"Zzz~"
The powerful thunder tore through the air and shattered the two remaining shadows. A stopped, turned around to look at the place where the two had been, his face expressing uncontrollable anger.
He furiously scanned the surroundings, trying to find traces of the two, but unfortunately, within the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, there was no sign of them left, only the recent sensation on his fingertips and a hint of blood, proving that they had been there.
"Boom~"
At that moment, a bolt of lightning descended, and amidst a burst of thunderlight, a half-human-sized jar slowly emerged. Seeing this jar, A gritted his teeth and had no choice but to calm down.
His hands reached into the thunderlight, ignoring the lightning, and directly retrieved the jar. This was the Kohaku no Johei, a trophy A had obtained from Kinkaku. It was also the container used to seal the Eight-Tails before Blue B became the Jinchuriki. When the village learned of the Eight-Tails' rampage in the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, A ordered preparations for the Heavenly Transfer Jutsu and Kohaku no Johei. If not for the new information that Konoha's Sakumo Hatake was involved, Kohaku no Johei would have arrived first.
However, A was also relieved that he arrived first; otherwise, given Sakamoto Tatsuma's methods, if Kohaku no Johei had arrived first, it might have been directly taken away. Just thinking about that half-grown child made A grit his teeth. One day, he would make Sakamoto Tatsuma pay the price! Carrying Kohaku no Johei, A headed towards the mountain where the Eight-Tails was located. Upon landing, he unleashed all his pent-up rage onto the Eight-Tails.
Even the fully transformed Eight-Tails was no match for A, let alone the Eight-Tails in its half-tailed beast form due to Tatsuma's interference with the seal.
After venting his anger, A felt much better, and the Eight-Tails was left in a sorry state. Both the Eight-Tails and Blue B were sealed into Kohaku no Johei.
Once he had vented his frustration, A looked at a Jonin from Hidden Cloud Village and asked, "Nagare! The three people just now—one is Sakumo Hatake, one is Sakamoto Tatsuma. Who was the remaining person?"
The Hidden Cloud Jonin named Nagare thought for a moment and said, "Based on the level of coordination between those two ANBU, if one is Sakamoto Tatsuma, then the other should be Minato Namikaze. And from the appearance, it indeed matches this condition."
"Do you know their ANBU identities?"
A asked in a deep voice. Nagare nodded and replied, "Sakamoto Tatsuma's ANBU code name should be Yaksha, and Minato Namikaze should be Owl. This code name has been out of use for a long time, so it's uncertain if there has been a change."
"Hmph, put a top bounty on the three of them! At the same time, hold Konoha accountable! That old guy Sarutobi Hiruzen must give me an explanation!"
Upon hearing A's furious words, Nagare dared not say another word and just accepted the orders.
After a moment, A added, "Order Team Furui to expedite the improvements on Iron Sealing. Anyone should be able to break the seal and cause the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki to go on a rampage—what is this supposed to mean?!"
Hearing this, Nagare swallowed nervously and said, "A-sama, Team Furui is no more."
"No more?! They all died?!"
Seeing A's grim expression, Nagare cautiously nodded. A took a couple of heavy breaths and said, "Then arrange for others to handle it. I want to see results, no matter what!"
With that, A turned to look at the trembling Kohaku no Johei, slapped the jar, and said harshly, "Return Blue B's body! Otherwise, don't even think about getting out in the future!"
Upon hearing this, the jar shook even more violently, as if someone inside was forcefully smashing it. However, A paid no attention to this and began confirming the casualties with Nagare and the others.
The battle took place in the morning, and by just past noon, the letter of accountability had arrived at Konoha.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Danzo, who had once again hinted at returning Root to him, and said:
"Danzo, how should I put this? Root has always been yours, but Root is also ANBU's Root. Over the years, Sakumo has led them quite well, hasn't he?"
Upon hearing this, Danzo's already grim face turned as dark as a bottomless pot. He suddenly stood up, as if to say something, but at that moment, urgent knocking came from the door.
From the person's breathing and habitual movements, both men knew who it was. Danzo sat back down with a still unpleasant expression, while Sarutobi Hiruzen resumed his smile and said, "Shikato, come in."
The office door was pushed open, and Shikato walked in holding a fax. Without any formal greetings, he merely nodded at Danzo before approaching Sarutobi Hiruzen's desk.
Placing the fax on the desk, Shikato said, "Third-sama, Hidden Cloud Village has sent a letter of accountability, questioning us about the dispatch of Sakumo Hatake, Sakamoto Tatsuma, and Minato Namikaze to attack Hidden Cloud Village and harm the Jinchuriki."
Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's smile faded. He hadn't expected Sakumo Hatake and the others to act so quickly.
Due to the minimal information revealed by Blue B, no one knew his whereabouts. Sarutobi Hiruzen's previous expectation was to find enough information about Blue B within a month.
But Sakumo Hatake and the others had found Blue B in less than a week and had already attacked Hidden Cloud Village and harmed the Jinchuriki.
However, his expression grew serious. The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was extremely important to Hidden Cloud Village, and the attack on the Jinchuriki would undoubtedly prompt a full-scale retaliation from them.
Similarly, Sakumo Hatake and his team were irreplaceable for Konoha, especially Tatsuma and Minato, who were the future of Konoha.
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression, Shikato quickly added, "According to our spies in Hidden Cloud Village, two hours ago, Hidden Cloud Village listed Sakumo Hatake and the others as the highest-priority wanted criminals. Additionally, the ANBU code names of Sakamoto Tatsuma and Minato Namikaze have been made public. Although their specific deeds have not been disclosed, it may still attract the attention of other villages."
