Chapter 175: I'm Going to Find Orochimaru Right Now and Demand Answers
The long night finally ended. Dawn breaking through the clouds shone equally upon the lands of the Land of Frost and Land of Hot Water. After experiencing this night's chaos, the tense atmosphere along the border hadn't intensified—rather, it had eased considerably.
Konoha had essentially won a round. More importantly, they'd suffered no significant losses themselves, so morale was high. The rookies who hadn't experienced much combat felt particularly settled—Konoha's defensive lines everywhere were filled with many young people, students rushed through the Ninja Academy prematurely.
Though Konoha had basically won every front in this Third Shinobi World War that had yet to reach a complete conclusion, their own losses were substantial. Personnel casualties were especially severe. Midway through the war, they'd already begun rushing Academy students through training, relaxing graduation exam standards, sending batch after batch of teenagers to the frontlines.
Previously, these inexperienced rookies had been the greatest destabilizing factor. But after experiencing last night's chaos, they'd undergone a baptism of sorts. Their abilities hadn't changed much, but their mental fortitude had been strengthened.
Minato leaned against the railing, overlooking the mountain fortress scene below. His face bore deep exhaustion and inescapable helplessness.
When deciding to have Hyuga Ritsu come to the Land of Hot Water frontline to replace Jiraiya-sensei, he'd already prepared himself mentally. Ritsu definitely wouldn't behave obediently. This master-student pair rushing so actively and proactively to the frontline would certainly cause some incidents.
As long as they weren't excessive, as long as they didn't harm the village's interests, he'd choose to turn a blind eye.
But this was less than twenty-four hours!
Originally, because of Orochimaru's situation, he'd gotten almost no sleep last night. Then at dawn, he received intelligence from the frontline that gave him a splitting headache, forcing him to hastily rush back to the frontline camp via Flying Thunder God Technique.
The result—upon arrival, he saw Hyuga Ritsu had undergone tremendous changes. They'd been separated less than twenty-four hours, yet Ritsu's head had grown horns. If he remembered correctly, only the Hidden Cloud Village's horned clan grew horns on their heads.
Also, his chakra had changed compared to before. Minato's perception was very sharp—he could detect that both the quality and quantity of Ritsu's chakra had improved.
So—
Had Ritsu used that forbidden technique to seize another's Kekkei Genkai again?
Minato turned his head, staring at Ritsu's forehead. "Hyuga Clan Head, has C already been killed by Missing-nin Anonymous?"
This question was quite interesting.
Kimeki Koto and others gathered around frowned in confusion, while gleam flashed through Nara Suzaku's eyes.
Ritsu laughed dryly twice. "After I pursued C into the Cloud ninja camp, I never saw him again. However, I broke through the entire Cloud ninja camp and C still didn't reappear. I believe he definitely fell victim to Missing-nin Anonymous. He should be impossible to appear again in the future."
Minato nodded. "Good that he won't appear again."
He sighed heavily, turning back around. His gaze swept across everyone. "I understand the general situation. Undeniably, the Hyuga Clan Head was somewhat impulsive at the time. Fortunately, the final result isn't bad. We suffered no losses, and the Cloud ninja also plan to continue negotiations."
"Therefore, Hyuga Clan Head, don't be so impulsive next time. The village currently has some issues. It's best to avoid conflict with the Cloud ninja as much as possible at this time. The Cloud ninja said they'd send people for negotiations, correct?"
As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward Hiruko, paused, changed his tone, and continued, "Hiruko-senpai, I authorize you to handle negotiations with the Cloud ninja. Also... Hyuga Clan Head won't participate in these negotiations. Suzaku, you'll assist Hiruko-senpai. If by chance negotiations collapse, then it won't be too late for the Hyuga Clan Head to appear."
Hiruko immediately agreed. "Don't worry, Hokage-sama! Ritsu already demonstrated to the Cloud ninja how hard our fist is. As long as the Cloud ninja's brains aren't broken, these negotiations shouldn't be very difficult."
Nara Suzaku also responded, "I'll coordinate well with the Hokage Advisor!"
