sending them away early not only reduces encumbrances but also preserves more vitality for the village."
"Yes, Mizukage-sama. I'll go pass the order immediately."
Mangetsu Hozuki was persuaded. He'd only seen the potentially erupting battle ahead but hadn't thought further into the future. From this point, the Fourth Mizukage was more far-sighted.
After Mangetsu Hozuki left, Yagura alone in the tent let out another long sigh, resenting that heaven favored only Konoha and refused to give their Mist ninja even half a bit of grace.
---
That night, while Yagura resented heaven, within Konoha Village, Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen sitting in his office chair similarly felt a tremendous headache, because Minato's sudden return to the village brought him bad news that completely dispelled his drowsiness.
Looking at Minato whose expression was calm yet exceptionally resolute, Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help lighting his pipe. He took two hard puffs, using the tobacco's strength to slightly awaken his brain—which had operated all day without rest and was now somewhat irritable and foggy—before finally asking: "How is Nohara Rin's current condition?"
"Kushina has already examined her. The seal is fairly stable but can't be called excellent. She's researching how to improve the seal on Rin. Rin is currently staying overnight at my house. Since I still need to go to the frontlines, I'm having her keep Kushina company."
Minato stood before the office desk, answering in a heavy voice.
After returning to Konoha, he hadn't immediately rushed to the Hokage building but first brought Rin home and had Kushina help examine her. Though his own sealing technique accomplishments weren't weak, Kushina was the true sealing technique master.
Sarutobi Hiruzen relaxed slightly.
Then he couldn't help frowning and cursing the Mist ninja: "These Mist ninja must have water in their brains! Actually thinking up such a fanciful idea and truly putting it into action..."
The three heads Kakashi brought back had already been thoroughly searched for memories by Yamanaka clan experts, piecing together complete intelligence confirming the Mist ninja truly planned to seal the Three-Tails into Nohara Rin's body, then launch a surprise attack on Konoha—blooming from the center within Konoha Village.
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's view, these Mist ninja were truly fanciful, completely treating him, the Third Hokage, as though he were dead.
However—
Setting aside whether this plan had any feasibility, the key point was the Mist ninja actually did this. Even more critically, someone on Konoha's side actively leaked Team Kakashi's intelligence to the Mist ninja, which allowed Kirishima Shinya to precisely strike Team Kakashi, capture Nohara Rin alive, and create a Three-Tails Jinchuriki for Konoha.
But Konoha's side had no thoughts of mocking the Mist ninja for failing. Instead, they were full of unease and annoyance about this situation.
Minato didn't want his student to become a Jinchuriki because he knew Rin's temperament well—having her fight desperately on the frontlines would be completely forcing the unwilling. Sarutobi Hiruzen also wasn't pleased the village gained another Tailed Beast, but rather troubled that the village had another unstable hidden danger. More troublesome was that Nohara Rin was Minato's student, which left him momentarily constrained, unsure how best to handle the situation.
"Hokage-sama, the Cloud ninja to the northeast are aggressive. I dare not leave too long. I must immediately return to the frontlines to continue confronting the Cloud ninja. However, I still earnestly request you thoroughly investigate and root out the traitor who betrayed comrades for strict punishment."
Minato said stiffly, his face taut.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression wasn't very good. His mouth twitched as he forcibly controlled his facial muscles, revealing an equally stiff smile as he said: "Rest assured, Minato! I will definitely investigate this matter thoroughly and absolutely give Kakashi and the others an explanation."
"Then, Hokage-sama, I'll take my leave now."
Minato said in a heavy voice.
"Go ahead!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen waved his hand. In the next second, Minato's figure directly vanished from his office, leaving only the Third Hokage full of rage sitting in his office chair continuously puffing smoke.
Only after finishing a pipe did he finally say coldly: "Someone, summon Danzo here!"
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