The Mist Ninja withdrew

Hozuki Mangetsu stood on the sea, his face pale.

Suddenly, a Kirigakure Jonin emerged from underwater and said with a focused gaze, "Lord Mangetsu, the sensory unit found the hiding place of the Konoha Ninja who attacked the supply unit on the island ahead."

Hozuki Mangetsu hurriedly asked, "Only their hiding place? In other words, they've already fled?"

The Kirigakure Jonin nodded. "We were a step too late. The attackers left some time ago, but we can still track them by the scent they left behind."

Screech!

Hozuki Mangetsu was about to say something when a bird of prey suddenly cried out overhead.

A large bird circled above him several times before landing on his shoulder.

This messenger hawk was a precious bird of prey specially trained by Kirigakure. It flew fast and had almost no natural predators, and was only used at critical moments.

Hozuki Mangetsu removed the scroll from the hawk's leg, opened it, and glanced at it. His brows immediately furrowed. "Withdraw?"

Two days later, in the waters of the Land of Waves.

Kakashi and the other three poked their heads out from behind a reef and watched the Kirigakure army retreat in an orderly fashion, strange expressions on their faces.

Shisui said in surprise, "The Mist Ninja are retreating just like that?"

Kakashi considered it briefly before reaching a conclusion. "It seems the logistics supply point we blew up in the Land of Waves was vital to the Mist Ninja."

Douyang smiled noncommittally.

The logistics supply point was indeed important.

But he felt that Kirigakure's surprise attack on Konoha had merely been a probe.

As for the deeper reason behind that probe, it was very likely due to problems with the transfer of power within the Konoha High Command: the Third Hokage had stepped down, yet they still had not chosen a Fifth Hokage.

Kirigakure had no intention of launching a large-scale offensive at all.

So when problems arose with their supplies, they immediately withdrew without another word.

The Mist Ninja army retreated.

Kakashi and the other three did not linger along the Land of Waves' coastline either. Instead, they hurried along their planned route at full speed, finally returning to the Land of Fire's eastern border three days later.

Through the ninja patrolling the border, Kakashi and the other three learned about the latest developments.

Kirigakure had expressed its willingness to hold peace talks with Konoha.

Both Torifu Akimichi and Hiruzen Sarutobi had agreed.

The former wanted no trouble during his tenure as acting Hokage and sought only stability.

The latter did not want further conflict with Kirigakure to erupt into an all-out war.

In fact, never mind Torifu Akimichi and Hiruzen Sarutobi-99 percent of ninja hoped for peace talks with Kirigakure.

Only a few years had passed since the Third Shinobi World War ended, and the wounds left by war had yet to heal.

Everyone hated the Mist Ninja, but they hated war even more.

At this moment, however, doubts arose in Douyang's mind.

Obito controlled Kirigakure. These so-called peace talks were probably not that simple.

Kirigakure, inside a dark, damp cave on an unnamed island.

Water dripped onto the ground, its crisp pattering echoing incessantly.

A pitcher plant emerged from the ground, revealing a black-and-white face in its center.

White Zetsu laughed lightly. "Obito, the entire Mist Ninja army has withdrawn to the Land of Water, and Konoha has accepted Kirigakure's offer of peace talks."

Obito nodded. "Everything is going as I expected."

Black Zetsu said in a hoarse voice, "Are you planning to send a delegation to Konoha and use the peace talks to bring the conflict between the two great ninja villages to a head?"

"That's the plan, but the time isn't right yet."

Obito chuckled.

Although he controlled the Fourth Mizukage, he could hardly wield absolute power over all of Kirigakure.

Genji was highly respected in Kirigakure, his status no lower than the Fourth Mizukage's. The Fourth Mizukage had to seek Genji's opinion before implementing many policies.

Genji's interference from the rear was also part of the reason the Mist Ninja army had withdrawn after running short of provisions.

Then there was the daimyo of the Land of Water to consider.

Launching an all-out war against Konoha required the daimyo's full support.

If the daimyo opposed military action against Konoha and cut off their funding, they would still be unable to fight.

Thus, Obito intended to imitate the incident in which the Kumogakure delegation had visited Konoha, attempted to abduct Hinata, and forced Hizashi Hyuga to his death, using a Kirigakure delegation to provoke conflict between the two great ninja villages.

"The time isn't right yet?"

Black Zetsu pondered for a moment, then asked, "Then do you have another plan?"

Obito said coldly, "During this conflict between Kirigakure and Konoha, Uchiha Fugaku took command along the eastern coastline to hold off Kirigakure's army. That shows the Uchiha Clan has resolved its conflict with the village. That isn't good news for us."

Black Zetsu nodded. "Indeed. Since the Third Hokage stepped down, the Uchiha's situation in Konoha has been steadily improving. Give it a little more time, and wiping out the Uchiha will likely become incredibly difficult."

"So we have to do something to stop the Uchiha from integrating into Konoha."

"Hey, Obito, what do you have in mind?" White Zetsu asked cheerfully.

A cold glint flashed in Obito's scarlet eyes as he said unhurriedly, "Infiltrate Konoha and find me a suitable member of the Uchiha Clan. I'll use them to intensify the conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha."

Konoha, a clinic in the village center.

Knock, knock!

An urgent knocking suddenly rang out.

Douyang went over and opened the door, revealing Kurenai Yuhi.

Kurenai Yuhi let out a sigh of relief. "You're finally back."

Just then, Uchiha Yui entered the room carrying fragrant dishes.

Douyang sniffed, his appetite immediately stirred.

So he pulled Kurenai Yuhi over to eat with him.

As Kurenai Yuhi served Douyang food, she asked curiously, "Douyang, I heard people in the village saying Kirigakure withdrew because of you and your team?"

Douyang nodded and briefly recounted the mission, leaving out the dangerous parts.

Kurenai Yuhi secretly broke into a cold sweat, her face filled with lingering fear. "Four people, blowing up a logistics supply point-how dangerous must that have been?"

Douyang took a bite of food and smiled gently. "Didn't I tell you before? I'm very strong. The Mist Ninja were the ones who should've been worried."

To his surprise, Kurenai Yuhi rolled her eyes. "You only awakened your Sharingan at seventeen, and it's still only one-tomoe. How strong could you be? You completed this mission because of Kakashi and Shisui, right?"

The corner of Douyang's mouth twitched, but he offered no explanation.

He changed the subject and asked, "You went north with the Third Hokage this time to guard against Kumogakure's army. What was Kumogakure's stance?"

At that, Kurenai Yuhi smiled disdainfully. "Those people from Kumogakure are all bandits who excel at taking advantage of others' misfortune. Once they saw the Mist Ninja withdraw, they pulled their army back fifty li without another word. They seemed worried Clan Leader Fugaku would lead the eastern army north."

Douyang smiled noncommittally at her words.

The Cloud Ninja really were a bunch of bandits.

They had tried to abduct Kushina and Hinata. Fortunately, they had failed in the end. Otherwise, had those two ended up in Kumogakure, their fates would have been ten or a hundred times more miserable.

But underestimating Kumogakure because of that would be a grave mistake.