Konoha: Tsunade, I am the Hokage

Chapter 154 Yekura: I did not betray Sunagakure!

The Land of Water, the Hidden Mist Village.

As he emerged from the meeting room, Master Yuan's eyes revealed his exhaustion.

"Master Yuan, how is the situation?"

Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Demon immediately stepped forward.

Master Yuan glanced at him and said calmly, "What's the rush? If you're in such a hurry, why didn't you come in and join the meeting earlier?"

Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Demon chuckled.

A meeting?

He wouldn't dare!

The Fourth Mizukage may look young, but he is actually ruthless and difficult to deal with. He doesn't want to be blacklisted for no reason.

Master Yuan sighed, and then he led the way downstairs and into his elder's office.

When you get to his office, there are more Jonin.

Apart from Kushimaru Kurihara and Juzo Biwa, who had already sacrificed their lives, all the other members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were present, although some Jonin from major clans were not.

Their patriarch also attended the meeting.

and so.

The Jonin of the Hozuki clan are mostly discussed within their own clan.

Master Yuan glanced around and said, "The Dark Division already had information about the Snow Clan and the Kaguya Clan. Now they are just openly siding with the nobles, but the Land of Water still provides us with a lot of support, so there is absolutely no need for us to worry."

"The Kaguya clan is no pushover, and the daimyo of the Land of Water has been dissatisfied with our policies for quite some time now. If this continues, war is only a matter of time."

"That's what Kurozuki Raiga said."

Yuan Shi said, "Lord Mizukage will handle it; you don't need to worry about it. All you need to do is bring out the new batch of ninjas."

No one dared to interrupt, much less ask the Fourth Mizukage what method he had to persuade the daimyo and the nobles of Kyoto.

At this point, Master Yuan paused briefly before continuing to speak.

"Our village currently has far too few ninjas compared to other major ninja villages. Especially now that the two major clans have completely aligned themselves with them and will no longer serve us, we need to train our own ninjas even more."

"What about the previous graduation exam policy?"

"Starting this year, the previous policy of requiring fierce competition and elimination during graduation exams will be abolished, and a normal graduation assessment will be implemented instead!"

A smile appeared on Master Yuan's face.

A few cheers erupted from the office, while others breathed a sigh of relief.

Although they are all Jonin, there are always a few weak or not outstanding members in the clan. If they are all killed like this year, who would be willing to send their children to the Ninja Academy?

and so.

Everyone was happy to see this policy abolished.

Master Yuan laughed and said, "Go get to work, I need to get started too. Pufferfish Demon, wait a minute, I have a task for you to do."

"yes!"

……

At that moment, in Konoha's ANBU, Orochimaru was conducting an experiment when suddenly a snake crawled out from the shadows.

Immediately afterwards, it flicked its tongue and spat out a scroll from its belly.

Kazuma glanced at it, then immediately stopped looking and focused on feeding the monkeys.

Orochimaru bent down and picked it up.

After two seconds, he smiled slightly and said, "Shin-no-suke, I'll be leaving for a bit."

"Okay, today's training is very important. I'll stay here the whole time. If you need anything, go ahead and do it."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke turned around, occasionally glancing back at the Enma ahead.

"It will only take a few minutes."

Orochimaru picked up the scroll and left.

Two minutes later, in the Dark Unit Captain's office, Tsukikage Hideaki stood in front of Kyohiko, holding a piece of intelligence in his hand.

"My lord, this is the latest intelligence from Sunagakure, but our people haven't infiltrated yet. We've only learned that they plan to take advantage of the internal strife in Kirigakure to launch an operation in the south."

"In the south, they had an agreement with Kirigakure before, and I guess they handed over some benefits."

Jingyan expressed his own opinion.

The fact that Sunagakure dared to be the first to start a war back then must have meant that they had secured diplomatic relations and were certain that no one would betray them before they took action.

however.

Subsequent developments did not go as the people of Sunagakure had expected; even the Third Kazekage perished on the battlefield, and his body was not brought back this year.

Therefore, for them, the deal with Kirigakure was a losing proposition, and it would be normal for them to back out.

but……

He paused for a few seconds to think.

Who is the Fourth Kazekage now?

"Some people support Yecang, but many others do not. Our people have heard that the villagers don't quite agree, so the election hasn't been decided yet."

Moonlight Show is the way.

Since the intelligence network had only been rebuilt recently, most of the information they could obtain came from word of mouth among merchants and nobles.

It is not easy to obtain information about their village directly as before.

Kyohiko was getting up, preparing to go find Orochimaru—

He believed that Orochimaru must have spies over there.

result.

The next second, Orochimaru arrived, holding another scroll in his hand.

This must be an intelligence scroll.

