Kusa Ninja escaped and entered the territory of Land of Fire.
Konoha's guarding ninjas discovered it, and they must be dealt with accordingly. Whether it is expulsion or detention, these Kusa Ninjas must not be allowed to enter Land of Fire anyway. It's another thing to wander around in the hinterland and not find it. Since you find it, you must deal with it. And the Iwagakure Ninjas who are chasing after you naturally want to capture all these Kusa Ninjas.
This can easily form a confrontation between Iwagakure Ninja and Konoha Ninja, but fortunately, Konoha, under the leadership of Third Hokage, will always be the most restrained one, except Except for the Root led by Danzo, under normal circumstances, the Konoha Ninja would never take the initiative to provoke. Even if someone blocked the door, they would choose to treat them calmly and with restraint as much as possible.
The Iwagakure Ninjas who were chasing after them had obviously received instructions from above. They could only apply pressure but not actually take action.
Shōji or Ōnoki.
They are all the type of leaders who are bold yet cautious.
Even if their ninja village is really strong enough to challenge two major ninja villages on their own, the unnecessary things are just unnecessary!
This group of Iwagakure Ninjas are openly exerting pressure on the border.
It is also a very straightforward statement of Iwagakure's attitude.
'This is a problem between us and Kusa Ninja, Kumo Ninja, Konoha you'd better not get involved! '
When Third Hokage received the message sent back by the border guards as quickly as possible, even though Sarutobi Hiruzen was already old and his reaction was not as sharp as before, he could still easily read the meaning in advance.
Just after frowning and thinking for a while.
Third Hokage first ordered the garrison on the northwest border not to act rashly. After first taking the captured Kusa Ninja into custody, he immediately dispatched his own Anbu to invite Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, and Shimura Danzō.
By the way, I also sent someone to call Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi, the two young Jōnin who can be regarded as Sarutobi Hiruzen's most important think tanks, to come together to attend this special Konoha High Command meeting.
Not long after.
The nearest ones Nara Shikaku and Yamanaka Inoichi are coming in advance.
"Lord Hokage!"
After entering this room Hokage's Office, the two of them bowed slightly and saluted with a touch of respect.
"Well, the three elders will come together in a moment. Shikaku, Inoichi. You two will take a look at this intelligence coming from the border first."
Sarutobi Hiruzen also nodded slightly in greeting.
Then he motioned to the two of them to take a look at the scroll of information placed on the table that recorded the information passed back by Konoha Ninja from the border.
This also contains a relatively detailed record of the previous collision between the three village ninjas and the subsequent information about Iwagakure Ninja chasing and escaping Kusa Ninja.
After Shikaku and Inoichi looked at each other, they also stepped forward, picked up the scroll on the table, and spread it out.
When the content came into view of the two of them.
Even Shikaku and Inoichi were mentally prepared in advance.
But at that moment, the two people's pupils still shrank slightly.
There is a high possibility of a further large-scale collision between Kumogakure and Iwagakure. This was predicted by all the major ninja villages as early as half a year ago, but as mentioned before, this impact came too fast!
Moreover, the Kumo Ninja side actually joined forces with the remaining forces of the previous Kusa Ninja, and even used Tailed Beast from their own Ninja Village!
Even though there aren't many ninjas going into battle.
But once Tailed Beast joined the battle, the nature was already very different!
Now there is a high probability that even Tailed Beast will join in. Seeing this unfolding, Shikaku and Inoichi don't know what words to use to describe Kumogakure's decision. Do you want to say that they are reckless?
It doesn't seem right either.
But just looking at the results.
This time the Kumogakure side did not simply steal the chicken but lose the rice, but suffered heavy losses in a real sense!
The importance of Tailed Beast!
That is self-evident!
To put it bluntly, even if hundreds or even thousands of ninjas are killed in battle, in many cases it is far less important than a Tailed Beast. To put it even more exaggeratedly, the fall of a Tailed Beast may not be the key to a shadow's life or death.
Even though the fall of Two-Tails is not 100% certain.
But combined with the previous and later information.
Shikaku and Inoichi both feel that this is almost a certainty.
And lost one Tailed Beast's Kumogakure.
There is a high probability that they will not give up. To put it bluntly, it is impossible for any Ninja Village to accept such a result.
And once Kumogakure and Iwagakure start a full-scale war, it will mean that Shinobi World's fragile balance that has only been maintained for a little more than two years will be completely broken!
'Is a new round of Shinobi World War really about to break out? '
The expressions of Shikaku and Inoichi became very solemn at this moment!
