As soon as Minato Namikaze was free, he immediately used the Flying Thunder God Technique to jump next to Kushina.
After checking on her and confirming Kushina was unharmed, Minato Namikaze was finally completely relieved.
Afterward, the victorious Konoha side escorted the two Jinchuriki, whose Chakra had been sealed, back to the camp.
Following this, Jiraiya and Orochimaru wrote down the battle results and reported them to the Third Hokage. For the time being, they only needed to stand by.
At the same time, not only the Third Hokage but also Danzo and the two Advisors received the report on this war.
When they saw the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki appear on the battlefield and defeat the Tailed Beast Transformation forms of the Ichibi and the Five-Tails, they immediately realized that the Third Hokage had sent the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to the battlefield behind their backs.
The three of them simultaneously arrived at the Hokage Office to confront the Third Hokage.
The Third Hokage had guessed they would come the moment he saw the battle report, and he had already prepared himself.
"Hiruzen, do you know what you're doing? Sending the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to the battlefield? If the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki were to secretly harbor ill intent and defect, could you bear that responsibility?" Danzo immediately challenged him after bursting into the Hokage Office, questioning Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Kushina wouldn't do that. I trust her," the Third Hokage replied while smoking.
"You trust her? Hiruzen, you are the Hokage. You shouldn't rely solely on your own trust to decide such an important matter," Homura Mitokado said seriously.
"That's right! Hiruzen, this concerns the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. You should discuss it with us before making a decision," Utatane Koharu added.
Hearing this, the Third Hokage took a deep drag from his pipe and asked, "Have you considered who could handle two Tailed Beasts that have undergone Tailed Beast Transformation if Kushina wasn't there?"
"Jiraiya and Orochimaru are both there. Working together with their Summoned Beasts, would they really be unable to deal with those two Tailed Beasts?" Danzo answered without hesitation.
"It's true that Jiraiya and Orochimaru have the strength to suppress Tailed Beasts, but how many Konoha Ninja would be injured or even killed in their fight against the Tailed Beasts? This war has dragged on for too long, and we have lost too many excellent Ninja. The Village cannot afford any more losses."
Homura Mitokado and Utatane Koharu exchanged glances upon hearing this. They were also aware of the Village's current situation. The participation of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was indeed beneficial for preserving the Village's fighting strength, and judging by the results, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki had performed quite well.
Seeing that the two Advisors remained silent, Danzo snorted coldly and said, "Hmph! Easy for you to say! Hiruzen, didn't you consider what would happen if the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki couldn't control the Nine-Tailed's power and was corrupted by the negative emotions within the Tailed Beast Chakra?"
"At that point, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki wouldn't be helping us end the battle and preserve the Village's fighting strength; instead, she would bring greater harm to the Village."
"You don't need to worry about that. Before I decided to let Kushina participate in this war, I had already seen Kushina use the Nine-Tails Chakra. She can perfectly control the power of six tails," the Third Hokage said.
Danzo grew angrier upon hearing this. Hiruzen Sarutobi constantly claimed that the Jinchuriki was not a tool and forbade his Root members from getting close, yet he knew so much about the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's situation.
He even knew exactly how much power the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki could use.
Homura Mitokado also felt that Hiruzen Sarutobi knew too much about the Jinchuriki. He directly asked the Third Hokage, "Hiruzen, aren't you interfering a little too much with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
The Third Hokage was momentarily stunned, then shook his head and replied, "Everything I know about Kushina, I heard from Minato and his students."
"Did Jiraiya and Minato Namikaze also know that you were sending the Jinchuriki to the battlefield this time?" Danzo seized on the key point in the Third Hokage's words and pressed for an answer.
"Not only Jiraiya and Minato, but Orochimaru was also informed."
Danzo's expression grew increasingly displeased upon hearing this, and the two Advisors also felt slighted. Just as they were about to speak, the Third Hokage suddenly put down his pipe and spoke.
"I know what you want to say, and I know what you are thinking. I never had the intention to control Kushina in the past, nor will I in the future, and I will not allow anyone to do anything harmful to Kushina because of the Tailed Beast.
Kushina has never been a weapon. I hope you remember that clearly.
I can pretend not to know about certain actions you take in the Village, because we are comrades, and I know you all mean well for the Village.
But Kushina is the exception. That is my bottom line, and I am the Hokage. Do you understand?"
After speaking, the Third Hokage raised his head and looked at the three of them. He didn't unleash his Chakra or make any unnecessary movements; his gaze alone made the two Advisors and Danzo feel immense pressure.
"H-Hiruzen, what do you mean by that? Are you suggesting we have selfish motives regarding the Jinchuriki?" Homura Mitokado asked, enduring the Third Hokage's pressure.
"Whether you have selfish motives, you should know yourselves, especially you, Danzo. Root Ninja have been secretly monitoring Kushina this entire time. Did you think I didn't know?
In fact, it's not just me; Kushina and Minato noticed long ago. The fact that they haven't moved against the Root Ninja is already giving face to you, the Hokage Advisor."
"I am doing this for the Jinchuriki's safety," Danzo argued.
"Do you even believe that excuse yourself? Starting today, Danzo, you must withdraw all Root Ninja stationed near Kushina. Kushina has already proven herself in this war; there is no need for any further precautions against her."
"That's impossible. The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki must be monitored, otherwise—"
"I am not negotiating with you; I am informing you directly. If you don't withdraw them, Minato and Kushina will help you send the Root Ninja back."
Danzo understood the Third Hokage's implication, and he also realized that Minato Namikaze and Uzumaki Kushina had refrained from acting against Root members purely because of the constraints imposed by Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Now, because of Uzumaki Kushina's performance in the Battle of Mount Kikyo, Hiruzen Sarutobi no longer intended to restrain the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki.
As arrogant as Danzo was, he knew very well that the strength of the Root Ninja was absolutely no match for Minato Namikaze.
He had just received intelligence that Minato Namikaze had defeated Ōnoki in direct combat.
Even Hiruzen wasn't confident he could decisively beat that old man Ōnoki, right?
Given Minato Namikaze's current strength, the Root Ninja were like defenseless children in front of him.
Not to mention there was also the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, who could use a portion of the Nine-Tailed's power.
Thinking of this, Danzo glared fiercely at Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "Hiruzen, indulging the Jinchuriki like this is bound to cause trouble! Don't you dare regret it!"
----------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 40 new chapters on Patreon!
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead, feel free to check it out.
Your support truly means a lot to me!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
Thank you so much for being here!
And if you're having fun with the story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone for me!