"But if Iwagakure, Tsuchigakure, and Kirigakure team up for this contest, they'll still have quite a few strong ninjas. Especially with Killer B and Yugito back in Kumogakure; that'll be a bit tricky," Minato said, smiling.
Despite mentioning some difficulties, Minato's expression remained relaxed, clearly indicating his considerable confidence in the outcome of the contest.
Yusuke nodded, "While we anticipated that the other major ninja villages would inevitably take action following our successful acquisition of Sunagakure, we did not foresee their proposal for a contest of strength.
However, this development is advantageous; once we secure victory, it should buy us some time. Once we have neutralized the threats posed by Madara Uchiha and Orochimaru, the time will be ripe to unify the ninja world."
Minato retrieved a blank scroll from his desk and commenced writing the names of the individuals he planned to include in the team for this contest: Yusuke Uchiha, Minato Namikaze, Pakura, Kabuto Yakushi, Kakashi, Itachi Uchiha, and Izumi Uchiha.
After inscribing seven names, Minato raised his gaze towards Yusuke, stating, "We currently have four remaining slots to fill; it will likely be necessary to select individuals from among the remaining elite jōnin."
Yusuke responded with a smile, "I have three additional skilled individuals at my disposal: my disciple, Kurama Yakumo, and two who have recently joined our ranks, Konan and Hōichi."
Following their defection to Yusuke's side, Konan and Hōichi had been accommodated within Konohagakure, and their names had been formally added to the Anbu roster. Consequently, both Minato and Kakashi were fully aware of their existence.
Upon hearing Yusuke's statement, Minato's eyes lit up, "Excellent; these individuals are indeed highly skilled. Do you have any recommendations for the final slot? If not, I propose that we enlist the services of Elder Yezan."
The Elder Yezan to whom Minato referred was none other than the veteran elite jōnin, Hakuyō Yezan, a figure who commanded considerable respect among Konoha's elite jōnin.
Yusuke responded with a smile, "That is perfectly acceptable. However, in my estimation, it is highly probable that we shall not require the services of every member of our team to secure victory."
According to the established rules governing the contest, the victor would be determined once one party had secured six victories.
Minato shook his head, "You should at least afford our opponents a modicum of opportunity."
The two exchanged glances and erupted into laughter.
Concurrent with Yusuke and Minato's selection of participants for the contest, the representatives from Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Kirigakure were also engaged in deliberations regarding their own team composition.
Although Konohagakure had acceded to their proposal, the expressions on the faces of Ōnoki, Darui, and Mei Terumī were far from relaxed, clearly indicating that they lacked complete confidence in their ability to secure victory in this contest.
Ōnoki and his associates were acutely aware of Konohagakure's superior numbers of highly skilled ninjas. However, in an effort to avoid a full-scale conflict with the formidable Konohagakure, they had determined that a contest of strength represented the most prudent course of action, presenting the lowest level of risk.
After a brief period of reflection, Ōnoki was the first to present Iwagakure's roster of participants, "Iwagakure shall be represented by myself, Ōnoki, Kurotsuchi, and Deidara."
Upon hearing this announcement, Mei Terumī furrowed her brow, "Why have you not included the two jinchuriki from Iwagakure in your team? Furthermore, is it not the case that Deidara is a high-ranking S-class criminal wanted by Iwagakure?"
Raikage Darui, too, expressed his bewilderment, gazing at Ōnoki with a perplexed expression; the roster of participants presented by Ōnoki had significantly deviated from his expectations.
Ōnoki responded with an embarrassed chuckle, "To my shame, the two jinchuriki residing within our village have recently vanished without a trace, while Deidara, that mischievous young man, has undergone a transformation and returned to Iwagakure. His strength is arguably second only to my own within Iwagakure, making him a formidable asset."
