A Time of Turmoil

"A secret? What secret can you tell me?" Tsunade asked, looking at Issui's angry face. Although she had never suspected Issui before, everything changed recently after Danzo delivered a detailed report about Issui to her. Issui had too many secrets about him. Since arriving in Konoha, he had often been doing things unknown to others while on missions. As Hokage, she had to think about her village. It was better to believe it than not. What if Issui really had malicious intentions towards Konoha...?

"..." Issui looked at Tsunade and suddenly felt that she was a stranger. Under normal circumstances, Tsunade would not be so extreme. Her behavior clearly showed that she did not trust him. What was going on?

"What? Can't you say it? Is it that you don't want to say it, or that you can't say it?" Tsunade asked cautiously.

"Tsunade, I think we should let it go. We can still trust Issui..." Mitokado Homura said. From the moment Issui came to Konoha, everything he did was beneficial to the Konoha. If he really had any ulterior motives, he wouldn't have fought so desperately when Orochimaru attacked Konoha. He almost died at the hands of the Second Hokage, Orochimaru's reincarnation, to save Sarutobi. That was too unworthy. Besides, he was Hiashi's son-in-law, and the older generation and new ninjas of Konoha all trusted him without a doubt.

"Young people all have their own things to do. As long as they don't violate principles, it's fine for them to do some personal things..." Utatane Koharu said. She really couldn't understand why Tsunade was investigating Issui so thoroughly and so obviously. Wasn't that clearly telling Issui that Konoha didn't trust him? Wasn't that practically pushing him to become missing-nin? Konoha's strength had recently declined significantly, and they needed Issui. Tsunade was really acting impulsively. Even if Issui really had a problem, it should have been done secretly. Otherwise, if a conflict broke out now, there would be almost no one who could stop him. Moreover, if this got out, it would only make the enemy applaud.

"My two advisors, you don't need to remind me. I know what to do. I'd like to speak with him alone. Please go to the lounge and rest for a while. We can discuss everything in detail after this matter is resolved..." Tsunade dismissed the two advisors.

"Alright, you two talk then. But Tsunade, I want to say something: Issui is a trustworthy child. I don't know what information you received, but it's highly likely to be a conspiracy by someone with ill intentions..." Homura shook his head and led Koharu out of the Hokage's office. As the Hokage of the village, Tsunade should have her own opinions. Although he and Koharu hold high positions, it's not good to interfere. He just hoped that Tsunade wouldn't do anything that would hurt her loved ones and please her enemies.

Watching the two advisors leave, Issui calmly spoke up, "Lord Hokage, I don't know what villain reported me to you, but I only want to say that this is a frame-up. It's true, sometimes when I'm on missions, I do do some personal things. I can tell you, this is preparation for developing my Kekkei Genkai power, and I can swear to my soul that I haven't done anything to betray Konoha. Having stayed in Konoha for so many years, I've grown to love this big family. As an orphan, I understand the pain of loneliness. The reason I train so hard is to protect this family I love. Here are my comrades, the people I love, and every blade of grass and every tree in this village holds great significance for me..."

Tsunade looked at Issui's handsome face and listened to every word he spoke. Each word was filled with sincerity, something a malicious person couldn't display. Her mind was in turmoil; she didn't know what to do. It was like a lump in her throat, something she couldn't swallow or spit out. Sigh, but Danzo's materials were clearly laid out before her. Danzo was untrustworthy, but as the root of the village's darkness, he had always protected Konoha. Although sometimes extreme, Isshin to become Hokage, he must have contributed something to the village. He held all the village's dark secrets. Issui was truly innocent; then what about the information Danzo had given her?

"You should go back first..." Tsunade rubbed her head and waved to Issui.

"Hmm..." Issui didn't know what to say. He knew that things would never be the same between him and Tsunade again. A rift had already formed between them.

After Issui left, the two advisors entered the Hokage's office again.

Utatane Koharu sighed, "Tsunade, what you did today was really unwise. Even if he has some problems, you shouldn't have brought them up so obviously. If the negotiations fail and that child unleashes his power, no one in the village can stop him. When Orochimaru attacked Konoha, he already showed great strength. After so much time has passed, his strength is even more unfathomable. You alone definitely can't subdue him. Only with Jiraiya's help will there be a chance of victory."

Mitokado Homura nodded in agreement, "Indeed... Although I don't know why you reacted so strongly, who reported him to you..."

"Sigh, I'm not entirely sure about this now either. This is Danzo material Danzo gave me, covering everything from the beginning of the Issui to Konoha until now..." Tsunade handed a pile of materials on the table to Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.

"Danzo? Why would he give you these things? Danzo has been up to his old tricks. He was involved in Sarutobi's death to some extent. I've always suspected he's connected to Orochimaru, but I just don't have any evidence..." Mitokado Homura said, frowning.