Once Shinobi World War breaks out again, they, Konohagakure, who are in the core of the continent, will definitely not be able to survive alone.
It is now the 54th year of Konoha, and a full seven years have passed since Third Shinobi World War. If you really think about it, it is indeed "reasonable" to have another outbreak of Shinobi World War, which is very consistent with Five Great Shinobi Villages's urine.
But for them Konohagakure, a very serious problem is that since the outbreak of Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack in Konoha 48, their village has not really been peaceful for a while. First, Fourth Hokage and a large number of Konoha Ninja died in In Nine-Tailed Demon Fox's Attack, there was then a local war with Kumogakure, followed by the defection of the Uchiha Clan, and the defection of Orochimaru, one of Legendary Sannin, and then a war with Iwagakure that almost reached the level of full-scale war.
It started in 1948 and lasted until 1952. During this period, Konohagakure, not to mention recuperating, were constantly weakened. Compared with Third Shinobi World War just after it ended, they have become even weaker now!
It was a hard-earned period of time to recuperate.
Now we are about to usher in a new round of Shinobi World War crisis. Shikaku and Inoichi really feel that the future of their Ninja Village is not so bright.
In particular, Shikaku also thought of Lord Jiraiya, who left the Ninja Village two years ago to travel around the world, and was unwilling to inherit Fifth Hokage's position. This Konoha Strategist was a huge headache.
To be honest, even the three Ino–Shika–Chō families, the strongest supporters of the Hokage series, are already somewhat dissatisfied with Sarutobi Hiruzen.
They really hope that their Ninja Village can select a new Hokage who is more likely to come out.
But Jiraiya was unwilling, and Tsunade disappeared.
Shikaku and Inoichi had no choice but to remain silent for the time being. They couldn't have Ino–Shika–Chō also make a move to leave the Ninja Village, right?
That is simply the most ridiculous thing in the world.
When the two of them had just read the information and their thoughts were running through their minds, the door was pushed open again.
The other three giants in Konoha F4 also appeared.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu are nothing.
After Shimura Danzō stepped in with a gloomy look on his face, the temperature in this room Hokage's Office seemed to drop suddenly.
The minds of Shikaku and Inoichi were also shaken.
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, you called the three of us over at this time. Did something important happen somewhere else? Kumogakure? Or Iwagakure? Or maybe there is news about that Uchiha Obito!?"
As soon as he took his seat, Shimura Danzō, who was on the left hand position, turned his head and looked straight at Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was in the upper position, and asked in a very low tone.
Danzo's words fell.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu on the side also looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen in the first position with solemn expressions.
A high-level meeting exclusively for Konoha F4.
Generally nothing important.
At most, you can just send someone to notify them. Once a high-level meeting is held urgently, it will definitely involve the most critical issues.
Shimura Danzō also immediately associated it with these three.
After all, in the entire Ninja Village, these three are the only ones who have the real ability and motivation to threaten them Konohagakure.
Especially Uchiha Obito!
When I think of the invasion a year and a half ago.
Danzo felt very regretful. It was his biggest mistake not to let the evil boy who was comparable to Uchiha Shōji die together with Sarutobi Hiruzen. However, Danzo himself did not gain anything!
In the past year and a half, after it was confirmed that Uchiha Obito was indeed not alone and had considerable strength, and that the eye of Kakashi Hatake was actually transplanted.
Danzo is still strengthening contact with Akatsuki through Orochimaru, and at the same time, he is also investigating internally one by one, looking for Sarutobi Hiruzen. Wherever you can put that Mangekyō Sharingan, the ordinary Tomoe Sharingan, in the past few decades, through some dirty means, Danzo has obtained more than a dozen pairs.
There is no shortage of Three-Tomoe Sharingan inside!
But this is the first time I have the opportunity to come into contact with Mangekyō Sharingan.
And he also has eyes with space magic abilities.
Danzo is absolutely unwilling to let it go!
In this year and a half, although Danzo has not really succeeded, it has already achieved a certain degree of harvest. The next step is to look at your own operation, but it is obvious that the cooperation of Uchiha Obito is still needed!
Danzo takes the initiative to ask if it is related to Uchiha Obito.
There is also this aspect of meaning in it.
Naturally, it is impossible for all Danzo's little moves to escape Sarutobi Hiruzen's sight, especially the problems of Obito.
Third Hokage can be said to be insightful, not to mention the attack a year and a half ago.
In the past year and a half, Sarutobi Hiruzen has discovered some tricks, but this Third Hokage still displays his so-called "good old guy attributes" to the fullest when facing his close friend.
