As if to shake off any potential pursuers, the tracks of the three people circled around the Village for a while. In Minato's perception, they finally began heading straight toward the Eastern Forest. The Slug crawled out of the room slowly. Minato, is the battle over?
They've retreated, but I left a tracking method on them. Minato created a Wood Clone to stay behind. Sensei is coming back soon, and I still have to chase them down. I will leave things here to you.
Leave it to me! The Wood Clone nodded. Meanwhile, the main body vanished from the spot with a Body Flicker, chasing after the intruders toward the Eastern Forest.
Lady Slug, please release them now.
Alright. The Slug's body wriggled, pushing Kushina and Nawaki out of its body.
Waaah! I almost suffocated in there! Nawaki collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. Kushina threw herself into the Clone's arms. Minato!
I'm just a Clone. The Clone patted Kushina's back gently. The main body went to track that group down.
Hearing that the main body had already left, Kushina's expression tightened. Tracking them? Isn't that dangerous?
It won't be. The Clone reassured her. Without complete preparation, I would never act recklessly.
As he spoke, several figures arrived through the air. Tsunade appeared in the courtyard alongside several Anbu members. Seeing the newcomers, Nawaki's face lit up with joy. Sister!
Nawaki! Are you all alright? Tsunade stepped forward quickly, pulling them close and inspecting them carefully. Her eyes were filled with lingering fear.
We're fine... Nawaki sighed. Kushina and I were protected by the Slug. Only Minato fought them.
Tsunade looked at Minato. Minato, you...
I'm a Wood Clone! The Minato before her spread his hands. The main body is currently chasing them toward the Eastern Forest.
The Eastern Forest... Tsunade's face darkened instantly. Who attacked you?
They were wearing Kumogakure clothes when we fought, but I can't be sure yet. I'll ask the main body. The Wood Clone said, creating a Shadow Clone and then dispelling it. He quickly received the message sent back by the main body. It's Kumogakure for sure! They built a base under the Eastern Forest of the Village and even disguised themselves as Anbu!
Disguised as... Anbu? Tsunade immediately understood what he meant. She couldn't help but sneer. Yes, those despicable Kumogakure Ninjas actually dared to disguise themselves as Konoha Anbu! Can you handle it?
No problem!
Hearing their conversation, several Anbu members behind Tsunade were suddenly stunned. If they remembered correctly, that location should be the Root Base, right? The leading Anbu captain spoke hesitantly. Wait, Lady Tsunade, about the Eastern Forest...
What about it? Tsunade snapped her head back, her eyes swirling with coldness. If it's not Kumogakure, could it be the Anbu? Only the Hokage has the authority to directly deploy the Anbu. Do you think the Third is trying to assassinate Nawaki?
This... The Anbu squad leader's mouth twitched under his mask.
According to Konoha's Anbu system, the Konoha Anbu has a full complement of $70$ people—at least $70$ on the surface. Excluding the Commander and Vice-Commander, the remaining $68$ people are divided into four divisions, with $17$ people per division. Each division is led by a division commander overseeing four squads. The Root controlled by Danzo itself could only be considered one division. So strictly speaking, Root is also directly under the Hokage!
But he didn't dare admit such a thing; otherwise, he might be assigned a mission to assassinate the Raikage tomorrow. They were just an ordinary surveillance squad, attracted by the earlier explosion to investigate; there was no need to risk their lives for someone like Danzo.
Alright, don't make it hard for them, Tsunade. As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived with two Advisors, followed by several Anbu members. I will give you an explanation for this matter.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's face was solemn. He had heard the conversation between Tsunade and the Anbu, and it wasn't hard to guess whose handiwork this was.
Tsunade sneered, her slender fingers cracking. Damn Kumogakure, they even dare to disguise themselves as the Third Hokage!
... Hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a massive headache coming on.
Now, Tsunade, Hiruzen is still the Hokage, after all, and your teacher. Utatane Koharu breathed a sigh of relief. Since Tsunade hadn't pierced that thin veil of pretense, they wouldn't take the initiative to do so either. Although she was also very dissatisfied with Danzo's actions, as an Advisor, she had to prioritize the Wood Release. The urgent priority is to get to the Eastern Forest as quickly as possible. For Konoha, the existence of Wood Release is non-negotiable. Kumogakure has the advantage in numbers, and Minato is just a child after all...
Non-negotiable? Tsunade scoffed. Is this what you call non-negotiable?
Seeing that Tsunade seemed ready to drop all pretenses, Utatane Koharu frowned. Tsunade, what do you mean by this? Aren't you worried about that child?
Tsunade paused slightly. She was indeed very worried about Minato. Mainly because she didn't know the full extent of Minato's strength. She only knew that his raw power was not inferior to her own and that he had large-scale destructive techniques. But a Ninja's battle involved more than just that; she was also worried about Minato falling into an enemy trap.
This esteemed elder is right. The Clone pulled on Tsunade's sleeve. Sensei, the main body is only one person after all. If we can't wipe out that group of Kumogakure, the thought of the mastermind still lurking in the shadows makes me so scared I might not even be able to use Wood Release anymore.
As the words fell, the expressions of the two Advisors changed slightly, and Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyelid twitched. How could he not hear that Minato was forcing his hand? This kid's reaction is so fast!
Tsunade's eyes widened slightly, then she burst out laughing. You're right. Nawaki, take Kushina to Grandma's first. Let the Anbu take you there. Then she picked up the Wood Clone. Lead the way. I want to see how those Kumogakure managed to do such a thing right under the Anbu's nose!
Saying this, and ignoring Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression, she headed toward the Eastern Forest first. The Third's group followed closely behind, trailing a short distance.
Hiruzen, his actions this time have gone too far. Homura Mitokado whispered. No matter the dispute between you two, it should never involve others. If he wants your position, he should compete fairly instead of using such underhanded tactics against children.
Utatane Koharu nodded in agreement. People change, and that guy has changed. As the Hokage, you shouldn't be as naive as you used to be.
I know... Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed. Once evidence is found, I will arrest him immediately.
Arrest? Homura Mitokado shook his head and said nothing more. As expected, his soft-hearted flaw hadn't changed a bit.
If this matter isn't given a satisfactory explanation to Tsunade, Konoha will simultaneously lose the Wood Release, the candidate Jinchuriki, and the political support of the First's descendants. Although they were supporters of Hiruzen Sarutobi, as Advisors, everything must first be considered from the perspective of the Village. What's most important to the Village right now? Of course, it's the Wood Release and the candidate Jinchuriki. They are the foundation of the Village and are absolutely non-negotiable! In critical moments, they would even have to risk their lives to take a blow for them!
The group hurried toward the Eastern Forest, and at the same time, inside the Root Base in the Eastern Forest...
Minato was on a killing spree!
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