Upon hearing this, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression eased slightly. The actions of Hidden Cloud Village indicated that Sakumo Hatake and the others had not been captured on the spot and might have even escaped.
However, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not be certain and did not dare show any joy. He looked at the letter of accountability again and, finding no additional information, said:
"Have you contacted Sakumo Hatake?"
"Not yet, but there have been several signal returns, which should indicate that they are okay. I've instructed the communications team to keep a close watch on the signals, so we can monitor any new developments as soon as they happen."
Shikato was thorough in his work, which was why Sarutobi Hiruzen trusted him with many important matters in the village. Shikato should have gathered a lot of information about Sakumo Hatake and the others' actions today.
The reason for not reporting yet might be because the situation is still under control. The reason for coming to him now was likely due to the diplomatic formalities that only Sarutobi Hiruzen, as the Hokage, could handle.
Sarutobi Hiruzen set down the fax and said, "Let's wait for now. Once it's confirmed that Sakumo Hatake and the others have escaped, we can deny everything. After all, hasn't A always denied sending ninjas to target our Jinchuriki candidates?"
"Is it self-directed?"
Shikato asked tentatively. Sarutobi Hiruzen initially nodded, then shook his head, and said, "Previously, Tatsuma mentioned something during a casual conversation that I found quite fitting. Let me think... Ah, yes, he said, 'When the Land of Lightning accuses others, either they have done it themselves or are currently doing it.' Let's use this as our main direction and disclose it to all countries.
We can reveal to the other three countries that Hidden Cloud Village once targeted Konoha's Jinchuriki candidates. We can also provide examples, such as their abduction and training of Magnet Release and Lava Release ninjas. Do you understand my point?"
"I understand."
Shikato nodded. He knew that Sarutobi Hiruzen intended to implicate the other three countries as well. The Land of Lightning's continuous abduction of ninjas with Kekkei Genkai or Secret Jutsu was no secret. Some Kekkei Genkai ninjas from other villages were trained from childhood, or even from the womb, by Hidden Cloud Village. Even after learning the truth, they remained loyal to Hidden Cloud Village rather than their original villages.
Such matters have long been questioned by other countries. Sarutobi Hiruzen used this opportunity to provoke and suppress the Land of Lightning through public opinion. If the Land of Lightning insists on using diplomatic means for accountability, then they should first address their own actions.
This forces the Land of Lightning to resolve the issue through ninja methods, and Sakumo Hatake is not afraid of being targeted. With Tatsuma and Minato's talents, they can handle it.
After Shikato left, Danzo spoke up, saying, "As expected of the one I value, Tatsuma has performed the task excellently!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen rolled his eyes and said, "They haven't returned yet, and Hidden Cloud Village hasn't disclosed the details. How can you be so sure Tatsuma did a good job?"
"Hmph, who else but Tatsuma could find the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and achieve results in such a short time? Sakumo Hatake? Or that half-grown Minato?!"
Upon hearing Danzo's rebuttal, Sarutobi Hiruzen replied, "Don't forget, Tatsuma is also a half-grown child."
"He is different; he has inherited sensei's talent and will!"
Danzo said firmly, then added, "I see that your training of Tatsuma over the past three years has been a complete failure. What have you had him do?! Acting as your secretary? Working as a doctor at Konoha Hospital? Or spending two years messing around with Orochimaru? In my view, such tasks are the most effective in honing Tatsuma's skills. If he were under my guidance, he would have already acquired the strength to contend with A in these three years!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen did not respond. He also felt that Tatsuma's talents had been somewhat neglected over the past three years, or rather the past two years. However, the past was the past, and there was no point in dwelling on it now.
Sarutobi Hiruzen pursed his lips and said, "Danzo, do you really think so highly of him?"
"Of course."
Seeing his old friend's rare display of genuine emotion, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly smiled and said, "I have already taught Tatsuma all the Fire Release techniques of the Sarutobi Clan. I wonder what you have done? Or have you just been talking?"
"You…"
Danzo looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen, instantly understanding his intention. However, for some reason, he did not resist, as his Wind Release abilities had no heir.
After a deep breath, Danzo said, "You don't need to worry about it. If I value him, I will naturally cultivate him!"
With that, Danzo turned and left. As he reached the door, he looked back and said, "By the time we meet next, I expect my Root to be back in my hands."
Meanwhile, Sakumo Hatake, who had no intention of concealing his whereabouts, had already crossed Raiko Ridge with the unconscious Tatsuma and Minato, entering the Land of Frost.
Looking at the unconscious Tatsuma, Sakumo Hatake asked, "Minato, have you found out what the problem is?"
Minato shook his head and said, "No, his injuries shouldn't cause him to be unconscious for this long."
Upon hearing this, Sakumo Hatake's expression became serious. After a while, he asked, "Can you still continue?"
Minato, who had been sustaining himself with Military Rations Pills to keep up with Sakumo Hatake, hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying, "I'm fine, Sakumo-sama."
Seeing this, Sakumo Hatake also realized that Minato was not in good condition. He abandoned his original plan and said, "Let's return to the village as soon as possible. Tatsuma's condition might only be resolved by Tsunade."
"I can bring Tsunade-sensei here."
Minato said, but Sakumo Hatake shook his head, simply picking up Tatsuma and saying, "Let's get going."
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