Three days later, the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron ended in failure. The heavily guarded Konohagakure, its sealing gates shut for te
Three days later, the Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron ended in failure.
The heavily guarded Konohagakure, its sealing gates shut for ten days, was reopened. Three figures, weary from travel, quickly slipped through the gates.
Only after they were inside did Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, remove his Hokage hat.
"Fourth Hokage, you've worked hard!" an ANBU ninja quickly approached. "Lady Tsunade and Jiraiya-sama, you've also worked hard."
"It's nothing. The ANBU who patrolled and stood guard continuously are the ones who worked the hardest," Minato yawned.
He possessed the Flying Thunder God Technique, but an unexpected encounter with Orochimaru and Danzō on the way had significantly delayed their return.
He had hoped to rest upon returning to the village, but the ANBU's urgent arrival and demeanor shifted his expectations.
"Something must have happened," Minato stated directly.
The ANBU ninja was taken aback, then hesitated. "Fourth Hokage, it's best if the Third Hokage informs you…"
Minato didn't press.
While they were within Konoha, the possibility of spies remained, and discussing sensitive matters in public was unwise.
"Minato, let's go. Let's not keep the Hokage waiting," Jiraiya urged, nodding. He had been pursuing Orochimaru, hoping to prevent his descent into chaos, but his efforts had been unsuccessful.
A consistent pattern emerged from Orochimaru's recent activities: grave robbing. This led Jiraiya to suspect Orochimaru was experimenting with Edo Tensei, the forbidden resurrection jutsu. This needed immediate attention from the Third Hokage.
The three followed the ANBU to the Hokage's office. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat in his Hokage seat, but Fugaku and Shisui Uchiha were also present.
Minato was startled. "What happened?"
"Minato, show some respect!" Jiraiya interrupted. "Hokage-sama, the Five Kage Summit ended in failure. En route, we received news that Uchiha Kai had invaded Kumogakure and seized the Two-Tails, Matatabi."
"The Fourth Raikage, ignoring our pleas, has completely disrupted our plans," Jiraiya explained.
Hiruzen, who had been feigning sleep, opened his eyes. His aged face showed no surprise.
"I already know. Jiraiya, don't speak to Minato like that. He's the Hokage now; his rank is higher than yours…"
"I… I understand," Jiraiya stammered, glancing at Minato's clearly bitter expression.
Minato's hasty appointment as Hokage was a damage-control measure to address Uchiha Kai's defection.
However, Minato, as Hokage, having his office occupied and his authority disregarded was incredibly humiliating.
"Ahem, Third Hokage, you're right. Jiraiya-sensei is right, I was too hasty," Minato coughed, returning to the matter at hand.
"Third Hokage, on our return, we encountered Danzō and Orochimaru, but lost their trail near Amegakure."
"Orochimaru has been appearing on various battlefields, attacking encampments," Minato continued, glancing at Jiraiya.
"Based on Sensei's deductions, Orochimaru is likely experimenting with Edo Tensei, the forbidden resurrection jutsu left behind by the Second Hokage…"
Edo Tensei? Hiruzen's eyes widened, his aged face grim.
"That man has always been dangerous. Among the Sannin, he possessed the greatest talent but the worst character. I should have killed him then!"
Jiraiya and the others' expressions shifted. Orochimaru's defection was due to Hiruzen discovering his human experimentation, leading to a direct confrontation.
At his peak, Hiruzen, known as the Professor, with Enma at his side, had easily cornered Orochimaru in his lab. Only Hiruzen's mercy had allowed Orochimaru to escape.
"Hokage-sama, don't blame yourself. Orochimaru is incorrigible. I will bring him to his senses," Jiraiya said gravely. His gaze shifted to Fugaku and Shisui.
"Hokage-sama, can you tell us what happened in the village?"
In the past, with Danzō controlling the Root, Fugaku's police force rarely attended Hokage meetings. With Danzō gone, things had changed, but Fugaku and Shisui's presence was still unsettling.
"Your expressions suggest you already suspect something," Hiruzen said, pausing for effect before looking at Fugaku.
Fugaku, prepared for this, took a deep breath.
"Six days ago, Itachi Uchiha left the village without permission and was captured by Suien of Takigakure."
"Suien aimed to obtain his Sharingan to control Chōmei and stage a rebellion, colluding with Akahoshi, a renegade from the Land of Bears, Hoshigakure."
"However, they clashed with Kakashi's infiltration team. Facing Suien, enhanced by the Hero Water, Kakashi's team was outmatched. At the critical moment, Uchiha Kai and Kakuzu appeared in Takigakure…"
The words hung heavy in the air. Minato and the others' expressions changed rapidly. Jiraiya blurted out, "So, the Seven-Tails fell into Uchiha Kai's hands, and Takigakure was destroyed?"
Fugaku and Shisui were momentarily stunned, recalling Chōmei's earlier undignified behavior—yawning and begging for food—and the Takigakure ninjas' enthusiastic farewell to Kai.
The outcome was utterly absurd!
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