Iwagakure, Tsuchikage's Office
"What? The squad we sent into the Land of Fire, including Han, was completely wiped out? "
The Third Tsuchikage glared furiously at Kurotsuchi's father, Kitsuchi, who had just delivered the report, almost thinking he had misheard.
Because of their previous failure to capture the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, he had been especially cautious this time—dispatching none other than Han, the Five-Tails' jinchūriki, to lead the mission.
Originally, he believed that even if the mission failed, with Han there, the squad would at least avoid catastrophic losses.
But not only had the mission failed—Han himself had been killed.
"Yes," Kitsuchi said grimly.
He had only just received the news himself, and it had shocked him as much as it shocked the Tsuchikage.
"How could this happen? Even if the mission failed, with Han's strength, how could he not even escape alive? "
The Third Tsuchikage's voice thundered with anger.
"According to intelligence, they encountered the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Fugaku. After engaging him, they were completely annihilated."
Kitsuchi's voice was low and heavy.
"They encountered the Fifth Hokage? "
The Third Tsuchikage frowned, unable to comprehend.
Of all the people they could have run into, it had to be Konoha's current strongest shinobi. Their luck could not have been worse.
"Reports from Konoha state that they were discovered shortly after infiltrating the Land of Fire. Once Han's identity as a jinchūriki was exposed, the Fifth Hokage personally made his move."
Kitsuchi explained.
"To be discovered so soon after entering… Han's squad was far too careless."
The Third Tsuchikage took a deep breath, his expression hardening.
"For Han to die without even managing to retreat—Uchiha Fugaku's strength must be terrifying."
The intelligence they had previously gathered already suggested that Fugaku was powerful.
But Han was a perfect jinchūriki, someone who possessed strength beyond even a Kage.
And yet, against Fugaku, not only did he lose—he couldn't even escape.
"First, he captured Orochimaru alive. Now, he's killed Han, a perfect jinchūriki… Uchiha Fugaku's strength is beyond frightening. And what's worse—"
Kitsuchi's tone grew heavier, his face darkening.
"After killing Han and his squad, the Fifth Hokage still wasn't satisfied. He went on to attack Iwagakure's border garrison near the Land of Fire… causing over a thousand casualties."
"What?! He didn't just kill Han; he struck our border camp too—and slaughtered more than a thousand of our shinobi? What monstrous strength… And how dare he? Does he intend to start a war with Iwagakure? "
The Third Tsuchikage's fists clenched tight, veins bulging. His aged face was filled with both fear and fury.
Fear at Fugaku's overwhelming might.
Even an elephant can be brought down by enough ants, yet Fugaku had attacked thousands of shinobi stationed at the border, killed over a thousand of them, and walked away unharmed.
Fury at Fugaku's brazen disregard for limits.
He had the audacity to strike Iwagakure's garrison—was he really trying to provoke war?
"Father, Iwagakure has not yet fully recovered its strength. It isn't wise to go to war with Konoha now."
Kitsuchi's heart jolted as he hurriedly advised caution.
"I know."
The Third Tsuchikage forced himself to take several deep breaths, slowly calming his burning rage.
"But we cannot just let this go."
"What do you mean? "
Kitsuchi asked.
"Contact the Akatsuki. Put out a bounty for Uchiha Fugaku's assassination. As for the reward… as long as it isn't outrageous, we'll pay it."
The Third Tsuchikage's voice was cold.
Iwagakure had long maintained connections with Akatsuki—many of their missions came directly from his village.
From what he knew, Akatsuki was an organization of S-class missing-nin, several of whom were Kage-level or higher.
In today's shinobi world, the only group daring enough to accept a contract on Uchiha Fugaku's life was Akatsuki.
"Father, Akatsuki may be useful, but they're still a band of extremely dangerous missing-nin. If we rely on them too much, it could backfire—"
Kitsuchi frowned.
