stonecrandall Chapter 86 Ninjas and Missions
Chapter 86 Ninjas and Missions
Chapter 86 Ninjas and Missions
At the border of the Water Kingdom, all was silent, with only a gentle breeze rustling the treetops.
In the forest, Kakashi, with Tobirama, successfully retreated from the perilous situation in Kirigakure.
Tobirama looked slightly tired, and his eyes seemed a little dim.
He slightly raised his head and silently gazed at Kakashi, who had saved him, and for a moment he didn't know what to say.
"you"
Tobirama opened his mouth slightly, his voice low and hesitant.
However, Kakashi didn't let the awkward silence last long, explaining casually, "The Third Hokage received intelligence that Lord Tobirama might be in danger, so he sent me to provide assistance."
Tobirama got furious just hearing the name Hiruzen...
He scoffed, "What decent intelligence could Hiruzen possibly get... Never mind."
He wanted to continue speaking, but suddenly stopped, feeling that it was pointless to dwell on these trivial details, so he simply stopped talking.
Hiruzen and Danzo...
Kakashi, however, didn't seem to care about Tobirama's attitude. He quickly looked away and casually took out a new Flying Thunder God scroll.
Just as this brief silence was about to continue...
Tobirama suddenly spoke again, a rare occurrence for him, with a hint of seriousness and sincerity: "Thank you, little... Kakashi."
He had subconsciously wanted to call the young man in front of him "brat."
But in the end, they restrained themselves and chose to address him by his formal name.
Kakashi paused for a moment upon hearing this, then replied calmly and easily, "Second Hokage, I was merely carrying out my mission according to the Third Hokage's orders."
"Isn't completing the mission the most basic duty of a ninja?"
This is the truth...
Tobirama turned his gaze elsewhere: "Even so, I still have to thank you."
He paused briefly, then continued, "But don't misunderstand, my attitude and stance towards you will not change because of this."
"The Sharingan you possess gives you a higher risk of infection than anyone else, and your special identity is the biggest threat to Konoha."
"So if you continue to face unfair treatment in the future, I need to apologize to you, but I will not change my approach, because... for Konoha."
It was for Konoha, not for the ninja world...
Tobirama's words are straightforward, but not harsh.
Kakashi nodded: "I understand, Second Hokage."
Seeing Kakashi's calm reaction, Tobirama felt a mixture of admiration and conflict.
He didn't dislike Kakashi; it was just that out of caution and rational judgment, he had to remain highly vigilant towards the young man before him.
But the next moment, Tobirama sighed slightly, his tone softening somewhat: "However, even so, at the upcoming Five Kage Summit..."
"I still think you and Tsunade are the most suitable for the position of Hokage's bodyguards."
After saying this, Tobirama fell completely silent, unwilling to say another word.
During his trip to Kirigakure, he noticed many details about the Sharingan, so he needed to investigate further upon returning to the village.
Just as the two were about to begin teleporting, a series of hurried and chaotic footsteps suddenly came from the distance in the woods.
A familiar, unrestrained voice accompanied a figure that swiftly entered their line of sight...
"Kakashi! Second Hokage! Are you alright?"
Looking up, they saw Jiraiya rushing towards them with a look of great anxiety on his face.
His relaxed smile couldn't hide the obvious tension and worry in his heart.
The moment Tobirama saw Jiraiya, his expression turned grim, but he quickly recovered and muttered to himself.
"It seems that Hiruzen hasn't completely lost his mind after all..."
If Hiruzen really only sent Kakashi to provide support, he would have no backup plan whatsoever.
If Kakashi had already been completely corrupted by the Sharingan, then this behavior would be no different from Danzo's, and would be a complete betrayal of himself.
However, Hiruzen has now secretly sent Jiraiya as backup, which shows that Hiruzen was actually just testing Kakashi with this operation, proving that Hiruzen is just senile.
Although Tobirama was still very dissatisfied with Hiruzen's methods, he was mostly relieved, at least Hiruzen hadn't made a fatal mistake at the most crucial moment.
However, the jovial and self-important Jiraiya in front of him made Tobirama feel extremely uncomfortable and annoyed.
With a frown, her tone clearly revealing displeasure and disgust, she questioned, "What's so funny?"
