Repeatedly provoked by Hattori, even the deeply composed Sarutobi Hiruzen couldn't help but reveal a hint of displeasure. Observing this, Yamanaka Inoichi, who was about to use his Mind Reading Technique on Hattori, felt a bit awkward.
"Um… Hokage-sama, should I still use the Mind Reading Technique to investigate?"
"Yes!" Hiruzen uttered firmly.
Upon hearing this, Inoichi could only place his hand on Hattori's head again, showing him a gentle smile. "Don't worry; it'll be fine. Just relax!"
Hattori: "(ω`)"
Was that supposed to be comforting?
Hearing Inoichi's words, Hattori didn't know how to respond and could only purse his lips in resignation.
"Hmm… Yamanaka-uncle, let's hurry up so we can wrap this up and go eat. By the way, I think I might have a memory of your future daughter. She's beautiful; you might want to take a quick look!"
"Uh… thanks!"
Inoichi responded instinctively, earning a smirk from Nara Shikaku beside him.
"To think that Inoichi let the enemy lead him by the nose! Such a straightforward guy."
Shikaku then glanced over at Hiruzen, who appeared unaffected, which put his mind at ease.
He continued focusing on restraining Hattori with his Shadow Possession Technique.
Soon, Inoichi completed the Mind Reading Technique and removed his hand from Hattori's head.
Witnessing this, Jiraiya immediately asked, "So, was he telling the truth? Is Sunagakure really digging tunnels to play hide-and-seek with us?"
"It's true," Inoichi replied with a wry smile.
"Not only that, they seem to be planning to fill the tunnels with poison gas and explosive tags. They've even set up traps specifically for Inuzuka's ninja dogs. If we engage them in the tunnels, we'll be at a major disadvantage!"
Everyone present fell silent, frowning and deep in thought.
Then Hiruzen asked a seemingly unrelated question.
"Inoichi, did you see your future daughter?"
"Uh…"
Inoichi was momentarily taken aback but then nodded, a warm fatherly smile appearing on his face. "Yes, I saw her. Her name's Yamanaka Ino, and she's beautiful and adorable."
"Is that so? Good," Hiruzen replied with a slight smile. "Then make sure you protect yourself so you can see her when the war is over."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" Inoichi responded resolutely. "I believe we will win!"
"I feel the same way."
Hiruzen smiled again, then addressed Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
"Jiraiya, you'll lead the Akimichi clan in the vanguard. Orochimaru, take the Nara and Yamanaka clans to provide support. If Sunagakure wants to play hide-and-seek underground, we'll dig them out, no matter how deep they hide!"
"Yes!"
After Hiruzen's command, they both left to gather their troops.
Once they were gone, Hiruzen turned to Namikaze Minato. "Minato, you'll lead the Inuzuka clan in perimeter patrols. If Sunagakure's forces appear, let none escape!"
"Yes!" Minato responded and left as well.
Now, only Hiruzen, Shikaku, and Inoichi remained in the tent with Hattori. After a brief pause, Hiruzen turned to them.
"Shikaku, Inoichi, guard this kid and stay vigilant."
"Yes, Hokage-sama!" they answered in unison.
With that, Shikaku extended his shadow to firmly bind Hattori, while Inoichi covered Hattori's eyes with a black cloth.
After completing these preparations, they saluted Hiruzen once more and then took Hattori out of the tent.
Left alone, Hiruzen's face grew heavy, his expression filled with resignation.
It turned out that his earlier confidence was a show for everyone else.
As Hokage, he was the cornerstone of Konoha; if even he lost hope, the rest of the village would surely fall into despair.
But he knew that Sunagakure's "hide-and-seek" tactic would cause Konoha a massive headache.
If this were peacetime, he'd relish the chance to play this "tunnel hide-and-seek" game, cutting off food and water to see who would endure longer.
But now, every minute he spent battling Sunagakure cost lives on the front lines against Iwagakure and Kirigakure, with the Uchiha and Hyuga clans paying the price.
He couldn't afford to stall.
"Let's hope Jiraiya and the others succeed. Otherwise, things could get messy…"
Although he held onto this hope, he felt uncertain.
Konoha had clashed with Sunagakure in the Second Great Ninja War and ultimately won. However, Hiruzen still remembered the name Ebizo.
With Ebizo's abilities and his knowledge of Konoha, coupled with the strategy of tunnel warfare, it wouldn't be difficult for him to delay Konoha for a week or more.
What's worse, with Minato capturing Hattori, Sunagakure would only become more cautious, making it almost impossible to carry out a quick assassination to end the war.
Hattori's talk of fate kept creeping into Hiruzen's mind, no matter how hard he tried to ignore it.
The more he thought about it, the heavier his head felt.
Even when his meals were brought, he had no appetite and just smoked his pipe, filling the tent with clouds of smoke.
Hattori, on the other hand, seemed to have an unexpectedly good appetite.
Despite being blindfolded and bound, someone fed him, and he ate heartily.
After finishing a large bowl of food, he cheerfully remarked, "Konoha's food is delicious—much better than what we have in Sunagakure. If Sunagakure could defeat Konoha, maybe everyone would get to enjoy food like this!"
Hearing this, both Shikaku, who was restraining him, and Inoichi, who had just fed him, fell silent.
Although Hattori couldn't see their expressions, he could sense that they weren't pleased, which made him chuckle.
"Just kidding, don't take it too seriously. Actually, I might also remember what Shikaku-uncle's future son looks like. Maybe Inoichi-uncle could help share that memory with you? It's something to do, right?"
At this, Shikaku stayed silent, while Inoichi winked at Hattori.
"He's right, Shikaku. We have some time to spare; how about it?"
Shikaku: "…"