Realizing this, Hiruzen Sarutobi found it very reasonable. If that were the case, given the Third Mizukage's current physical condition, being killed by Bai Mu would indeed be perfectly logical.
However, Tsunade was willing to act with Bai Mu in such a manner, and then praised him after the battle. What kind of signal was this sending?
Hiruzen Sarutobi had to ponder deeply. To be able to take down the Third Mizukage, Bai Mu's strength was worth investigating, and the Mangekyo Sharingan was the most likely possibility.
But then, Bai Mu was very young, and he had awakened the Three-Tomoe Sharingan. His strength was absolutely undeniable. And to kill the aging Third Mizukage, it seemed to be no difficulty at all.
So, the Mangekyo Sharingan should not have been awakened. If it really had been, Tsunade would not have failed to mention it.
One must know that the emergency intelligence was delivered one after another, especially the second report, which arrived very quickly.
And this second report was sent by Tsunade using a summoning animal, indicating a completely different level of urgency.
Otherwise, his son wouldn't have rushed over.
Although Hiruzen Sarutobi still had some doubts, he knew that this latest battle report did not mention it, and Tsunade not mentioning it meant it didn't exist.
Tsunade couldn't possibly not recognize it, nor could she possibly not write it down, so Hiruzen Sarutobi believed it should not have been awakened.
"Hiruzen, are you joking?"
Danzo, of course, didn't believe it.
Bai Mu was just a brat, even if he was from the Uchiha Clan, could he kill the Third Mizukage? Although the Third Mizukage was old, that didn't mean a brat could kill him.
"No, this is not a joke." Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head, his expression solemn.
Could I possibly be joking?
The top-secret intelligence sent by Tsunade couldn't possibly be a joke, and it was sent back by Tsunade using a summoning animal, making the timing extremely tight, which was enough to prove the authenticity of the intelligence.
"But I don't believe it."
Danzo, however, firmly disbelieved.
What kind of joke is this? A mere Uchiha brat, capable of killing the Third Mizukage? Could it be Tsunade who did it? No, that's not right either. According to what Hiruzen just said, Tsunade and Bai Mu encountered the Hidden Mist elites led by the Third Mizukage, and there were only a few of them. How could they possibly win?
But the problem now is that the battle report has already been delivered, and the results are fruitful!
The Third Mizukage died, along with Black Hoe Raiga and Fuguki Suikazan of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. This meant that two of the three surviving Seven Ninja Swordsmen were gone, leaving only one. Kirigakure suffered heavy losses.
Because among them were the Kaguya clan, the Hozuki clan, and other bloodline limit ninja clans of Kirigakure, these powerful ninja clans suffered significant casualties, and the Hidden Mist Village's losses were not light.
Of course, even so, Danzo still found it hard to believe.
Unlike Danzo's disbelief, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado had no doubts, because if Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't lie, then it must be true.
Besides, Tsunade couldn't possibly lie about this, so it was highly likely to be true, and therefore, they both certainly believed it.
"Danzo, Tsunade wouldn't mess around with this. Although the matter is somewhat unbelievable, it's a great boon for us. Kirigakure can now be confirmed to be incapable of fighting anymore, and our pressure will be relieved."
For now, never mind who killed him. Since Tsunade personally led the charge, then it was Tsunade who killed him. As for Uchiha Haku, he could be ignored; a slight modification would suffice.
As for Tsunade achieving such great merit, her prestige would soar... Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado didn't really care. She was the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage; wasn't it natural for her to achieve battle merits?
You know, Tsunade left Konoha and wandered outside, unwilling to return to the village. Were there no voices within the village? Of course there were; quite a few people had opinions about her.
But what about now?
Tsunade personally slapped them in the face.
She led Konoha's ninja, killed the Third Mizukage, and utterly defeated Kirigakure's main ninja force. Who would dare to speak up now?
What do you know, you fools!
Danzo couldn't be bothered to waste words with these two idiots. He considered himself to have grand ambitions, and had nothing in common with these two spineless sycophants of Hiruzen Sarutobi, who only knew how to parrot his words and act superior due to their age.
You don't understand anything, you just know how to act superior because of your age. We're not on the same path; we can't see eye to eye.
"Alright, Danzo, there's no need to question this. Whether it's true or false, we'll know when Kirigakure retreats. Battle reports can lie, but battle lines cannot."
Hiruzen Sarutobi made a final decision, not intending to pursue the matter further.
As for Haku's issue, that could be discussed later. The key now was to get Tsunade back, and that Uchiha Haku also needed to return.
Oh, and those two Ice Release kunoichi Tsunade mentioned, that matter also needed to be investigated.
Thinking of Tsunade specifically mentioning Alice Lize and Esdeath, who seemed to have a close relationship with Uchiha Haku, but considering they saved Tsunade, Hiruzen Sarutobi, despite his doubts, still had to give Tsunade face.
Besides, once they returned to Konoha, no matter how threatening those two were, they could be dealt with. The most important thing at the moment was still to get Tsunade back.
"Miroku, you go personally and tell Tsunade to return as soon as possible. If she's unwilling, tell her it's my request. And Haku, as well as the two women Tsunade mentioned, must also be brought back. Take my letter; if Tsunade is still unwilling, let her read this letter."
Hiruzen Sarutobi took out a letter and instructed his son, telling him to personally go to the Land of Whirlpools and make sure to bring Tsunade back.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Sarutobi Miroku responded.
And as soon as his voice fell, his figure vanished on the spot.
"Hiruzen, you're too lenient with Tsunade. What 'request'? You should say it's the Hokage's order." Danzo snorted heavily, dissatisfied with Hiruzen Sarutobi's handling of the situation.
"Shut up, Danzo, I am the Hokage!" Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't want to discuss these issues with Danzo and slammed his hand on the table, shouting.
Danzo: "..."
Hokage, Hokage, damn you, Hiruzen.
It's only because I'm not the Hokage that I'm always talked back to like this. If I were the Hokage, then those words would be mine to say.
"Hiruzen, what about the Uchiha problem? And those two women mentioned are very suspicious..." Danzo was extremely frustrated, and immediately pointed his spear at Alice Lize and Esdeath, believing them to be very suspicious. So what if they saved Tsunade? If they weren't village ninja, that was the biggest problem.
"You don't need to interfere with this matter; I will handle it." Hiruzen Sarutobi once again made a unilateral decision. He didn't want any problems to arise at this crucial juncture.
After all, Tsunade's return to the village was the most important thing, and once she returned, everything would be easy to handle. So Hiruzen Sarutobi was very clear about Danzo's intentions and naturally couldn't let him mess things up.