A hint of joy flashed in Jingyan's eyes.

"Orochimaru-senpai, I think you've brought me good news!"

"You could say that."

Orochimaru chuckled softly, "Our previous work has yielded results!"

He threw the scroll at Kyohiko.

Shusaku Tsukiko consciously withdrew and left.

Jingyan took it.

He unrolled the scroll, which contained a description of the recent internal situation of Sunagakure—

Yekura returned to Sunagakure and was attacked on the way, but she was very strong and had anticipated that someone would chase her, so she did not die in the pursuit.

however.

After returning to Sunagakure, her condition was not optimistic.

On the one hand, Rasa supported her and helped her rise to the position of the Fourth Kazekage. On the other hand, rumors of Yekura's defection to the enemy spread throughout the village.

The villagers secretly hated Yekura, believing that she had betrayed the Third Kazekage, which led to the Kazekage's death. It was these rumors and "public opinion" that prevented Yekura from taking power.

and so.

She is currently only nominated, and while the acting Kazekage is nominally Yekura, he is actually still Rasa.

Jingyan smiled after reading it: "Luo Sha's hands are dirty, but for him, this is the best solution."

"It's no use. The fact that Sunagakure doesn't have a real Kazekage is a huge blow to the reputation of a major ninja village, so he's started to take action."

Orochimaru gestured for Kyohiko to continue reading.

however.

Jingyan put it aside and handed over the intelligence he was holding.

"I've already seen it."

Orochimaru glanced at the intelligence report handed in by Hideaki Gekko, then nodded. "You think the same thing as me?"

"Rasa is going to kill Yekura!"

Jingyan said with certainty.

In the original timeline, Rasa deliberately plotted to kill Yotsuba in order to reconcile with Kirigakure.

This is nothing more than repeating the same old tricks.

"I'll take a small team there. I've made some progress on the matter of the Ibri clan. Senior, could you please take a look and give it a try? If it's feasible, let them give it a shot."

Jingyan handed over his proposal.

He roughly wrote down his ideas as theories, and Orochimaru was an expert in ninjutsu theory research, whose ability in this area even surpassed that of the aging ninjutsu professor.

Orochimaru pondered for a few seconds.

"The idea of ​​using chakra to refine and create special impurities over the years to form a smoke core is one thing, but it probably won't work for a ninjutsu alone. It will require improvements at the genetic and bloodline limit levels."

"You're an expert in this area."

"Leave it to me, I know what to do."

Orochimaru handed it back to Kyohiko, saying, "However, that technique isn't very mature yet; I'm still in the experimental stage. I'll give you a more mature plan when you return."

"it is good."

……

The Anbu, Kakashi's squad, gathered.

After a moment of silence, Kyohiko arrived instantly.

"How's the Flying Thunder Formation technique coming along?"

"..."

The four fell silent for a moment.

Finally, Kakashi spoke first: "I've finished reading the book, but the ninjutsu is very unstable. At most, it can only transmit information, but the distance is very short, so it's not useful for now."

Information transmission, being the most basic teleportation element in the Flying Thunder Formation ninjutsu, is currently characterized by—

Items transported will shatter if they are too far away.

This is completely unacceptable.

"Are all three of you the same?"

"Um."

Yamashiro Aoba nodded helplessly.

"The spatial channel is unstable and we need to practice more. It's okay, I'll go on this mission with you this time."

"Kyohiko said."

Kakashi opened his eyes slightly, first in surprise, then immediately turning serious.

Given Jingyan's strength, any mission that requires his personal involvement is generally of S rank or higher.

S-rank mission.

Is there another war?

"Let's talk about it in detail on the way. Let's go!"

Jingyan didn't say much.

Although this team is young, their strength has been honed over time, and except for Kakashi, they have all reached the level of elite Chunin.

Their seamless teamwork, combined with Kakashi's strength, makes them one of the top three strongest combat teams in the Anbu.

For this reason, Kyohiko did not split them up.

After leaving the village, he gave a brief account of the mission.

"Besides you guys, Jonin Shusaku will also be cooperating with us. He has already led a team there in advance, so we will have three teams afterward."

"However, we shouldn't have too many people for this kind of mission. We are the main force, and they are more for support and coordination."

Jingyan looked at the four of them, "Do you understand?"

"yes!"

All four answered at the same time.

……

The Land of Wind, Sunagakure Village.

Ye Cang looked at Luo Sha and the mission book in his hand, remaining silent for a long time.

Go south to discuss compensation with Kirigakure...

She put it away and said calmly, "I will carry out this mission as you wish, but there is one thing I will repeat one last time."

As an elite Jonin, she had carried out countless missions, and the intelligence and mission briefing in her hand gave her an ominous feeling.

