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Upon returning, Yoichi first went home for a bit before heading to the Hokage Building.
The second failed mission had hurt Konoha's foundation, costing them many elite ninjas, including Minato.
When Yoichi arrived at the Hokage's office, Sakumo had already gathered Konoha's higher-ups.
The first time Nagato killed so many ninjas could be attributed to insufficient intelligence.
However, during the second mission to capture him, they had adequate information and even brought specialized ninjas. Despite this, they still failed, and even Minato was killed.
"Yoichi-kun, you're back."
"I have some things to report, but the Rinnegan matter is more pressing. Let's address that first."
After Yoichi spoke, everyone in the room turned their attention to Jiraiya and Shikaku.
Forty elite ninjas were dispatched, but they lost over ten. Considering their intelligence on the Rinnegan, such heavy losses seemed improbable.
"Our intelligence was also leaked. The enemy knew our usual tactics inside and out. They knew everything about my, Inoichi, and Choza's strategies, as well as other ninjas' secret techniques," Shikaku explained, shocking everyone in the room. They had gone to great lengths to gather intelligence on the enemy, only to find their own information exposed.
"The enemy also had numerous summoned creatures, one of which could turn invisible. This invisible lizard caused us to lose several comrades in the first encounter."
"Additionally, Nagato had six more body clones, which appeared to be disposable. The masked enemy's space-time ninjutsu was formidable, giving even Minato a hard time, and there was another enemy proficient in Fire Release, covered in white wood."
As Shikaku described the battle, it became clear that their own tactics were entirely compromised.
Even Minato's Flying Thunder God markings were known to the enemy. The Konoha Jonin's specialties were also exposed.
It was one thing for the enemy to know about the Ino-Shika-Cho trio's secret techniques, but knowing their battle habits indicated a severe intelligence leak.
Moreover, the masked enemy's space-time ninjutsu was terrifying. Their attacks passed through him as if he were intangible, and he could also use the technique to teleport them away.
Even Minato nearly fell for it.
Nagato's Rinnegan abilities had also increased. When they destroyed two of his body clones, he summoned a mask to repair them.
Not to mention the bizarre giant summoning beasts that required three ninjas to handle each one.
At this point, Shikaku realized the situation was dire and suggested a retreat. However, the enemy wasn't keen on letting them go, making the retreat extremely difficult.
The masked enemy used space-time ninjutsu and Wood Release to ambush and protect his allies. Minato saved Jiraiya, who had been knocked away by Nagato, but was impaled by the masked enemy's Wood Release: Piercing Branches.
Jiraiya and his summoned creatures' combined Fire Release techniques finally forced the enemy to retreat, allowing them to escape.
After Shikaku finished, the room fell silent.
Then Sakumo asked, "Yoichi-kun, any thoughts?"
"Given the intelligence leak and the Fire Release proficiency, Shikaku, did that person use techniques like Great Fireball, Dragon Fire, or Majestic Destroyer Flame?"
Yoichi asked, knowing that while many ninja were proficient in Fire Release, the Uchiha clan were the true masters. The techniques he mentioned were signature Uchiha jutsus.
Shikaku nodded. "Indeed, there were techniques similar to the Great Fireball and dragon-shaped Fire Release techniques."
Yoichi sighed. "Uchiha clan's Fire Release techniques, knowing village ninja's secret techniques, it must be Fugaku, the renegade."
Everyone realized immediately. As the former Uchiha clan head, Fugaku knew their strategies and secrets.
Sakumo asked, "Yoichi-kun, are you saying that person was Fugaku?"
"There's no one else it could be. The Uchiha clan has been looking for him, but it seems he's hiding in the Akatsuki."
Yoichi continued, "As for the one using space-time ninjutsu and Wood Release, I'm not sure. Though I have Wood Release through genetic grafting, all instances and names of Wood Release users can be provided to the Fourth Hokage."
Orochimaru added, "The list of Wood Release recipients from me can also be provided to the Fourth Hokage."
Hiruzen's eyelid twitched, realizing his clan's two Wood Release users could no longer be kept secret.
"If it's not someone from the village, then Wood Release abilities must be circulating outside," Sakumo said, feeling troubled.
Twice they had failed to capture the enemy, who now held a deep grudge against Konoha. They had to find a way to eliminate this threat.
Yoichi asked, "Do we have any more intelligence on them?"
Shikaku shook his head. "No, last time it was likely a deliberate exposure of information. Though we anticipated this, we didn't expect them to know our tactics so well."
"Continue gathering intelligence. I'll handle them next time," Yoichi said. "I understand their tactics now. When they appear again in the ninja world, I'll capture them."
"Yoichi-kun, the Rinnegan and space-time ninjutsu..."
"Don't worry, Fourth Hokage. I never take on tasks I'm not confident in."
Yoichi added, "I fear death, but if I say I'll handle it, I'm fully confident."
While he had hoped to let the Akatsuki serve as a disruptor to gather the tailed beasts, they had gone too far, forcing Konoha to decide on their elimination.
Even if it meant waiting to collect the tailed beasts until after he had conquered other nations, Yoichi had to deal with the Akatsuki now.
This mission's failure was largely due to Fugaku's intelligence leak. Fugaku had long been a confirmed renegade, with a bounty on his head, so this wasn't tied to the Uchiha clan.
"Will there be any issues with Kushina?" Sakumo asked, concerned that the Jinchuriki might lose control in her emotional state.
Jiraiya, who had been silent in grief, finally spoke. "Let me tell Kushina. Minato died saving me... but I'll need the sealing team's help."
"Don't send the sealing team. Their skills aren't sufficient. Let Mina accompany Jiraiya," Yoichi suggested. "Mina can use the Adamantine Sealing Chains. If Kushina loses control and transforms, Mina can restrain her."
Sakumo agreed. "Alright, Yoichi-kun. The rest of you, recover and keep gathering intelligence. We're done here."
The rest, such as compensations and the memorial, would be handled by Sakumo. The loss of Minato, a prominent future leader, weighed heavily on him.
After the meeting, everyone left the Hokage building, including a sorrowful Hiruzen.
He had high hopes for Minato, even considering him for the Hokage position. Despite Sakumo becoming Hokage, he still valued Minato, seeing him as an improved version of Jiraiya. But fate had a cruel way of repeating itself, with Minato sacrificing himself for his comrades.
Jiraiya followed Yoichi to the Uchiha compound but did not enter.
Yoichi returned home just as Mina had come back. Since the arrival of Karin, Mina frequently cared for the child, often carrying her around joyfully.
Seeing Yoichi, Mina asked in surprise, "When did you get back, Yoichi-sama?"
"Just now. Mina, Jiraiya is waiting. Go with him to see Kushina."
Yoichi took his daughter, noting to himself that she seemed a bit heavier.
"To see Kushina? What's wrong?" Mina asked.
"Minato died on a mission. Kushina doesn't know yet. Jiraiya plans to tell her, and you need to go in case she loses control."
Mina understood, "Minato is dead... and Kushina is pregnant..."
"Though the chances are slim, there's still a risk. If she transforms, the baby won't survive. That's why you need to go."
"I understand. I'll leave now. I hope Kushina can handle it," Mina said, changing her clothes and departing. Yoichi sent a wood clone as an extra precaution to ensure no accidents happened.
When the wood clone arrived with Jiraiya and Mina at Kushina's home, they found many ANBU and barrier team members already there.
At that moment, Yugito appeared, her face lighting up when she saw Yoichi.
"You're back?"
(End of Chapter)