bookbashuk Chapter 81 Mission Completed
Chapter 81 Mission Completed
Yamanaka Santen stood by the window, first glancing at Hyuga Seiran, who was busy in the room, and then looking at the Sand Village guard ninja who had been knocked unconscious outside the door.
He frowned slightly, reached out and pulled back a corner of the curtain, cautiously peering outside.
"Thump, thump, thump..."
Under the pitch-black night sky, white light flashed more and more frequently.
Each time the white light flashed, a deafening explosion followed.
Looking back down at the street, a large number of Sand Village ninjas can be seen rushing towards the scene of the incident.
Three days into the mountain, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly as he watched this scene.
"I knew this mission wouldn't be that simple..."
After learning the shocking news that "Uchiha Madara" was still alive, he no longer found any missions surprising.
After all, even Madara Uchiha, who was supposed to have died long ago, was able to "come back to life".
So how could this peace talks between Konoha and Sunagakure really be just an ordinary peace talks?
Not to mention, their so-called "envoy group" doesn't seem quite normal at all.
He's a sensory ninja, Timon is a glutton, and Shisui is a child.
Captain Qinglan...
After three days of contemplation in the mountains, several words flashed through my mind, but in the end, I felt that none of them were quite right, so I had to put all these thoughts aside.
In short, they don't look like a team that's seriously here to negotiate peace.
Why would they send laymen like them to negotiate?
"Three days? Could it be?"
On the other side, Akimichi Choman also clearly sensed something.
He still had half a piece of dried food dangling from his mouth, and he looked vaguely at the three heavens in the mountains, then turned to look at Hyuga Seiran, who was fiddling with a scroll in the room.
After three days in the mountains, he took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
"That's right, Timon."
He drew the curtains shut, turned to his companion, and said in a low voice, "It's exactly what you think!"
Although he didn't know exactly how far Ding Man had gone.
But it's okay.
At times like these, you must project a strong presence.
As for specific actions...
We'll just wait for Captain Qinglan's instructions.
"..."
Uchiha Shisui stood to the side, clearly still somewhat bewildered.
He was still young, and although he had experienced the battlefield and possessed a calmness and talent far beyond his peers, the current situation was changing too fast.
Just a moment ago they were peace envoys sent by Konoha.
The next moment, violent turmoil broke out within Sunagakure.
Captain Qinglan seemed to have been prepared all along.
Shisui subconsciously tensed up, his hand quietly approaching the ninja tool pouch, his eyes becoming wary.
Just then, a cold female voice suddenly came from downstairs in the hotel. The voice pierced through the night wind and reached upstairs.
"The Kazekage has ordered that the Konoha envoy be apprehended for now, and that we await further instructions."
"yes!"
A neat and rapid response came from downstairs, followed by the footsteps of ninjas quickly assembling and rushing forward.
Ye Cang, who had rushed over, stood at the end of the street and looked up at the horizon.
There, the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, had already stepped on the gold dust, transforming into a golden streak of light, and was rushing towards the direction where the turmoil had broken out.
Further away, the continuous explosions continued.
Ye Cang looked solemn, his brows furrowed slightly.
Although all the arrangements had been made, and although they had anticipated the possible unusual movements of the Konoha envoy group and had taken precautions to monitor and blockade them.
But for some reason, she had a persistent sense of foreboding.
It's as if something has completely deviated from the expected trajectory.
This feeling made her extremely uneasy.
really...
Not long after, a Sand Village ninja rushed over in a panic.
"It's terrible, Lady Yekura! The Konoha delegation has disappeared!"
"What?"
Ye Cang's eyes suddenly darkened.
The ninja swallowed hard and forced himself to continue, "Their room is empty, and the ninja on guard was knocked unconscious..."
"Only...only one letter was left behind!"
"The letter said...that Sunagakure is untrustworthy, they...they left first!"
Meanwhile, the Kikyo Mountains.
What was originally a desolate mountain range that looked like nothing but loess, gravel and weeds.
At this moment, however, it has been occupied by a vast army of Konoha ninja.
The night wind rustled, blowing across the mountain ridge and brushing against the leaves that covered the headscarves.
The densely packed figures lined up along the mountainside, and although they didn't make much noise, a chilling aura permeated the air.
Many ninjas still had doubts about this sudden order to assemble.
I don't understand why the defensive tasks that had already been arranged were canceled at the last minute.
They didn't understand why so many Konoha ninjas had to be gathered at Mount Kikyo in the middle of the night to stand by.
However, many of the ninjas who had retreated from the battlefield of Iwagakure had already sensed something unusual.
Lord Orochimaru would never make such an arrangement without a reason.
At the very top of the ridge, Orochimaru stood alone, letting the night wind brush against his face, yet he remained motionless.
Orochimaru!
Just then, a voice filled with anger and confusion came from behind.
Mitokado Homura, who was originally preparing to set off for Sunagakure to participate in the peace talks, rushed over with barely concealed confusion on his face.
