socalfunplaces Chapter 107 Returning to the Village
Chapter 107 Returning to the Village
Chapter 107 Returning to the Village
Just as the Hidden Cave of Iwa was shrouded in sorrow and the Hidden Cave of Suna was in complete chaos.
In Amegakure, Hanzo stared wide-eyed at the intelligence report in his hand.
"A single man wiped out hundreds of Iwagakure survivors, with the Tsuchikage and Kazekage killed and wounded respectively? Are you sure this intelligence is accurate?"
The subordinate nodded: "Yes, Lord Hanzo, I saw it with my own eyes! It shouldn't be long before word gets out."
Hanzo glanced at the intelligence report, then at the declaration of war he had just drafted against Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure, and fell into deep thought.
After a long while, he suddenly picked up his pen and crossed out the impassioned words on the declaration of war, then tore the document to shreds and threw it into the trash can.
After completing this set of movements, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Are you kidding me?
If Konoha has such fighting power, wouldn't it be better to bring it out sooner?
Are you treating me like a dog?
Hanzo's face darkened when he recalled the time Konoha applied for an alliance.
Fortunately, he didn't make a move because of his status, otherwise it wouldn't have been the Third Kazekage who died, but Hanzo himself.
Looking back now, Hanzo suddenly realized that he had been quite pretentious.
Konoha, as the invaded party, only wanted to keep the war outside its borders.
I agreed immediately. With Konoha's strength, we are fully capable of pushing the battle line to the Land of Wind. Why make everyone lose face for the sake of saving face?
It wasn't that Hanzo was cowardly; it was just that Minato's abilities were unpredictable.
According to the intelligence, this kid defeated the Tsuchikage and Kazekage instantly at a speed that left them unable to react.
This reminded Hanzo of the Flying Thunder God Technique.
However, the Flying Thunder God Technique requires the Flying Thunder God Mark to activate, and even Hanzo could think of at least three ways to counter it, so it's impossible that the Tsuchikage and Kazekage couldn't have come up with a solution.
But they still lost inexplicably!
This also shows that Minato did not use the Flying Thunder God Technique, but rather a unique ability to teleport, which is no less powerful than the Flying Thunder God Technique.
"Konoha always seems to produce such outstanding individuals—" Hanzo sighed softly.
A trusted aide standing nearby asked with a worried expression, "Lord Hanzo, what should we do next?"
"What's the rush?"
Hanzo snorted coldly: "We don't have any real conflict with Konoha, at most it's just a little friction. Besides, they were the ones who invaded my Land of Rain first."
"Isn't Konoha a proponent of peace? Pass the word down! Make sure the entire ninja world knows, as quickly as possible, about the Konoha ninja's rampant burning, killing, and looting within the Land of Rain!"
If I can't beat you, won't I at least disgust you to death?
For the ninja village, reputation is very important.
It is an indisputable fact that Konoha has engaged in battle with Sunagakure within the territory of my Land of Rain.
Then the losses of my Land of Rain will naturally be attributed to your Konoha!
You may try to explain, but how many people will believe you?
By a twist of fate, Hanzo actually took the lead and started a propaganda war!
Minato was completely unaware of this.
News of the devastating defeat of Iwagakure's vanguard and the killing of the Third Kazekage reached the village.
He soon received instructions from the Third Hokage, informing his team that they could return to the village to rest.
"Go back—go back to the village?"
Upon receiving the news, Rope Tree looked resentful: "Going back to the village already? Can't we stay a few more days? I haven't even participated in a single decent battle."
"Iwagakure just sent envoys to negotiate, Sunagakure is in complete chaos, there's no fighting on the front lines for now, aren't you going to go back to your village and just sit here and get moldy?" Minato said with amusement.
"Besides, hasn't the teacher never participated in any battles?"
"that is!"
Tsunade raised her hand and patted Nawaki on the back of the head: "Is war a good thing?"
To be honest, if she weren't the grandson of the First Hokage and had Minato's protection, she would never have let Nawaki come to such a dangerous place as the front lines.
"Of course I know, but I also want to prove myself—"
Nawaki looked dejected: "Minato was able to kill the Kazekage when he was only eight years old. I'm three years older than him, but I didn't even have the chance to go to the battlefield."
"Who said that? You've been helping out in the medical department these past few days, haven't you gained a lot of recognition?"
Minato comforted him, saying, "Besides, at our age, it's already quite an achievement to be on the front lines."
"Yes, if I had to say, I didn't do anything at all," Mikoto nodded in agreement.
"Hmm—okay, you guys have a point."
Rope Tree pursed his lips, feeling that what the two said made sense.
He can't compare to a monster like Minato, but can he at least compare to other people his age?
It's important to understand that Konoha is far from the dire situation it was in during the Third Shinobi World War, where even children had to be sent to the battlefield.
Those who can stay on the front lines during this period are the backbone of the village.
For a recent graduate like him to be able to help out here is already a source of pride.
Are we the only ones returning to the village this time?
Minato looked at Tsunade, as he had just learned the news from her.
Tsunade shook her head: "I'll go back too. There are some wounded ninjas as well. The fighting on the front lines has come to an end, and everyone needs to rest for a while."
"As for the front lines, with advisors and Orochimaru here, there's no need to worry."
"Um."
Minato nodded; he was asking about Tsunade.
He wouldn't feel at ease going back if Tsunade didn't return to the village.
Tsunade clearly sensed Minato's thoughts, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.
Inside the cabin, the fire crackled in the stove. The group packed their meager belongings, used the sealing magic seal to store them in a scroll, and then set off with the main group on their way back to the village.
The team was moving very slowly because of the wounded.
Tsunade was in charge of leading the team, while Minato and the other ninjas with combat abilities were assigned to the outer perimeter of the main force to be responsible for guard duty.
Minato led Mikoto at the back of the group, the two walking side by side, Mikoto's mood seemed slightly downcast.
"Watergate—"
Mikoto suddenly spoke up: "What are you planning to do about Kushina?"
"To tell the truth."
Upon hearing this, Minato gently grasped Mikoto's hand, his calm tone carrying a hint of determination.
"I will be honest with Kushina about what happened between us. I don't intend to hide it, because hiding and running away will only make things worse."
"Aren't you afraid she'll get angry?" Mikoto's voice tightened as she felt the warmth of Minato's hand.
"I'm not afraid."
Minato shook his head, thinking seriously: "I can coax her if she's angry, but I'm afraid she won't agree."
"What? This is your solution?"
Upon hearing this, Mikoto chuckled: "What if Kushina doesn't agree?"
"Um----"
Minato frowned, his face full of struggle: "Do you think she would agree if I knelt down and begged her?"
"Judging from how confident you were before, I thought you had some great ideas."
Mikoto was speechless for a moment, then sighed helplessly.
She glanced at their clasped hands, pursed her lips, and felt a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.
Sweetness, trepidation, guilt—and a hint of anticipation.
"Then I—I'll talk to her properly too, after all, I was the one who ran away first—"
Minato: "————"
With your status, wouldn't saying something like that be seen as provocation?