The team split into two groups. Uchiha Shisui carried the prisoner on his back while Shūichi Hoshita and the others bid farewell to Minato Namikaze under the moonlight. They then retraced their steps, eventually stopping to rest at the foot of the mountain where the rogue ninja's hideout was located.
Sanyō Kurama, still worried, said, "Shisui, are we really okay letting Minato-sensei handle a Jōnin and two Chūnin all by himself?"
Uchiha Shisui remained silent, fully aware of the reason behind Sanyō's concern.
Their previous team leader and another teammate had perished during a mission when their squad had split into two groups. It was during that mission that Shisui had awakened his Sharingan.
Shūichi Hoshita, observing Sanyō's anxious expression and Shisui's silence, thoughtfully said, "Sanyō, Minato-sensei's plan is the most suitable."
"With this prisoner, we need at least two people to carry him. If we divided into pairs, anyone who went with Minato-sensei might become a burden to him."
"So, the best strategy is for the three of us to stay together while Minato-sensei operates alone."
"As for Minato-sensei's strength, you might not have noticed during the fight earlier, but his speed with the Flying Thunder God Technique is unparalleled in the entire shinobi world."
"Even if he were outmatched, it would be easy for him to retreat alone."
After hearing Shūichi's analysis, Shisui smiled and said, "Shūichi is right, Sanyō. We need to trust in Minato-sensei."
Realizing that Shūichi's reasoning was sound, Sanyō shook off his worries and said, "Then let's hurry to our destination."
Half an hour later, the three continued on their journey, taking turns carrying the prisoner. After another hour, they crossed the border and located a Konoha patrol squad. They explained the situation to the Jōnin leading the patrol.
This Jōnin, named Sakai Itsuki, immediately instructed his three subordinates, "Shinichi, you three head out at once and notify the other two squads."
The border was long, so naturally, there was more than one patrol squad in the area—there were three, totaling twelve people.
All they could do now was wait.
Reflecting on the day's events, Shūichi closed his eyes to rest and conserve his energy.
Suddenly, Sanyō's voice broke the silence. "Shisui, what do you think the Third Hokage will decide?"
Shūichi immediately opened his eyes and looked at Shisui, who was leaning against a tree across from him.
"This situation involves three countries. The Third Hokage will likely be extremely cautious," Shisui replied. "After all, it hasn't been long since the Second Shinobi World War ended."
From his perspective, he didn't want to see another major war break out.
However, this mistake was entirely on Sunagakure's part, and Konoha had already caught them red-handed. There was no way the Land of Rivers would side with Sunagakure.
The only concern was whether Sunagakure would dare to start a war over this.
At that moment, Sanyō asked another question, "What do you think will happen to that village?"
Shisui was taken aback, not because he hadn't considered it, but because he subconsciously didn't want to think about it.
"The Third Hokage will likely leave that to the Anbu," Shisui finally answered, then looked at Shūichi and asked, "Shūichi, what do you think?"
Shūichi pondered for a moment and said, "Since it involves three nations, the Third Hokage will certainly be very cautious. As you said, it hasn't been long since the Shinobi World War ended. Neither we nor Sunagakure want another war, especially one that might give Amegakure an advantage."
After all, the Land of Rivers had been snatched from Amegakure's grasp.
"Right now, we have the upper hand, and there's a good chance we can secure the Land of Rivers."
Shūichi paused, then added, "As for that village, it might be handled by Root."
Technically speaking, Root was also part of the Anbu.
However, in Shūichi Hoshita's eyes, Root was Root, and the Anbu were the Hokage's direct subordinates.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, could dismiss Danzo from his position as the leader of Root with a single command, but in reality, Root remained under Danzo's control.
Danzo had placed curse marks on the key members of Root.
Although both the Anbu and Root handled the dirty and exhausting tasks, Shūichi felt that Root was more likely to be involved in this situation.
But what would Danzo do?
The atmosphere grew tense.
A six-year-old and two eight-year-olds were already being forced to confront a darkness more terrifying and torturous than death itself.
Before they knew it, the sun began to rise in the east.
After eating their rations in the morning, Shūichi and the others were assigned patrol duties by Jōnin Sakai Itsuki.
Meanwhile, Minato Namikaze had already returned to the Hokage Tower, where he reported the details of the mission and the intelligence they had gathered to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
In fact, when he returned to Konoha, he had brought along a prisoner—the Jōnin from Sunagakure—who had since been handed over to Konoha's interrogation unit. They would do everything they could to extract any valuable information from the prisoner's mind, whether it pertained to Sunagakure's plans or other secrets.
Given that this situation involved three countries, two ninja villages, and possibly even Amegakure, Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but furrow his brow.
However, this was indeed an opportunity to monopolize the missions in the Land of Rivers. The only concern was whether Sunagakure would declare war as a result.
Or perhaps they might even ally with Hanzo.
After some thought, Hiruzen Sarutobi finally said, "Minato, your handling of the situation was very appropriate. Go and regroup with Shūichi and the others. Capture those rogue ninja and hand them over to Root. Let Root handle the rest."
This decision was not unexpected for Minato, and he immediately nodded. "Yes, Lord Third Hokage."
With that, Minato vanished from where he stood.
...
At the Fire Country border.
Shūichi Hoshita and the others had just completed a patrol and were taking a rest when Minato Namikaze suddenly appeared beside Uchiha Shisui.
"Minato-sensei!"
The three were pleasantly surprised.
Minato glanced at them and smiled, "Looks like I made it in time."
At that moment, a signal flare shot into the sky.
Shūichi couldn't help but smile. "You arrived just in time, Minato-sensei."
The bandits were coming!
The four of them immediately sprang into action, disappearing from their resting spot.
Moments later, when Shūichi and the others arrived at the battlefield, the fight was already over.
Aside from the two rogue ninja, ten villagers were also lying unconscious on the ground.
Nehan Shōja no Jutsu? (Temple of Nirvana Technique)
Shūichi speculated silently.
Soon, the other two patrol squads arrived, and Minato promptly relayed the orders from the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
After hearing the orders, Sakai Itsuki smiled and said, "In that case, I'll leave these prisoners to you, Minato."
Minato responded immediately, "As it should be."
The three patrol squads then dispersed to resume their duties and to establish new patrol routes.
Once Sakai Itsuki and the others had left, Minato said, "Tie these people up first. Later, Shisui, you and I will head to the Land of Rivers to bring back the other two Sunagakure prisoners."
"Yes, Minato-sensei."
(End of Chapter)
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