Following the capture of Iwagakure's two jinchuriki by Akatsuki, Ōnoki, in an effort to prevent this incident from tarnishing Iwagakure's reputation, had refrained from making a public announcement, while simultaneously undertaking a covert investigation to ascertain the whereabouts of the two jinchuriki.
As for Deidara, he was located by Kurotsuchi, who subsequently persuaded him to return to Iwagakure. Given that he had not joined Akatsuki, he had nowhere else to turn, and upon receiving a pledge from Tsuchikage Ōnoki granting him a zone of autonomy within which to pursue his explosive art, Deidara readily agreed to return to Iwagakure.
This situation clearly illustrates the immense pressure exerted upon Ōnoki by Konohagakure's formidable power and the disappearance of Iwagakure's two jinchuriki. Otherwise, he would not have considered recalling the highly volatile Deidara back to the village.
Upon hearing Ōnoki's explanation, Mei Terumī and Darui exchanged a look of mutual understanding, silently acknowledging that they had initially harbored the expectation that Iwagakure would contribute a greater number of skilled ninjas to the contest.
After all, Kumogakure had suffered significant losses in its recent conflict with Konohagakure, while Kirigakure, although it had not sustained extensive damage in its confrontation with Konohagakure, had subsequently experienced the disappearance of the Fourth Mizukage and Kisame Hoshigaki, resulting in a diminished number of highly skilled ninjas within the village.
With a sigh, Mei Terumī presented Kirigakure's lineup, "Kirigakure shall be represented by myself, Ao, and Chōjūrō."
From the roster of participants presented by Mei Terumī, it was readily apparent that Kirigakure's current state was indeed dire; the number of skilled jōnin within the village was likely the lowest among the five major ninja villages, and even Chōjūrō, who had recently represented Kirigakure in the Joint Chunin Exams, had been included in the lineup.
Mei Terumī felt a pang of bitterness; since her ascension to the position of Mizukage, she had implemented numerous well-received reforms within the village, diligently cultivating new talent while simultaneously endeavoring to appease the bloodline clans who had long been subjected to oppression.
Unfortunately, her tenure as Mizukage had spanned only a few years, and even the most effective policies were insufficient to revitalize the waning fortunes of Kirigakure within such a brief timeframe.
Darui, the Raikage, expressed his dissatisfaction, "Tsuchikage, Mizukage, this contest comprises eleven matches, yet you have each provided only three participants. Are we to assume that Kumogakure is expected to supply the remaining five participants?"
Ōnoki responded slowly and deliberately, "Raikage, I would appreciate it if you would first present Kumogakure's selection of participants; subsequently, we can engage in further deliberations regarding the allocation of any remaining slots."
Darui's expression softened somewhat, and after a moment of contemplation, he stated, "Kumogakure shall field four participants: myself, Killer B, Yugito, and Dodai. The selection of the final participant shall be left to the discretion of Kumogakure and Kirigakure."
Having presented Kumogakure's roster of participants, Darui proceeded to disclose the fact that Killer B and Yugito had been deprived of their tailed beasts by Konohagakure, a revelation that caused both Ōnoki and Mei Terumī to express their astonishment.
This disclosure also prompted the assembled individuals to speculate whether the jinchuriki who had vanished in recent years had been secretly apprehended by Konohagakure.
Considering Konohagakure's current strength, the clandestine capture of jinchuriki would not present an insurmountable challenge, especially given Konohagakure's mastery of multiple space-time ninjutsu techniques, which would render their operations exceptionally discreet and efficient.
However, despite these suspicions, the immediate priority remained the securing of victory in the upcoming contest. After engaging in further deliberations, Ōnoki and Mei Terumī reached a consensus, selecting Rōshi from Iwagakure as the final participant.
Owing to the mutual distrust and reticence among Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure, certain information had not been shared in advance, resulting in a team composition that significantly deviated from their initial expectations, further diminishing their already tenuous confidence in securing victory.
Nevertheless, having committed themselves to this course of action, they were now compelled to proceed with the contest.
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