Konoha's Response

"Here's a summary of all the village's losses yesterday. Take a look."

In the Hokage's office in Konoha, Utatane Koharu rubbed her bloodshot eyes and tossed a report to Mitokado Homura beside her.

Mitokado Homura casually took it but didn't open it. He hadn't had a proper rest for a day and a night and was very tired.

"Just get to the result. I have a lot on my plate and really don't have time to look at each page one by one."

Moreover! We're going to send Hiruzen and Danzo on their final journey later.

"Phew... we really can't be late for our old buddy's final journey."

Upon Utatane Koharu, took a deep breath and sighed sadly, then continued:

"First, let's talk about casualties. Hiruzen died because of Orochimaru, and Danzo and the Root have been confirmed to be the Uchiha and were wiped out;

The second daughter of the Hyuga Clan, along with two children who failed to capture the Caged Bird Seal, were kidnapped by a group of mysterious people. Hyūga also mentioned that the kidnappers possessed methods to counteract the Byakugan.

Furthermore, the entire Kurama Clan of the village had defected to the Uchiha Uchiha left with them yesterday;

In addition, there were ninja casualties... and civilian casualties...

Then there was the loss of property; Kakashi personally witnessed that the Book of Seals and various secret scrolls, which were sealed in the underground chamber, were stolen by Uchiha Feng's subordinates.

Another group of thieves almost emptied our ninja tool warehouse, leaving less than 20% of it. They also took most of our food, medicine, and equipment warehouses.

Other indirect losses, such as housing, compensation, pensions, and reconstruction, amounted to billions of taels of silver.

If the village cannot receive resource replenishment next, I fear...

Well...!"

At this point, she couldn't help but sigh deeply again.

The losses and casualties this time are far too heavy and too difficult for Konoha to bear.

"No one expected that Orochimaru, who had slaughtered the Uchiha, would actually be able to collude with those extreme Hawk Faction who left Konoha, Uchiha Feng even came in person."

A man sitting not far from the two of them spoke up.

"I suspect... the two groups of thieves who went to the Hyuga Clan kidnap people and those who robbed the ninja tool and supply depots are very likely also subordinates of Uchiha Feng."

Kakashi, whose face was wrapped in several bandages, chimed in from Jiraiya.

"..." Jiraiya was silent for a moment after hearing this, then said, "There is indeed a high probability that it is him."

Utatane Koharu Mitokado Homura thought about it and nodded in agreement.

"That..."

Utatane Koharu, was about to say something more.

"Elders! Lord Jiraiya! Shikaku Jonin back!" A ninja rushed into the Hokage's office, seemingly without warning. "The situation looks terrible!"

Utatane Koharu, Jiraiya, and the others. "!!!?"

A sense of foreboding washed over him.

A moment later, Nara Shikaku also arrived at the Hokage's office.

"Shikaku, what's going on?! Tell me, what happened?"

Seeing Shikaku's ragged and disheveled Shikaku, several Konoha High Command couldn't help but ask him what was wrong.

"Everyone...!"

Konoha was defeated, utterly defeated. Three thousand ninja were almost completely slaughtered by Uchiha Feng alone; only I and fewer than a hundred others escaped."

Shikaku, suppressing his grief, anger, and fear, recounted the devastating defeat.

"This... it's over!"

"Konoha is truly doomed this time."

Upon hearing this, Mitokado Homura's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Elder Mitokado, it was just a major defeat. With Konoha's strength, we haven't reached that point yet."

Jiraiya but retort.

"No! Jiraiya, this time is different."

"What's different?"

"Daimyo! This time we've dragged in several daimyo."

"Daimyo?!"

"Yes, your full name!"

Elder Koharu just mentioned just how devastating Konoha's losses were yesterday due to Orochimaru's so-called "Konoha Crush Plan".

If things were as they normally would, with the village's ability to generate its own income, plus the daimyo's aid, we would be able to recover.

However, this time, our daimyo and several other daimyo were already very dissatisfied with Konoha because of yesterday's events, and were already considering reducing aid funds and mission quotas.

Now, with Shikaku defeat, the territory of our Land of Fire that was seized by the Uchiha is completely irretrievable.

Everyone, do you think the Daimyo will be disappointed in Konoha?

In the face of disappointment, how much of the aid money and the allocated quota for the village will be left?

Without aid funds and mission quotas, how will the village rebuild and recover?

"This...!" Upon hearing this, everyone was immediately shocked.

They certainly didn't think this through as thoroughly as Mitokado Homura served as an administrative and diplomatic advisor.

"Yan! Is there any way to have a proper conversation with the Daimyo?"

We can assure him that once Konoha recovers, we will reclaim the lost territory as soon as possible."

Utatane Koharu, who was turning to the other person, asked seriously.

"It's very difficult! Almost impossible..."

Mitokado Homura was quite helpless, but had no choice but to answer honestly.

"No! It's still possible to get the Daimyo to have a proper talk with us."

But before he could finish speaking, Jiraiya suddenly interrupted him.

Almost everyone turned to look at Jiraiya. Seeing this, Jiraiya smiled smugly and continued explaining:

"Hehe, you guys seem to have forgotten that there are three Konoha Sannin."

"??!! Tsunade!"

"Lady Tsunade?!"

"Yes, if Tsunade could return, the Daimyo would certainly be willing to have a proper talk with us."

"Yes, yes! Yes! She's a relative of the daimyo, the princess of the Land of Fire personally appointed by the previous daimyo."

With Jiraiya's prompting, everyone immediately understood and began to discuss it animatedly.

"Moreover, the village is currently leaderless, and we need to quickly elect Fifth Hokage to take charge of the situation."

Tsunade is undoubtedly the most suitable candidate.

Jiraiya reiterated Tsunade's role.

"Then what are we waiting for?! Let's hurry and bring Lady Tsunade back!"

One of them couldn't help but urge them on.

"Yes, indeed, no one is more suitable than Tsunade."

"Then, Kakashi, it's up to you..."

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura nodded without hesitation upon hearing this, and planned to arrange for Kakashi to go find Tsunade back.

But Jiraiya interrupted Jiraiya refused again:

"No, I doubt anyone else could persuade Tsunade to return. Only if I, her former comrade, go can we possibly succeed."

As for the reason, you two should know it."

When Jiraiya gave his reason for refusing, the two were speechless and dared not utter a word.

Of course they knew the reason. Tsunade left because she couldn't stand their shameless faces and hypocritical behavior with Hiruzen and Danzo!

After all, Jiraiya was one of them.

"..." The two remained silent for a long time before Mitokado Homura finally broke the silence. "Then I'll leave it to you, Jiraiya."

"Hahaha! No problem, leave it to me."

However, I need to bring someone with me, so please don't stop me.

"No, you can choose any person from the village."

Having gotten the answer he wanted, Jiraiya immediately burst into laughter, easing the somewhat somber atmosphere.

Ever since the old man died yesterday, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura have been trying to persuade him to become Hokage, but he knows very well that his personality and life goals make him unsuitable for the Hokage.