"No matter. Akatsuki is still just a small group of rogues. Their numbers are limited, and their natural weaknesses mean they cannot truly threaten Iwagakure."
The Third Tsuchikage shook his head, cutting Kitsuchi off. Kitsuchi could only fall silent.
Land of Fire, Borderlands
"So… Iwagakure doesn't plan to retaliate directly. Or perhaps they're plotting another kind of revenge? "
After lingering at the border for some time and seeing no response from Iwagakure, Uchiha Fugaku turned back toward Konoha.
Then a thought struck him.
"This place isn't far from the Land of Grass…"
He recalled that around this period, Karin of the Uzumaki clan—and her mother—should be living in Kusagakure.
The Uzumaki, like the Senju, were descendants of the Sage of Six Paths' younger son, Asura.
They were a clan renowned for their incredible vitality and mastery of sealing techniques, and they were especially suitable as jinchūriki hosts.
If he could bring both mother and daughter to Konoha, it would be of immense benefit to the village.
Changing direction, Fugaku set off toward the Land of Grass.
A few hours later, he arrived outside Kusagakure.
"The Hokage's robe… Could that be the Fifth Hokage of Konoha? "
"Quick! Report this immediately! "
Kusagakure was a small village whose strongest shinobi was only at the level of an elite jōnin. Seeing the Fifth Hokage appear outside their gates, they panicked instantly.
The Kusagakure leader, a corpulent man with an oily appearance, hurried out with others to greet him, forcing a smile.
"Lord Hokage, to what do we owe the honor of your visit to Kusagakure? "
"You are the leader here? "
Fugaku asked, his gaze fixed on the rotund man from a distance.
"Yes, Hokage-sama. My name is Kusabē, leader of Kusagakure."
The man bowed quickly.
Traditionally, only the heads of the Five Great Nations' shinobi villages could bear the title of "Kage." Other minor village leaders could not.
The sole exception was Hoshigakure's leader, the so-called "Hoshikage," though that title was considered a joke across the shinobi world.
Carefully, Kusabē probed.
"May I ask the purpose of your visit, Lord Hokage? "
"I have come for a mother and daughter with healing abilities. Hand them over."
Fugaku said bluntly.
"A mother and daughter… with healing powers? "
Kusabē's heart sank.
That pair was considered Kusagakure's most valuable asset, especially since their village lacked skilled medical-nin. Handing them over was unthinkable.
So he tried to feign ignorance.
"Lord Hokage, you must be mistaken. Kusagakure has no such people."
"I won't say it again. I'm sure you've already heard about what happened at Iwagakure's border camp. If you believe Kusagakure can withstand me, you're welcome to test it."
Fugaku's voice was icy.
Shhh—
Cold sweat poured down Kusabē's body like rain.
Of course he had heard of the battle not far away in the Land of Earth—Fugaku had single-handedly attacked Iwagakure's border garrison of thousands, killed over a thousand shinobi, and walked away untouched.
Kusagakure was far weaker than that garrison. If Fugaku unleashed the same fury here, even if the village wasn't destroyed outright, it would suffer devastating losses.
"P-perhaps they are in the village, and I simply wasn't aware. I—I'll order an investigation at once."
He wiped his dripping forehead, signaling to a senior Kusagakure shinobi at his side.
"Hurry and investigate! If such a mother and daughter exist, bring them here immediately! "
"Yes, sir! "
The subordinate understood instantly and rushed off.
Before long, a red-haired mother and daughter were brought forward.
The mother's exposed skin was covered in bite marks. Thin and frail, her body clearly showed the signs of years of severe chakra exhaustion.
The daughter bore no bite marks, but her ragged clothing betrayed the harsh treatment she had endured.
This was none other than Karin and her mother.
Fugaku said nothing further. He simply took them with him and departed.
As for avenging their suffering? That wasn't his concern.
If Karin grew strong enough in the future, she could take that revenge herself.