"What are you trying to do?"
"Isn't this supposed to be peace talks?"
He quickly caught up with Orochimaru from behind and pressed, "You know the situation in the village right now, so how can you act recklessly at this critical juncture?"
After speaking, he first looked at Orochimaru, then turned to look at Nara Shikaku, who had remained silent to the side, and his brows furrowed even more.
"And you, Shikaku."
"Orochimaru's nonsense is one thing, but why are you joining in his nonsense?"
"If even you become like this, how can the village entrust you with important matters in the future?"
"..."
Nara Shikaku remained silent for a moment, without answering immediately.
He simply stepped forward and briefly explained the information he had gathered to Mitokado Homura.
"..."
"What did you say?"
Mitokado Homura stared at Orochimaru with his mouth agape in disbelief.
The One-Tailed Jinchuriki is in imminent danger.
Sunagakure is covering up the truth.
Orochimaru had already sent people to release the tailed beasts in advance, preparing for an attack from within and without.
And all of this happened at almost the same time.
This wasn't the first time Orochimaru had done something like releasing tailed beasts.
Years ago, he had been ordered by the village to carry out similar missions.
If it weren't for the Third Raikage personally overseeing the situation and suppressing it with absolute force, the situation would have been much worse.
The Hidden Cloud Village probably won't have enough time to stabilize the internal collapse.
Now, if the One-Tailed Beast really goes berserk within Sunagakure, it could almost certainly replicate the tragic state of Kumogakure back then.
It could even be more serious.
The difference is that this time, Sunagakure doesn't have a strong savior like the Third Raikage.
The Third Kazekage, known as the "Strongest Kazekage," has long since disappeared.
The current Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, is just a young man who has only recently taken office.
Despite possessing magnetic sand gold, its strength is considerable.
However, in terms of prestige and suppressive power, he is far from comparable to the Third Raikage.
If we can really take this opportunity to gain something from Sunagakure...
A complex look flashed across Mitokado Yan's eyes.
As the Hokage's advisor, he naturally hoped that Konoha would benefit.
If this battle can severely damage Sunagakure, forcing them to pay a greater price at the peace talks.
Then Konoha will have a huge advantage in the upcoming situation.
It could even end the war with Sunagakure sooner.
On the other hand, if the situation gets out of control, a full-scale war could break out.
Konoha is also highly likely to be dragged into the quagmire of war once again.
Not to mention, there is a living "Uchiha Madara" lurking in the shadows, watching us with predatory eyes.
With this threat still unresolved, is Konoha truly suited to continue escalating external conflicts?
Mitokado Yan hesitated.
As you get older, you have more concerns.
He might have been more decisive when he was younger.
But now, as an advisor, he must consider the village's capacity to cope, the recovery after the war, the casualties among civilians and ninjas, Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude, and the stability of Konoha in the coming years.
Peace talks should have been the safest option.
Reason told him that the best course of action was to first eliminate the hidden "Spot".
But reality told him... this opportunity was rare.
Such an opportunity may not come again for several years or even a decade.
"Bang!"
Just then, a muffled sound suddenly came from the air.
A gigantic snake shadow, summoned by Orochimaru's confidant through blood magic, silently appeared on the mountain ridge.
"Mission accomplished!"
The shadow clone Qinglan was the first to emerge from the snake's mouth.
He had returned to his original appearance and raised his hand to Orochimaru, indicating that everything was done.
"....."
Orochimaru looked at Hyuga Seiran, who had now shed his disguise, and a faint smile flashed across his eyes.
So you really weren't here to steal my thunder?
He chuckled to himself, but didn't dwell on the matter.
Qinglan has done what he was supposed to do.
Next, it's my turn.
Orochimaru slowly turned around, facing the Konoha army that had already assembled behind him.
"Everyone! The Jinchuriki of the One-Tailed Beast in Sunagakure is showing signs of abnormality. This is the best opportunity for the village to end this war!"
"If we seize this opportunity, we can completely turn the tide of the war and even end this protracted conflict in one fell swoop!"
"Konoha's victory is within reach!"
The ninjas in the front row were taken aback at first, and then their expressions began to change.
Some ninjas who were already hostile to Sunagakure had their fighting spirit ignited in their eyes.
Those who were initially puzzled by the impromptu gathering were gradually stirred up by the surrounding atmosphere.
Mitokado Homura stood there, silently watching everything unfold.
At this moment, the original idea of seeking peace has long since vanished in the face of the overwhelming trend.
"Hiruzen, you should take charge of your students yourself..."
He sighed deeply and shook his head. "I can't control it anymore."
After saying that, he gave Nara Shikaku a wink, signaling him to return to Konoha with him to report the news and request more support.
After all, if war were to break out, the village's reinforcements would be indispensable.
As for what to do with Orochimaru afterward...
That leaves it to Hiruzen Sarutobi, who is the teacher, to deal with this headache.