The matter passed lightly like this, without any punishment for Ritsu. Even though Minato had already guessed last night's truth, it remained that the final result wasn't bad. Ritsu had cleaned up his own mess and hadn't caused the village to suffer losses.
Moreover, Ritsu had pinned all blame on Missing-nin Anonymous, completely exonerating himself.
So, let it be!
Everything was Missing-nin Anonymous's fault. Establishing such a common enemy for both Konoha and the Cloud ninja seemed like a good thing for now.
Minato currently had no extra energy to waste here. As long as Hiruko and Ritsu, this master-student pair, could control the situation and contain the chaos they'd created, he didn't plan any unnecessary interference.
Otherwise, if everything required his remote control as Hokage, there'd be no point specially having Hiruko and Ritsu replace Jiraiya-sensei at the frontline.
"Any other issues to discuss?"
Minato asked.
Everyone shook their heads.
Though they weren't without other thoughts—for instance, whether they could replace the commander with someone more steady—the Hokage had already made his decision, clearly having no intention of changing frontline commanders. Raising such topics now would be too tactless.
Seeing everyone had no other questions, he pulled Hiruko aside for further instructions and reminders, then swiftly departed using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Hiruko looked at where Minato had just stood and sighed. "Looks like something significant happened in the village!"
Otherwise, Minato wouldn't be so rushed.
Ritsu narrowed his eyes and smiled. "Sensei, village matters don't concern us. The Hokage will worry about them. You should consider negotiation matters with the Cloud ninja instead."
"What are you going to do?"
"The Hokage said negotiations don't require my concern, so I'm planning to train. My strength improved last night—I need time to refine my techniques."
Ritsu had no dissatisfaction with Minato's arrangements. Rather, he was quite pleased with them. Compared to being entangled in mundane affairs, he currently preferred spending time training. Both his superpower and bloodline had advanced further—he truly needed time to familiarize himself with and master this dramatically enhanced strength.
Hiruko looked deeply at Ritsu, confirming his beloved student spoke sincerely, then nodded. "Since that's the case, go handle your business. But remember to leave a shadow clone here. If any sudden situation arises, it'll be convenient to contact you."
Returning to his office, Minato immediately saw Jiraiya sitting on the reception area sofa drinking tea. Jiraiya likewise saw Minato return. "Minato, where did you go again?"
"I went to the Land of Hot Water frontline."
"The Land of Hot Water frontline? Did something happen?"
Jiraiya set down his teacup, concern coloring his face. After all, he'd been stationed at the Land of Hot Water frontline for so long—he still cared greatly about the situation there.
Bitter smile appeared on Minato's face. "Missing-nin Anonymous controlled the Cloud ninja nicknamed C and attempted to assassinate Hiruko but failed. In his fury, Hyuga Ritsu was lured into fighting a great battle with the Cloud ninja, drawing the Fourth Raikage and Eight-Tails jinchuriki onto the battlefield. Ritsu faced two opponents alone but successfully forced the Cloud ninja to choose negotiation to resolve the dispute."
Jiraiya stared at Minato with somewhat glazed eyes.
This was a joke, right?
He'd left the Land of Hot Water frontline camp less than twenty-four hours ago. How had such a major incident occurred? Even the Fourth Raikage and Eight-Tails jinchuriki got involved?
"Minato, are you serious?"
"That's the public explanation."
"I knew it."
"The actual truth should be that Hyuga Ritsu impersonated Missing-nin Anonymous to attack the Cloud ninja C, used the forbidden technique Hiruko-senpai created to seize his bloodline, triggering conflict with the Cloud ninja. But he cleaned up his own mess and appears to have successfully dumped blame on Missing-nin Anonymous."
Jiraiya was dumbstruck.
Why did this truth sound even more insane?
That new Hyuga clan head was really too capable of causing trouble, wasn't he?
After his shock passed, deep curiosity emerged in Jiraiya's eyes. He asked, "Minato, this—this... how did you handle this matter?"
"How else could I handle it?"
Minato shook his head, face full of helplessness. "I can only minimize major issues and dismiss minor ones. Hyuga Ritsu cleaned up his own mess. I can't very well expose him by saying all this has nothing to do with Missing-nin Anonymous and was all Ritsu's doing, can I?"