Yekura remained silent for a few seconds.

During this time, Luo Sha didn't say a word, as if he was busy with his work.

Seeing his reaction, a hint of disappointment flashed in Ye Cang's eyes.

She said calmly, "I did not betray Sunagakure!"

After saying that, she picked up the task sheet and turned to leave.

After Yekura left, Rasa leaned back in his chair and quietly looked out the window.

Downstairs, Ye Cang glanced around, then quietly lowered her head and spoke to her disciple, Masaki, a scene that looked exceptionally beautiful in the setting sun.

Luo Sha smiled helplessly.

From the very beginning, it wasn't a question of whether Yekura betrayed Sunagakure, but rather that as a defeated village, given the circumstances at the time, he simply had no choice.

"Rasa, did you and Yekura have another fight?"

"No, we just have different ideas and different views on the future plans for Sunagakure."

Rosa forced a smile. "Karuro, let's get married next year?"

"ah?!"

Karura's face flushed red. She quickly looked around to make sure no one was watching before whispering, "Why so suddenly? Didn't you say before that you were prioritizing your career and the village?"

"I suddenly want to have a child soon."

Luo Sha answered.

He had a premonition that there was no hope of pulling Sunagakure out of the abyss in their generation.

even.

The next generation may not have the same opportunity.

however.

If there is a good successor, at least there is something to look forward to.

"OK!"

A bright, beautiful smile appeared on Garura's face.

……

At the village entrance, Yekura stroked Masaki's hair.

"Let's go back."

"Teacher, I'd like to participate in this mission as well."

"Go back. This mission was quite dangerous, and you are all still young. You can grow up gradually."

Yekura smiled and said, "Grow up well and protect the village."

"Yes, I will try my best!"

Masaki answered loudly.

Yekura waved and walked from Sunagakure into the boundless desert.

Maki waited at the village entrance for a long time, and even after Yekura disappeared, she was still standing there.

She felt—

The teacher's mood and words were strange, as if we would never see her again.

Yecang wandered aimlessly in the desert.

She didn't think she had done anything wrong, but things always seemed to go wrong, especially after the clashes with Konoha...

Do not!

To be precise, it was after meeting that brat.

The image of Kyohiko appeared in Ye Cang's mind.

"My fate was perhaps sealed the moment I was arrested."

She understood immediately.

The difference is—

Die early, die late.

Yecang traveled south through the desert, but his mood became increasingly calm.

……

At the foot of a cliff on the southern coast, a ship quietly moored against the rock face.

This stone wall has a unique structure, with several small stone platforms at the bottom, the lowest one of which is just big enough for a boat to dock.

"Lord Fuguki, it seems the Sand Village hasn't arrived yet."

"You all stay hidden, she'll definitely come."

"yes!"

Dozens of people dispersed and hid around the cliff, clinging to the walls.

Suigetsu Hozuki grinned menacingly: "The hero of Sunagakure is destined to die here tonight!"

Beside him, Kisame stood silently.

Suigetsu Hozuki glanced at him and said, "You come with me. If she makes a move, we'll use water-based techniques to suppress her."

"Don't be afraid. No matter how strong the Scorching Release is, it still requires high temperature to work."

The Watermelon Pufferfish Demon seems to be really encouraging.

After saying that, he leaped up and climbed upwards along the cliff face.

As night fell, Yekura stopped in the distance.

"Suikazan Fugu-ki, it's you again. Did you bring your supplies?"

"We brought it. We don't want to have any unpleasantness with you. To be honest, it wasn't that we didn't help before, but Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura came from the east in person, and many of our people died there."

Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Demon explained.

Yekura said, "Konoha is too strong. We need to unite, otherwise Konoha will only become stronger. But we lost the Kazekage and paid a large sum of compensation, so the previous terms need to be revised."

"How do I modify it?"

The Watermelon Mountain Pufferfish Ghost Asks.

"We will return the money that Sunagakure paid before, and the southern sea area will still belong to you. These are the conditions we have agreed upon."

"Yes, I've brought it."

Suigetsu Hozuki grinned. "We don't want to see Sunagakure too weak either, that would only make Konoha happy, but... we have a condition."

"What are the conditions?"

Suddenly, Yekura had a bad feeling.

next moment.

Below, a rushing sound of water could be heard.

Immediately following, a powerful surge of chakra emanated from the area.

Then, as if enraged, the sea unleashed a massive tsunami, rushing towards this place from afar.

On the platform at the foot of the cliff, dozens of people formed hand seals together, using their chakra to manipulate the seawater below, while a barrier was set up around them to conceal their chakra aura.

The water curtain rolled up above, transforming into a massive water prison.

Exactly...

Water Release·Big Explosive Water Wave!

(End of this chapter)