Three days passed, and Yuuki in Konoha finally learned from the returning Ninja that the Konoha border forces were almost completely wiped out.
What Yuuki didn't expect was that old man Homura Mitokado actually managed to cover their retreat alone.
It seems he shouldn't always judge people by their original portrayals; people change.
At this moment, Yuuki thought of Itachi, wondering if that boy had come to his senses yet.
But then Yuuki stopped his wild thoughts, because the envoys from Hidden Mist had finally arrived.
Utatane Koharu received the order Hiruzen Sarutobi sent back and then met with them.
However, the Ninja from Hidden Mist clearly didn't care for that old woman and specifically asked to see the Uchiha clan head.
Having no choice, Yuuki tidied his clothes and headed towards the Hokage Building.
Sigh~ I'm just a department head, why do I have to bear so much?
For Konoha, I've truly sacrificed too much!
When Yuuki arrived at the Hokage Office, besides Utatane Koharu, two other people were standing in the room.
Yuuki immediately grumbled inwardly, this old woman doesn't even tell people to sit for a while, it's an embarrassment to Konoha!
Actually, Yuuki misunderstood; the Hidden Mist side completely ignored that she was a Konoha Advisor or the Hokage's designated greeter.
In the hearts of the Hidden Mist Ninja, the only one they respected was Lord Yuuki, who was powerful and helped their Mizukage return to normal.
Of the two standing, one was Mei Terumī, still wearing her characteristic black fishnet stockings.
The other was a long-haired man, around 20 years old. Yuuki recognized him at a glance as Utakata, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki.
As Yuuki arrived, Mei Terumī spoke.
"Lord Yuuki, Hidden Mist Village has come to fulfill its promise."
Yuuki immediately showed a bright smile on his face.
"Hidden Mist Village truly lives up to its reputation as one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages; it keeps its promises!"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Yuuki changed the subject.
"I wonder what the Hidden Mist representatives called me here for; I am merely a department head of Konoha."
"If the Hidden Mist representatives have something to discuss, it would be better to consult with Advisor Koharu."
As he spoke, he raised his arm and pointed in Utatane Koharu's direction.
Utatane Koharu was quite pleased with Yuuki's words. No wonder Hiruzen was willing to temporarily ally with the Uchiha; he's truly a capable young man!
However, Mei Terumī shook her head.
"Matters with Konoha have been concluded, and we have brought Utakata with us."
"Hidden Mist wishes to discuss its next steps with Lord Yuuki. Would that be acceptable, De-part-ment Head!?"
Mei Terumī deliberately emphasized the words "department head" and stared intently at Yuuki.
Yuuki, in turn, turned to Utatane Koharu with an apologetic look.
"My apologies, Advisor Koharu."
Then, with an enthusiastic smile, he looked at Mei Terumī and Utakata.
"In that case, would I be so fortunate as to invite the Hidden Mist representatives to the Military Police Force for a discussion?"
"No problem."
Mei Terumī nodded.
Yuuki's smile grew even brighter.
"Then, both of you, please!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi was now sitting in the newly constructed camp.
Konoha's previous border camp had been occupied by Hidden Cloud Village.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was currently filled with rage, an expression rarely seen on his normally benevolent face.
Every day, many refugees from nearby areas came to Konoha's camp seeking protection.
"These damned bandits!"
After Kumogakure entered the Land of Fire, they certainly didn't do nothing.
Before Hiruzen Sarutobi arrived, Kumogakure Ninja had turned into bandits, plundering everywhere within the Land of Fire.
Food, ironware, even raw ore from mines, and the furniture from these refugees' homes.
Almost anything of even a little value was not spared by Hidden Cloud Village.
This was also what puzzled Hiruzen Sarutobi; it was understandable for Kumogakure Ninja to seize food, ironware, and even ore.
After all, these were important materials. But why did they want the tables and chairs, and even the bowls and chopsticks, from the villagers in those small Villages!
You are just Ninja, not a Daimyo's army. How do you have the manpower to transport so many things?
Sealing a set of bowls and chopsticks in a sealing scroll to take back would probably not even make back the cost!
Finally, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only conclude that Kumogakure Ninja were inherently thieves, wanting to stuff anything they saw into their homes!
If Yuuki were here, he would probably guess the real reason: it was all because of Kumogakure's only Six Paths Ninja Tool, the amber purifying pot.
From this, one could probably guess that Kumogakure likely did this kind of thing often.
As for the refugees fleeing everywhere, it was clearly not Kumogakure's kindness that spared them.
It was purely to disgust Konoha, these refugees with no food, no extra clothes, and even no bedding.
Let's see what you, the Konoha Ninja who always pride yourselves on justice, will do. It's already winter now.
The Konoha Ninja, who pride themselves on justice, surely wouldn't stand by and watch the people of the Land of Fire starve or freeze to death.
Anyway, they are just ordinary people with no combat power; causing some trouble for Konoha is also good.
Hiruzen Sarutobi truly couldn't just watch these people die. The reason Konoha could support so many Ninja.
It was because not only the Land of Fire but also many surrounding small countries were willing to entrust missions to Konoha.
Besides Konoha's strength, it also had to do with most Konoha Ninja having an overflowing sense of justice.
As seen in the original story's Tazuna mission, they took a C-rank mission's pay but did an A-rank mission.
Simply because they couldn't stand the people of the Land of Waves being oppressed by Gato, even if it was just three children, Kakashi ultimately didn't refuse.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi were to let those refugees die now, Konoha's future days would likely be difficult.
Establishing a good reputation requires continuous good deeds, while a bad reputation only takes one bad deed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not want Konoha's nearly 60 years of good reputation to be ruined in his hands.
In desperation, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only appeal to the Daimyo in the capital for help.
Until the Daimyo's support arrived, Hiruzen Sarutobi could only use his own supplies to feed these penniless people.
"Five more days. In five days, I will make you bandits pay the price!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi swore silently in his heart.
Meanwhile, the Kumogakure Ninja, after occupying Konoha's previous camp, were filled with laughter and joy all day long.
Although they lost about a hundred brothers during the night of the surprise attack, especially Homura Mitokado's final wave, which took almost half of them.
But Konoha lost even more; a 1:9 casualty ratio was undoubtedly a great victory.
The days of plundering in the Land of Fire were even more pleasant; it truly was the center of the Ninja World, with everything!
In the center of Kumogakure's camp, only Raikage A was there at this moment.
Immediately, a White Zetsu appeared there.
"Hello, Raikage of Hidden Cloud Village, this is what Lord Madara wants me to give you."
This time, the Raikage finally no longer killed White Zetsu on sight, clearly having reached a collaboration with Obito.
A took the scroll handed to him by White Zetsu, which contained the number of Ninja in Hiruzen Sarutobi's camp, squad leaders, and their names and characteristics.
Flipping to the back, it showed the route for the Land of Fire Daimyo's supply transport.
To be honest, when A saw what was recorded inside, he felt like going to plunder it, but ultimately, reason triumphed over greed.
It was just ordinary supplies; they didn't necessarily have to plunder the Land of Fire's. The truly valuable things were still with Konoha.
Ninjutsu, secret technique inheritances, and Kekkei Genkai were what Kumogakure most desired.
"Five days? Then we'll attack Konoha in four days!"
A secretly made his decision, apparently still not planning to give up that large batch of supplies.
-------------------------
Thank you for following my story. If you want to read it first, please visit my Patreon — there are about 40 chapters waiting there. Your support really motivates me to continue to release more stories!
👉[patreon.com/TripleCrown07]