Jiraiya's relaxed smile froze on his face, and he became extremely embarrassed, like a mouse seeing a cat.
He quickly stopped and stood at a distance, cautiously watching Tobirama's cold expression. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond. Seeing Jiraiya's panicked state, Kakashi shook his head slightly and smiled.
Jiraiya felt even more embarrassed when he noticed Kakashi's smile.
He glanced at Tobirama and felt terrible.
Yoshitoshi himself was the Fourth Hokage's teacher, and Tobirama reprimanded him in this way.
It gave him a feeling of returning to his childhood.
At least now the old man wouldn't scold me like that...
I feel a little wronged.
After a moment, Jiraiya carefully cleared his throat and said awkwardly, "Um, Second Hokage, Kakashi... let's leave here quickly, lest they catch up with us again."
Tobirama snorted coldly, but did not continue to criticize Jiraiya. Instead, he nodded and said, "Let's go."
Kakashi quickly activated the Flying Thunder God Technique, and the next moment, a strong spatial fluctuation swept through once again!
The three figures vanished instantly into the depths of the forest in the Land of Water, leaving behind only a quiet woodland, which returned to silence once more.
After they left, a gentle breeze rustled through the woods once more...
The leaves on the treetops swayed gently, as if nothing that had just happened had ever occurred.
The fallen leaves turn to ashes upon contact with the ground.
Then Obito, now in his intangible form, appeared and looked at Kakashi, who had just left.
1
In the conference room of Konoha.
With Kakashi leading Tobirama and Jiraiya back successfully, the previously anxious atmosphere finally eased somewhat.
Tsunade and Orochimaru also arrived quickly. Seeing that everyone was safe and sound, the tension on their faces eased slightly.
Orochimaru was even more worried about Tobirama's safety than Tsunade...
The room was filled with the legendary Sannin of Konoha, the Third Hokage Hiruzen, and Tobirama, who had just returned.
Three generations of masters and apprentices gathered together.
Seeing this, Kakashi felt there was nothing more he needed to do, so he bowed slightly and prepared to quietly leave the room.
Just as he turned around, Tobirama's deep yet authoritative voice came from behind him:
"Kakashi, you stay too, and listen to the next steps."
As soon as Tobirama said this, the room fell into a slight silence.
Hiruzen the Third Hokage paused slightly, glancing at Tobirama with a puzzled look.
Tsunade looked at Kakashi with a slightly worried expression, her face showing concern.
Jiraiya, on the other hand, looked relaxed, a mischievous smile on his face, and patted Kakashi on the shoulder: "Haha, Kakashi, it seems the Second Hokage has completely let go of his resentment towards you, that's a good thing!"
However, as soon as Jiraiya finished speaking, he felt a chilling killing intent rushing towards him from behind.
He quickly turned around, only to see Tobirama staring at him, his usually calm and serious face now appearing particularly gloomy and terrifying.
"you?"
Tobirama uttered a single word coldly, his tone chillingly menacing.
"Ahaha...it's nothing, it's nothing..."
Jiraiya's face immediately stiffened, his lips twitched a few times, and he quickly shut his mouth, not daring to say another word.
Kakashi nodded slightly, silently returned to his original position, and made no further unnecessary movements.
At this moment, Tsunade leaned closer to Kakashi with some unease and asked in a low, concerned voice, "Kakashi, you just went to Kirigakure, did you encounter any trouble? How are you?"
Kakashi gently shook his head, his tone as usual: "It's nothing, Lady Tsunade, don't worry."
Seeing Kakashi's calm and composed demeanor, Tsunade's expression softened slightly, but she still dared not let her guard down.
After everyone calmed down, Tobirama began to slowly recount everything that had happened during his trip to Kirigakure.
"The situation in Kirigakure is now extremely dire. Danzo has almost completely taken control of the entire village and is in fact the true Mizukage of Kirigakure."
"As for the original Fourth Mizukage, Yagura, he is now nothing more than a puppet being controlled."
Tobirama glanced at Hiruzen warily: "Danzo has become the Mizukage of Kirigakure, and the monkey is on Konoha's side. You two, brothers, each have a village. Finally, you don't have to fight for the Hokage position anymore..."
Jiraiya: "That makes some sense..."
Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt another wave of chilling killing intent coming straight at him from behind.
