All Dead

The quiet voice echoed throughout the office.

Minato Namikaze froze, falling into a brief silence.

During the Second Shinobi World War, Hanzo of the Salamander bestowed the title of Legendary Sannin upon Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.

It could be said that for a time, the Legendary Sannin were the most prominent figures in the vast shinobi world.

The appearance of any one of the three on a battlefield was enough to dictate the outcome of the conflict.

If it were now, with those three deployed to every front, the other three great nations would have to think twice before offending the Land of Fire.

Unfortunately, the betrayal of Orochimaru, the post-traumatic stress of Tsunade, and the departure of Jiraiya were devastating blows to Konoha.

If the fresh strength of Uchiha Qin Yu could be added now, it would be the best possible way to end the ongoing Third Shinobi World War.

"Lord Hokage, please rest assured. I have a good relationship with Fugaku; with him assisting from the side, at most, Uchiha Qin Yu will just be a slacker." As Minato Namikaze finished speaking, he recalled Uchiha Qin Yu's words from earlier and couldn't help but offer a wry smile.

Sarutobi Hiruzen also shook his head with a helpless, bitter smile and said, "With your word, I can rest easy."

"Regarding Kannabi Bridge, the latest news has been sent back. I hope you can find time to make a trip as soon as possible. The Rock Ninja have mobilized a large number of elites, and their skirmishes with the Cloud Ninja seem to be drawing to a close."

Outside, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura walked out of the Hokage building with grim expressions.

"It's Danzo!" Mitokado Homura raised an eyebrow.

"Let's go over and take a look."

Utatane Koharu dropped these words and walked over quickly.

"Why have you come down, and where did that brat go?" Danzo had just intended to return to the Hokage building.

"Hmph, that kid is too arrogant. He actually used a genjutsu on us inside the Hokage's office. However, those eyes of his are terrifying; he must be a master of genjutsu," Mitokado Homura said indignantly.

"Danzo, didn't you send the S-rank missing-nin Kakuzu to intercept and kill him? Why did it fail?"

A powerful genjutsu?

Danzo's expression shifted slightly as he said, "It seems Sarutobi's intelligence network is still as formidable as ever; he even knows who I hired."

"I did indeed hire the Takigakure missing-nin Kakuzu, as well as the Fuma Clan, to intercept him. But judging by that kid's expression, he likely changed his route secretly and escaped the disaster."

"Hmph, I knew it. He is just a cowardly wretch who fears death; how could he possibly be a match for the S-rank missing-nin Kakuzu?" Mitokado Homura snorted coldly.

"That kid is too unruly. I worry he cannot be used by Konoha. Danzo, you should contact Kakuzu as soon as possible and find a way to finish him off."

Utatane Koharu did not speak, but her expression made her stance clear.

Watching Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, who had previously stood in Sarutobi Hiruzen's camp, a smile appeared on Danzo's face.

"Rest assured. This decision Sarutobi has made has already endangered the foundation of Konoha. I will contact Kakuzu as soon as possible and find a way to eliminate that kid. However, regarding the position of the next Hokage, I think you two should also start thinking about it."

For Danzo, this was the best opportunity to seize the Hokage position.

If he had the support of two high-ranking officials like Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura, and evidence proving that Sarutobi Hiruzen's decision-making was a failure, he would have enough of an advantage to compete against Minato Namikaze for the next generation's Hokage position in front of the Daimyo.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions faltered.

They had long anticipated this, but they did not expect Danzo to be so blatant about his desire for the Hokage seat.

"Lord Danzo, Yamanaka Fu has returned," Aburame Torune suddenly spoke up.

Danzo glanced at the hesitant Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu before saying, "You don't need to make a decision too quickly. I will have Yamanaka Fu contact Kakuzu and have him finish off Uchiha Qin Yu as soon as possible."

"Go back and think about it. We are at a critical moment in the war. The four great nations are attacking our Land of Fire simultaneously, and the Daimyo is already furious. All of this is because of Sarutobi's so-called 'steady' thinking—this talk of 'recuperation.' If he had listened to my advice earlier and used an iron-fisted approach to shock the four great nations..."

"With our Konoha Shinobi Village standing alone at the top, who would dare to offend us?"

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu fell into silence.

Yamanaka Fu also rushed over, drenched in sweat and wearing an anxious, urgent expression. If he weren't gasping for air, he likely would have been the first to lose his composure and speak.

"Fu, speak slowly. They are in our camp now as well," Danzo said with a smug smile. "You go and contact Kakuzu now. The target has returned to Konoha; we will find a way to create an opportunity for him to strike. This time, success is mandatory; failure is not an option."

"F-failure, Lord Danzo. Kakuzu and the Fuma Clan have likely failed," Yamanaka Fu blurted out, unable to hold back any longer.

Danzo's smile stiffened instantly, his cheek twitching as he said, "Fu, what nonsense are you spouting? What exactly happened?"

In Danzo's eyes, no matter how impressive Uchiha Qin Yu was, he could not compare to a long-renowned S-rank missing-nin who had even slaughtered high-ranking officials.

"They are dead. The entire elite force of the Fuma Clan was killed. There are signs of a large-scale battle at the post station," Yamanaka Fu said with a livid expression.

"Furthermore, judging by the traces of destruction from certain ninjutsu, the power reached the S-rank level."

What?

The expressions of Danzo, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu all changed.

Although Uchiha Qin Yu was part of a trio, they did not believe for a second that the two newcomers, Gekko Hayate and Uzuki Yugao, could unleash such a powerful ninjutsu.

As for the possibility of this so-called S-rank ninjutsu originating from Kakuzu, that was out of the question.

If that were the case, Uchiha Qin Yu would never have made it back alive.

After careful deliberation, it became clear that this S-rank ninjutsu had likely come from Uchiha Qin Yu himself.

The fact that he returned alive meant that the S-rank missing-nin they had pinned their high hopes on, Kakuzu, had likely fallen.

At this thought, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu turned deathly pale.

They had just been at odds with Uchiha Qin Yu; if they had accidentally fallen into a genjutsu and the Third Hokage hadn't intervened in time, Uchiha Qin Yu might have struck them down in a fit of rage.

A certain death would have awaited them.

"Homura, Koharu, don't forget what you promised me." Danzo grew anxious and hurriedly steered the conversation back.

"Koharu, the weather is lovely today; it's been a while since we've had a cup of coffee together," Mitokado Homura suddenly remarked.

Utatane Koharu nodded and replied, "That sounds good. It feels like we haven't gathered in a long time."

Watching the two of them leave after spouting such nonsense, Danzo's expression turned livid.

"Bastards, those bastards." Danzo's face was twisted with resentment.

This should have been his closest opportunity to reach the position of Hokage.

However, the fact that even Kakuzu had been slain by Uchiha Qin Yu was completely beyond his expectations.

"Lord Danzo, what should we do now?" Yamanaka Fu could no longer contain himself. "Now that even the S-rank missing-nin Kakuzu couldn't kill Uchiha Qin Yu, are we just going to watch him strut around Konoha?"

"Fu, don't be impulsive. Lord Danzo will have a plan," Aburame Torune hurriedly cautioned.

Yet, despite his words, he couldn't think of a solution himself.

If even someone like Kakuzu couldn't deal with Uchiha Qin Yu, who else would dare to make a move?

"Rest assured, I have thought of a suitable candidate."