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Yuma and Kakashi joined the fray, launching kunais and shurikens at the Waterfall shinobi who were already locked in combat with the Konoha backup squad with great precession.
"SWISH, SWISH, SWISH, SWISH, SWISH."
"PU, PU, PU, PU, PU."
Kakashi and Yuma's shurikens and kunais rained down on the Waterfall shinobi; some fell lifeless to the ground, while others writhed in pain from their injuries.
Seizing the opportunity, the Konoha shinobi delivered the killing blow to the Waterfall shinobi after they were struck by the shurikens and kunais thrown by Yuma and Kakashi.
Might Gai used his taijutsu to strike the Waterfall Shinobi from behind, aiding his comrades in battle.
"CRACK."
Gai punched and kicked them with devastating force; the cracks of breaking bones echoed with each strike, and the Waterfall shinobi screamed in agony.
The Konoha shinobi showed no mercy, striking decisively to deliver the finishing blow that killed the Waterfall shinobi.
In no time, the Waterfall shinobi were completely exterminated.
Kakashi glanced at his comrades and asked, "casualties report."
Ryu Hyuga stepped forward and reported, "There are only minor injuries; the backup squad has no serious casualties."
When Kakashi heard this, he nodded in satisfaction, pulled a kunai from his pouch, and sliced his finger lightly to draw blood.
Kakashi then quickly formed a series of hand seals before slamming his palm against the ground.
"Summoning Jutsu."
"PUFF."
A sudden puff of white smoke, appeared and small brown puppy appeared out of nowhere. He stared at Kakashi and said, "Yo, Kakashi."
Kakashi dropped to a knee and commanded the brown puppy, "Pakkun, rush back to the village and report to Lord Hokage: the Village Hidden in the Waterfall has allied with Iwa against us."
Pakun nodded seriously at Kakashi, then vanished in a blur, heading straight for Konoha.
Kakashi then turned to his fellow Konoha shinobi and said, "We need to move quickly as well. Let's go."
Kakashi led the backup squad as they raced at full speed toward the Land of Fire border.
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20 minutes later
Konoha
Hokage office
Pakun perched atop the Hokage's desk, having just delivered Kakashi's message to Hiruzen.
Danzo and the other advisors in the Hokage's office grew grim upon hearing Kakashi's message.
Hiruzen drew a deep breath from his pipe, calming himself. He nodded at Pakun. "Thank you for delivering Kakashi's message. You may go now."
Pakun nodded to the Hokage.
"PUFF."
With a white cloud of smoke, Pakun disappeared.
Hamura, Koharu, and Danzo all turned their serious gazes toward Hiruzen. Koharu spoke first, her voice tense, "Hiruzen… what should we do now? The situation is escalating. Our skirmishes with Iwa could spark an all-out war, and if that happens… it could even lead to the Fourth Ninja War."
Hamura and Danzo remained silent as the trio turned to Hiruzen with serious expressions.
Hiruzen remained silent in response to Koharu's question and instead walked over to the elemental nations map, his gaze fixed on it.
After five minutes, he turned to his advisors and said, "We need to form an alliance, and our best option is with the Hidden Village in Grass."
Danzo, Hamura, and Koharu stared at Hiruzen in stunned silence. Danzo sprang to his feet and barked, "Hiruzen — we should ally with the Hidden Sand and crush Iwa and the Hidden Waterfall in one strike."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed on the map. Turning to Danzo, he asked, "Danzo, what terms do you think the Hidden Sand Village will demand if we propose an alliance?"
Danzo went quiet, his mind working through the implications, while Hiruzen pressed on. "Their demands will be impossible for us to meet right now. We are still recovering from the Kyubi attack, the Uchiha incident, and the death of the Fourth Hokage."
The trio nodded in agreement at his words, and Hiruzen continued, "However, the Hidden Village in Grass is different. Their terms will likely favor us, as Iwa and the Hidden Village of Waterfall are invading their land. They are under immense pressure and cannot push back Iwa and Waterfall on their own—they need our assistance."
