"Naruto: Ice God"Chapter 103: Danzo's Fury
The Kannabi Bridge was successfully destroyed.
Meanwhile, the Iwa ninja vanguard was wiped out single-handedly by Minato.
When the frontline report reached Ōnoki, the Tsuchikage, he slammed his fist onto his stone desk in rage after reading the contents.
Compared to Kumogakure's fragile wooden desks, Iwagakure's marble stone tables were clearly much more durable.
Ōnoki discreetly withdrew his still-trembling right hand into his sleeve. Staring at the desk surface, smooth and unmarked as ever, his fury only intensified.
"The Yellow Flash, the White Reaper, White Fang of Konoha... Konoha's foundation truly runs deep. Even under siege from all sides, they can still maintain control of their positions."
Seeing Ōnoki withdraw his hand without speaking, one Iwa senior spoke first, his words filled with envy toward Konoha.
"If only our village had such advantageous geography."
Another senior quickly echoed the sentiment.
"Enough. No matter how you frame it, losing to Konoha despite our superior numbers can't be explained away by simple geography."
Feeling the pain in his hand subside, Ōnoki showed no regard for their dignity and waved off their excuses.
"Damn it... even without Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, Konoha remains this formidable..."
Ōnoki gritted his teeth, subconsciously recalling the time he and his master had teamed up to challenge Madara Uchiha.
"It can't be helped. To ensure the Third Raikage was permanently eliminated, we deployed numerous elite ninja and suffered considerable losses. Even though we've reached an understanding with Kumogakure, we still maintain forces at the border to prevent retaliation."
"After all, treaties are the least trustworthy things."
Seeing the previous two seniors fall silent, another elder sitting in the corner, roughly Ōnoki's age, finally spoke.
"What should we do? Should we deploy the Tailed Beast?"
Some of the leadership began considering using their Tailed Beast.
"But Konoha also possesses the Nine-Tails..."
Due to Konoha's strict security measures, Iwagakure's leadership had no idea who their jinchūriki was or to what extent they controlled the beast.
Just as Konoha's spies sent here had all been eliminated, their own agents dispatched to Konoha had either not returned alive or failed to transmit intelligence, thanks to Danzo's methods.
While Iwagakure struggled with their next move, Konoha's upper echelons erupted in even more intense conflict.
"Hiruzen, how can you face the ninja who sacrificed themselves!"
Seeing Hiruzen planning to offer unconditional peace to Iwa, Danzo slammed his fist on the table in fury: "Because of your weakness, all our previous sacrifices were meaningless!"
Facing his enraged friend, Hiruzen said little, instead turning his gaze to Koharu Utatane: "Koharu, please arrange for someone to deliver this treaty to Iwagakure."
"Hiruzen!"
Seeing Hiruzen ignore him completely, Danzo stood up in anger.
"Danzo, Hiruzen is the Hokage, after all!"
Witnessing Danzo's disrespect, Koharu Utatane scolded him loudly, reminding him to mind his position.
"You're too weak, Hiruzen!"
With Koharu Utatane not supporting him either, Danzo couldn't be bothered arguing further and stormed out of the room.
"Bang!"
Hearing the door slam shut, Koharu Utatane frowned deeply.
She had no particular opinion about the peace negotiations, but Danzo's attitude was indeed excessively rude.
"It's fine. Let's proceed as planned."
Hiruzen glanced at where Danzo had been sitting, his expression unchanged, and gestured for Koharu Utatane to continue following his instructions.
"I actually entrusted my son to such a weak man! Doesn't he understand how much we've sacrificed for this war!"
Stomping angrily around the base, Danzo fumed at the thought of his son fighting on the front lines while the leadership prepared to negotiate with the enemy.
His earlier joy over Feng Bai's tremendous achievements was completely extinguished.
"Damn it, where's Asuma?"
With nowhere to vent his anger, Danzo decided to find Asuma for some Wind Release sparring.
Asuma: Hello there.
Meanwhile, after dismissing Koharu Utatane, Hiruzen fidgeted with his pipe, his gaze occasionally drifting to Tobirama's portrait hanging on the wall.
Uh, Tobirama's photograph.
His teacher had, at the most critical moment, given the hope of survival to the younger generation, unhesitatingly carving out an escape route for them.
And what about himself?
As Hokage, all he could do was watch helplessly as young leaves fought and died on the battlefield...
"Sensei, I truly am unworthy of being Hokage."
With a self-deprecating smile, Hiruzen pulled out a scroll, wrote something on it, then summoned an ANBU member.
"Hmm? It's Saru."
Seeing the ANBU mask, Hiruzen paused, realizing his own son was on duty today.
"Hokage-sama."
Addressing by title during work hours was the mark of a qualified ANBU member—even when the Hokage was one's father.
"Deliver this scroll to Sakumo. He's been away long enough—it's time for him to return."
As if making a firm resolution, Hiruzen solemnly placed the scroll in his son's hands, his eyes showing traces of determination.
"Calling me back at a time like this?"
Upon receiving the message, Sakumo looked at the scroll in confusion.
Although Sunagakure showed no signs of attacking Konoha, Sakumo remained at his post, patrolling the Kikyo Mountain front daily.
[This chapter is not yet complete. Please click the next page to continue reading the exciting content!]
Hearing that ANBU was looking for him, Sakumo briefed his subordinates to cover for him and maintain strict vigilance against Sand village sneak attacks, then hurried to the camp.
After listening to the ANBU's explanation, Sakumo couldn't understand why the Third Hokage would summon him back at this time.
But the Hokage's orders were absolute. Sakumo stored the scroll and nodded to the ANBU, indicating his compliance, before the agent departed.
...
"Yo, Jiraiya-sama."
After destroying the Kannabi Bridge, Feng Bai's team didn't return to the village but instead came to Jiraiya's camp to resupply, rest, and exchange training insights.
Though quite unreliable in personality, Jiraiya could at least be considered a competent ninja during important occasions.
His command style wasn't as flexible as Orochimaru's, but it was steady. Combined with Minato and Fugaku's cooperation, the atmosphere here was considerably better than Orochimaru's side.
"What do you want now, brat?"
Casting a somewhat disdainful glance at Obito behind Feng Bai, Jiraiya picked his nose and turned away, asking about Feng Bai's purpose.
"Good senior brother, let's talk privately."
Signaling Obito to wait in place, Feng Bai tugged Jiraiya's sleeve and pulled him behind the tent.
"Jiraiya-sama, are you interested in taking on a new disciple?"
Reaching a secluded spot, Feng Bai got straight to the point.
Not expecting Feng Bai to make such a request, Jiraiya looked at his junior with some surprise, then seemed to understand something and quickly shook his head in refusal:
"You mean that brat Obito, right? No way, absolutely not."
Anyone else might be negotiable, but Obito—always going on about "peeping tom this, peeping tom that," constantly interfering with his research—Jiraiya would rather starve to death outside than take this guy as a disciple!
"Didn't expect you to be so tsundere, senior brother. Don't think I don't know—you spent quite a while helping Obito with his training."
Arms crossed, Feng Bai adopted an "I see right through you" expression, making Jiraiya even more irritated.
"Guidance is guidance, but taking him as a disciple is absolutely impossible—"
Jiraiya dusted off his pants, preparing to ignore Feng Bai entirely.
"Jiraiya-sama, Obito has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan."
🔥 Want to read the next 50+ chapters RIGHT NOW?
💎 Patreon members get instant access!
⚡ Limited-time offer currently running...
👉 [Join on - patreon.com/GoldenLong]