"Yes!"
After a trusted Anbu hidden in the shadows responded and left, [the situation was as described].
Hiruzen Sarutobi turned to Mitokado Homura and said, "Homura, I'll leave Danzo to you for now. We can't allow Danzo to take any further action. No Root member is allowed to leave the village without orders. If necessary, I authorize you to use unconventional methods!"
"Yes, I understand, don't worry, Hiruzen!"
Mitokado Homura nodded emphatically in reply.
What are the Root members doing leaving the village!?
This was something that didn't even require an investigation; it was precisely because of the seriousness of the situation that Mitokado Homura rushed to inform Hiruzen Sarutobi the moment he received the information!
As the Hokage Advisor, Mitokado Homura was all too aware of how much effort and energy his close friend, the Hokage, had devoted to the negotiations between various ninja villages held under the guise of the Chunin Ninja Exams, and how high a price his own village had paid.
The stability of the Shinobi World, which had been achieved with great difficulty, was something that Mitokado Homura did not want to see broken by any other factor or any other person.
Even if this person is your best friend.
No!
It should be said that it was precisely because he was a close friend of theirs that Mitokado Homura felt extremely puzzled, confused, and even angry!
He truly didn't understand why Danzo would do such a thing.
Triggering a Shinobi World war would do Konoha absolutely no good!
Therefore, he must stop Danzo!
Not long after Mitokado Homura left with a solemn expression and Hiruzen Sarutobi's orders, Jiraiya hurriedly arrived at the Hokage's private office.
When the Anbu came to deliver the order, their tone was already very serious.
Seeing his Hokage teacher's stern expression, Jiraiya immediately realized that this must be a serious situation.
'Could it be that the negotiations didn't go smoothly, and one of the ninja villages is about to launch a direct attack?'
Although Jiraiya the type to care much about the village's high-level affairs—to put it nicely, he was a rather carefree person—he was, after all, the Third Hokage's direct disciple, and could be considered one of Konohagakure's current high-ranking officials, as well as a recognized strong candidate for the next Hokage. Even if he didn't actively participate, he would still learn about some important matters. Considering what his father had been trying to do recently, this Konoha hero naturally connected this situation directly to the matter.
"Old man, why did you call me here in such a hurry? Is there something urgent? Is it related to the other ninja villages?"
He looked at Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was seated in the main seat, with a rare seriousness in his eyes, and asked in a deep voice.
"Yes, you guessed right. I need you to immediately lead several Anbu to the location where the group from Kirigakure Kirigakure. You must intercept all the Root members who left before they arrive. If anything happens, the decision-making on the spot will be up to you, Jiraiya!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi first handed Jiraiya the Anbu patrol report he had obtained from Mitokado Homura, and then spoke succinctly in a very serious tone.
Although he didn't explain it in great detail, Hiruzen Sarutobi was confident that his disciple would understand all the meaning behind his words.
" Root? Kirigakure? Old man, do you mean...!"
As expected, almost as soon as Hiruzen Sarutobi speaking, Jiraiya, sitting opposite him, glanced at the report in his hand, his Jiraiya suddenly contracted, and he said with a look of great shock.
"Therefore, the situation is extremely urgent. Jiraiya, let's set off immediately!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at Jiraiya and said.
"Ah, I understand, old man. But you need to be mentally prepared. The chances of making up for this time difference are extremely low. I can only say I'll do my best. You'll also need to prepare for the follow-up matters in advance!"
Jiraiya a deep breath and spoke with the same solemn expression.
"Um!"
Immediately afterwards.
Jiraiya stopped wasting words and immediately went to join the several Anbu squads that Hiruzen Sarutobi had gathered in advance, and then sped eastward.
After Jiraiya left.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression remained grim.
As Jiraiya said, there's a 99% or higher chance that intercepting them now is impossible. The Root members left late last night, and they're definitely already waiting in the designated ambush area.
The only hope of intercepting the Root members is to get ahead of the Kirigakure group. However, the Kirigakure group has been gone for a full three hours. Even though their group is almost entirely Genin and their movement speed is not fast, don't forget that three hours is enough time for them to travel a considerable distance!
It's really unlikely that you can get ahead of others.
However, we should still try to do what needs to be done; who knows, we might actually be able to intercept them successfully!?
'Hopefully, it's not too late!'
After letting out a long sigh, Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately put on his Hokage hat and left the office. If the consequences he absolutely did not want to see really happened, he would have to make some preparations in advance!
Especially in communication with other ninja villages.
The Fourth Shinobi World War isn't just a matter of one or two shinobi villages; it concerns the entire Shinobi World and all shinobi villages!
Perhaps he really needs to prepare for the worst!
Humans have always been the most adept at uniting and also at fighting.
People in different positions and with different stances often make corresponding decisions. The fragile balance that Hiruzen Sarutobi had painstakingly restored is now facing the most dangerous situation yet!
Just as Jiraiya and Hiruzen Sarutobi said.
Three hours!
This is already a fatal time difference!
Ao and his group left Konohagakure at 8:00 AM sharp.
However, after leaving the village, they went straight to full speed ahead. During the Chunin Ninja Exams, such a serious incident occurred, and the three Jonin led by Jonin were always on edge. Even though the following ten days seemed calm, they could not truly relax as long as they had not left the territory of Konohagakure.
Therefore, even though it's only three hours, it's still quite long.
The group had long since left the territory under the jurisdiction of Konohagakure and entered the eastern region of the Land of Fire.
Only then did Qing feel a slight sense of relief. Seeing that Genin in his team were already showing signs of fatigue, he finally ordered them to slow down.