The advisors' eyes lit up at this, and Hiruzen continued, "Furthermore, this alliance will bring long-term benefits. Our knowledge of the art of poison pales in comparison to the Hidden Sand Village, so one of our conditions for forming the alliance is that they must share their expertise with us."
Danzo and the other advisors nodded in satisfaction as Hiruzen began drafting a letter to the leader of the Hidden Village in Grass, outlining the conditions for an alliance with Konoha.
Hiruzen and his advisors discussed the terms of the alliance with the Hidden Grass Village for quite some time before all four of them reached an agreement.
Koharu then glanced at Hiruzen and asked, "So, who are you planning to send as the envoy?"
Hiruzen smiled at the question and replied, "I have the perfect team in mind. Asuma will be ideal for this mission—he was one of the Twelve Guardian Shinobi and learned a great deal about politics while serving as a guard for the Fire Daimyo."
His advisors nodded in agreement, and Hiruzen continued, "As for his teammates, I think Chunin Kuranai Yuhi, Shiko Aburame, and Anko will be perfect."
Hamura looked skeptical upon hearing Hiruzen's plan to send Anko and asked, "Hiruzen, are you certain sending Anko on a mission like this is wise?"
Hiruzen nodded and explained, "Yes, and don't forget our backup squad we just sent to the border was ambushed. Anko can summon snakes to support Asuma if the team comes under attack; Kurenai can assist with genjutsu; and Shiko can use his insects both to aid Asuma and Anko in battle and to scout for hidden enemies."
When the advisors heard this, they nodded their heads in understanding.
The Third Hokage flared his chakra, and a hidden ANBU squad appeared, kneeling before him. Hiruzen addressed them, saying, "Go summon Jōnin Asuma Sarutobi, and Chūnin Kuranai Yuhi, Shiko Aburame, and Anko Mitarashi."
At Hiruzen's command, the ANBU disappeared from sight, moving swiftly to summon Asuma, Anko, Kuranai, and Shiko.
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After 5 minutes
"KNOCK, KNOCK."
"ENTER."
Asuma, Anko, Kurenai, and Shiko entered the Hokage's office and noticed that his advisors were already there.
They respectfully bowed to the Third Hokage and his advisors upon entering the office.
Hiruzen smiled as he saw Asuma and the others enter. "Good to see you four arrived so quickly," he said warmly. "I have an important mission for you. It's an A-rank mission, as its success will determine the outcome of our skirmishes with Iwa along the border."
Asuma, Anko, Kurenai, and Shiko looked at the Hokage with serious expressions. Seeing their attentiveness, Hiruzen continued, "We just received a message from Kakashi. The backup squad we sent was ambushed by shinobi from the Hidden Village of Waterfall. According to Kakashi, Iwa and the Hidden Village of Waterfall have formed an alliance. From now on, things are going to be difficult at the border, so we need to form our own alliance to counter them."
Asuma, Anko, Kurenai, and Shiko nodded in understanding at Hiruzen's words. He continued, "To counter their alliance, we have decided to form an alliance with the Hidden Village in Grass. Asuma, during your time as one of the 12 Guardian Shinobi of the Fire Daimyo, you observed the workings of politics and learned a great deal. Now it is time for you to use that knowledge for the good of the village."
Asuma smiled and nodded to the Third Hokage, then Hiruzen continued, "You four need to be careful—you might be ambushed by Iwa or Waterfall shinobi."
Upon hearing this, the four of them exchanged serious glances with Hiruzen and nodded in acknowledgment."
The Third Hokage then began discussing the terms and conditions of Konoha's alliance with the Hidden Village in Grass with Asuma.
After explaining everything to Asuma, Anko, Shiko, and Kuranai, he handed them the scroll containing the treaty and said to Asuma, "Once you complete this mission, your team must join the others at the border."
Asuma nodded with a smile and said to Hiruzen, "As you wish, Hokage-sama."
After that Asuma and his team exited the Hokage's office.