Feeling increasingly unwell, Rock Lee, despite his injuries, served as Neji before finally feeling much better. Although he ended up in a VIP ward at Konoha Hospital after returning to the Konoha.
Having already been targeted by Root's assassination attempt, Might Guy naturally couldn't allow the entire team to risk going to the Fire Temple as planned. The reason why Rock Lee and the others were able to escape unharmed this time was because they weren't the mission's target in the first place. Rather than killing them outright, it was more valuable to take them hostage and adapt to the situation.
But the Root ninjas might not think the same way about the next assassination attempt; they might kill Rock Lee, Tenten, Neji first to eliminate them.
Might Guy stood before the Hokage's desk, reporting on the details of the mission, such as how Naoki Senju got along with his team members, how many Root ninjas were deployed, and their strength...
Throughout this time, Hiruzen Sarutobi kept his eyes lowered, his warm smile vanished, replaced by a chilling aura. He silently puffed on his pipe, soon exhaling a large cloud of white smoke that enveloped the surroundings. Apart from Kakashi, who was wearing a mask, no one could tolerate such a concentration of secondhand smoke.
" Lord Third, that's basically the situation. Naoki Senju's skill in Water Release Ninjutsu is second to none among Jonin, and he harbors no potential hostility towards Konoha. As the Jonin the team, I believe I can give him appropriate trust."
Might Guy's tone clearly showed his concern for Naoki Senju, which was indeed Might Guy true thought, without any element of favoritism.
Hiruzen Sarutobi understood this perfectly, which made the situation particularly troublesome. He took a deep drag on his pipe. Some confidential information absolutely could not be revealed to Might Guy, such as the ' Soga Clan ' that was wiped out overnight a year ago, which was actually the Senju Clan...
Not only can't we tell Might Guy, but even a slight leak of part of the truth would cause a huge uproar in Konoha.
Based on the information that Shikaku Nara had gathered from digging deep into the capital of the Land of Fire, Hiruzen Sarutobi was able to confirm that the death of the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, Asuma's serious injury, and the destruction of the Twelve Guardian Ninja were all the work of Naoki Senju's revenge.
Unfortunately, he had no substantial evidence...
Unfortunately, Naoki Senju's identity is sensitive, and with Tsunade's protection, he can't use those special methods. He gave Danzo an opportunity, but failed to seize it... It seems the only option left is to sacrifice the pawn to save the king...
"Alright, I understand the situation, Kai, you can go now."
"Yes, Lord Third." Might Guy bowed and left to visit Rock Lee and Neji, who were hospitalized at Konoha Hospital. Tenten's injuries were the least serious, and she was discharged after simple treatment. She should be at the Senju Clan Compound right now, circling around her 'idol' Princess Tsunade.
Senju Clan Compound, Ninjutsu training ground.
Tsunade watched with a sense of utter despair as Tenten practiced her Medical Ninjutsu, watching helplessly as a lively fish gradually lost its life in Tenten's hands, its eyes rolling back and its belly facing upwards...
I thought Naoki's Medical Ninjutsu talent was beyond saving, but I never expected there was someone even worse, who managed to turn the life-saving Medical Ninjutsu into a deadly poison...
" Lady Tsunade, I'm sorry, I think I failed again..."
Tenten, she lowered her head in shame, too embarrassed to look at her idol.
"Sigh..." Tsunade felt utterly exhausted, her gaze filled with resentment as she looked at the culprit behind the whole affair, the meaning of which was quite clear:
"You're the one who caused this mess, and you're the one who brought this person back. Figure out how to resolve it yourself."
What could Naoki Senju do? He couldn't very well go back on his word, so he pulled over the innocent-looking Shizune and said:
"Keep working hard, Tenten. Practicing Medical Ninjutsu isn't something you can master in a day or two. Senior Sister Shizune will practice with you."
Shizune: "..."
Although she felt somewhat sorry for Shizune, Tsunade also thought the plan was good and chimed in:
"Then Shizune, you can stay and practice Medical Ninjutsu with me Tenten. I have important things to do."
As for what this important matter is... Konoha's first official casino opened yesterday, but due to the reserve of her status as one of the Sannin, Tsunade didn't visit it on the very first day.
Now that it's the second day of opening, she, the casino's behind-the-scenes owner, is finally able to patronize her own casino, although she still needs to conceal her identity so as not to embarrass the Sannin.
" Sister Shizune, the rest is up to you."
Naoki Senju also made a hasty escape, since he couldn't learn Medical Ninjutsu anyway, and there was no point in staying here. He might as well go find the current Konoha 12 and also annoy Danzo.
Having suffered two failed assassination Danzo and lost many men, Danzo would surely be furious to see me still alive and kicking. If I could actually anger Danzo to death, that would be an even greater surprise.
Ignoring Shizune's pitiful look, Naoki Senju and Tsunade left one after the other, leaving Shizune and Tenten staring at each other in bewilderment.
" Shizune... Senior Sister, where should we begin?"
"Hmm... let's start with Chakra control. Have you practiced Tree Climbing Practice? How about Water Walking?"
"You've practiced Tree Climbing Practice, Water Walking... and you can practice controlling Chakra?" Tenten asked, looking completely bewildered.
" Lady Tsunade, really, you're so careless. Let me take you to practice Water Walking first." Shizune had a new appreciation for Lady Tsunade's unreliability.
"That's great, thank you so much, Senior Sister Shizune."
"It's alright, just remember to practice your Medical Ninjutsu diligently."
Shizune answered quite seriously, otherwise she would be in big trouble later. Teaching Tenten Medical Ninjutsu was no easy task.
Konoha's Root operations.
Today, the Root base welcomed the most unexpected 'guest': Anbu Ninja wearing an animal mask and Root ninjas confronted each other, while the Third Hokage calmly smoked his pipe within the protective circle of the Anbu Ninja.
" Lord Hokage, the leader is not at the base today. Please return."
After exhaling a smoke ring, the Third Hokage stepped between the two opposing sides and calmly said:
" Danzo, this time you disregarded the bonds between your fellow village ninjas and rashly attacked your comrades. Don't you have anything to say about that?"
There was still no response after a long time. The Root ninja remained as still as statues, their Kunai pointed at the Anbu Ninja, and even at the Third Hokage himself.
Just then, the sound of a cane striking the ground came from the depths of the tunnel. Danzo, with half his body wrapped in bandages, walked out of the darkness and faced off against the Third Hokage, who was standing in the light.
With the arrival of the Root leader, the atmosphere between the two sides became increasingly tense, as if war could break out at any moment.
"What are you saying? Should I say that you, Hiruzen Sarutobi, willingly gave the opportunity to Root, or that you talked about the bonds between ninjas from the same village while secretly sending Anbu to monitor them?"