The Damn Cloud Village Dared to Disguise Themselves as Konoha Anbu

Perhaps to shake off any possible pursuers, the three first circled around the village for a while, according to Minato's sensory perception, before finally heading toward the Eastern Forest.

Katsuyu slowly crawled out of the room. "Minato, is the fighting over?"

"They've retreated, but I left a tracking marker on them."

Minato created a Wood Clone. "The teacher will be back soon, and I still need to pursue them. I'll leave things to you."

"Leave it to me!"

The Wood Clone nodded. The original vanished from the spot with the Body Flicker Technique and took off after them toward the Eastern Forest.

"Lady Katsuyu, could you let them out now?"

"Of course."

Katsuyu's body wriggled, pushing Kushina and Nawaki out from inside her.

"Ugh! I nearly suffocated!"

Nawaki flopped onto the ground and gasped for breath.

Kushina threw herself into the clone's arms. "Minato!"

"I'm a clone."

The clone patted Kushina's back. "The original went after that group."

At the news that the original had left, Kushina's expression tensed. "Tracking? Could he be in danger?"

"No."

The clone reassured her. "I'd never act rashly without being fully prepared."

As soon as he finished speaking, several figures came rushing through the air. Tsunade arrived in the courtyard with several Anbu.

Seeing her, Nawaki brightened. "Sis!"

"Nawaki! Are you all right?"

Tsunade hurried over, drew them close, and carefully checked them over, her eyes full of lingering fear.

"We're fine..."

Nawaki sighed. "Katsuyu protected Kushina and me. Only Minato fought them."

Tsunade looked at Minato. "Minato, you..."

"I'm a Wood Clone!"

The Minato before her spread his hands. "The original went after them toward the Eastern Forest."

"The Eastern Forest..."

Tsunade's expression darkened. "Who attacked you?"

"They were dressed as people from Kumogakure when we fought, but I can't be sure. I'll ask the original."

As the Wood Clone spoke, he created a Shadow Clone and then dispelled it. He soon received a message from the original.

"It was Kumogakure! They built a base beneath the Eastern Forest, and they disguised themselves as Anbu!"

"Disguised as... Anbu?"

Tsunade immediately understood what he meant and couldn't help sneering. "Those damn Kumogakure shinobi actually dared to disguise themselves as Konoha Anbu! Can you handle them?"

"No problem!"

Hearing their conversation, several Anbu behind Tsunade froze.

If they remembered correctly, wasn't the Root Base over there?

The Anbu Captain hesitated before speaking. "Wait, Lady Tsunade, about the Eastern Forest..."

"What about it?"

Tsunade whipped around, coldness surging in her eyes. "If it wasn't Kumogakure, then was it Anbu? Only the Hokage can directly deploy Anbu. Do you think the Third Hokage tried to assassinate Nawaki?"

"Uh..."

The squad leader's mouth twitched beneath his mask.

According to Konoha's Anbu structure, the full complement was seventy members—or at least, there were only seventy on the books.

Aside from the captain and vice-captain, the other sixty-eight members were divided into four squads of seventeen, each led by a squad leader and containing four teams.

The Root under Danzo's command could only be considered one of those squads.

So, strictly speaking, Root was also directly subordinate to the Hokage!

But he wouldn't dare admit to that. Otherwise, tomorrow he'd be given a mission to assassinate the Raikage or something.

They were just an ordinary surveillance team, drawn here to investigate by the explosion. There was no need to throw their lives away for someone like Danzo.

"All right, don't make things difficult for them, Tsunade."

As he spoke, Hiruzen Sarutobi hurried over with two advisors, several Anbu following behind them.

"I'll give you an explanation for this."

Hiruzen's expression was grave. He'd heard Tsunade's conversation with the Anbu and could easily guess who was behind it.

Tsunade sneered, her slender fingers cracking as she clenched them. "Damn Kumogakure, daring to disguise themselves as the Third Hokage!"

"..."

Hiruzen's head began to ache at her words.

"Come now, Tsunade. No matter what, Hiruzen is the Hokage, and he's also your teacher."

Utatane Koharu let out a sigh of relief. Since Tsunade hadn't exposed the truth, they wouldn't bring it up themselves.

Although she was also deeply displeased with Danzo's actions, as an advisor, she still had to put Wood Release first.

"The most urgent thing is to get to the Eastern Forest as quickly as possible. Wood Release is too important to Konoha to risk losing. Kumogakure has strength in numbers, and Minato is still just a child..."

"Too important to risk losing?"

Tsunade scoffed. "Is this what you call too important to risk losing?"

Seeing that Tsunade seemed ready to tear away the pretense, Utatane Koharu frowned. "Tsunade, what do you mean? Aren't you worried about that child?"

Tsunade paused. She was indeed very worried about Minato.

The main thing was that she didn't know the full extent of Minato's abilities.

She only knew that his raw strength was no weaker than hers and that he had large-scale attacks. But shinobi battles involved more than that, and she was also worried Minato might fall into an enemy trap.

"What she said makes sense."

The clone tugged at Tsunade's sleeve. "Teacher, the original is only one person. If he can't wipe out that whole group from Kumogakure, the thought of the mastermind still lurking in the shadows scares me so much I won't even be able to use Wood Release."

At his words, the two advisors' expressions changed slightly, and Hiruzen's eyelid twitched. He could tell Minato was pressuring him.

This kid is quick on the uptake!

Tsunade's eyes widened slightly, then she burst out laughing. "He's got a point. Nawaki, take Kushina to Grandma's first. Let the Anbu escort you."

Then she picked up the Wood Clone. "Lead the way. I want to see how those Kumogakure shinobi managed to pull this off under the Anbu's noses!"

With that, she didn't bother with Hiruzen's expression and headed straight for the Eastern Forest. The Third Hokage and his party followed close behind, keeping a little distance.

"Hiruzen, he went too far this time."

Mitokado Homura said quietly, "Whatever your dispute, it should never have involved anyone else. If he wants your position, he should compete for it openly instead of using such underhanded tactics against a child."

Utatane Koharu nodded in agreement. "People change. That man has changed, and as Hokage, you shouldn't still be as naive as you once were."

"I know..."

Hiruzen sighed. "Once we find evidence, I'll arrest him immediately."

"Arrest him?"

Mitokado Homura shook his head without saying anything.

As expected, Hiruzen hadn't changed at all. He was still too soft-hearted.

If this didn't end with an explanation that satisfied Tsunade, Konoha would lose Wood Release, a candidate Jinchūriki, and the political support of the First's descendant all at once.

Although they supported Hiruzen, as advisors, they had to put the village first in every matter.

What mattered most to the village right now?

Of course it was Wood Release and a candidate Jinchūriki. They were the foundation of the village, and their loss was absolutely unacceptable!

If necessary, they'd even have to risk their lives to take a hit for him!

Everyone hurried toward the Eastern Forest. Meanwhile, inside the Root Base beneath the Eastern Forest...

Minato was cutting loose!