Naoki Senju slipped back into Konoha through the secret passage left by Orochimaru, avoiding the hidden sentries left by the Anbu, and safely returned to the Senju Clan Compound.
The journey took eight days in total, four of which were spent traveling. During this time, while passing through the Land of Rivers, they encountered a group of bandits who tried to rob them. As an 'excellent' Konoha Ninja, Naoki Senju resolutely took on the responsibility of sending them to their next life.
Moreover, in the den of a group of ragged bandits who couldn't even get enough to eat, Naoki Senju actually found a full 30 million yen in cash, which was stored in several locked iron boxes, and the seals were signed by several nobles from the Land of Rivers.
Good heavens, the world is going to the dogs! Even ruthless mountain bandits, who kill without blinking an eye and have no integrity or morality whatsoever, have been forced to run an underground money exchange. This really opened Naoki Senju's eyes.
The ill-gotten gains obtained by these nobles through exploitation ultimately ended up in Naoki's pocket, making an outstanding contribution to Tsunade's gambling business.
However, as soon as he returned to the Senju Clan Compound, Naoki Senju noticed that something was amiss. The air was filled with a strong herbal scent, and there were many medical-nin rushing in and out, creating a scene of frantic activity as if they were racing against time.
"How could medical-nin be so busy? Could it be..." Naoki Senju thought of an almost impossible event—war!
Although Konoha lost the Uchiha Clan, Konoha overall strength did not decline significantly, and it still maintained considerable deterrent power over the other ninja villages. This was precisely the goal that Shisui and Itachi were willing to betray their clans to achieve. There was no reason for the other four great ninja villages to suddenly launch a war against Konoha...
Launching a war against Konoha now would be a losing proposition from any perspective. A more rational approach would be to wait until the Third Hokage passes away, the Sannin's strength declines, and Konoha is lacking in high-level talent before the four major ninja villages unite to wage war against Konoha.
At this critical juncture, the Five Great Shinobi Villages are all licking their wounds from the Third Shinobi World War; war should absolutely not break out!
Naoki Senju wasted no time and went straight to Tsunade's courtyard, which was also the place with the strongest smell of herbs.
" Sister Tsunade, what's been happening in Konoha lately? Has war broken out?"
When Naoki Senju, whom she hadn't seen for a long time, suddenly appeared, Tsunade had no choice but to put down the half-prepared poison, remove her gas mask, and reveal her charming and beautiful face.
" Naoki, you're finally back. Did you encounter any danger on this trip?"
Tsunade carefully examined Naoki Senju, worried that he might have some wounds. Actually, she didn't support Naoki Senju going to see Orochimaru alone this time, but since Naoki insisted on going, she had no choice but to agree.
It's all that Guren's fault for contacting Orochimaru. Next time, I'll give her a bunch of impossible tasks, and see how she contacts Orochimaru then.
Tsunade was sulking, Naoki Senju, who knew her personality perfectly, wrapped his Tsunade around Tsunade slender yet voluptuous waist and whispered sweet nothings in her ear.
"Alright, what danger could I possibly be in? Even a hundred Orochimaru wouldn't be a match for me right now. Tell me about the situation in Konoha first."
Holding her in a broad, strong embrace, Tsunade had no time to think about fighting Orochimaru and Guren, and obediently replied:
"You're always bragging... But there hasn't been a war yet, just a clash with a scout squad from Kumogakure. Both sides have suffered casualties, but Konoha is already on high alert. If you don't show up soon, it'll be hard to explain."
It's not just hard to explain; if Tsunade hadn't used her authority to suppress him, Naoki Senju, who mysteriously disappeared from Konoha, would have been judged as a spy from another village long ago, and would never have had the chance to sneak back into Konoha.
Why would the Kumogakure clash with the Konoha at this time? Naoki Senju was completely baffled. Could it be that a conflict had occurred in the original story, but it didn't escalate into a war and therefore didn't appear in the main plot?
That's possible. For example, Iwagakure) has clashed with Konoha (Hidden Leaf Village) several times. One such clash occurred during the reign of the Fourth Hokage, and another occurred after the Konoha 12 graduated.
Kirigakure also invaded Konoha several times. The most famous instance was during the Second Shinobi World War, when the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were kicked into the "Lucky Three" by Might Duy, who had opened the Gate of Death: Juzo Biwa, Suikazan Fuguki, Raiga Kurosuki.
The second time, he was defeated by the perennial Genin, Naruto Uzumaki, with Maruboshi Kosuke making a cameo appearance.
Therefore, it is highly likely that the invasion by Kumogakure was just a test, a test of Konoha's strength. As for whether there were other purposes, Naoki Senju still does not know.
Although Naoki Senju was completely unaware of this, his name had already spread throughout the upper echelons of Iwagakure and Kumogakure through the secret machinations of a certain older, unmarried Mizukage.
As for Sunagakure, it's not that Mei Terumi looked down on them, but a group of ninjas barely surviving in the desert were hardly worthy of being used as pawns for testing the waters.
Moreover, Sunagakure and Kirigakure are too far apart, almost spanning the entire Shinobi World, and require passing through the Land of Fire in between. To take such a risk just to contact a not-so-strong ally is hardly a wise move.
Therefore Mei Terumi simply excluded Sunagakure to be defeated in every Shinobi World War.
A Naoki Senju who possesses Wood Release and has become the Jinchūriki of the Three-Tails Jinchūriki is a necessary condition for the alliance of the Three Great Shinobi Villages.
Mei Terumi stared at a hand-drawn portrait for a long time without saying a word. This time, she was determined to repay him a hundredfold for the humiliation he had brought to Kirigakure and to her!
" Lord Mizukage, the gifts and personnel prepared for the mission to Konoha have been inventoried and are ready to depart at any time."
Qing, the chief steward of the Kirigakure Village, stood in front of the Mizukage's desk, solemnly giving a report.
Finally... finally, Kirigakure will finally be able to wash away the shameful memories of the Bloody Mist Village...
Those were days that no Kirigakure Ninja who experienced them wanted to recall. The village ninjas distrusted each other and secretly plotted to kill one another. Bloodline clans and ordinary ninjas killed each other, leading to the near extinction of the Bloodline clans in Kirigakure.
The surviving bloodstained ninjas were all living in fear, some even fleeing Kirigakure and choosing to live as ordinary people in seclusion...
The Hozuki Clan, the Kaguya (Taketori) Clan, the Yuki Clan... all the major clans that were once the backbone of the village have been wiped out. Kirigakure desperately needs a decisive victory to ignite the fighting spirit of the Kirigakure Ninja.
Konoha, the strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, was undoubtedly the most suitable target. The Uchiha Clan, which had caused them the most trouble, was completely wiped out in Konoha's political struggles, making it a golden opportunity.
As for the official Konoha statement that Uchiha Itachi slaughtered his entire clan and defected from Konoha... only a fool would believe such a thing. If you're going to find someone to take the blame, at least find someone powerful and with a notorious reputation, okay? Orochimaru and Danzo would be good examples...
"Very good!" Mei Terumi Chakra surged, and the pale green acid mist completely corroded the portrait in her hand.
"Inform Kumogakure and Iwagakure that I will be waiting for them in Konoha. The last one to arrive will lose the right to divide Konoha."