Jiraiya immediately shut his mouth, glancing quickly at Tobirama's ashen face. He then scratched his head sheepishly, no longer daring to speak.
Tobirama was already furious, and now Jiraiya's antics...
Tsunade also glared at Jiraiya...
Orochimaru: "Idiot..."
Tobirama gave Jiraiya a cold glance, then ignored him.
To be honest, this guy...:
"The strange genjutsu we encountered in Kirigakure this time... was extremely unique. It was a recurring loop, with several Sharingan resonating with each other, and it could even draw upon the resentment and vengeance accumulated in the village over the past decades."
"Perhaps this is a manifestation of the Sharingan's ability being mutated and upgraded after Uchiha Shisui was resurrected by Edo Tensei."
Orochimaru then chimed in, "This combination of genjutsu and vengeful spirits is unprecedented. The Sharingan curse is now escalating to such an astonishing degree."
Hiruzen listened from the side, seemingly deep in thought. He slowly said, "In that case, the massacre of the daimyo's family in the Land of Water last time must have been Danzo's doing as well."
"Indeed, Danzo has now practically taken control of the entire Land of Water. However, with the Five Kage Summit approaching, Kirigakure in its current state is clearly no longer able to attend the meeting."
"But there is no need to launch a military operation against Kirigakure immediately. After all, the situation in the ninja world is already chaotic enough. The most urgent task is to strengthen the blockade against the Land of Water to prevent the situation from deteriorating further."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, and Hiruzen also slowly nodded in approval of Tobirama's arrangement.
Next, Tobirama turned his head and his gaze fell on Kakashi, who was standing to the side.
He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "You should personally deliver the invitations to the two key ninja villages, Sunagakure and Kumogakure, Kakashi."
Kakashi was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but then he lowered his head and nodded earnestly, replying, "Understood, Second Hokage, I will set off immediately."
Although Kakashi originally planned to go to Ryuchi Cave as soon as possible to train in Sage Mode and further strengthen his power to deal with the increasingly serious threat of the Sharingan curse.
However, as a ninja, his most important duty is naturally to carry out missions.
"In that case, Kakashi, you should go and make preparations immediately."
Hiruzen looked at Kakashi and said gently, "But please be careful and prioritize your own safety."
"Yes."
As Kakashi's figure disappeared outside the door, the room fell into a brief but heavy silence.
Tobima lowered his head and continued to flip through the files on the desk, his expression as cold and focused as ever.
The others in the room sensed a somber atmosphere in the presence of an elder and dared not disturb them.
In the midst of this silence, Tsunade seemed to finally be unable to contain her curiosity: "Grandpa, do you now acknowledge Kakashi?"
Tobirama looked up, his tone revealing a clear hint of impatience:
"As long as he still has that Sharingan, I can never fully accept him."
Although his words were cold, they also revealed the complex feelings Tobirama had for the young ninja Kakashi.
Tsunade paused slightly upon hearing this, knowing that there was no point in continuing to ask, so she quietly shut her mouth.
However, Tobirama doesn't seem to intend to end this topic easily.
He put down the file in his hand, looked at the silent Hiruzen Sarutobi beside him, and his tone became stern:
"To be a qualified Hokage, one must not only have ability, but also sufficient decision-making power. Look at Danzo now, his decisions and actions in the Land of Water are much more decisive and resolute than yours."
Hiruzen lowered his head upon hearing this, sighed softly twice in resignation, and chose to remain silent.
Seeing the strange and awkward atmosphere between the master and disciple, Jiraiya felt a chill run down his spine and even began to breathe more cautiously.
My instinct was to quietly retreat to the side and slip out of the room.
However, he had only taken a few steps back when Tobirama's voice rang out, causing Jiraiya to freeze instantly and no longer dare to take another step.
"Jiraiya, you seem to have a lot of free time lately?"
Tobirama stared at Jiraiya, his voice calm, yet it sent a few beads of cold sweat down Jiraiya's forehead.
It has to be said, he was genuinely a little afraid of the second generation...:
Jiraiya could only manage a forced, ingratiating smile. He scratched his head and stammered, "Actually, I've been very busy lately, after all, I still need to look after Naruto and Kakashi..."
"In that case, you're even more suited to do this."
"Now set off immediately for Amegakure and invite the leader of Akatsuki to Konoha."