Uchiha Clan: Chapter 46 – "Oh no! Something Happened!"
*Country of Grass*
*Konoha Camp Command Post*
Tsunade sat in the center, with Jiraiya and Orochimaru on either side. The three of them wore serious expressions as they looked at the other Jonin in the tent.
On the front lines, nearly all available Jonin had gathered, excluding those out on missions. There were over twenty Jonin present, including the newly promoted genius Jonin, Uchiha Yosuke.
The arrival of Uchiha Yosuke naturally drew attention, given that, at only thirteen, he was already a Jonin—a rare achievement not only in Konoha but across the shinobi world.
"Ladies and gentlemen!"
With all the Jonin gathered, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Orochimaru looked gravely at them and began explaining the mission by pointing to the map.
"We've received intelligence that a group of Iwa shinobi disguised as Konoha ninjas is planning an attack on Kusagakure to provoke a conflict between Kusa and us."
"This time, Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and I will go undercover... The camp, however, will need to be left in your hands..."
At this, Tsunade looked around the room and said solemnly, "We've already contacted Kusagakure in advance. We just need to meet in secret and exchange intel. Your task is to maintain camp security."
As she said this, a rare smile crossed Tsunade's face as she looked over at Uchiha Yosuke and teased him in front of everyone: "Externally, Uchiha Yosuke will use the Transformation Jutsu to disguise himself as me, while Jiraiya and Orochimaru will be easily handled."
Pausing, she glanced subtly at the crowd before continuing: "If necessary, Jonin Uchiha Yosuke can summon Katsuyu for medical assistance, thus ensuring the disguise holds."
Boom!
The task itself wasn't unusual, but when the Jonin heard that Uchiha Yosuke could summon Tsunade's familiar Katsuyu, they all wore stunned expressions.
"Yosuke!"
Even the usually silent Uchiha Fugaku widened his eyes upon hearing this, looking at the slender figure of Uchiha Yosuke, feeling a pang in his heart.
For the sake of the clan, Yosuke was carrying far too much!
The other Jonin were also taken aback. Was the rumor true?
They had always joked about it, but now even summoning techniques had been shared—this didn't sound like just a mere student!
No way! This was for real!
Standing in front of all the Jonin, Uchiha Yosuke gave a solemn nod. "Captain Tsunade, don't worry. I, Uchiha Yosuke, guarantee the mission will be completed!"
Jiraiya, on the side, widened his eyes, glancing back and forth between Tsunade and Uchiha Yosuke.
What was going on? What had happened recently? Why did this kid call her "Captain" instead of "Sensei"?
And when had summoning techniques become so freely shared?
These techniques were family heirlooms, only passed down to descendants or direct disciples.
Seeing everyone's expressions, Tsunade smirked and then snapped back at them with authority: "What are you all standing around for? Go and complete the mission!"
"Yes!"
Tsunade's authority when working was absolute, and the Jonin quickly snapped to attention.
Only Orochimaru glanced at Jiraiya and sneered, "Idiot."
*Outside Konoha Camp*
"What! Orochimaru, are you saying Tsunade sees this kid as a replacement for Nawaki?" Jiraiya's eyes widened, and Orochimaru sneered at his reaction: "Idiot."
"Orochimaru, what did you say!"
Jiraiya seemed indignant, but his heart grew heavier. Nawaki's incident still remained unresolved.
Forget the Senju clan—even he and Tsunade had combed through everything, leaving no stone unturned!
Yet nothing could be found. It was too clean, which was the biggest problem—and something neither they nor the Konoha higher-ups wanted to discuss.
"That kid!"
At this point, Jiraiya pulled out a copy of *My Struggle* from his ninja pouch, shaking his head as he recalled information on Uchiha Yosuke.
"Now that you mention it, the kid is indeed like Nawaki—radiant. Both carried a youthful belief in becoming the Hokage, or learning medical ninjutsu to save the shinobi world."
Just as Jiraiya was caught up in his thoughts, Tsunade stepped out of the camp.
"Jiraiya, what are you waiting for? Let's complete this mission quickly!"
Tsunade looked heroic, her upbringing naturally giving her an air of nobility and a born leader's charisma.
Orochimaru and Jiraiya, however, had become stronger gradually.
"Haha, let's go."
Jiraiya hid his previous expression behind a cheerful smile, while Orochimaru scoffed. This kind of moment only happened when the three of them were together.
Sneaking a glance at Tsunade, Jiraiya felt even more disgusted with the war.
With a swift movement, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru disappeared from the Konoha camp, leaving no one aware of their absence.
In the camp, countless Konoha shinobi respectfully watched as "Tsunade-sama" summoned Katsuyu to heal the wounded with medical ninjutsu.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Yosuke, disguised as Tsunade, mimicked her usual habits, even crossing his legs while scanning intelligence reports with a dissatisfied frown, imitating her reluctance yet necessity for the job.
Deception was a fundamental aspect of a ninja, and the shinobi world had yet to reach its final stages...
*Konoha, Hokage's Office*
"Hiruzen, Onoki of Iwagakure is sly—he's taken this opportunity to meet with the leader of Kusagakure secretly."
In the office, Homura Mitokado expressed concern about the shifting situation, causing Hiruzen Sarutobi to appear even graver.
The storm of the Second Shinobi War was intensifying, and the situation seemed to be slipping toward an uncontrollable direction.
"Hmph! I've said it before—those fence-sitters at Kusagakure should have been taken out earlier. If Jiraiya and Orochimaru had eliminated their leader, it could have been blamed on Iwagakure, stirring up chaos in Kusagakure!"
Danzo Shimura retorted angrily, annoyed at Sarutobi's hesitation, which led to this predicament.
"Danzo!"
Seeing that Danzo only thought of short-term gains, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi sternly replied:
"Have you thought about the consequences? If we were exposed, Kusa and Iwa would unite. If the conflict reached the Land of Fire, could you bear that responsibility?"
"Besides! Konoha is already envied by other villages. If we attacked a minor nation, the other villages would use that as an excuse to join forces and attack us once again!"
Sarutobi's fierce tone made Danzo's face turn red with anger.
The First Shinobi War had left a profound mark, with Konoha victorious but at a severe cost.
The major clans suffered greatly, and the Senju clan was nearly depleted.
"Hiruzen, Danzo is only thinking of Konoha."
Mitokado and Koharu tried to mediate, watching the two old friends argue.
Seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi's composed demeanor, Danzo felt humiliated.
"Fine! Just wait—if the Foundation finds an opportunity, we will create discord among the villages!"
Danzo, filled with resentment, felt that Hiruzen's attitude painted him as foolish and incompetent.
He would prove himself!
*Swish!*
At that moment, a shadow appeared in the office—an Anbu agent.
"Hokage-sama, urgent report. A large Iwa shinobi force has been spotted gathering at the border of the Land of Earth, heading toward the Land of Taki."
"What!"
Sarutobi's face changed as he quickly read the report, his pupils constricting!
Something had gone terribly wrong!
(The chapter ends here)