Then they saw the newborn Naruto Uzumaki lying in his swaddling clothes, crying, with complex Sealing Jutsu techniques on his stomach.
"What? Has the Nine-Tails been sealed inside Minato's child?"
Seeing the still-crying baby on the ground, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately understood Minato's actions.
By sealing the Nine-Tails inside Naruto Uzumaki's body, they managed to reclaim the Nine-Tails from the Kumogakure.
Although it's unclear why Nine-Tails) suddenly appeared in Konoha, we must protect this child and prevent his identity from being exposed.
Otherwise, the Kumogakure would certainly not let this go, after all, the Nine-Tails is such a powerful Tailed Beast, the Kumogakure will definitely come knocking again.
"The fact that Naruto Uzumaki is the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki must not be revealed. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi addressed several of his trusted ANBU Anbu behind him, saying that these people would not betray him.
The following day, under the supervision of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato Namikaze was given a grand funeral, and he announced that he had resumed control of Konoha.
This made Shimura Danzō very unhappy.
He originally thought that Minato Namikaze was dead, it would be his turn to die, but he never expected that the old fox Hiruzen Sarutobi would shamelessly come out of seclusion again.
Danzo was furious, but he dared not confront Hiruzen Sarutobi, so he secretly plotted to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Hiruzen Sarutobi had no time to Danzo; he was now focused on finding out who was behind the Nine-Tails' attack.
It's important to know that the Nine-Tails is now Tailed Beast belonging to the Kumogakure. The fact that the Masked Man was able to seize the Nine-Tails from the Kumogakure shows that he is extremely powerful.
How could Hiruzen Sarutobi not be worried about being targeted by someone like that?
Unfortunately, Minato Namikaze is dead. If he were still alive, he might have been able to tell me just how powerful that Masked Man really was.
However, no matter how much he investigated, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't find any clues.
He had suspected it was a test from the Fourth Raikage, but given the Fourth Raikage's strength, annihilating Konoha would be a matter of a single thought for him; he wouldn't be so bored.
" Lord Hokage, something terrible has happened! The Kumogakure has sent an envoy, saying they want the Nine-Tails back from us."
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi could even settle in, the Hiruzen Sarutobi of Konoha hurriedly reported to him.
"Who is it? It can't be Yeyue Ziyun, can it?"
No, it's not Yeyue Ziyun.
"Let him in."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi a sigh of relief.
In fact, he had long anticipated that the Kumogakure would come knocking on his door. After all, the Nine-Tails had inexplicably appeared in the Konoha and then disappeared. Even if the Konoha wanted to distance itself from the matter, it would be impossible.
It's something we'd have to face sooner or later, but the fact that it wasn't Yeyue Ziyun who came is good news for Konoha.
" Teacher Sarutobi, it's great to see you again. You've aged quite a bit."
Then a familiar voice rang out from the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart tightened.
I never expected that Kumogakure would send Orochimaru. Yeyue Ziyun, you really know how to kill someone by attacking their spirit.
" Orochimaru, what did the Fourth Raikage send you to Konoha for?" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his former beloved student with a complicated expression.
If Orochimaru were still in Konoha, he probably would have already successfully developed the Impure World Reincarnation.
Jiraiya was still far inferior to Orochimaru in this aspect.
"Of course, we should hold Nine-Tails accountable. Everyone knows that Nine-Tails suddenly appeared in Konoha, so the Lord Raikage suspects that Konoha people kidnapped Nine-Tails."
Orochimaru sneered, his vertical pupils Hiruzen Sarutobi.
During his time in Kumogakure, Orochimaru learned quite a few Ninjutsu with Ziyun's permission.
Orochimaru researched and mastered S-rank Ninjutsu such as Dust Release from Iwagakure and Lightning Release Chakra Mode from Kumogakure, leading to a rapid increase in his strength.
Orochimaru was also very grateful to Kumogakure, especially to Ziyun.
If it weren't for Ziyun's permission, he probably would never have been able to learn so many Ninjutsu in his entire life.
Furthermore, he was able to study the Ninjutsu in the Scroll of Seals Konoha, including forbidden techniques such as the Impure World Reincarnation. Apart from the Flying Thunder God and the Eight Gates, which he could not learn, Orochimaru could study all the other Ninjutsu to his heart's content.
Therefore, when Ziyun sent him as an envoy to Konoha, Orochimaru agreed without hesitation.
" Orochimaru, you must know that it's impossible for us to go to Kumogakure to kidnap the Nine-Tails. Konoha doesn't have that idea right now, nor does it have the strength."
Facing Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only show weakness, a feeling that was quite unpleasant.
But there's no way around it; Orochimaru now represents Kumogakure, Konoha can't afford to offend Kumogakure, at least not at this stage.
" Teacher Sarutobi has a point, but the fact that the Nine-Tails appeared in Konoha is undeniable. Konoha must give us an explanation."
Seeing his former mentor humbly bowing before him, Orochimaru felt a strange sense of pleasure.
No wonder the Fourth Lord Raikage entrusted this task to me; he truly is a leader who understands human nature.
