The intelligence scroll revealed alarming news: the two elders, Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Hamura, had been gravely injured, leaving one disfigured and the other maimed. Tsunade's expression darkened as she skimmed the report.
"No support?" she muttered incredulously. "This is impossible. Could Orochimaru have disobeyed orders? And could Shinki have been involved?"
She hoped not. Such an act would be too audacious, leaving no room for excuses. Abandoning the two elders in the Bear Country, allowing them to suffer such injuries, would spark nothing short of a major conflict.
Throwing the scroll onto the desk, she turned to the Third Hokage and reached for a separate scroll nearby.
"???"
The Third Hokage's confusion was evident. Tsunade's unusual urgency unsettled him. With an uneasy feeling growing in his chest, he picked up the discarded scroll.
His heart sank as his eyes scanned the contents, and his reaction was even more pronounced than Tsunade's.
"Bang!"
He slammed the scroll onto the desk, stood abruptly, and roared, "How dare he!"
Orochimaru had disobeyed direct orders? Why? Could Shinki have been involved? His mind raced with questions as he glanced at Tsunade.
But Tsunade was already taking action. Without hesitation, she activated a puppet on her desk, using it to contact Shinki directly.
The puppet's eyes lit up, and both Tsunade and the Third Hokage held their breath. The Third Hokage's face was tight with anger, but he restrained himself, gesturing for Tsunade to proceed.
"Shinki," Tsunade began bluntly, "did you know Orochimaru ignored the Hokage's orders and refused to send support?"
In the camp, Shinki, reclining lazily in a chair, wasn't surprised by the question. He'd expected Orochimaru's actions to come to light sooner or later.
"It has nothing to do with me," Shinki replied casually. "I only found out later that Orochimaru chose not to follow the Hokage's orders because he didn't want to weaken our forces during a critical assault. He believed securing a decisive victory was more important than saving a few... insignificant people."
The Third Hokage's face turned a mottled green and white. Insignificant people? he thought furiously. The village elders? Orochimaru's disregard for authority left him both shocked and enraged.
Tsunade, however, felt a sense of relief. She had worried that Shinki might have been complicit or had influenced Orochimaru's decision. But hearing Shinki's clear detachment from the matter, she believed him.
Despite his irreverent tone, Shinki wasn't foolish enough to involve himself in something so politically charged. Tsunade knew he was smarter than that.
"How's the situation in the camp?" Tsunade asked, shifting the conversation.
"Busy, as expected," Shinki replied. "We've turned the old camp into a supply station and set up a new one at the abandoned Sand Village site. It's in an excellent location. The medical department is under a lot of pressure with the influx of wounded. I suggest you allocate more resources from the village."
He paused before adding with a smirk, "And don't let our dear Hokage get any ideas about using those resources to target me instead."
Tsunade stifled a laugh, but the Third Hokage's face darkened. His hands clenched into fists as he fought to contain his frustration.
"Why, have the elders returned to the village yet?" Shinki asked, his voice laced with mock curiosity.
"They've just entered the Land of Fire and are resting at the border camp," Tsunade replied flatly. "But both were seriously injured. One was disfigured, and the other lost a hand."
"Since this matter has nothing to do with you, I won't keep you any longer," Tsunade said, cutting off the conversation before Shinki could deliver another cutting remark.
The puppet's glow faded as she deactivated it, and she turned to the Third Hokage.
"Well, old man, you heard it. I contacted Shinki in front of you. This was entirely Orochimaru's decision."
The Third Hokage exhaled deeply, his anger simmering. While he still suspected Shinki might have influenced Orochimaru, there was no evidence. Shinki wasn't reckless enough to orchestrate something so blatant.
"This was Orochimaru's choice," he admitted reluctantly. "He disobeyed without directly refusing the order. Instead, he simply ignored it."
Tsunade leaned forward, her hands braced against the desk. "Old man, let me remind you: the daimyo has high expectations for Shinki and Hatake Sakumo. Their rewards are coming soon, and the daimyo values them greatly—especially Shinki. Don't let unnecessary internal conflicts create more problems for the village."
She continued firmly, "The daimyo sees Shinki as practically one of our own because of his association with me. Any slight against him will only damage our relationship with the daimyo and the village's unity."
The Third Hokage nodded grimly. "I understand. I'll handle this carefully."
Tsunade turned to leave, but the Hokage stopped her with an unexpected request.
"Tsunade, I need to go to the border camp and meet with Koharu and Hamura personally. While I'm gone, I need you to oversee the Hokage's office and handle official business."
"???"
Tsunade froze mid-step, her expression one of pure disbelief.
"Me? Handle your work? Are you serious?"
The Third Hokage gave her a weary but insistent look. "Yes. Just for a few days."
Tsunade groaned, rubbing her temples. "Fine. But you owe me for this, old man."
She left, muttering under her breath about the ridiculousness of the situation, while the Third Hokage prepared to face the fallout of Orochimaru's insubordination.
>>>>>
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