He has always felt that Danzo is a bit radical and paranoid.
Overall, I still consider it for Konoha.
Just mentally plan to hit Danzo at some point.
Therefore, we still turn a blind eye to some of Danzo's actions.
He just hoped that his best friend could understand his painstaking efforts and not really make it too difficult for him.
But it's obvious that Sarutobi Hiruzen put a lot of effort into this.
It's unclear whether Danzo will feel it, but he will definitely 'disappoint' Sarutobi Hiruzen's expectations. Original Work has already explained this well, and Danzo will only do more excessive behavior in this life.
Perhaps the former Danzo was indeed only considering the interests of Konoha.
But now it is absolutely necessary to add a prefix.
That is only considering 'his own Konoha interests'!
"You guys take a look first. This is the information sent back from the border."
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not answer immediately, but gestured to Shikaku and Inoichi who were standing on one side.
"Yes!"
Shikaku also stepped forward.
Submit that information scroll to Mitokado Homura
When the three of them quickly read the content recorded on the scroll, the three of them also frowned, and their expressions became extremely cold and serious.
"Are you sure that Two-Tails has fallen into the hands of Iwagakure? Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
Mitokado Homura, who was the first to read the information, took a deep breath and asked with a very solemn expression.
"Well, this should be certain!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded slightly and said.
Uchiha Clan's Mangekyō Sharingan has a strong restraining effect on Tailed Beast. This can be seen from the fact that Nine-Tails in his own ninja village can be controlled. With the strength of Uchiha Shōji, it should not be a problem to crush and control Two-Tails.
From a pure conclusion, this is undoubtedly the stupidest judgment on the part of Kumogakure, but from a practical point of view, who can know how strong Uchiha Shōji will be?
Kumogakure's plan this time was drawn up by Dodai himself and then submitted to Fourth Raikage for review and approval.
They have also considered that the worst result is that the mission fails, and the Kumo Ninjas who infiltrated will suffer heavy losses.
But it should be possible to ensure the safe retreat of Dodai, Yugito, and Darui. Kusa Ninja was originally attracting attention in front, and it was impossible for Iwagakure Ninja to send an army to support in a short period of time.
Logically speaking, the plan should not cause any major surprises or problems.
But.
Shōji happens to be the existence that breaks common sense.
One person is worth thousands of troops.
Not to mention the ordinary Kusa Ninja and Kumo Ninja, even Two-Tails Matatabi and the monster with a pair of flesh wings had to be suppressed by Shōji alone.
It can only be said that Kumogakure had a big problem with its initial estimate!
Or to be more precise, Kumogakure was a little too confident, which led to such a result.
"Then it seems that there is a high probability that a war will break out between Iwagakure and Kumogakure, unless Iwagakure is willing to return Two-Tailed Jinchuriki unconditionally, but..."
Mitokado Homura shook his head slightly and said.
He knew very well what Tailed Beast meant to a ninja village.
Kumogakure cannot sit idly by.
It is absolutely impossible for Iwagakure to return Two-Tails unconditionally, not to mention that it also involves the life and death of Dodai, an important Kumogakure figure, and more than two hundred Kumo Ninja!
Judging from the temperaments of Third Tsuchikage and Fourth Raikage, the outbreak of war between the two great ninja villages is almost a certainty.
"Huh, it's their business to break out of the war. As long as it doesn't affect us Konoha, then forget it. But what does Iwagakure Ninja mean? Pursue them into the border area of our Land of Fire? Is this a challenge? Are you provoking us Konoha? Hiruzen Sarutobi, you won't give in to the coercion of Iwagakure so easily, right? This is a matter of face for us Konoha!"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu are more concerned about the relationship between the two major ninja villages and the war that is likely to break out next.
But for Danzo.
He was more concerned about the issue of Iwagakure Ninja recorded at the bottom of the intelligence, pursuing him to the border area and confronting the ninjas guarding his own ninja village.
In Danzo's opinion, this was Chi Guoguo's provocative behavior.
Hear the words of Danzo.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu also frowned. It's not that they didn't see this piece of information, but compared with the former, the latter was obviously not that important. Isn't it normal for Iwagakure Ninja to pursue and confront each other at the border?
There was no actual attack.
No matter how stupid Iwagakure is, he would not tease them Konoha when they have already fallen out with Kumogakure, right?
The most important thing now is to clarify the situation of Konoha once a war breaks out between Iwagakure and Kumogakure!