"Hand over the Kumogakure Hyuga Clan's young lady, and Kumogakure can pretend this never happened."
Seeing that Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent for a long time, Orochimaru spoke up first.
That's right. He came to Konoha on Ziyun's orders to bring back the Hyuga Clan's newborn young lady.
"Impossible. Although I am the Hokage, the eldest daughter of Hyuga Hiashi, the head of the Hyuga Clan, was just born. Wouldn't giving her away now force the Konoha High Command to break with the Hyuga clan?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately refused Orochimaru's request.
Hinata Hyuga had just been born, Hyuga Hiashi was overjoyed at the birth of his daughter, hosting a banquet to celebrate with all the major clans.
Hyuga Hiashi would definitely not be willing to suddenly hand Hinata Hyuga over.
" Teacher Sarutobi, you have no right to bargain now. If this is your answer, I have no choice but to go back and report to the Fourth Lord Raikage."
Orochimaru sneered, his words carrying a subtle threat.
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi inwardly thought, "This is bad."
Because the visitor was Orochimaru, Hiruzen Sarutobi considered Orochimaru his beloved disciple, he spoke somewhat casually.
Orochimaru is now serving the Kumogakure. If such an answer were to reach Yeyue Ziyun's ears, who knows what kind of behavior that Hiruzen Sarutobi would do.
Konoha might even become history.
The Impure World Reincarnation is still under development, so we can't afford to turn against the Kumogakure.
" Orochimaru, I lost my composure just now, but I really can't make such a decision on my own. I hope you can stay in Konoha for two days. I need to discuss this matter with the Hyuga clan leader and other high-ranking members."
Hiruzen Sarutobi later apologized for his outburst.
"Oh? Teacher Sarutobi, this is so unlike you."
Orochimaru laughed, a very unrestrained laugh.
If it were Konoha at its peak, Hiruzen Sarutobi would have agreed without hesitation.
After all, although the Hyuga Clan is powerful, it doesn't even have a single Kage Level shinobi among its members. The clan leader Hyuga Hiashi, is probably just an Elite Jonin, not even a Kage -Quasi-Kage level shinobi. So it's one thing to bully them.
However, Konoha is currently sparsely populated, and geniuses are even rarer. Hiruzen Sarutobi dares not turn against the Hyuga Clan.
After all, if the Hyuga Clan were to turn against Konoha, Konoha's strength would be diminished.
"Hehe."
Hiruzen Sarutobi inwardly at Orochimaru's mockery, but outwardly he could only force a smile.
Orochimaru then agreed to Hiruzen Sarutobi's request, giving Konoha two days to discuss the matter.
Soon after, Hiruzen Sarutobi convened a meeting with Konoha High Command and Hyuga Hiashi to discuss the matter.
"I strongly oppose this! Hinata has only just been born. If the Kumogakure takes her away like this, both Konoha and the Hyuga Clan will become a laughingstock."
Hyuga Hiashi reacted strongly.
They finally had a daughter, and she was just born. Are they really going to give her away now?
Hyuga Hiashi didn't have the same level of resolve as Hiruzen Sarutobi.
" Hiashi, we must prioritize the greater good. Now that the Kumogakure has come knocking on our door demanding the Hyuga Clan's princess, what can we do?"
Danzo a chilling tone.
Danzo was happy to see a powerful clan like the Hyuga being put in a bad position, and he was also willing to cooperate.
"That's right, Hiashi, you need to prioritize the bigger picture and not act impulsively."
Besides Danzo, Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado also spoke up to persuade him.
The Nine-Tails is currently sealed inside Naruto Uzumaki, a fact unknown to the people of Kumogakure.
Konoha has already made a huge profit, so even if they were to sacrifice Hyuga no Higanbana to appease Kumogakure's anger, it wouldn't be a big deal.
"As expected of the team led by the [ Strongest Hokage ], Konoha has now reached the point where it relies on the bloodlines of powerful clans to maintain peace."
Faced with pressure from Konoha High Command, Hyuga Hiashi roared inwardly while simultaneously uttering sarcastic remarks.
His daughter had just been born, not even a month old yet, and now he was handing her over to the Kumogakure, to that demon named Yeyue Ziyun. How could he bear to do this?
Hyuga Hiashi also knew that if handing Hinata could quell the anger of Kumogakure, the Konoha High Command would definitely be willing.
Even though he was the head of the Hyuga clan, there was nothing he could change.
" Hiashi, what do you mean by this?"
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the other Konoha F4 also became anxious.
After all, Hyuga Hiashi's sarcasm hit a nerve, so of course they would get anxious.
"Hmph, it's meaningless. Since everyone has already agreed, what use is my word as a mere clan head? Hinata will be left to Kumogakure."
Then Hyuga Hiashi sighed and said, at the same time planting the seeds of hatred in his heart.
After all, it's too weak for the Hidden Konoha High Command Kumogakure to immediately agree to Konoha's demands.
Although he dared not hate Yeyue Ziyun, he did dare to hate the Konoha High Command and the head of the Hyuga clan.
So he left after saying that, making a scene.