"True enough."
Jiraiya nodded understandingly.
Thinking carefully, this should be the best handling method.
"This Hyuga Clan Head truly excels at causing trouble. Say, Minato, are you certain there's no problem leaving him at the frontline? He'll probably cause new incidents."
"But he also has the ability to clean up his own messes. So as long as the frontline camp doesn't suffer excessive losses and doesn't infringe upon the village's interests, letting him torment the Cloud ninja is a good thing."
Minato's thinking was clear, his position never wavering.
He was Hokage. Konoha's interests were his position. Therefore, he could tolerate Ritsu's actions but couldn't accept what Orochimaru had done.
"Without infringing upon the village's interests?"
Jiraiya softly repeated Minato's words, complex light flashing through his eyes. He also thought of Orochimaru. He hadn't slept all night, spending the entire night reviewing all scrolls related to Orochimaru left within Root organization. That bastard Shimura Danzo had recorded everything about Orochimaru's experimental research.
Honestly, those things had kept Jiraiya's blood pressure elevated all night. Even now he felt his head splitting, heart full of frustration with nowhere to vent.
"Minato, tell me... why couldn't that bastard Orochimaru learn from this Hyuga Clan Head? Why must that bastard attack comrades in the village?"
Jiraiya's voice was low, carrying deep pain and sorrow.
Minato had no words in response.
He simply silently served as a "sounding board."
"His grave-robbing the First Hokage's tomb is one thing—the dead are ultimately dead. But striking at living comrades, he really, really is..."
Jiraiya's emotions were somewhat out of control, his words unguarded.
Saying grave-robbing the First Hokage's tomb was acceptable—how could such a crime possibly be dismissed? But Minato currently didn't intend to argue anything with Jiraiya-sensei. What he needed to do now was listen. Debating right and wrong with an emotionally charged teacher was extremely foolish behavior.
After about ten-plus minutes passed, Jiraiya stopped. He picked up his teacup, draining the cold tea in one gulp, then took a deep breath and stood. "Minato, I'm going to find Orochimaru right now and demand answers. I will persuade him to turn himself in!"
Minato blinked. He looked at Jiraiya sporting dark circles and heavy eye bags. "Sensei, shouldn't you catch up on sleep first, rest a while before going? Your current condition isn't very good."
"No need."
Jiraiya shook his head forcefully. "It's just one night without sleep. For me, it's no problem. Besides, if I don't find Orochimaru now and get clear answers, even if you told me to sleep, I couldn't."
His complexion wasn't great, but the spirit in his eyes was exceptionally bright. His mental state was in a particularly excited condition.
Minato deliberated a moment, then said slowly, "If Sensei has truly prepared yourself, then going now is fine. But don't forget what I said before—don't take risks. If you can persuade Orochimaru to turn himself in, that's best. But if, if there's any unforeseen situation, remember to protect yourself. I'll rush over to support you as quickly as possible."
Jiraiya forced a strained smile, squeezing out a stiff expression.
He said nothing more, simply rose and walked to the window. After opening it, he leaped directly out, bounding across rooftops, rushing toward Orochimaru's residence in the village.
Minato also stood, moving to the window. Through the wide-open window, he watched Jiraiya's departing figure. "Someone, notify the Police Force. Once Jiraiya-sensei enters Orochimaru's estate, immediately evacuate nearby civilians."
"Notify the Shadow Guard. Have them prepare for combat and assemble on the rooftop terrace of the tallest building surrounding Orochimaru's estate."
"Contact the two advisor elders and Shikaku. Have them prepare to temporarily assume control of the village's overall situation in my place."
Orders issued one after another.
ANBU figures scattered toward various parts of the village.
After finishing all orders, Minato checked his ninja tool pouch, completed combat preparations, then directly used Flying Thunder God Technique to reach the rooftop terrace of the tallest building surrounding Orochimaru's estate—every corner of the village held Flying Thunder God formula marks he'd left behind.
He stood on the terrace quietly overlooking that estate wrapped in powerful barriers. Jiraiya-sensei should have already entered. Police Force members were evacuating nearby residents. His Shadow Guard members were successively arriving from different directions, assembling one after another behind him.
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