Chapter 253: The Unexpected Disappearance of Uchiha Obito!
The next morning, the victorious troops returned, bringing a lively and energetic atmosphere to the quiet Konoha camp.
"Clan Head, the casualty report for this battle has been compiled," a travel-worn Nara Shikaku said, reporting to the supreme commander the moment he returned. "Because you obtained the enemy's strategic intel in advance and moved so quickly between the various fronts, our losses this time were far lighter than before."
Konoha's ninja were, on average, stronger than those of the other villages. But in every war, they were forced to fight on multiple fronts at once. It was impossible to completely avoid casualties. But compared to all the battles that had come before, this one had, by far, the lowest losses and the greatest gains.
Shikaku handed over the scroll. Keisuke took it and began to read. The report listed not only the names of the wounded and killed, but also the few who had gone missing in action. He scanned the list, looking for one name.
He found it. 'Uchiha Obito. KIA/MIA. Body not recovered.'
He stared at the name, a ripple of understanding passing through him. In last night's battle, the masked Uchiha and Tobi had never shown themselves. They weren't on the Kumo front, the Iwa front, or the Kiri front. And now he knew why. The "missing" status... even if he thought with his toes, he knew this was their doing. Obito had been taken during the chaos of the battle.
'So, Old Man Madara's plan succeeded after all...' he sighed, and closed the scroll.
In truth, he didn't much care. He had a very low opinion of "Uchiha Kenji." (In the databooks, Obito's "wisdom" stat is a 2, hence the nickname "Ken-ji," or "Wise-Two.") Even in the explosive history of the Uchiha clan, his future actions were explosively stupid. While Keisuke wouldn't punish him for things he hadn't done yet, he wasn't a good enough person to go out of his way to save a psycho.
He was already planning a trip to the Land of Iron anyway. If he happened to find Obito in Madara's real base, he might save him. If not... oh well. His priority was killing Madara.
"Shikaku-san," he said, handing the scroll back. "Please handle the arrangements for the fallen."
Shikaku had heard the phrase "handle it" so many times now that he no longer had any will to resist. "Yes. I'll arrange for the bodies of our fallen comrades to be sent back to the village, to have their names carved on the memorial stone. I will also contact the village about the pensions and the news of our victory."
"The victory report... yes," Keisuke said, remembering. "One more thing. Last night, Minato-san killed A, and I captured B. You should probably mention that to the village as well."
Shikaku was silent for a moment. "...Clan Head," he said, his voice strained. "The 'A' and 'B' you're referring to... are they the AB Combo I'm thinking of?"
"Yes," Keisuke shrugged. "Just like the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, that combo is now history."
But... wasn't Minato at a stalemate with them? How did he... and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki was captured alive?!
"Clan Head," Shikaku said, his hand subconsciously going to his goatee, his voice trembling slightly. "With the merit you have earned in this war... do you... want to become the Fourth Hokage?"
Minato had heard whispers from Jiraiya and Hiruzen about the selection. But Shikaku, as the high-ranking Jonin Class Leader, had heard them too. A new Hokage would be chosen after the war. And looking at his new clan head's accomplishments... from Kikyo Castle, to Kannabi Bridge, to the capture of three Tailed Beasts... was there anyone in Konoha with a greater war record? His only weaknesses were his age and his lack of a direct "Hokage lineage." But his power... it was already beyond "Kage." Shikaku still couldn't forget the image of the descending Kirin. He had never seen the God of Shinobi, but surely... this was what it looked like.
But in response to his question, Keisuke just rolled his eyes. "Be Hokage? No way! Shikaku-san, do I look like the kind of person who'd want that job?"
"Very much so!" Shikaku replied, completely missing the signal.
"...In any case, it's never going to happen," Keisuke said, cutting the topic short.
"There is one more important matter, Clan Head," Shikaku said, remembering. "That topic from last night. What are your plans for the Three-Tails?"
Kagami had helped, but even he would say that the capture of the Three-Tails was Keisuke's personal achievement. Just like with Kokuō, the final decision was his.
"Have you discussed it with Kokuō?" Keisuke asked.
"Ah, yes. I spoke with Lord Kokuō last night, hehe... ahem." Shikaku cleared his throat and wiped his mouth. "Lord Kokuō's stance is that we can do as we wish. He will not interfere."
Kokuō knew that a ninja like Keisuke, who did not fear or hate Tailed Beasts, was an extreme rarity. It didn't expect Isobu to receive the same good treatment it had. And since Keisuke himself didn't seem to like the "ugly" beast, why would it interfere?
"So he's staying out of it? Fine," Keisuke said, rubbing his chin. "Where is the Three-Tails now?"
"Its body is too large for land transport," Shikaku explained. "After you left, with Kokuō's help, we pushed it to the coast. Then Kagami-senpai used ropes to tow it to the shore near this camp. It is currently being guarded by him and Kokuō."
"Since it's not far, I'll go take a look," Keisuke said, standing up.
"Clan Head, shall I accompany you?"
"Of course, Shikaku-san. I need your help," Keisuke said, then gave a wicked smile. "I'm going to go talk to the Three-Tails about its current situation, and then... Shikaku-san, do you think the village... would be interested in buying the Three-Tails?"
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