"Hmph, do you think this is a trivial matter? This is a provocative test by Iwagakure Chi Guoguo! They themselves know very well that there is a high probability that a war will break out with Kumogakure, and Sunagakure still has Northern Fortress is the key issue. We do not rule out the possibility that once the war breaks out, Iwagakure will be attacked by two major ninja villages. Therefore, this is a test they made before the war! "We want to see our Konoha's attitude!"
Seeing the expressions on his two best friends.
Danzo You can guess what they are thinking with your toes.
Those are almost the words snorted subconsciously, and it must be said why Sarutobi Hiruzen, who is also a disciple of Second Hokage, can become Hokage, and Shimura Danzō can at least serve as the second-in-command of Konoha, taking charge of the elite Root!
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu can only be Hokage Advisor in name only. (When Tsunade was in power, the two elders still had some real power, but when Third Hokage was in power, without the authorization of Sarutobi Hiruzen, these two elders seemed to have high status, but in fact they had no rights!)
In fact, there are still essential differences between the four people.
Whether Sarutobi Hiruzen or Shimura Danzō, in the final analysis, he does have the qualities and conditions that a village leader should have!
Otherwise, Tobirama Senju would not have preferred Sarutobi Hiruzen to succeed Hokage Position, and Sarutobi Hiruzen would not have allowed Danzo to lead Root alone. The reason is because the two of them have corresponding attributes and abilities!
However, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu are even worse.
It can be seen from just this one thing in front of you.
The gap between the first two and the last two.
Didn't you see that Nara Shikaku could not help but secretly nod his head when Danzo finished speaking?
"!?"
"This?"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu also frowned more and more in hindsight.
"Well, Danzo is right. This should be Iwagakure's test of us. They want to see in advance what our Konoha's attitude is and what actions we will take next."
Sarutobi Hiruzen, who was on the main seat, also nodded slightly and continued.
"What do you mean Hiruzen Sarutobi?"
Mitokado Homura paused for a moment, then asked with a hint of inquiry.
Haven't waited for Sarutobi Hiruzen to answer.
"Huh, don't say that you just give those Kusa Ninja to Iwagakure Ninja so easily! Hiruzen Sarutobi, let's not talk about how it will damage our Konoha's face and make Iwagakure Ninja thinks that Konoha is weak and can be bullied, but we can obtain further information from those Kusa Ninja, which is of vital importance to our subsequent judgment of the situation!"
Danzo at the side snorted again and said.
"Don't worry, I won't give those Kusa Ninjas to the Iwagakure Ninja side easily. Even if I do, it will be the same as you said. At least we must first find out what happened. As for the collision issue between the three villages, I plan to put Konoha as the main one and propose a motion to convene the Five Kage Summit!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen also shook his head and said.
Although he was unwilling to turn against Iwagakure, he couldn't really deliver the captured Kusa Ninjas to Iwagakure Ninja so easily.
What is that mysterious monster that can fly?
How did Uchiha Shōji defeat Two-Tails and that monster?
And whether there are other hidden secrets in this collision, these are the key points. Before these are clarified, it is absolutely impossible for Sarutobi Hiruzen to push these Kusa Ninja out. This Third Hokage does appear to be very indecisive or even excessively weak at times, but he is definitely not stupid!
When Danzo heard the first half of Sarutobi Hiruzen's words, the look on his face softened a lot. That's right!
Their Konoha is the leader of the dignified Five Great Shinobi Villages.
There is no reason to be weak to the outside world, toughness is the attitude they Konoha should have!
But the 'Five Kage Summit' proposed by Sarutobi Hiruzen made Danzo frown.
"Five Kage Summit?"
"At this time?"
"Hiruzen Sarutobi, do you think Raikage and Tsuchikage will agree?"
It's not just Danzo either.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu both showed disapproval on their faces. In their opinion, the relationship between the two great ninja villages had completely broken through the critical point!
A war may break out at any time.
Now to hold Five Kage Summit? Doesn't this seem a little too rash?
among those present.
Only Shikaku showed a thoughtful expression.
"It is during this period that we have to do this. This is also a way to show our Konoha attitude!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen said with a rare and firm tone.
"Of course, this also depends on Iwagakure and Kumogakure, so the necessary preparations are still indispensable. Starting today, we must strengthen the defense of the northwest and northeastern borders. For the time being, let the villages be mobilized so that they can support the front line as soon as possible!"
Decisions can be fixed on a single level.
But the preparation needs to be more comprehensive.
You can't really place your hopes on just one thing.
As for Sarutobi Hiruzen's arrangement, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu had no objections.