"Yes, Danzo once sent Root to ambush Issui, but it failed in the end. Recently, Danzo has been making more and more moves. He was largely responsible for the Uchiha Clan Massacre. Afterwards, he took a large number of Sharingan from the Uchiha..." Koharu said slowly.

"Such a thing actually happened?" Tsunade's brows furrowed deeper and deeper. Could it really be Danzo's doing on purpose?

"Sigh, in short, the current situation in the Shinobi World is turbulent, and a large-scale war could break out at any time. A tense atmosphere has permeated the entire ninja world. In order to meet the challenge, the village must cultivate outstanding talents. Among the younger First, Issui is the strongest ninja, comparable to Minato in his prime. With him, Konoha might actually be able to escape this disaster. Tsunade, as the Hokage of the village, you need to think carefully about your actions. Today's events are a lesson..." Mitokado Homura said.

"Well, let's just let today's events pass. Everyone, please don't mention it again. We shouldn't worry too much about Issui. With Hiashi's daughter around, he won't harbor any hostility towards the village. Hyuga is a staunch supporter of Konoha. As time goes by, everyone will forget about today's events, and everything will be fine..." Utatane Koharu said.

"Yeah, I did get a little excited today. Sigh, there's been more and more going on lately. The Akatsuki is showing up in the Shinobi World more and more often, and their actions are getting bigger and bigger..." Tsunade said, rubbing her head.

"Yes, but thanks to Issui's efforts, Konoha has already obtained information on most of Akatsuki's members, which has been handed over to Shikaku for analysis. In the future, when we meet with them, we will have a strategy to deal with them..." Mitokado Homura said optimistically.

"Alas, I'm afraid things aren't that simple. Judging from the intelligence, the enemy we're facing this time is no ordinary one. Madara Uchiha might still be alive. The Nine-Tails attack back then might also have been his doing. After all, apart from the First Hokage and Madara, no one else can control the Nine-Tails..." Tsunade said worriedly.

"Yes, the members of Akatsuki all have super S-rank strength. They've gathered together, and their goal is likely to seize the entire ninja world. A single ninja village has no way to fight against them..." Utatane Koharu sighed.

"Yes, the Mizukage of Kirigakure also exchanged information with us about Akatsuki. They have always suspected that the Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, was controlled by one of Akatsuki's leaders. They have also always been worried about Akatsuki. However, Kirigakure has just recovered its strength, and they don't have the extra resources to investigate Akatsuki's movements. Currently, the only ones who have detailed information about Akatsuki are our Konoha. Sunagakure is the village most severely affected by Akatsuki. As for the Cloud Village of the Land of Lightning and the Iwa Village of the Land of Earth, our village doesn't have much trust with them and we don't know their situation. However, the Iwagakure of the Land of Earth often hires Akatsuki to fight for them..." Tsunade said.

"In short, these are turbulent times, and everyone must devote all their energy to preparing for the upcoming upheaval..." Mitokado Homura said.

In the Land of Lightning, in a valley.

"Sigh, really, the leader's been pushing too hard lately. We need to speed up the capture of the Tailed Beast. It's already attracted the attention of various countries. We need to capture all the Tailed Beast before they officially realize it..." Hidan said with a bitter face.

"Hmm, almost there. The weather in the Land of Lightning is really bad. The roads are so difficult to travel. Honestly, it would be better to kill someone for something valuable. My income has dropped a lot lately..." Kakuzu complained.

In a jungle on the border of the Land of Earth.

"Take a break, Kisame..." Itachi looked at the overcast sky; it might rain. The weather hadn't been good for the past few days. He wondered how Sasuke was doing.

"Hmm, it's good to take a break. The power of the Four-Tails' sacrifice from the Iwagakure is very strong. It will take a lot of effort this time..." Kisame said with a sinister smile.

"The organization has started making big moves recently. They've sent out everyone except Zero and White Tiger to speed up the capture of the Tailed Beast. Otherwise, we'll be in trouble once the Five Great Nations realize what's happening..." Itachi said calmly.

"Let me take the lead this time. It would be great to be able to test my skills against the sacrificial power of the Four-Tails. I'm quite excited..." Kisame said with a smile.

In a dense forest in the Land of Rivers.

"Deidara- senpai, I'm exhausted, let's rest for a bit, I'm so hungry..." Tobi sat down on the ground and wouldn't move.

"Damn it, get up! Kisame, Itachi, Kakuzu, and Hidan are probably about to engage their respective targets. We're the slowest..." Deidara said with dissatisfaction. He didn't want to be overtaken by others, especially Itachi.

"No, I'm not leaving. I'm exhausted. I need to rest..." Tobi said stubbornly.

"Tobi, you're playing with fire! I'm going to kill you..." Deidara roared in fury.

"Ahhhhhhh... Deidara -senpai's going to kill someone! Help!" Tobi screamed in terror and ran away...